A Salute to Springfield re: Transit Compromise

How many times can we say “Thank You Springfield!”

You worked hard and exacted a compromise, fabulous!  I’m just curious about what exactly was compromised? Faced with a transit budget shortfall, the legislature passed an increase in the state sales tax.  Was the compromise, downsize the CTA or pass a tax hike? That doesn’t sound like much of a compromise to me. It sounds more like shifting the problem right onto the backs of taxpayers. At least legislators dragged their feet making it at least appear as though they were really working on a solution to the budget woes of the RTA.

According to the  Chicago Tribune, about 2,400 CTA employees and 200 Pace drivers and administrative workers would have been laid off had this $560 million tax increase failed to pass.  And approximately 160 routes would have been discontinued. That’s 16.25 employees per route!  This seems like more of a gift to organized labor than it is for public transportation users.

Taxing is easy, raising taxes isn’t a compromise, it’s a cop-out.

Help Christine’s Campaign!

We’ll be helping Sen. Radogno drop literature in her district on January 5th, 10AM-3PM.

Please help fair-minded and inclusive Senator Christine Radogno campaign in her district and have a FREE LUNCH!
Meet at the Founder’s Crossing Activity Center (14718 S. Founders Circle, Homer Glen – In back of Founders Crossing shopping center, west of Bell Road).
Food and refreshments provided afterward at Pepe’s Restaurant, 14853 S. Founders Crossing.

RSVP to campaign manager Ryan Cudney at rcudney@ilsenategop.com

Email me at mcarr@logcabinchicago.org to arrange a ride carpool.

New Drug For Hillary Clinton Syndrome

LOL

Saltwater as Fuel!

No government subsidies needed for this gasoline alternative, just good ole American ingenuity. American’s have a long history of achieving a higher standard of living without legislative or financial incentives from the American government. Sometimes that motivation falls under the auspices of “the profit motive” in other cases, its stumbling upon a solution to a problem while focusing on solving a different problem. Watch the story of how this man searched for a cure to his wife’s cancer, and possibly discovers an alternative fuel!

Gov. Huckabee welcomes any support he can get, including Log Cabin!

11/28/07 Republican Debate-Log Cabin Republicans

James Vaughn of Log Cabin writes an interesting post on the Republican YouTube Debate.

We respect Gov. Huckabee and his clearly consistent policy opinion on marriage equality, even though we strongly disagree with that policy.

Log Cabin Illinois Morns Passing of Representative Hyde

The Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois regretfully announce the passage of Rep. Henry Hyde.  Representative Hyde served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 2007.  He represented Illinois’ 6th District in Northeast DuPage County.  He chaired the Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2001 and the House International Relations Committee from 2001 to 2007.  He became a household name across America when he served as the lead House manager during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, where he was constitutionally bound to impeach Clinton for perjury.

Representative Hyde and Democrat, Tom Lantos (D-CA), authored America’s worldwide response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in 2003 and the associated landmark foreign assistance legislation.

Hyde received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on November 5, 2007 shortly after his retirement.

A veteran, a lawyer, and a public servant, Henry Hyde has served his country with honor and dedication. During his 32-year career in the House of Representatives, he was a powerful defender of life, a leading advocate for a strong national defense, and an unwavering voice for liberty, democracy, and free enterprise around the world. A true gentleman of the House, he advanced his principles without rancor and earned the respect of friends and adversaries alike. Log Cabin mourns Henry Hyde and remembers him for his distinguished record of service to America.

Coming out…to Grandma?

Change the hearts and minds of your loved ones this holiday season 

In preparation for the holidays, and to insure that my partner, Fred could attend our Thankgiving Holiday celebration, I felt compelled to come out to Grandma.  Grandma still hosts a few family get-togethers every  year, which is quite an accomplishment since she’s approaching 83 years old.

I battled for a long time on this issue, is it necessary? will she even understand? won’t it just cause unnecessary conflict? Couldn’t I just refer to Fred as “my friend.” And let people interpret our relationship as they wish?

Well, I decided that ambiguity would be dishonest, and unproductive. No doubt we’d play this uncomfortable game of talking around the issue, Fred and I would be forced to spread little white lies, in front of other family members that are already familiar with our relationship. That would just be uncomfortable for too many people, and for such little benefit.

Grandma was “shocked,” not upset or angry, just surprised.  Some statements, she made, or questions she asked included:

• “But you came from such a good family…”
• “Will you ever change?”
• “So now, no one will carry on the family name?”
• “But you dated Rebecca…” <ex-girlfriend during high school>
• “Who else knows?” <she then when though a litany of questions on this topic…does “he” know, shes “she” know, do “they” know…it was pretty funny>
• “Well, I won’t tell anyone…”
• “Have you talked to a priest?”
• “Do you still go to church?”
• “Is he Catholic?”
• “Is he taller than you?”
• “What kind of car does he drive?”
• “Is he coming to dinner?”

I found most of the questions funny, because in every instance of coming out to friends and family hardly any of the above questions were asked…younger people didn’t care about the effect this would have on my relationship with my church, no body promised to “not tell anyone,” no body offered the illusion that gay people come from bad families, and no body asked what kind of car my boyfriend drives.

So what was accomplished?

• My grandma now has a more complete idea of who I am, btw I’m her favorite grandson and probably grandchild, but don’t tell my sister ; – I’m probably still her favorite.)
•  I rattled some stereotypes and her misconceptions:
  • Gay people can come from good families
  • Gay people can start a family
  • Gay people can still have a healthy faith life
  • Gay people can associate and don’t necessarily face rejection from from people who are perceived as Religious
  • Gay people can at one time in their life be perceived as gay, and practice straight tendencies
  • Gay people can be tall and drive nice cars (Fred for both)

I watched her prick her finger, measure her glucose level, as she wrestles with the possible onset of Diabetes. I listened to her complain about prescription costs. We watched I Love Lucy and the News.  She asked, “Who are you going for?” referring to the next primary election, I said “Probably him” referring to Giuliani. 

Now she knows that Gay people can also be Republican.

LCR Deplores City-Wide Tax Increase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A recent press release we distributed…

LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS CHICAGO DEPLORE

CITY-WIDE TAX INCREASES

 

“Taxing water, 911 calls and beer will not help to fix our city’s current problems, nor set us on the road to reform,” said David Valkema.

 

CHICAGO–The Log Cabin Republicans Chicago Caucus today rejected the city’s new budget, calling it fiscally irresponsible to the economic vitality of Chicago citizens. Authored by Mayor Richard M. Daley’s office, and passed by a City Council vote of 37-13, the budget calls for $5.9 billion in spending, made possible by a host of new sales and property taxes.

 

The new city taxes include: a 7 cent tax on each six pack of beer; a 5 cent tax on every bottle of water; a $2.50 surcharge on every 911 emergency call; and $86 million in new property taxes, the highest property tax increase in Chicago history.

 

“Hot off the heels of his reelection in February, Mayor Daley has chosen to take more money from hard-working individuals rather than address the broken system that causes so much waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Log Cabin Republicans Illinois president David Valkema. “Higher taxes discourage consumption and investment in our city, and make individuals more dependent on government to make ends meet.”

 

In justifying his support for Mayor Daley’s budget–passed despite a rare show of opposition in the City Council–Alderman Isaac Carothers (29th) said, “no pain, no gain.” “Indeed, the new tax hikes and spending in Chicago are a lot of pain offset with very little gain,” said Log Cabin Republicans Illinois board member Richard Lorenc.

 

“We were happy to see, however, that out of the nine new council members elected this year, only three voted for the budget as a whole, and only four voted for the property tax increase,” said Lorenc.

 

The Log Cabin Republicans Chicago Caucus continues to work for the election of fiscally responsible, socially fair-minded candidates who advocate the reduction of government power and influence in all areas. The group will assist such candidates in the 2009 City Council elections.

 

###

 

The Log Cabin Republicans Chicago Caucus are a division of the Log Cabin Republicans Illinois, a state chapter of the national organization. Its mission is to advance issues of interest for LGBT Americans and make their voices heard within the Republican Party.

Log Cabin Meets with Spectrum

Spectrum is DePaul University’s GLBT student group. They invited Log Cabin Illinois to speak to their general membership about Log Cabin Republicans.  They were thinking of exhibiting the “documentary” which aired on Logo, Elephant in the Room.  At the last minute we all decided to not show the video. Many of them had already seen it and they were curious about LCR’s opinion of film. They also inquired about the American Dad Log Cabin episode. They group may have been new to the philosophies of Log Cabin, but at least they had some pop cultural references.

My presentation covered the basics:

What is Log Cabin, What has Log Cabin been involved in, Why am I a Log Cabin Republican?

After the formal part of the presentation, we had a lively Q&A session.  The students had some great questions.  They were very curious about the demographics of the Log Cabin organization, race, gender, even inquiring as to how many trans-gendered individuals we have in our membership.  That begs the question, should we be collecting demographic information from our membership base? What would we do with it?

Log Cabin Elects New Board

I am happy to announce that Log Cabin Illinois has elected a new board for 2008.

Next week the new board will caucus and assign office holders. But so far, the new board is made up of:

David Valkema, Greg Katz, John Gottlick, Jessica Jagielnik, Richard Lorenc, Eric Johanson and myself, Michael Carr.

Congratulations everyone, I’m looking forward to a productive 2008!