It should come as no surprise, but as a life long liberal in Illinois' 10th Congressional District, I have major issues with my congressional representation. After years of suffering (to put it mildly) under Mark Kirk and Bob Dold, the district finally elected a Democrat in Brad Schneider who decided to vote like a Republican. There are literally a vast list of bills I could cite, but most galling was when Schneider sided with Ted Cruz and voted against Obamacare. Democrat? Hardly
But, it is now becoming painfully clear that Illinois Democrats have to act quickly or else he is going to hand this district right back to Bob Dolt.
There are things I can tolerate in my politicians. Mild disagreements over complex issues are to be expected. Heck, they're even healthy! But, one thing I cannot and will not tolerate is hypocrisy.
If this report is true, then Schneider is a hypocrite of the worst order. The Schneiders are investors in Georgia-Pacific, a Koch industries subsidiary with a spotty environmental record. The source OBVIOUSLY has to be considered, but - then again - it contains a link to a disclosure form that seems to spell it out. When the Koch brothers profit, he profits. To quote our Vice President, this is a big f*** deal.
If Dolt uses this information to his advantage (and after years of watching Mark Kirk expertly spin the facts to trick the 10th into electing him time and time and time again I have no doubt Dolt is smart enough to do just that) then Schneider's toast. There is no way anyone in their right mind would vote for a Democrat with ties to Koch Industries. He needs to, for once, put the party ahead of himself and step down. Then we can nominate someone, anyone, to replace him on the ballot.
Dolt must be salivating at the opportunity to use this. Let's not give him the chance, Rep. Schneider. Please, Congressman, withdraw.