I am from Southern Illinois, and John Shimkus has been a horrible blight on our region for years. I sent this letter to the editor to a few Southern Illinois newspapers and am going to call his office today.
Springfield Office - 202-225-5271
Growing up in Hamilton and Franklin counties, John Shimkus has been a continual embarrassment to our region. His cover up of the Foley page/pedophilia scandal and grossly ignorant statements concerning global warming should absolutely shame every Southern Illinoisan who voted him back into office. My father is a coal miner, my mother works a road crew, and I'm a teacher. He doesn't defend our interests He receives extremely low ratings from agencies supporting labor unions, education, civil rights, the environment, and agriculture.
Putting all that aside, even though other circus sideshows distracted during President Obama's recent address, Shimkus embarrassed Southern Illinois yet again by walking out during the speech. As a politician, I don't expect him to always tell the truth- such as Shimkus lying about the number of terms he would serve, or honorable - covering up for Mark Foley. I do, however, expect him to act like an adult and not embarrass the people of Southern Illinois who do know something about graciousness and respect that Shimkus may need to return from Washington to relearn.