December 28, 2010 – 12:49 pm
Though Mr. Kirk and other Republicans thundered against pork-barrel spending and lawmakers’ practice of designating money for special projects through earmarks, they have not shied from using a less-well-known process called lettermarking to try to direct money to projects in their home districts.
Mr. Kirk, for example, sent a letter to the Department of Education dated Sept. 10, 2009, asking it to release money “needed to support students and educational programs” in a local school district. The letter was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the group Citizens Against Government Waste, which shared it with The New York Times.
The district, Woodland School District 50, said it later received about $1.1 million in stimulus money.
Read more.
December 28, 2010 – 11:17 am
From Keeping an Eye on Lake County Illinois
Kirk recently circulated a survey, asking what should be the new Congress’ top priority.
Conspicuously missing, though, is that favorite of independent voter: “none of the above.”
And that’s a problem because there isn’t even a place to suggest that Kirk should be focussing on one thing and one thing only: jobs, jobs, jobs. His list doesn’t even mention economic recovery or unemployment. Come to think of it, there is no mention of help for small businesses, either. All you Republican businesspeople who voted for Kirk, I guess you can comfort yourself with that boon for Obama, the line-item veto.
But at least we won’t have to worry about Mark Kirk, the independent thinker, anymore. He has his marching orders.
December 25, 2010 – 11:52 am
First Read: The do-something Congress
Viewed from the perspective of an incoming crop of extremists, the outgoing Congress look more favorable with each passing day as it has assisted President Obama pass legislation like health care reform, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, upgrading science and technology… measures that will improve the fabric of the Nation.
Apparently enough of the Senate Republicans will come to their senses and support ratification of the START Treaty with Russia. Read More »
December 23, 2010 – 8:50 pm
Tenth Dems activists, students from Waukegan High School, and committed volunteers from across the district have been meeting at our new Community Connections office in Waukegan to plot the path forward for a new kind of Democratic office that serves the day-to-day needs of the local community.
Inspired by the belief that we, as Democrats, are committed to directly helping others and helping people help themselves, the core mission of the Community Connections office will be to connect residents of Waukegan and North Chicago with the government, social and other services they need to make their lives a little better. And this office will also serve as a safe space where community members can gather, organize, and learn the skills necessary to win power and improve their own lives. The office is located in the heart of Waukegan so we’ll also be building relationships with and supporting local businesses and community groups in their efforts to revitalize the downtown area.
Community Connections
Right now the Community Connections office is gearing up for a mid-January Open House with local activists, elected officials and community leaders from across Waukegan and North Chicago.
To make the office work, we’re still looking for some basic supplies. If you have any of the following items that you’re able to donate (or want to get involved with Community Connections), please call 847-266-VOTE (8683) or email volunteers@tenthdems.org. We still need: Office supplies (Paper, pads, pens, calendars, posters, etc), Desk chairs and folding chairs, Coat racks, Small bookcases, Laptops, Cellphone chargers for all kinds of phones, Desk items, Toilet paper, paper towels, and hand soap (pump kind), Garbage cans and waste basket liners, or Gift cards to any store which sells some of these things.
