Yesterday, McHenry County Blog laid down the background for this conclusion of a discussion of what might be characterized as the fringe benefits clash of a Jack Franks’ challenge of Joe Walsh in a congressional race after reapportionment in 2012.

Jack Franks

Jack Franks highlighted for the Daily Herald the fringe benefit aspect of his 2011 agenda:

“take away pensions for new members of the General Assembly starting in 2013, as well as strip the salaries and benefits of members of Chicago-area transit boards.”

I wrote about these goals, pointed out that three of those who serve on transit boards are McHenry County Republicans, at least two of whom did not want Franks to win re-election, and shared what those who watch the legislative process thought about Franks’ legislative pension idea here. (None, I don’t think, pointed out that Franks is so wealthy that he could easily forgo the General Assembly pension that he has accrued since taking office in 1999.)

In that article, I pointed out that Joe Walsh was not participating in the congressional pension or health care plans.

So, if Franks is going to continue on his headline-grabbing course with regard to abolishing legislative pensions, Walsh has him one-upped.

Joe Walsh

Franks will get a pension; Walsh won’t.

And if congressional Democrats are going to lay the groundwork on the health insurance front, Walsh also has the political advantage over Franks.

One should note that congressional Democrats in no way want to give up their Federal health insurance.

They just are trying to convince the public that Republicans are being hypocritical.