There is a battle brewing in the Illinois 9th congressional district between Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky and challenger Republican Joel Pollak. Even though the race is taking place in a +20 Democrat stronghold, Pollak is in excellent position to knock off one of the most anti-American and morally corrupt incumbents around.
Last week it was disclosed that Schakowsky intervened on behalf of wealthy Chicago businessman and campaign donor Balvinder Singh to block foreclosure proceedings initiated against him and his colleagues by United Central Bank. While Schakowsky has turned a blind eye to the closing of numerous businesses in her district devastated by the recession, she still somehow managed to help a businessman who has donated $85,000 to Democratic causes over the past eight years.
Protecting wealthy donors is just the latest of many questionable activities, statements and associations that have marked Schakowsky's career in Congress. She is a member of the Socialists of America Caucus, an early backer and close political ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and a fervent advocate for single payer healthcare.
I urge conservatives everywhere to support her challenger Republican Joel Pollak who is working on a shoestring budget to beat one of the biggest recipients of union donations in Congress. He is smart, principled and a true conservative and with a little help, he can win.
20 Reasons Why Jan Schakowsky is Unfit for Congress:
The Almanac of American Politics describes Schakowsky as "one of the leftmost members of the Democratic Caucus". She is also a dedicated statist once telling a writer for the Democrat Socialists of America, "The American people are not ideological; therefore, the way to go is to attack private power."
Statements on 9/30/10 in which she condemned the Tenth Amendment protecting state's rights and the "Tea Party" ideas that "free people can govern themselves" and "government powers are derived from the consent of the governed", political concepts she described as "extreme".
Support for economy killing legislation including union sponsored card check, cap and trade energy taxes, and increased federal spending during a time of trillion dollar plus deficits.
She voted no for the Bush era tax cuts and yes for TARP, auto bailouts, Obama stimulus and the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act that increased the size of the federal government by 8.3%.
Patently false claim this past summer that "Congress is set to create more jobs in 8 months than net jobs created in the last 8 years of the Bush administration".
Stated goal of healthcare reform wasn't the creation of a better healthcare system, but rather a "Trojan horse for single payer".
Sponsor of legislation that would "give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to stop or change insurance rate increases that are considered unreasonable". If implemented this law would put the federal government in complete control of the private health insurance industry and would be the final staw towards using ObamaCare as a "Trojan horse" for single payer.
Pressuring the Illinois Finance Authority to provide a $100 million bailout for Schakowsky campaign contributor and frequent supporter of Chicago Democratic candidates ShoreBank. According to Republican challenger Pollak "banking experts say they're not aware of any previous bank bailout by Illinois or any other state." Schakowsky's action may also be related to ShoreBank helping her husband earn a light sentence for a check writing scam in 2006.
Close association with the anti-Israel J Street, a Soros affiliated PAC that refuses to support sanctions against Iran, would not condemn the UN Goldstone Report that called Israel criminally responsible for the Gaza war, and considers the lack of progress in Middle East peace process to be entirely Israel's fault and not at all related to Palestinian terrorism. Schakowsky is one of the top recipients of J Street campaign donations in Congress.
In 2002 Schakowsky signed a letter alleging US ally Columbia had committed "human rights" violations in its war against FARC terrorists, a communist guerrilla organization that has murdered thousands of Columbians and has the backing of dictators Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez.
Neglecting her responsibilities as Senior Member of the Intelligence Committee by introducing the Stop Outsourcing Security Act that would outlaw the use of private contractors in conflict zones. The legislation would cripple the Pentagon's ability to conduct military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during a time of war.
Her rental of office space in Chicago from landlord Michael "Jaws" Giorango who was convicted of running a national prostitution ring.
Visit to Honduras in Nov 2009 in an attempt to undermine a democratic nation that lawfully deposed a socialist President who tried to illegally extend his term beyond the constitutionally limited 4 years. Upon her return, Schakowsky claimed to have witnessed "human rights abuses" that have never been substantiated by any international media outlet or the American government.
Description of Helen Thomas, one of the most virulent anti-Israel journalists over the past four decades, as "awesome".
Record as one of the most strident pro-abortion advocates in Congress including support for partial-birth abortions and embryonic stem cell research. Schakowsky began her political career with a $1.4 million donation from Emily's List, an organization that donates to "the political campaigns of Democratic female candidates who oppose all restrictions on abortion rights."
Even though members of Congress are expected to debate their opposition in a public forum during the campaign season, she refuses to participate in a debate with her Republican challenger.
More examples of why Schakowsky is unworthy of office are available at the Joel Pollak for Congress candidate comparison page.
Fred Dardick got a BS in Biology at Boston University and MS in Biology at Stanford University before deciding that science bored him. He now runs a staffing company in Chicago where he is much happier now.
