Congressional Candidate David Ratowitz on Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano! Posted by Scott D

Posted 03/11/10 Last updated 03/11/10

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McCain-Lieberman Bill a Major Threat to Liberty Posted by Anthony Gregory

Posted 03/05/10

Former Democratic VP candidate Joe Lieberman and former GOP presidential candidate John McCain have introduced a new detention policy bill in response to the Christmas Day underwear bomber. From The Atlantic: "A close reading of the bill suggests it would allow the U.S. military to detain U.S. citizens without trial indefinitely in the U.S. based on suspected activity."

This is another reminder of why, as horrible as Obama is on practically every issue, his competition was likely no better. Not that I expect Obama to veto this monstrosity. On detention policy, he has proven himself to be approximately as bad as his predecessor, if not worse.

Can we build a bipartisan police state, complete with the destruction of the last vestiges of due process, while we distract the public with political sideshows and debates over whether the government should control 60% or 61% of the economy? Yes we can.

Farmer to Consumer Direct Sales. Growing the Economy the Old Fashioned Way Posted by Sharon

Posted 03/04/10 Last updated 03/04/10

Recently Matt Phillips blogged about our efforts in conjunction with the Illinois State Beekeepers Association (ISBA) in Springfield to modify the existing rules and classification on Honey. As an update on March 2nd SB 2959 and HB 6132 were passed out of their respective Committees with no opposing votes. HB 5775 passed out of Committee February 24th, 2010 with no opposing votes.

Before these bills are assigned to the Schedule, we encourage each Illinois Citizen (if they support the concept behind the bills)  to either call their Senator and Representative to request they become co-sponsors or to vote for them when they are presented upon the floor. Also, once your legislator has done what you ask - thank them in writing not e-mail, fax, or phone call. Day in and day out legislators get calls that are discouraging, strident, and abrasive.

Remember the adage "You can catch more flies with Honey than with Vinegar"? Not withstanding the fact that I just made a very stupid pun - it is really true. At the most recent Agricultural Committee Hearing our family was pulled aside and thanked for the note we'd sent up. We became "real" and therefore our concerns were real as well. We weren't a faceless part of a FaxBlast or email campaign - we were "The Sabo Beekeeping Family".

I'd also like to address Matt's request that our family reveal our Business information. In the most simplistic form, we are your neighbors. Our names, location and "sale hours" are irrelevant to someone more than an hour away.

No matter where you reside in Illinois someone has an item that you need: Honey, Beeswax, Vegetables, Fruits, Jelly, Salsa, Milk: I could expand the list until the Blog is filled and not finish listing the items that can be locally purchased.

Many, but not all of the above items suggested can be sourced through LocalHarvest by simply typing in your zip code with the product you are searching for. 

Milk and Dairy can be sourced through The Weston A. Price Foundation including the applicable laws that must be followed.

Also, don't forget your local small Butcher. Ask for locally grown and processed meat or poultry. If you don't ask, how will they know what you want?

Why would I tie this conversation in with the legislative process one might ask? It is really quite simple.

If the process of changing statutes encourages local producers to participate in local sales - there will be more local sales.

This in effect will lead to more individuals participating in Local Economic Growth and reducing the dependency on large business concerns.

Farmer to Consumer the Old Fashioned Way

Constituent to Legislator the Old Fashioned Way

At a time when many of us feel like we are headed off to work only to have a passing acquaintance with our surrounding neighborhoods and farmers, I'd like to encourage each and everyone of you to expand your opportunities. Instead of reaching for the imported honey or products on shelves, take a moment to ask the Manager "I'd really like to see more local products carried here. Do you know where I can get local ___________?" If enough people ask and indicate their desire change could truly happen.

I'd also like to personally thank all of the Illinois C4L Bloggers who keep on each day providing their view of the world. You are real to me.

Sharon Sabo

Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois

What you can do for liberty today Posted by Heather D

Posted 03/02/10 Last updated 03/02/10

At 6:00 this evening, the Illinois Transportation Committee will be holding a public hearing concerning SB2466, a bill to ban the use of red light cameras except at railroad crossings and construction zones. These cameras were sold to the citizens of Illinois as a means to provide safety at dangerous intersections, and not as a means to raise money through a tax of a different name. A case has been made that many intersections where these cameras are present are actually more dangerous than they were before the cameras were placed there, as the timing of the yellow lights has been shortened. In addition to this, drivers are being ticketed for making "right on red" turns where there is no signage declaring that it is illegal to do so. 

If you are in the Springfield area, please attend the public hearing and speak out in support of SB2466. The hearing will take place in the State Capitol Building, room 400, subcommittee on RLC's, at 6:00 P.M. Whether you are able to attend the hearing or not, please contact the committee members found here, and ask that they vote in favor of this bill.

Senator Dan Duffy discusses Red Light Cameras Posted by Scott D

Posted 03/02/10 Last updated 03/02/10

Illinois State Senator Dan Duffy discusses Red Light Cameras, his bill 2466 to ban Red Light Cameras in Illinois and the fact that this is about revenue for the municipalities and the private companies that run the cameras, NOT ABOUT SAFETY.

Senate hearings occur today, March 2nd in Springfield to hear testimony from the public on Red Light Cameras in Illinois.