Re: Kotowski's Campaign Funding - Aug 28, 2008
As a tax payer and resident of Park Ridge, I would like to comment on the recent article by Jennifer Jonson.
(Note:I left a phone message for Jennifer Johnson and she would not return my call.)
Your story on State Sen. Dan Kotowski and his band of merry men and women collecting campaign funds - may be true. But it's not the whole truth and the those of us who have never seen State Sen. Kotowski walk our streets here with the 6th ward need to know the complete story.
Fact: State Sen. Kotowski still refuses to support those retired police officers, fire fighters and most of all our teachers here in the state of Illinois by giving his support for the U.S. Bill H.R. # 82 which is titled " The Social Security Fairness Act For Police
Officers".
Additionally, when I contacted the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois in Springfield, they had no idea of the current social security laws and reduced benefits for all fire fighters. They seemed to be dumbfounded on this very important issue but still support State Sen. Kotowski.
It should be noted that the current social security benefit plan does cut the benefits
for all teachers too and especially those who's husbands have served their community and draw a public pension.
Furthermore, we who have EARNED our pension through public service have had our social security "cut in half" thanks to Convicted felon and ex congressman Dan Rostenkowski who enjoys his FULL pension benefits.
If U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky ( D-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) are for this repeal then please tell us why State Sen. Dan Kotowski is against it?
Let's right this state political ship and regain the respect from those civil servants who once place their lives on the line - daily for those who enjoy and make up the fabric
of this city, this state and most of all this nation.
We need a voice in Springfield to be heard loud and clear all the way to Washington
now! Please help pass U.S. Bill H.R. # 82.
Maybe U.S. Sen. Dick Durban can find the time to lend his support !
Thank you.
Gene T. Spanos
Retired Lieutenant
City of Park Ridge
6th Ward
Marine 11th Engineer Chapter ( Forming )
Member - MCEA
Semper Fi
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PRU Editor's note -- PRU does not oppose or endorse the views expressed in the above letter, however, we do believe the writer's views should be given a forum for expression.
We believe we understand why State Senator Kotowski may want to stay out of the Federal fray and concentrate his energy and efforts down in Springfield. But as we've noted before, we also believe our local elected officials are an important voice of representation not only at the local and State level but also to our other representatives at the Federal level.
MORE --
We've noticed a couple of interesting items in today's Journal & Topics newspaper about expected actions at last night's City Council meeting --
#1 -- "Schmidt Defends Self Against Mayoral Attack"
#2 -- "Alderman Expected to Question Bill For Police Audit"
Sounds like we missed an interesting meeting!
September 3, 2008
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15 comments:
Gene T. Spanos, not only is this bill a piece of federal law that Kotowski has no vote on, but the representatives in Congress who serve Kotowski's constituents are all in favor of it.
So what you're doing here is just taking another cheap shot, and an irrelevant one at that, at the guy you've had a bug up your butt about since he ran and won his Illinois senate seat, and who you call "Danger Dan."
If you want to get after Kotowski for something he actually should be doing, challenge him to get his fellow Democrats down in Springfield off the dime and taking care of our state business.
And while you're at it, can you cut the "retired lieutenant" and "semper fi" drill? Try living in the present instead of the past, or will you soon be adding "high school quarterback" and "boo yah!" to your resume?
Remember those civics books I was going to start throwing at people? Retired Lieutenant - INCOMING! One is being hurled in your direction.
Let's just, I dunno, *think* about this for a minute.
Senator Kotowski is a *state* senator in *Springfield*.
The bill in question is a *federal* bill in *Washington*. The people cited who support this bill (U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky ( D-IL), Peter Roskem (R-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL)) are in *Washington*.
Seems to me that the Retired Lieutenant has a political axe to grind. Kotowski has a "band of merry men" implying Kotowski's fund raisers were "robbing from the rich to give to the poor" (good to know you're doing well, Retired Lieutenant). He can't spell U.S. Senator Durbin's name right and then suggests the senator has other things to do then support working people, "Maybe U.S. Sen. Dick Durban [sic] can find the time to lend his support !" And, last but not least, he non-sensically attributes having had his social security "'cut in half' thanks to Convicted felon and ex congressman Dan Rostenkowski" realizing that Rostenkowski was/is a Democrat, but failing to realize that he's been out of office for well over a decade, so I have a hard time attributing any cuts to his actions. But, hey, we should be kind and award points based on the fact that Rosty was a *US* Senator.
We're doomed. You all realize that, don't you? A small but very vocal part of our body politic begins each analysis with party affiliation with one side being good and any action (or in this case inaction) automatically bad. Facts can be filled in after this conclusion and if there are no facts, ad hominem attacks and innuendo will suffice.
Me? I'm going to continue to keep a bottle at one hand and a stack of books by the other, watching while the whole thing burns.
Ditto the previous comments!
I just spotted Chicken Little running around hysterically in circles in the middle of town.
THE SKY IS FALLING!!!
Oh Gene, fer cryin' out loud...
ALL of our representatives have enough real work to do besides mixing into each others areas of responsibility...and considering the mess that we otherwise call Springfield, I'm satisfied that Dan Kotowski is keeping his nose to the task of being a STATE Sentaor!
I voted for Kotowski because I couldn't stand the idea of sending a pseudo-Prom Queen to do any real work on our behalf...and so far...overall...I've been satisfied by my vote...
I agree with the first poster that this letter is a "cheap shot"...but "Charles" said it even better with, "A small but very vocal part of our body politic begins each analysis with party affiliation with one side being good and any action (or in this case inaction) automatically bad. Facts can be filled in after this conclusion and if there are no facts, ad hominem attacks and innuendo will suffice."
Exactly.
Rosty was in the house, not senate.
Bravo Charles!!!!!!!!
A small but very vocal part of our body politic begins each analysis with party affiliation with one side being good and any action (or in this case inaction) automatically bad. Facts can be filled in after this conclusion and if there are no facts, ad hominem attacks and innuendo will suffice".
I would only go further to apply it to not just party affiliation but simply opposing sides in any argument. It is in the presidential election, Congress, local government, and often here on the blogs. Listening and/or thinking is not required. Have an opinion and pick your "facts" later.
Anonymous 1:18 PM,
Some people offer "facts" while other people offer facts. You don't seem to be able to tell the difference between "facts" and facts by your saying that "facts" apply equally to opposing sides in any argument. The discussions on the blogs hardly ever talk about party politics. If you are seeing party politics in the discussions then maybe you need to do some listening and thinking of your own. Throw in a conscience examination too.
For the letter today from Gene Spanos. I don't agree with everything he said, but I appreciate the PRU giving a forum for unpopular positions. I don't think Mr. Kotowski is at all responsible for the bill being passed but I do think our elected reps. should be talking to each other on things though, even if they aren't in the same branches of government and especially if they are in different political parties. That is very important to me because then I know they are not just being party people and they are doing the job of representation for me the people.
This is Anonymous 3:27 PM. PRU, I meant to say "we the people" in my comment.
Don't sweat it Anon@3:27/33 -- either one works, and we got a chuckle out of the first one.
I think "me the people" is Howie's version.
anon 1:18:
I guess the difference between "facts" and facts is what side of the issue you are on. What are facts to me may be "facts" to someone else, and then of course it evloves in to the obligatory round of name calling, and, at times, out right lies.
The example on this thread had to do with party politics but I believe it applies well beyond that. No, I do not see party politics on this blog but I do,at times, see the exact same process Charles describes in his post. I am guilty of it myself sometimes.
As to examining my conscience I do that to the best of my ability, but of course it is only from my point of view.
As
Thank you for all of your feedback.
Proud to have served.
Gene.
Ironically, considering the discussion, the following notice just showed up in my InBox.
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Kotowski to Host Town Hall on Veterans Issues Including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
State Sen. Dan Kotowski will be joined by a panel of experts at the VFW Post #3579 Hall in Park Ridge at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9
Dan has put veterans at the very forefront of his legislative agenda. His efforts include a new law that allows parents to keep their children who are military veterans on their employer-provided health insurance until the age of 30. Currently, insurance coverage for all active duty members of the military, national guardsmen or reservists ends six months after they leave the military, unless they have a disability.
He also successfully sponsored legislation to provided additional funding for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Joining Dan next week will be Ilona Meagher, author of the book, "Moving a Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's Returning Troops," and representatives from a model PTSD program at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Warrior Assistance Program. The Warrior Assistance Program provides confidential assistance for Illinois veterans as the transition back to their civilian lives after serving our country.
"We're reaching out to our veterans to provide them the services they need. We also want to communicate with those returning from the military about what we can do in Springfield to help them. At the very least, we owe that to the people who have served our country," Kotowski said.
Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend and reservations can be made by calling Dan's legislative offices at (847) 797-1192.
Park Ridge VFW Post #3579 is located at 10 W. Higgins Road, Park Ridge.
Thank you.
Gene T. Spanos
Retired Lieutenant
City of Park Ridge
6th Ward
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End the confusion, Retired Lieutenant, Rosemont PD.....or you afraid to admit it?
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