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Why are they getting brush-off from Kirk?
The Daily Herald
November 2, 2006
Over the past year, Lake County United, a non-partisan organization of churches, synagogues, mosques, and non-profit and labor organizations, has attempted without success to meet with Rep. Mark Kirk. Since his re-election in 2004, he has told us repeatedly that he would meet with us to discuss the issues that Lake County United has been actively working on for the past two years: housing, health care, education and immigration.
Yet Rep. Kirk will not meet with Lake County United.
After his remarks to the 2005 International Institute for Nanotechnology Symposium at Northwestern University, members of Lake County United contacted Rep. Kirk to discuss his remarks regarding discrimination against Muslims and Arabs. Several leaders from our member congregations contacted his office and sent letters requesting a meeting.
The meetings were either canceled at the last minute, or Rep. Kirk failed to show. Now, as recently as last month, we were told that he was too busy to meet. Too busy to meet with his constituents who wish to discuss his views on a variety of issues that impact the members of Lake County United (his constituents).
Does Rep. Kirk not wish to discuss where he stands on immigration, health care, housing and transportation with his constituents?
Lake County United would like to know what he believes and how he will represent his constituents, members of Lake County United, in Washington, D.C. We stand ready to meet with Rep. Kirk.
Sue McWilliams
Lake County United
Steering Team
Lake Bluff
Listen to your candidates and vote Nov. 7
Winnetka Talk
October 26, 2006
It is so difficult not to notice that North Shore residents are paying close attention to the political races being decided this November 7. The number of campaign signs proliferating on lawns is impressive and some are now approaching billboard dimensions. I remember showing a house to a young couple once and a teenager answered the door, greeted us, and then went back to watch a presidential address on television. So impressed by this teen and her interest in politics, the young couple decided that the North Shore was where they wanted to buy a house and raise their young children.
This zest for understanding how we as a country make decisions and how our individual vote counts is more apparent than ever in the current race for Congress. This mid-term election is your chance to let our leaders know if you want to "stay the course" or seek responsible alternatives. We have two candidates to choose from, each qualified to represent our district. One, by his voting record has demonstrated his commitment to stay the course, the other has a compelling demeanor and a fine education with a breadth of interest in International Development of Business that would be welcome in Congress.
All the political ads are drumming us to sleep, so we'll all be glad when November 8 arrives and they are gone. Listen to the candidates, consider their platforms, educate yourself. But be sure to be counted, to be actively engaged in the discussion, consider where we are as a country, and vote for the direction you think we should take. Maybe you won't just vote the way you always have. Our community thrives on education. Keep educating yourself and vote. Election Day is a great equalizer. It doesn't matter how big the lawn is that bears your political sign, we each get one vote. Make sure yours is counted.
Blanche Egan Romey
Winnetka
Independent Approach
Lake County News-Sun
October 3, 2006
Voters in the 10th Congressional District value an independent approach to the issues. We favor progressive candidates who place a high premium on education, the environment, and fiscal responsibility. Rep. Mark Kirk wants us to believe he follows that approach, but his record makes clear he does not. Showing that his true allegiance is to President Bush’s misguided agenda, Kirk has voted with the Republican Party line 91 percent of the time.
He has opposed funding and tax provisions for school construction and voted to cut funding for student loans. He supported oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and voted to authorize nearly $11 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for the coal, oil, nuclear and natural gas industries and weakened pollution regulations.
Kirk has supported each of the fiscally reckless Bush budgets, which have turned a $284 billion surplus into an estimated $260 billion deficit.
We deserve far better representation, and Dan Seals can and will provide it. He will vote to fund, rather than shortchange, schools seeking to meet the standards set by “No Child Left Behind,” while expanding student loan programs.
He will push for real energy through support of alternative energy and fuel-efficient vehicles, while moving to address global warming, reversing the Bush-Kirk record of environmental neglect. And he will help restore sane fiscal policy, instead of reflexively supporting a president who has outspent every one of his predecessors since LBJ.
I urge a vote for Dan Seals, because together we can do better.
James A. Burns Jr.
Highland Park
Kirk is Getting Nervous
Mark Kirk is getting nervous. I would be too if I were running against Dan Seals. I know he is nervous because of some things that have happened on his web site recently. First of all, although he is a Republican candidate and used to be very proud of his party, reminding people that he is a Republican whenever he could, he isn't anymore. Look at his web site now and you won't find any acknowledgment of his party affiliation. Is he embarrassed? Ashamed? I would be embarrassed to vote for a Republican who won't admit he is one. He even took down the photo of himself and President Bush shaking hands. Why? Then there is the War in Iraq. One would be hard pressed to find a bigger supporter of the war than Mark Kirk. I have several letters that he wrote defending the reason for war, the war itself and the execution of the war. Yet, on his web site under Issues, Iraq disappeared. Just like that. There's a section on Foreign Policy but nothing about Iraq. Hmmm. Where did it go? Maybe he thinks that Iraq isn't an issue in this election. And lastly, he likes to brag about all the protections he has given Lake Michigan, yet none of the bills he has proposed to protect Lake Michigan has become law. No, not one.
I know Congressman Kirk would like us to forget that he is a Republican who supports the war and voted with the Bush administration over 85% of the time, but somehow, I just can't forget. I've met Dan Seals and I understand why Kirk is nervous and embarrassed. When a lawmaker can't get his laws passed, it's embarrassing. Dan Seals is an impressive candidate who is not running from the real issues.
Carol Jones, Lake Forest
Dear Lake Forester
Dear Lake Forester, Two events in Lake Forest this week put in sharp focus why Dan Seals should, and will, be elected our new Congressman on November 7. On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending an afternoon gathering at the home of our state senator, Susan Garrett, featuring Senator Dick Durbin and Dan Seals. The turnout was amazing. In our mostly Republican community on a rainy Tuesday afternoon at 4:15, with almost no advance notice, somehow over 150 people gathered to meet Dan Seals and to hear Durbin eloquently describe why representatives like Dan Seals are needed in Washington. He pointed out how Mark Kirk has failed to represent the moderate viewpoints of his constituents as John Porter did before him, how he has voted with Bush over 90% of the time and how he "has broken your hearts" with so many of his votes, such as those supporting a war based on a mountain of lies, and the embarrassment of his Terry Schiavo vote. On Thursday afternoon, I attended the forum on food allergies at my daughter's school, Everett Elementary. This is clearly an important issue and Mark Kirk was in attendance and I congratulate him for supporting this scientific research. But why (10 weeks before the election) is he finally attending forums in the district? Where has he been for the last 6 years? Who has ever seen him other than at a parade or at an event where the attendees are carefully screened? Granted he doesn't require audience members to sign loyalty oaths as Bush does, but he sure doesn't go out of his way to find out what the people of his district think. We have been waiting for three years to hear about the secret info he was privy to that convinced him that Iraq had WMDs. When the right wing of his party tried to begin their plan to dismantle Social Security, did he hold any public meetings (despite numerous requests from his constituents) to tell us what he planned to do about their privatization scheme? With oil companies posting profits higher than any company in the history of the world, did he hold any meetings explaining why he voted to give billions in tax credits to these same companies? When someone votes the party line 90% of the time, why would he not mention on any of his campaign materials that he's a Republican? As a proud member of "Lake Foresters for Dan Seals", I encourage all "Porter Republicans", independents and Democrats to join me in voting for a true fiscal conservative and social moderate who will faithfully represent the Tenth District and will make us proud - Dan Seals.
Seals would stand up for women's rights
Winnetka Talk
August 31, 2006
Recently articles in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine described women who were seriously ill with complications of pregnancy (heart failure and kidney failure) were put in amublances, driven hundreds of miles to have life-saving abortions that their local hospitals would not provide, and then driven back for the rest of their care. Why this dangerous and absurd situation? Because, when it comes to medical care, American women have become second-class citizens.
In fact, when it comes to legal abortion, contraception, and the right to medical treatment, women's rights have gone down the tubes under this Republican Congress and administration. And common-sense measures to make abortion unnecessary, to better access contraceptives. Forget it!
In such a Congress, a truly pro-choice moderate Republican should speak out and lead the fight for women's rights. But bragging about a single pro-choice endorsement on a campaign Web site is not a substitute. For several of the key votes that got Mark Kirk that technical endorsement, he voted the opposite way behind the scenes on procedural votes (the partial-birth abortion, abortion nondiscrimination, and child interstate abortion notification acts, the last opposed by all major medical organizations, including the AMA and the American Academy of Pediatrics).
Well, another organization has noticed. Unlike 2004, NARAL Prochoice America will not be endorsing Mr. Kirk in 2006.
Voters of the Tenth District can be assured that as a Congressman, Dan Seals will stand up for women's rights to safe, timely health care and safe, legal abortion and will champion commonsense measures to reduce abortion and improve women's and children's health.
Harriet S. Meyer
Wilmette
Kirk acts like Robin Hood in reverse
Winnetka Talk
August 31, 2006
Congressman Mark Kirk's latest votes are a telling sign of what is to come if Kirk is reelected. The first vote pledged support for the war in Iraq with no timetable fo the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The second vote exteded Bush's tax cuts. The last vote was to cut $40 billion from the federal budget. The $40 billion represents cuts in welfare, child support, and student loan programs. Even moderate Republicans feared its impact on the underprivileged. It's Robin Hood in reverse- give to the rich and take from the poor!
Looking further, Kirk voted for tax breaks and incentives to help oil and gas companies reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The last time I watched the news the oil and gas companies were raking in record profits.
What other initiatives has Mark Kirk supported as of late? There's tax "relief" for the wealthiest one-tenth of one percent of the population in exchange for raising the minimum wage. Even Warren Buffet does not support estate tax "relief."
I feel the citizens of the 10th Congressional District deserve an explanation for this pattern of voting. The League of Women Voters has asked Rep. Kirk to participate in a series of debates with his Democratic opponent, Dan Seals. Kirk agreed to only one debate perhaps feeling he can ride the wave of incumbency. The Seals campaign has repeatedly asked for a series of debates. If Mark Kirk can't find the time to debate Dan Seals, let's vote with our feet and kick him out of office!
Carol Blustein
Northbrook
10th needs leadership
Winnetka Talk
August 24, 2006
A slick flyer telling about Mark Kirk just arrived by mail (apparently to all voters at our expense). It tells several things about his work but almost nothing about what he thinks or will do about the critical issues of the day. Of five pages, three are devoted to photo ops on projects at the VA and Navy hospitals, and his votes on medical records, the controversial Medicare prescription drug plan, stem cell research, ethics reform, ending sewage dumping and building a bridge in Alaska. One page reports ten results of a survey of voter opinions with no hint of his own views on the issues shown.
I think that we can tell a lot about how Kirk thinks about what he includes in this costly mailing and about what he doesn't. He touts mostly non-controversial, slam dunk happenings but is silent on most of the critical issues of the day. To represent us meaningfully, he should lead on concerns critical to our future. Almost any list would include these:
Tax reform
Immigration
National Security
War in the Middle East and everywhere
Energy conservation
Building a sustainable world
Global warming
Human rights
Pensions and health care
The Federal and National deficit
(Everyone can create their own list). Our congressman must do more than bat ineffectually at a few soft ball issues and attend convenient photo opportunities. Unlike Kirk, he (or she) must think for himself and not, as he does, just mindlessly rubber stamp the shamefully discredited leadership of his party. We need someone speaking for us in Congress who is strong enough to speak out on and deal with the critical issues of our nation and world. The stakes are huge. Kirk has failed. And if we send him to office again, we fail. We can and must do better. Dan Seals is available for District 10. Let's give him a chance to provide real leadership.
Rod Engelen
Wilmette
Kirk says no to Vote Smart
Gurnee Review
August 17, 2006
I thought that I had witnessed the epitome of arrogance in Secretary Rumsfeld, a former member of the House of Representatives on the North Shore, but Rumsfeld will have to move over- Mark Kirk now occupies that position.
An organization wholly bi-partisan in nature called Project Vote Smart publishes the record of all U.S. House and Senate members and one of the questions asked of all members is, "Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?" A reasonable question you would agree. Sadly, Mr. Kirk answered, "No." Imagine a member of Congress unwilling to discuss his positions.
Maybe Tom DeLay told him how to vote on that question. He followed DeLay's lead on 97 percent of the issues. It is time to give Kirk the boot and install of a fresh face that will be responsive to the voters of the district instead of DeLay instructions. I strongly urge a vote for Dan Seals. I can assure you that Dan will discuss his positions on all of the issues, anytime, anyplace.
Incidentally, those who think that Project Vote Smart is a Democratic partisan organization will be surprised to learn that among its Republican members are: Senators John McCain, John Sununu, Gordon Smith, Bill Frist, and finally Newt Gingrich, Richard Kleindienst and Jim Leach.
Marvin P. Miller
Wilmette
Kirk's votes not those of moderate
Pioneer Press
August 10, 2006
Rep. Mark Kirk calls himself a moderate, but his latest votes and contributions from his campaign to fellow Congressmen suggested otherwise.
Although Kirk recently said at a local synagogue that he's passionate about separation of church and state, he voted for a measure that will allow the federal government to purchase park property in California in order to override a state law that would have required removal of a large cross from public land. This vote was part of a pattern in which Kirk has consistently joined the right wing of his party on such matters.
Last year, he voted to try and keep Florida woman Terry Schiavo hooked up to a feeding tube against her wishes- an egregious interference by the state in someone's personal life. In this case, religious fundamentalists called the shots and Kirk and fellow Republican leaders such as Tom DeLay jumped to obey.
And although Kirk voted in favor of a measure that would have allowed federal funding for some embryonic stem cell research (a bill that was vetoed by President Bush), Kirk's campaign donated money to 11 members of Congress who voted against overriding the president's veto. These contributions are part of Kirk's effort to ingratiate himself with the religious right wing of the Republican party as he continues to hold a leadership position in the House.
Mark Kirk a moderate in reputation only.
Daniel Rosenberg
Highland Park
Kirk part of problem
August 10, 2006
Winnetka Talk
Constituents who believe America is heading in the wrong direction need to remove Congressman Mark Kirk from office. As Assistant Majority Whip who votes with Bush and the Republican leadership 91 percent of the time, he is part of the problem not the solution. The U.S. is spending $6 billion a month in Iraq yet Congress refuses to investigate war profiteering and rampant waste of tax dollars. Despite public outrage over noncompetitive contracting and evidence of widespread fraud, incompetence and corruption, Republicans have blocked a wartime spending oversight committee to prevent any embarrassment to their party. Truman Committees of the past saved taxpayers billions of dollars and prevented countless deaths by uncovering faulty military equipment. We cannot allow our country to plunge further into debt to be fleeced by firms like Halliburton. Taxpayers need a representative who demands fiscal responsibility and oversight. Dan Seals and a Democratic House will restore common sense and accountability.
Amanda Hanley
Winnetka
Candid communication
August 10, 2006
Winnetka Talk
If the current Member of the House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District wishes to receive feedback from his constituency, he must change what he is doing. On July 30, Congressman Kirk sent out an e-mail soliciting my opinion about immigration policy. He offered me four options through which to express my beliefs and preferences about this very important and complex national concern. However, none of the four suggestions matched my attitudes in any way. He did NOT offer me the opportunity to communicate my thoughts to him through an e-mail address or even a "contact" box.
This is a perfect example of his failure to convince me that he really wants to hear from me. By presenting me with no options other than his, he misrepresents his intentions and is, at the very least, not being candid in his communication to me.
Mari D. Terman
Wilmette
Kirk talks one way, votes another
Waukegan News-Sun
August 1, 2006
Kirk talks one way, votes another
I write in response to the July 29 article "Fight for millions for
North Chicago."
As I read about the ongoing fight to keep North Chicago schools alive,
(as well as to responsibly and rightfully financially support kids of
military in Highwood, Highland Park, and Glenview with federal
funding) I was again reminded of listening to my the 10th District
congressman, Mark Kirk, triumphantly and unequivocally declare that he
had in his hand a written statement that meant that the problem of
loss of "impact aid" for North Chicago was resolved for now and, I
believe that he said, for three more years.
This speech occurred very early this year. He immediately left the
crowd of hundreds at the Lake Bluff gym "because he had to catch a
plane to get to Washington to appear before a board on military issues
(as I recollect)."
This meant that he accepted no questions. This was the night I began
to take a much closer look at the congressman I had voted for in each
of his previous elections. I viewed him as an independent and moderate
person, which is how I also choose to represent my own political
outlook.
I found Representative Kirk talks one way and votes another.
I especially am following his stance and then his votes on education,
(the grossly underfunded "Leave No Child Behind"); environment (cuts
in funding for cleaning up the Great Lakes); and health care
(particularly health care for the National Guard and Reservists who
have no personal health care and/or have been called to active duty).
I applaud the additions to the North Chicago VA hospital. I ask is
there sufficient operational funding? I believe that Representative
Kirk worked diligently for these additions.
And finally, as I continue as I look at Representative Kirk's
"leadership" in pushing Republicans in suburban districts to focus on
just that - suburbia - I need to say that although my house is in Lake
Bluff and I am vitally committed and working for excellence in
schools, safe and healthy neighborhoods, wise use of land, promotion
of business, economic justice for all, and an open and inclusive
community, I really live in a community without limitations of
territory.
I say to Representative Kirk and all other members of Congress, that
what happens in the Middle East, in Africa (where President Bush
pledged billions in aid for health and food needs and very little has
been sent), in families of the working poor in this nation and on and
on, do matter to those of us in the 10th Congressional District.
Based on how I see Representative Kirk has voted I have become a very
engaged supporter of the Democratic candidate for the 10th District,
Dan Seals. His experience of teaching in Japan, his education in
economics and business, as well as his time in governmental staff work
give Dan a more global picture of the needs right here at home but
also how world needs affect us here in Lake and Cook counties.
I hope that the legislation proposed by Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Mark
Kirk achieves what the several school districts need. I am an
"old-time American" (in both age and attitude!) that believes that
getting a sound education prepares one for a future without
limitations.
And that is what I want for all of our kids in Lake County and the nation.
Dorothy Fletcher is a resident of Lake Bluff.
Party undoes Kirk's efforts
Libertyville Review
July 28, 2006
So Republican Mark Kirk supports Stem Cell research. Too bad his support doesn't help the cause as long as his party rules. That's been the problem with Kirk for some time. He likes to tell the voters of the 10th district that he votes for his moderate constituency on the issues, but alas, it does us no good. His extreme-right colleagues, many of whom he contributes to, are undoing all those votes.
Sometimes, he undoes his own votes when he is asked to by his party. For instance, he was expected to support the Iraq War, the Terry Schiavo amendment, and to vote against increased veteran benefits, and he dutifully followed his party despite the views of the 10th District.
Sometimes he votes for environmental issues and sometimes against- like Alaskan oil drilling. The inconsistencies between his party's views and his district's are seen in his overall ineffectual legislative ability. For example, virtually all the environmental bills he has sponsored or co-sponsored have died in committee.
Kirk is more mediocre than moderate. He wrote a nice letter to the president asking him to support Stem Cell research. But the president will ignore his request. If the 10th district wants to actually pass legislation without having to support right-wing agenda items as well, we should consider electing his opponent, Dan Seals, who is in touch with this district, and has no conflicts in passing the legislation we want. I agree with Senator Obama's appraisal, "I cannot think of a more worthy candidate for Congress than Dan Seals."
Carol Jones
Lake Forest
Special interest money
Winnetka Talk
July 27, 2006
I couldn't help but notice in last week's Pioneer Press that Mark Kirk has received close to half a million dollars from special interest groups to bolster his campaign fund. That's a lot of money from a lot of groups expecting a lot from our Congressman. But, in truth, Republicans in Congress are awash in special interest money- they get the lion's share of special interest cash every year.
Republicans were able to force House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to resign, and they hope the public forgets the fundraising shenanigans DeLay engaged in (though Republicans, including Mark Kirk, tried to change House ethics rules to protect DeLay as recently as last year). But DeLay's replacement, John Boehner, R-OH, whom Kirk works closely with, raises campaign special interest money faster than DeLay ever did. This is the leader the Republicans have chosen to clean up campaign financing in the House of Representatives?
With Boehner leading the way, it is no wonder that Republican initiatives (including Kirk's) aimed at solving special interest control of Congress will be inadequate- Republicans are too flush with special interest money to want to change things- they want things to stay the way they are.
Voters have a chance in November to take a stand and demand that Congress clean up its act and rid itself of special interest control. I plan on voting for Dan Seals. He will fight to end the era of lobbyist control in Congress.
Nancy Grant
Winnetka
Kirk cracks the Whip
Glenview Announcements
July 27, 2006
I was driving home from a beautiful evening at Millennium Park when the radio news brought me back to earth. The newsman stated President Bush has ordered the downsizing the IRS by targeting 154 estate lawyers whose specialty is to audit the returns of the wealthiest segment of the population. The newsman further explained since Bush could not get his tax cut targeting the conservative elite through Congress, he retaliated by eliminating the highly specialized group who audit these returns.
Our Congressman, Mark Kirk, as assistant majority whip, has chained himself to the agenda of the Republican Party, and its president.
For those Democrats who tell me they support Kirk, perhaps it is time to take a cold, hard look at the goings-on of the party he represents.
Carol Blustein
Northbrook
Phone call from Kirk
Glenview Announcements
July 27, 2006
I received a telephone call from Congressman Mark Kirk tonight! It was a town hall meeting! He has to be joking. He never pays attention to anything from the 10th Congressional District in Illinois. I spoke to him after the start of the conflict in Iraq in a meeting at the Kenilworth Union Church. He said and I quote, "There was not enough time to prepare for war." The only reason there was not enough time is because he and his colleagues were in a rush to go into conflict. We had inspectors in Iraq with authority to go anywhere and the air power to destroy anything the found! There was no need for a ground war, Kirk needs to be replaced directly.
Robert B. Emerson
Glenview
Patriotism more than talk
July 4th is a patriotic holiday, and we all enjoy the flag-waving, fireworks and parades. But patriotism is a lot more than talk and hoopla; true patriotism is hard work and a commitment to keeping this country great. Luckily for the 10th District, this year we have a congressional candidate who knows that.
Dan Seals wants to work to solve the real problems we face today. Seals will work to reduce our staggering national debt. He does not think borrowing about sixty billion dollars a month from foreign countries like Japan, China and Korea is healthy for either our economy or our foreign policy. Incumbent Mark Kirk, on the other hand, as assistant majority whip for the Republican House leadership, passes spending bills and cuts taxes as if income and expenditures were entirely unrelated matters. That's how we got from a surplus to a huge deficit in exactly the six years Kirk has been in office.
Dan Seals sees that it is a huge competitive burden on employers to foot the skyrocketing health insurance bills for their employees. And he says it is "unconscionable that the world�s richest nation lets so many people go without health insurance." He will make health insurance legislation a priority.
Contrast Kirk and the other majority leaders, who set an agenda with ample time to debate gay marriage and flag burning, but no time for health insurance, development of alternative energy sources, the Voting Rights Act or discussion of the minimum wage. And Kirk votes with Tom DeLay over 90 percent of the time. The people of the 10th District are moderate, problem-solving pragmatists.
We deserve an issue-driven innovator like Dan Seals as our representative in Congress. Let's elect him and send a message to Congress that we want them to get down to business.
Betty Jacobs
Wilmette
NSA abuses power
Pioneer Press
July 12, 2006
Once again, Mark Kirk of the 10th Congressional District, who portrays himself as a moderate, has voted to help the Bush Administration by facilitating its domestic spying operation.
On June 20, Kirk voted against the bi-partisan Schiff Amendment, which would have cut off funding or warrantless wiretapping conducted by the National Security Agency. Kirk once again voted to support the Administration's abuse of power, and to enable the NSA to continue the illegal business of spying on innocent Americans in their homes without any judicial oversight. The Schiff Amendment would have no impact on legal domestic wiretapping under FISA, targeting agents of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. I look forward to November, when we will have to chance to weigh in on our representative, who routinely concurs with this Administration.
Kathy Fishman
North
Seals Better for America
Wilmette Life
June 22, 2006
Congressman Mark Kirk has shown his solidarity with Israel by making several trips to Jerusalem. While I appreciate and commend Congressman Kirk for standing strong with Israel, I would prefer he also stand strong with my neighbors at home. Dan Seals, the democratic candidate for Mr. Kirk's seat, has made it clear he will stand as firmly as the Congressman to safeguard Israel's security. Dan Seals recognizes the importance of Israel to our country - and to the people of the 10th district. Yet, Dan also knows that most of our citizens do not have Mr. Kirk's resources or travel privileges. Dan Seals will fight to reverse Congressman Kirk's cuts to veteran's benefits, programs for the most needy, and huge tax cuts to the wealthiest.
By underestimating our concerns for the 46,675 Lake County citizens reported to be living under the poverty line in 2003, the millions of children filtering through our failing school systems, or the 97 soldiers from our state alone who have died already in Iraq, Mr. Kirk has underestimated the concerns of the Jewish community. We are not one-dimensional. In fact, as a result of our Judaism, we care more about our neighbors and fellow Americans - regardless of their religion.
Dan Seals will be just as passionate in his defense of the Middle East's only real democracy while also better representing the other values I believe Judaism has taught us. He will fight to hold Congress fiscally responsible and stop cuts of social programming for those who so desperately need it. He will fight for the implementation of universal access to health care for the 45.8 million uninsured Americans.
Mark Kirk has been good for the state of Israel. But I hope that we will elect Dan Seals as our next representative in Congress because he will be just as good for Israel while being far better for America.
Susan B. Rubnitz
Winnetka
Seals for Congress
Wilmette Life, June 22, 2006
Are you a moderate Republican or Independent voter who is dissatisfied with the current administration and Congress? We are! Our current Congressman in the 10th Congressional District, Mark Kirk, claims to be "moderate" but voted with Tom Delay 90 percent of the time. He claims the mantle of his social moderate and fiscal conservative Republican predecessor, John E. Porter, an independent thinker who voted the Republican leadership line 60 percent of the time. We supported John Porter but Mark Kirk is no John Porter! His voting record on issues vital to the economy, the environment, health care, human rights and the frightening budget deficit is not consistent with the concerns of a majority of the 10th District voters.
Dan Seals, the Democratic candidate, offers what we seek. He is a responsive, bright and accomplished businessman with a graduate degree in public policy, who won the primary in a landslide. His positions on critical issues can be found on his Web site, www.dansealsforcongress.com or by telephoning his campaign office, (847)251-1260.
We have discussed the issues with Dan Seals and are impressed by his informed and clearly stated positions. We encourage other dissatisfied 10th District voters to call the campaign office to learn more about Dan Seals and find out where you can meet him at one of his ongoing neighborhood visits.
Jackie and Jim Holland
Wilmette
Look Closer at the Record
Wilmette Life
June 22, 2006
In response to two recent letters about Mark Kirk, Dan Seals, and Israel, some constituents are clearly misinformed, naive, or too strongly tied to an incumbent to be objective and realistic.
Dan Seals is an absolute supporter of Israel on every important related issue including its security and defense. The generalities about Kirk having a 'bond' and meeting with foreign leaders say nothing beyond that he is a congressman with a significant Jewish constituency that he understands he needs to please. Do these voters truly believe that a Democrat would do no less?
With a strong candidate like Dan Seals, we would have not only a supporter of Israel, but a true representative of this district's (and Jewish) value as well.
The fact is that Kirk's voting record clearly reveals his lack of support for the core values of the Jewish community, as well as the district in general. Separation of the church and state? Kirk voted to intervene in the Schiavo case, voted in support of a national prayer day after 9/11, and voted to support school vouchers.
How about feeding the poor, or providing the needy with health care, of helping Americans get a college education? Last November Kirk's was one of two deciding votes on a budget bill that cut deeply into these and other key programs.
Ethics? He voted to weaken House ethics rules. Taking care of our environment? Kirk's 2005 (the most recent) rating from the League of Conservation Voters was 39 percent, compared with Obama at 95 percent, Durbin at 95 percent, Schakowsky at 89 percent, and Bean at 78 percent.
Kirk claims to be independent, but he is a key member of the Republican leadership, and he answers completely to the Bush administration. He voted to support John Boehner as the new House GOP Leader, even though Boehner supports school prayer, voted for forcing religious participation into anti-poverty programs, is 100 percent anti-choice, fought environmental safeguards, pushed Ohio schools to embrace 'intelligent design' and has taken many other positions that are far from the views of 10th district voters.
He has also contributed to a number of extremely conservative congressional colleagues with similar right-wing views on key issues, including Republicans Kevin Grady and Pete Sessions of Texas and Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, all of whom have 0 percent approval ratings from both the League of Conservation Voters (2004) and NARAL Pro-Choice American (2003).
We have a rare opportunity this November to send someone to Congress who is brilliant, caring, truly independent-minded, and has the best interests of all of us at heart, including those of us who support Israel. That candidate is Dan Seals.
Nancy Pred
Winnetka
Kirk Not That Independent
Wilmette Life
June 15, 2006
The other day, I received an email from the Congressman mark Kirk. In it he extols his efforts as a protector of the environment. However, his voting record on environmental protection is inconsistent: he voted against amendments to both the House Energy Bill and the Defense Appropriations Bill which would have removed provisions calling for drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. He voted for H.R. 4241 which allowed the sale of public lands set aside for wildlife and recreation to be used for commercial purposes.
-He voted for H.R. 3893, an energy bill which weakened clean air standards.
-He voted to cut funding for clean water and other environmental protection.
-He voted against allowing low income communities the ability to fight refinery pollution.
I can understand why the League of Conservation Voters gave Mark Kirk a poor 39% approval rating.
In his e-mail, he states that, and I quote, he is "an independent voice in Congress." I don't understand how Congressman Kirk can be independent if his position as assistant majority whip is to push the legislative programs of the Republican leadership.
Stuart Kronish
Highland Park
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