Donkey Tails
 By Maury Goodman
July 2006
 For the "Warrenville Today" Newspaper

Dirk Enger – Candidate for Illinios State Representative District 95

Dirk has been selected as the Democratic Candidate for the State House from the district currently being served by Republican Randy Hultgren. Dirk Louis Enger was born in Aurora, Illinois in 1960, graduated from high school in 1980 and has worked as an ironworker for over seventeen years.

Dirk served in the U.S.M.C. from 1983 to 1986 and was a member of the Presidential Security Forces and also a member of the U.S.M.C. Silent Drill Team in Washington, D.C. Dirk volunteered for a second tour in the U.S.M.C. for Desert Shield/Desert Storm and was highly decorated for his service. Hie is a strong

backer of veteran’s rights: “As a Desert Shield/Desert Storm Veteran who volunteered to go back in for the war, it saddens me to see how unfairly the Veterans of our country, who fight for our rights, are treated. We have seen so many programs that were not properly funded to begin with and then get cut.” Other important issues are education and health care. He would work for a state education system which doesn’t rely on the property tax, and would work with federal officials to fix the Medicare Part B drug plan so it actually helps seniors and is not so confusing. More information about Dirk can be found at http://www.enger4rep.org/.

More Inconvenience

The scientific debate on whether human activity has affected global warming is over, but the political debate continues. The needed political debate, which is what to do about it, (not obvious) needs to take precedence. The 1999 Mann Report concluded that the 1990s were the warmest decade in a thousand years. It also infuriated many Republican lawmakers and industry groups.  At the request of the House Science Committee,
the National Academies reviewed the Report, and agreed with the overall thrust.  The same deniers objected to the review. I put Republican attitudes on global warming into three groups. The largest group agrees that there is a problem and is beginning to discuss various options for solutions. The other two groups are on a long river in Egypt, and in denial.

Happy Birthday President Bush, and get well Dennis Hastert

In the Washington D.C. National Airport I saw a calendar for sale that Bush fans and foes alike might want to own. It is for 2007, and lists how many days are left in the Bush-Cheney Presidency. Type (Bush Countdown 2007) at Amazon.com and it is $10.00.

DuPage Election Commission

They charge $1.00 a page for a sheet of paper covered by a Freedom of Information Act request. A citizen recently asked for a copy of their ethics ordinance and was asked for $10.00 for the 10 page document. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has asked that they review these charges. It seems to me that such charges would only be made by a bureaucrat who doesn’t believe in freedom of information.

Tammy Duckworth for Congress District 6

The First issue on her web page duckworthforcongres.com is Health Care: “ The health care crisis in this country has become so great that the ballooning cost of care has started forcing companies into bankruptcy. As a result, fewer and fewer families are getting quality health care through their employer. No longer is it the case in America that employment guarantees health care coverage. I've been so fortunate to have received the best health care possible to help me overcome my war injuries. But when I'm out in public, people often come up to ask me about my prosthetic legs, and how they can obtain one for a relative who has lost a leg to diabetes. This shows the problem that millions of Americans need help but lack the insurance to cover it. We can't afford to ignore this national crisis any longer. Congress must step up and work together to provide access to affordable health care to those who need it. Providing health coverage for all children is a good place to start. The S-CHIP program, begun under the Clinton Administration, has reduced the number of children without health insurance even while the ranks of uninsured adults have expanded. I support Governor Blagojevich's initiative to provide health coverage to every child in Illinois, financed largely through administrative changes in the state's Medicaid program. As a Member of Congress, I will work for a similar initiative at the federal level. I will also work hard to ensure that the medical care we have promised to those who defend our nation is delivered. A strong and responsive VA health care system is absolutely essential – both in fulfilling our pledge to our nation's veterans, and in recruiting men and women for future service. There will be no stronger voice in Washington than mine on behalf of veterans' healthcare.”

Possible Democratic Presidential Candidates in 2008 number 2 – Russ Feingold

Senator Russ Feingold is a principled, progressive Democrat from Wisconsin. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Russ attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison. He was named a Rhodes Scholar and continued his education at Oxford University and Harvard Law School. A sucessful lawer in Madison, Feingold first ran for the Senate in 1992. Running as an underdog, Sen. Feingold was elected without taking any money from PAC's and by running a principled campaign promising to focus on citizens of Wisconsin. On his Senate website, he has recently called for an end to back-door pay hikes for Congress, and he was the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act. Supporters have established a web site at http://www.russforpresident.com/.

Feedback

It is welcomed and appreciated maurygoodman@dupagedemocrats.org