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Politically Speaking – June 6, 2023

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The Illinois House passed the $50.6 billion state budget that Democrats called a financially responsible and “compassionate” spending plan in the wee hours of the morning with a 73-38 vote. Pritzker beat his chest and proudly announced this was his “fifth balanced budget,” vowing to sign it. It’s amazing what you can do on paper to be fiscally irresponsible.

But you’ll be interested to know when you see the Illinois tax increases that there’s money in the budget to pay for illegal immigrants’ health insurance. Oh, and let’s not forget the healthy raise for our hard-working, dedicated legislators, among other wasteful spending.

In a 29-minute speech on the House floor, State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, (D- Peoria), touted the budget’s school funding, an extra $200 million in the Pension Stabilization Fund and more than $180 million to the Rainy Day Fund as highlights of the spending plan.

In my opinion, all this is just another one-sided, partisan Democrat budget. Anyone with a lick of common sense knows you can’t spend more than you have and continue to do so and stay financially sound. There are many reasons to be concerned for the future of our state, and certainly our state’s families.

Instead of spending money where it makes sense, Democrats spent money on “pork projects” in their districts, leaving Republicans out of the negotiation process.

In another closing statement before the General Assembly adjourned, Illinois House Republican leader Tony McCombie noted how difficult it was for Republicans. However, he stressed they are there to work. McCombie also accused Democrat Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch of giving Republicans “false hope for a new day,” when it comes to budget negotiations.

Sadly, in my opinion, our beautiful state of Illinois has joined the incompetence of California’s state legislature and is on the top of the list for the worst state to live in.

Congratulations, Democrat legislators. And lest we forget, the worst of the worst is J.B. Pritzker.

But take heart. Right now Chicagoans aren’t very happy with their party of choice, especially when it comes to providing FREE, FREE and more FREE to illegals, among other things.

Moving forward, if that’s what you want to call it, to the 2024 elections. The GOP field continues to grow, and still the big question remains: Will Biden really run? (Other than to the basement.) Either way, I’ve had my doubts all along, but at this point I’m in pretty good company. A week and half ago Steve Forbes, while sitting with Bill Hemmer in the Fox Newsroom, predicted Joe Biden will not be the 2024 candidate, despite Biden’s intentions.

He pretty well summed it up by pointing out the worst economy in 40 years. Biden wasn’t up to the job in the first place, and anyone that couldn’t see that needs to stop drinking the Kool-Aid.

So who will it be if not Joe Biden? Just a few names that come to mind are Bernie Sanders; California Governor Gavin Newsom (God help us, look at California!); Robert Kennedy Jr.; J.B. Pritzker; Amy Klobuchar; Gretchen Whitmer; Jared Polis; Pete Buttigieg. Frankly, I still like Tulsie Gabbard.

One thing I can assure you of, it’s going to be an interesting campaign all the way around for both parties.

I’ve said all along the Russian thing was a hoax, and as I look at everything coming out from the Durham Report my first conclusion is the only two people that had nothing to do with the Russian hoax were Trump and Putin. It leaves me wondering about Ukraine!

A final note from my buddy Ludwig: He pointed out, “As Ronald Reagan stated in his 1967 inaugural address as Governor of California, ‘Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.’”

To comment on this or any column in The Weekly, please mail to: Editor, P.O. Box 1223, Centralia IL 62801, email to info@theshoppersweekly.com or drop it off at the office on 301 E. Broadway. In order for your letter to be considered for publication, you must provide your signature and an address and phone number where you can be reached. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published.



The Shoppers Weekly

Picture of Cathy Stuehmeier

Cathy Stuehmeier

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