Can the State Department be Any More Incompetent

We all know that Condoleezza Rice has been the worst Secretary of State we have ever had- hard power (war or the threat of war) is not the only form of diplomacy a country has. However, the State Department's recent admission that there has been security breeches on all three of the Presidential candidates passport files further demonstrates this department's, and the entire Bush administration's, amazing incompetence.

It is surprising that this would happen in this era of heightened terror threats and the billions of dollars invested and civil liberties violated- thank you Patriot Act and illegal wiretapping- in securing the homeland. The only conclusion one is left with is that this is going to serve some sinister Bush plan in the future. This conclusion seems like conspiracy theory, but after an administration that has broken the law and fixed the courts as much as the Bushies what other conclusion can a logical person reach- if the weren't so secretive than this would be a silly conclusion.

But even if there is no conspiracy this matter still highlights gross negligence. Obama's breeches were most recent and came to light first, but the other breeches happen quite some time ago. Where was the State Department's response then? Also, one of these breeches was done by a trainee at the State Department...what? You would think that a federal department...any department would not have high security documents just out in the open for anyone to take a look at.

Well I wish all of us who are travel the best of luck...not only do we have to worry about structurally unsound planes, but now anyone can have access to your most personal information. It's a new era for identity fraud.

Congratulations to the Newly Caucused Democratic Candidates

Last night the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee had the pleasure of caucusing in several new candidates for the 2008 General Election...

(Former MCDCC Chair) Tom Cynor- Candidate for State's Attorney, Kerry Julian- Candidate for County Auditor, Anita Harmon- Candidate for McHenry County Board District 2, Jill Mawhinney- Candidate for McHenry County Board District 2

Congratulations to all of these outstanding candidates who will definitely strengthen an already strong Democratic ticket in McHenry County.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Like St. Patrick did in Ireland...we need to drive the snakes from our country. Our snakes are the do nothings in office. On the federal and local levels we have (mostly Republicans) who believe the status quo is just fine, but this just means recession, foreclosures, an unending foreign war, skyrocketing debt, high property taxes, diminishing water, sprawl, and traffic congestion. Enough is enough. There is hope for the future, but only if we throw these bums out. Let's start the change, and use St. Pat as our inspiration. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

Come see the 11th Hour

Come and watch Leonardo DiCaprio's new movie The 11th Hour. This environmentally conscious movie is a must see for anyone who is following and concerned about the environmental crisis.

The 11th Hour
March 16th
McHenry Community College Auditorium
5-7pm
$7 at the door

Exciting Times in District 1

Thanks for all of you who elected me district chair. It will be my honor to continue the recent Democratic success in our district. We defiantly need to help reconnect people with the political process. We all live in this community and are responsible for what happens here.

The best way to do this is to encourage those who we know to become precinct representatives and help to support our local candidates- Bob Abboud running for U.S. Congress, Bob Kaempfe running for the Illinois House, and James McTague running for the McHenry County Board.

New District Chair

Congratulations to Bryan McTague the new District Chair for district 1. Bryan was unanimously re-elected chair at the County Convention last night in Woodstock. Along with Bryan, Carolyn Quinn in District 2; Dan Giallombardo in District 3; Mary Margaret Maule in District 4; Chris Emmerich in District 5; and Robert Ludwig in District 6 were also elected district chairs. Hopefully these new District Chairs can motivate their precinct representatives and recruit many new party members and turn this county blue.

2008 is a Democratic Year

In 2006 we all saw that if enough people work together change can happen. For most of us this change can not come fast enough.

Currently we have sky high inflation and taxes while wages are dropping and jobs, if you are lucky enough to have one, are shipped overseas. Our elected officials, like the President, insist that everything is better than ever; the economy is strong, we are safer than ever, the freedom and liberty of someone a world away is more important than that of someone living here.

So what is the solution to our dire situation? As former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill said "all politics is local." This has never been more true. After many years of Republican alienation and political disenfranchisement many people want nothing to do with politics; but this only reinforces Republican control of government. It is time for all of us to take back our local government like the federal Democratic revolution in 2006.

In McHenry County the Republican Party has controlled the county government since the Civil War. This one party rule has meant that government does not have to listen to its constituency because they are never given any other choice. Well this is not democratic.

2008 is proving to be landslide year for the Democratic Party. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are inspiring legions of people to join their campaigns we need to harness this excitement into local action. The best way to do this is by becoming a precinct representative. Together let's all take back our government!