May 2012 Newsletter

In this issue of Tenth News:

• Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on Women’s Issues
• To Be a Democrat
• Democrats Are Smart Enough to Listen to Differing Opinions and Then Decide for Themselves
• Chilling
• The Supreme Court and the Health Law Cases—“It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
• President Obama and Israel
• The Politics of Engagement: Jack Strom
• The Community Connection Corner
• Polarities Help Us Avoid Our Fears and Get What We Want

Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on Women’s Issues
by Eleonora di Liscia
Our continuing series on President Obama’s accomplishments during his first term in office focuses this month on women’s issues.

To Be a Democrat
by Ron Levitsky
Poll after poll shows our country is politically polarized. Now, more than ever, is an opportune time to examine, as our author has, what it means “to be a Democrat.”

Democrats Are Smart Enough to Listen to Differing Opinions and Then Decide for Themselves
by Sharon Sanders
The U.S. Supreme Court has a long history of making controversial decisions, few more so than last year’s Citizens United ruling. At a recent Tenth Dems University/Move to Amend co-sponsored event, University of Chicago Law School Professor Geoffrey Stone rendered his verdict on Citizens United and what proponents of campaign finance reform can, and can’t, do about it.

Chilling
by Jack Altschuler
What kind of America do we really want, for ourselves and for our children? Our democracy is being co-opted, says the author of this article. What can we do to stop it from happening?

The Supreme Court and the Health Law Cases—“It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
by Miles J. Zaremski
Following the Supreme Court arguments in late March on whether or not the healthcare law (“Obamacare”) is constitutional or not, author and lawyer Miles J. Zaremski offers some insights.

President Obama and Israel
by Steve Sheffey
Of all the misinformation that has been circulated about President Obama during his first term in office, no topic has generated more distortions and outright lies than the President’s record on Israel. It’s time to lay out the facts. It’s time for the truth.

The Politics of Engagement: Jack Strom
by Eleonora di Liscia
Tenth Dems succeeds as an organization only through the efforts of its hard-working volunteers. We regularly spotlight some of these amazing people in this newsletter. This month, the spotlight shines on Jack Strom.

The Community Connection Corner
by Vicki Bailyn
It’s been nearly a year and a half since Tenth Dems opened the Community Connection Center in Waukegan. We have an update on what’s been happening there, and what’s on ComCon’s to-do list.

Polarities Help Us Avoid Our Fears and Get What We Want
by Neesa Sweet
The author offers a new way of trying to make sense of our world — through polarities. So what are polarities? We thought you’d never ask…

May 2012 Newsletter: Supreme Court Health Law Cases and more is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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Special Edition of Tenth News

Read the full issue here

High School Students Invited to Submit Original, Unpublished Poems and Prose

Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) Community Connection is sponsoring its second annual writing contest. Please read the description of this year’s theme, “Belongings,” which you will find in the writing contest application. Students who are currently enrolled in a high school in Gurnee, North Chicago, Waukegan or Zion are invited to enter the contest. There is no charge to enter. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 20, 2012. Click here to learn more about the writing contest, or to submit an entry.

Poetry and Prose – Tenth News Literary Supplement is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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In this issue of Tenth News:

• Schneider to Face Dold; Tenth Dems Pledge Unity at Party Celebrating All Primary Candidates
• The 10th District By the Numbers: Schneider Wins the Primary – Onward to November
• A Conscience Constituency
• Congress Watch: Bob Dold Supports Republican Assault on Women’s Rights
• The Common Wisdom
• Yes, We Did! Obama and the Safety Net

Schneider to Face Dold; Tenth Dems Pledge Unity at Party Celebrating All Primary Candidates
by Eleonora di Liscia
The smoke has cleared from the hotly contested 10th Congressional District’s Democratic primary race. The winner, Brad Schneider, and his three opponents all gathered at the Cubby Bear North in Lincolnshire March 22 as part of a unity celebration. We have a report, with photos.

The 10th District by the Numbers: Schneider Wins the Primary – Onward to November
by John Hmurovic
How did Brad Schneider achieve his margin of victory in the recent Democratic 10th Congressional District race? We have some answers in this informative look behind the numbers.

A Conscience Constituency
by Ron Levitsky
What remains of the American middle class is under relentless attack from right-wing politicians, and those falling below the poverty line continue to grow in number. What is taking place now in the U.S. is hardly what was envisioned back in the 1960s, when a handful of major books helped transform a generation of political thinking. The author takes a look at what might have been, and how events conspired to bring us to this moment in history.

Congress Watch: Bob Dold Supports Republican Assault on Women’s Rights
The candidates are set for the 10th Congressional District’s 2012 election contest. The incumbent, has attempted to portray himself as a moderate on social issues, but he has a record of votes cast in Congress. In this month’s Congress Watch, we examine that record as it pertains to women’s rights. Does that record support Rep. Dold’s claims?

The Common Wisdom
by Jack Altschuler
Where does this country really stand politically on some of our most pressing issues? Read the author’s conclusions as he slices through the baloney to get at the truth.

Yes, We Did! Obama and the Safety Net
by Eleonora di Liscia
We continue our series on President Obama’s accomplishments during his first term in office with a look at his efforts to strengthen the social safety net.

April 2012 Newsletter: Republican War on Women’s Rights and more is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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2012 March Newsletter Extra

In this Extra Edition of Tenth News:

• Democratic Candidates for Congress Engage in Lively Forum
• Special Pre-Primary Convention Coverage: Candidates Make Their Case to Democrats
• Pat Carey for Lake County Board (candidate profile)

Democratic Candidates for Congress Engage in Lively Forum
by Eleonora di Liscia
On February 25, Tenth Dems and WCPT radio co-sponsored a forum featuring the four Democratic candidates running for the Illinois 10th Congressional District nomination. We have all the details.

Special Preprimary Convention Coverage: Candidates Make Their Case to Democrats
by Elizabeth Bloom Albert
Tenth Dems held a District-wide convention on March 4 in Vernon Hills. A large gathering of Democrats heard from a number of candidates on the ballot in the upcoming March 20 primary, and our reporter was there to capture all the excitement.

Pat Carey for Lake County Board

March 2012 Newsletter Extra: Preprimary Convention Coverage is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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2012 March Newsletter

In this issue of Tenth News:

• Vote in the Democratic Primary; But First Find out Who You’re Hiring
• Pre-Primary Profiles of Democratic Candidates
• Meet the Candidates on Sunday, March 4, 2012
• Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on Jobs and Workers
• Community Connection Needs Your Help!

Vote in the Democratic Primary; But First Find out Who You’re Hiring
by John Hmurovic
Welcome to the Tenth News special pre-primary edition. In this issue, we have profiles of many Democratic candidates running for office in and around the 10th Congressional District. Illinois holds its primary election on March 20. Before you vote, and even before you read about some of the candidates chronicled in these pages, take a moment to read our introduction and find out why it all matters.

Pre-Primary Profiles of Democratic Candidates
Throughout this issue, we present a host of Democratic candidate profiles. Candidates running for a wide array of offices within the 10th Congressional District are represented. We hope you enjoy this special edition of Tenth News.

Meet the Candidates on Sunday, March 4, 2012
Join us March 4 for what promises to be an exciting afternoon. It’s the Tenth Dems district-wide convention, and attendance is free!

Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on Jobs and Workers
by Eleonora di Liscia
Continuing our series on President Obama’s first-term accomplishments, we focus this month on an area that, more than most, has been subject to misrepresentation and untruths. What’s the President’s real record on job creation and worker support?

Community Connection Needs Your Help!
by Vicky Bailyn  
The Community Connection Center in Waukegan needs office supplies. Check out photos of some young people of Community Connection has benefited, and then think about how you can help.

Who Are You Hiring? Primary Voting Has Begun! is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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February 2012 Newsletter

In this issue of Tenth News:

• Congress Watch: More Doublespeak from Congressman Bob Dold
• Who Really Represents the 10th District?
• Not Very Brave New World
• Impartiality of Tenth Dems a Primary Concern
• Evil and Stupid
• The Politics of Broccoli
• Can Dold Stand Up to Romney?
• Vigils Against Violence Held in 10th District
• The Roots of Democracy: Sandra Schirmang
• Yes, We Did! The Truth About Gitmo, Detention, and Civil Liberty

Congress Watch: More Doublespeak from Congressman Bob Dold
Congressman Dold is already campaigning for reelection, at the taxpayer’s expense, as he mails voters a full-color brochure disguised as a constituent communication.

Who Really Represents the 10th District?
by Ronald Altman
A careful examination of House votes during the first session of the 112th Congress reveals how closely aligned are the 10th District’s Republican congressman, Robert Dold, and the 8th District’s Republican congressman – and Tea Party favorite – Joe Walsh.

Not Very Brave New World
by Jack Altschuler
Civility in public discourse is taking a beating these days, particularly in the 2012 Republican presidential primary campaign. The author takes a hard look at what’s going on and what it means for our country going forward.

Impartiality of Tenth Dems a Primary Concern
by Paul Kelly
Primary season is upon us, and the timing couldn’t be better to acknowledge hardworking Tenth Dems volunteers and re-affirm the organization’s goals and purpose.

Evil and Stupid
by Ron Levitsky
January 2012 marked the tenth anniversary of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. What does this dubious milestone say about us as a nation, and what does Gitmo’s future hold?

The Politics of Broccoli
by Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
The Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all Americans purchase health insurance stands at the center of a constitutional question the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider later this year. A physician examines the ACA and debunks the notion that Congress could require all Americans to eat broccoli.

Can Dold Stand Up to Romney?
by Steve Sheffey
Who is a friend to Israel and who merely pretends to be? In light of 10th District Congressman Bob Dold’s endorsement of Mitt Romney for President, the author examines Romney’s statements about Israel.

Vigils Against Violence Held in 10th District
by Lee Goodman
We have a report on two vigils held recently in the 10th District (among the many held across the U.S.) to dramatize the continuing problem of violence in America one year after the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others in Tucson, Arizona.

The Roots of Democracy: Sandra Schirmang
by Eleonora di Liscia
This month, we tell another story of an area resident who has made a difference by becoming a Tenth Dems volunteer. The spotlight shines on Sandra Schirmang of Northbrook.

Yes, We Did! The Truth About Gitmo, Detention, and Civil Liberty
by Eleonora di Liscia
It’s been ten years since the Bush administration established a detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  As part of our continuing series on President Obama’s first term in office, we take an in-depth look at the President’s efforts to close the camp, what he has accomplished, and where he still has a ways to go.

February 2012 Newsletter: Joe Walsh representing the 10th? is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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In this issue of Tenth News:

• Resolutions 2012
• Congress Watch: Dold Mailers Exemplify Republican Double-Speak at Its Best
• Dold Works to Reverse Dodd-Frank
• What in God’s Name
• Good Signs
• Yes, We Did! Obama and Consumer Safety
• Paul Kelly, January 2012 Volunteer of the Month
• Tenth Dems Holiday Membership Party

Resolutions 2012
Democratic officials and office-seekers throughout the 10th District were invited to send us their New Year’s resolutions and/or hopes for 2012.  Find out what they had to say.

Congress Watch: Dold Mailers Exemplify Republican Double-Speak at Its Best
Protecting Medicare has been a priority of 10th District Congressman Robert Dold, or so a recent mailer he sent to 10th District residents would have you believe. The truth? Well, that is something altogether different. Welcome to this month’s Congress Watch.

Dold Works to Reverse Dodd-Frank
Congressman Robert Dold seems to be working hard… to undermine vital protections for hard-working American families. His efforts to weaken the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act provide us with yet another example of his true priorities.

What in God’s Name
by Ron Levitsky
Republicans have been invoking God’s name for political gain all the way back to the founding of their party. The author contrasts their methods today with those employed more than a century and a half ago.

Good Signs
by Jack Altschuler  
The Occupy Wall Street movement has been attacked far and wide by Conservatives. The increasing ferocity of those attacks is good news, says the author. It means some of the one-percenters are getting very, very nervous.

Yes, We Did! Obama and Consumer Safety
by Eleonora di Liscia
Our series on President Obama’s accomplishments during his first term in office continues this month with a look at his record on consumer safety.

Paul Kelly, January 2012 Volunteer of the Month
by Kimberly Rodriguez
We present a profile of Paul Kelly, former Tenth News editor-in-chief and Tenth Dems volunteer extraordinaire.

Tenth Dems Holiday Membership Party
by Kimberly Rodriguez
Every year, Tenth Dems members get together for a holiday celebration, a chance to have fun, and a way for the organization to say thanks for all their hard work. We report the highlights of this year’s party.

January 2012 Newsletter: Republican Double-speak and more … is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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In this issue of Tenth News:

• Faces Occupying the Crowd
• Congress Watch: A Comprehensive Look at Robert Dold’s Record
• Free Pizza
• Meals and Deals
• Taking Back Wisconsin: How You Can Help, Part II
• Yes, We Did! Obama and the Hispanic Community
• President Obama and the United Nations
• Faces Occupying the Crowd
• Congress Watch: A Comprehensive Look at Robert Dold’s Record
• Free Pizza
• Meals and Deals
• Taking Back Wisconsin: How You Can Help, Part II
• Yes, We Did! Obama and the Hispanic Community
• President Obama and the United Nations

Faces Occupying the Crowd

Congress Watch: A Comprehensive Look at Robert Dold’s Record

Free Pizza

Meals and Deals

Taking Back Wisconsin: How You Can Help, Part II

Yes, We Did! Obama and the Hispanic Community

President Obama and the United Nations

Faces Occupying the Crowd
by Ron Levitsky
There is a feeling among many in this country that our way of life is in peril. From both ends of the American political spectrum, voices are being raised in protest. The author looks at the movements behind these protests, placing them in historical context.  OWS photos accompany the article.

Congress Watch: A Comprehensive Look at Robert Dold’s Record
For months, we have been reporting on freshman 10th District Congressman Robert Dold and his votes on important issues affecting 10th District residents. This summary should rekindle your resolve to work hard to replace Cong. Dold in 2012.

Free Pizza
Join old friends and make new ones among fellow Democrats as we celebrate the season and gear up for the election year ahead.

Meals and Deals
by Jack Altschuler
As the economic recovery continues to sputter, the one-percenters are not listening to the cries of anguish coming from the millions of Americans who are hurting. The author is listening, however, and he has a thing or two to say about the situation.

Taking Back Wisconsin: How You Can Help, Part II
by Eleonora di Liscia
The incredible chain of events that rocked Wisconsin politics this year has officially reached the governor’s mansion. The drive to recall Governor Scott Walker is now in the petition collection phase. Though we in Illinois are not eligible to sign, there’s much we can do to help. Read how.

Yes, We Did! Obama and the Hispanic Community
by Eleonora di Liscia 
Another in our series looking at President Obama’s accomplishments in his first term in office focuses this month on legislation for, or supported by, the Hispanic community.

President Obama and the United Nations
by Steve Sheffey
The author details how President Obama has used the United Nations to protect our ally, Israel.

December 2011 Newsletter: Faces of the Occupy Movement and more … is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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In this issue of Tenth News:

• Congress Watch: Dold Stealthily Votes to Restrain a Woman’s Right to Choose
• Hightower Charms at TDU Event
• Why I Vote for Democrats
• Governing 101: Tax Cuts for the Rich
• Dold: Wrong on Too Many Issues
• Labor Places Vernon Township at the Political Epicenter
• Why Would Anyone Occupy?
• Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on the Environment
• Feat of Clay

Congress Watch: Dold Stealthily Votes to Restrain a Woman’s Right to Choose
by Barbara Altman
Read about a vote Robert Dold would rather his constituents not know he cast.

Hightower Charms at TDU Event
by Kimberly Rodriguez
The latest Tenth Dems University event speaker served up a huge dollop of Texas charm plus a heaping helping of political reality to wash it down with—and a rapt audience ate it up! We have a report on the recent appearance of Jim Hightower in Northbrook, complete with photos.

Why I Vote for Democrats
by Adrienne Kirshbaum
This partisan is proud to vote Democratic. Find out why.

Governing 101: Tax Cuts for the Rich
by Eleonora di Liscia
Measure your governing IQ against President Obama’s. In the first of a series, the author lays out the policy issues and political challenges and then analyzes the president’s response.

Dold: Wrong on Too Many Issues
by Steve Sheffey
In his first term, 10th District Congressman Robert Dold has developed an all too predictable voting record. The author examines the emergent patterns.

Labor Places Vernon Township at the Political Epicenter
by Mike Lofstrom
Vernon Township is “trending Democratic Blue.” Vernon Township Democrats Vice Chairman Mike Lofstrom explains.

Why Would Anyone Occupy?
by Jack Altschuler
Real people. That’s right, real people, real honest-to-goodness Americans, are taking part in the ongoing Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. Meet some of them in this story and see their photos.

Yes, We Did! The Obama Record on the Environment
by Eleonora di Liscia
Another in our series examining President Obama’s accomplishments in his first term in office.  This month’s installment focuses on the environment.

Feat of Clay
by Ron Levitsky
The author sketches a profile of one of the most dynamic members of Congress in United States history, Henry Clay, and how his conduct in office could serve as a template for current members of Congress.

November 2011 Newsletter: Occupy Movement and more … is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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In this issue of Tenth News:

• Politics 101
• Large Crowd Celebrates Tenth Dems Awards
• Yes, We Did! Race to the Top and Education Reform
• TDU Brings Jim Hightower to Northbrook
• Republican Fantasies and Other Fallacies
• Congress Watch: Robert Dold Votes with Republican Majority to Undermine Consumer Protection
• The Real Dope
• Drink Starbucks with a Grain of Salt
• Why I’m Not Running for Congress—And More

Politics 101
by Steven Steiner
A Labor Day parade approaching an election year is guaranteed to bring out political candidates, and this year’s parade in Buffalo Grove was no exception. We have a report.

Large Crowd Celebrates Tenth Dems Awards
by Adrienne Kirshbaum
We have highlights from the September 18 Annual Awards Dinner, complete with a six-page photo album.

Yes, We Did! Race to the Top and Education Reform
by Eleonora di Liscia
Political gridlock in Washington has been getting most of the media’s, and the public’s, attention lately, leaving little room for discussion about other important issues facing our nation, like education reform. The author chronicles the progress of a key federal education program as well as other news on the education front.

TDU Brings Jim Hightower to Northbrook
by Sharon Sanders
2012 electoral politics is ramping up, and Tenth Dems is getting in the swing of things by
co-sponsoring an appearance by nationally known commentator and author Jim Hightower. We’ve got the details starting on page 3.

Republican Fantasies and Other Fallacies
by Karim Pakravan  
Running a government efficiently, including keeping a sound fiscal footing, requires adherence to certain common-sense principles, but these are not necessarily the same principles that we follow when running a household or a business. Failure to understand the differences drives our national debate. The author explains.

Congress Watch: Robert Dold Votes with Republican Majority to Undermine Consumer Protection
Many of the federal government’s financial oversight mechanisms, which were not in place prior to the 2008 economic meltdown, are in danger of being rendered powerless again, thanks to bad legislation coming out of the Republican-controlled House.  Bob Dold has unapologetically helped to pass this bad legislation. Welcome to this month’s Congress Watch.

The Real Dope
by Ron Levitsky
The War on Drugs—it’s been around for decades, with no end in sight.  However, the author reports the glimmer of a bipartisan move to decriminalize marijuana, which he sees as a step in the right direction.

Drink Starbucks with a Grain of Salt
by Steve Sheffey
When did compromise become a dirty word in our political discourse?  And why is the lack of bipartisanship being blamed equally on both parties when the Obama administration has attempted to find middle ground time and time again?  The author once again explains why, when we cast our votes, party matters.

Why I’m Not Running for Congress—And More
by Jack Altschuler
A number of factors enter into a person’s decision to run for Congress. Reading about the reasons behind the author’s decision not to run for office in 2012 reveals some facts about political life that may not be widely known.

October 2011 Newsletter: Photos, Photos, Photos, and more. is a post from Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats

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