McHenry County Blog

Governor Pat Quinn has released his income tax forms to at least the Chicago Sun-Times.

Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney reports today that Quinn earned $120,226 last year.

More interesting to me was that he contributed to $12,379 to charitable organizations.

Over 10%.

10.26%, to be more exact.

You will remember the Biblical suggestion that believers tithe 10% of their income to church. In fact, tithe meant a tenth in Old English.

Why is this worth a story?

Check out what now-President Barack Obama gave to charity before and after he gained the national spotlight.

Compare what Obama, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and retired President George W. Bush contributed to the percentage donated by Quinn.

All are less than what Methodist Church founder John Wesley recommended:

Gain all you can.

Save all you can.

Give all you can.

Wesley died with very little, having given away what he got as it came to him.

Any other politicians who want to share their percentage of charitable giving, drop me a line at McHenry County Blog.

This was the sunset on last Monday as seen through the window next to our front door.

But, considering today is the last full day President George W. Bush will be in office, it is perhaps symbolic as well as beautiful.

As my wife would say,

“No attacks since 9-11. Thank your president.”

This was the sunset on last Monday as seen through the window next to our front door.

But, considering today is the last full day President George W. Bush will be in office, it is perhaps symbolic as well as beautiful.

As my wife would say,

“No attacks since 9-11. Thank your president.”

When I was in Woodstock Monday, I saw two political signs.

The first was that of State Senator Pam Althoff’s and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s.

It was on Route 14 across from the proposed minor league baseball stadium site right down from Centegra’s Woodstock Hospital.

The second one was the one on Route 47 in front of State Rep. Jack Franks’ office.

The Althoff-Tryon Route 14 message where the ostrich farm used to be is

As I drove around the corner of city Route 14 onto Route 47, I saw a very different message on Jack Franks’ sign:

Forgetting for the moment that Franks’ Democratic Party colleague U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is requesting that President George W. Bush commute George Ryan’s sentence, not “pardon” him,

Which message do you think will resonate more favorably with voters?

On another subject, it appears as if Franks’ American flag is a bit tattered.

When I was in Woodstock Monday, I saw two political signs.

The first was that of State Senator Pam Althoff’s and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s.

It was on Route 14 across from the proposed minor league baseball stadium site right down from Centegra’s Woodstock Hospital.

The second one was the one on Route 47 in front of State Rep. Jack Franks’ office.

The Althoff-Tryon Route 14 message where the ostrich farm used to be is

As I drove around the corner of city Route 14 onto Route 47, I saw a very different message on Jack Franks’ sign:

Forgetting for the moment that Franks’ Democratic Party colleague U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is requesting that President George W. Bush commute George Ryan’s sentence, not “pardon” him,

Which message do you think will resonate more favorably with voters?

On another subject, it appears as if Franks’ American flag is a bit tattered.

“If George Ryan gets out of prison because of Dick Durbin or any other politician, it will send yet another message that political connections defeat honestly, justice and fairness in government.

“Ryan treated us citizens with criminality and contempt. He should pay the full price the court demanded he pay.”

That’s the message from McHenry’s Steve Stanek that the Chicago Tribune featured on its op-ed page under poll results showing 80% of almost 2,300 respondents disapproved of Democratic Party U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s suggestion that former Republican Governor George Ryan’s 6-year prison sentence for political corruption be commuted to time served.

Any commutation would have to be granted by outgoing President George W. Bush.

“If George Ryan gets out of prison because of Dick Durbin or any other politician, it will send yet another message that political connections defeat honestly, justice and fairness in government.

“Ryan treated us citizens with criminality and contempt. He should pay the full price the court demanded he pay.”

That’s the message from McHenry’s Steve Stanek that the Chicago Tribune featured on its op-ed page under poll results showing 80% of almost 2,300 respondents disapproved of Democratic Party U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s suggestion that former Republican Governor George Ryan’s 6-year prison sentence for political corruption be commuted to time served.

Any commutation would have to be granted by outgoing President George W. Bush.

Interesting analysis can come from anywhere and I found some on Progress Illinois by Adam Doster.

But I found his election data most compelling.

Look at the differences between four years ago and now.

McHenry County still did best for the Republican presidential candidate, but look at the voters who flipped.

McHenry County went from +20% to minus 5.3% — a 25.1 percentage point difference.

Undoubtedly part of that resulted from John McCain having absolutely no television ads which Barack Obama blanketed the airwaves to carry Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Still.

A 25% shift is reason for some serious thinking on the part of McHenry County GOP leaders.

Interesting analysis can come from anywhere and I found some on Progress Illinois by Adam Doster.

But I found his election data most compelling.

Look at the differences between four years ago and now.

McHenry County still did best for the Republican presidential candidate, but look at the voters who flipped.

McHenry County went from +20% to minus 5.3% — a 25.1 percentage point difference.

Undoubtedly part of that resulted from John McCain having absolutely no television ads which Barack Obama blanketed the airwaves to carry Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Still.

A 25% shift is reason for some serious thinking on the part of McHenry County GOP leaders.

Another press release from the Democratic Party’s candidate for McHenry County Coroner.

You have to go all the way to the end to find out why he includes a close-up photo of Air Force One.

LOCAL CORONER CANDIDATE
STANDS ON SOLID GROUND

David J. Bachmann, Democratic Candidate for McHenry County Coroner, is again, taking a hard line on his strong beliefs.

On August 1, 2008 Dave Bachmann produced a letter that was posted on McHenry County Blog. He expressed his Faith Based belief that ALL life should be valued and “protected.” This may be view here.

Today, Bachmann released another firm belief, having to do with the value of “True Friendships.” Bachmann states, “In life, and even more so in Politics, it’s all about ‘integrity’ and taking a firm stand. Never wavering! Say it, mean it, back it up!”

Therefore, “Bachmann for Coroner,” an “Educational” based campaign, announces its Campaign motto,

“You Find Out Who Your Friends Are”

We believe the lyrics of the Tracy Lawrence song as attached, clearly states how we feel about our friends and family. Especially now, as we begin the 90 day countdown to election day.

Bachmann states:

“I am a man of Conviction. I want my campaign to reflect this. Voters will decide. Call me wrong, Call me right?

“We ask ALL our friends to join us now. The contact information is listed on our web site.

“Campaign Theme Song may be viewed here. “

Just as Importantly Bachmann states:

“Our Campaign greatly appreciates, and invites all our college student voters and supporters to get involved as so many have already. ‘Bachmann for Coroner’ Embraces and provides for its ‘Youth Movement’ web links, to Yahoo Music Videos. We feel for the first time in this Nation’s history, our ‘youth’ are Politically engaged as never before. We know this to be true, via the amounts of emails our campaign receives each day, from our web site.

“I have linked a highly popular web-site Yahoo to my web page. This way, my visitors can listen to ‘tunes’ while they visit our site, for education on ‘What a Coroner Really Does.’ A most popular group, ‘Nickelback’ is featured with ‘Photograph.’

“Click on this link here for a sample.“

Dave Bachmann has also provided a campaign video. In this video he shares his platform for the future of the McHenry County Coroner’s office. This may be view here.

All of these links and video’s are also listed on the official campaign web site. Each sight may be navigated to from our home site.

Also, Dave Bachmann has now provided a site entitled, “Counter Intelligence.”

Photographs of “Air Force One” may be viewed from Dave’s Personal Photo Collection as he boarded this aircraft at the invitation of President George H. W. Bush.

Bachmann concludes: “This election cycle, we will prove, ‘TODAY’ is the future of Campaigning! On-Line………… “