Cook County Campaign For Liberty Mission Statement:
The Cook County Campaign for Liberty's mission is to promote ethical leadership in Cook County by defending and advocating for the great American principles of civil liberties, privacy, fiscal responsibility, and transparent & limited government by means of activism, education and political activity.
How do we accomplish this mission?
Identifying activities and opportunities that support our mission.
Planning activities for Cook County Campaign for Liberty members to participate in.
Scheduling and Promoting our activities through our communications network.
Cook County Campaign for Liberty Meetup Audit the Fed Petitioning: 44th Ward
Saturday, June 18th, 2011 11:00am - 2:00pm Einstein Bros Bagles on Southport 3420 N. Southport Chicago, Illinois
Come gather petition signatures to urge Senator Mark Kirk to co-sponsor Senate 202, Rand Paul's bill to Audit the Fed.
We will be petitioning voters in the 44th Ward West Lakeview neighborhood. Clipboards, Petition materials and walk lists will be provided. We will walk specific precincts within the ward to identify potential Audit the Fed supporters. Einstein Bros is just off the Chicago Brown Line at Southport.
Whereas: Congress, the Federal Reserve, and the U.S. Treasury have put the American taxpayer on the hook for over $14 trillion in bailouts and loans; and
Whereas: The Federal Reserve continues to refuse to fully disclose the details of its emergency lending; and
Whereas: Allowing the Fed to operate our nation's monetary system in almost complete secrecy leads to abuse, inflation, and a lower quality of life for every American; and
Whereas: HR 459 and S 202, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, would require a complete audit of the Fed for the first time in its history and would provide answers to the American people about how our money is being spent;
Therefore: It's time to hold the Federal Reserve accountable to Congress and the American People. I urge you to do everything in your power to pass the Audit the Fed bill!
Call Scott D for details: 630-544-0847 Reply on Facebook HERE
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 HVI Office 2057 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago, Illinois
Are you worried about the rapid increase in the price of food and energy? Having trouble earning any interest on your savings? Think the Fed's uncontrolled printing of money out of thin air is a doomed policy?
Join Cook County Campaign for Liberty on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7pm for a discussion about the current monetary policy being undertaken by the Fed, strategies for preserving wealth through precious metals and how to prepare yourself and your family to survive a hyper-inflationary disaster.
This will be a group discussion open to everyone in the community. All are welcome.
Join us at the 2011 Chicago Tax Day Tea Party on Monday, April 18 at noon in Daley Plaza. The confirmed speakers include:
Congressman Joe Walsh, IL-8th Distric
Herman Cain, Presidential Candidate
Jonathan Hoenig, Capitalistpig.com, (Click See More for complete list)
Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform
Cisco Cotto, WLSAM 890
Adam Andrzejewski, Founder, For the Good of Illinois
John Tillman, CEO, Illinois Policy Institute
Dan Proft, WLSAM 890
Dr. Arie Friedman, Docs 4 Patient Care
Alex Cortes, Let Freedom Ring, Wheresmywaiver.com
C. Steven Tucker, TruthaboutObamacare.com
Still More To Come
The tea party will feature nationally known speakers, local liberty leaders and regular Americans who are making a difference. However, the real stars of the tea party will be you - the thousands of concerned citizens joining together in Daley Plaza. Bring your family, invite your friends and don't forget your signs.
The theme for this year's event is "Reform Government. Restore Liberty." We'll come together once again to make government more accountable, stop out of control spending and stand up for freedom and individual liberty. We are now at a turning point in the battle against big government. Increasingly all over the country, public sector unions and their supporters are pushing for higher taxes, more spending and even greater debt. We'll continue our fight for less government, more freedom, fiscal responsibility and a brighter future for our children. We can achieve that future together.
For those of you wondering why tax day falls on April 18 this year: Friday, April 15 is a holiday in Washington, DC and government workers have the day off. We wish that was a joke, but it's true.
The Chicago Tribunereports that a school in Chicago has banned students from bringing packed lunches from home - unless they have a medical excuse.
Principal Elsa Carmona said her goal is protect students from their own unhealthful food choices, stating:
"Nutrition wise, it is better for the children to eat at the school," Carmona said. "It's about the nutrition and the excellent quality food that they are able to serve (in the lunchroom). It's milk versus a Coke. But with allergies and any medical issue, of course, we would make an exception."
It must be about nutrition, given how tasty and wholesome the school's food looks:
As students have raised concerns, so have parents:
Some of the kids don't like the food they give at our school for lunch or breakfast," said Little Village parent Erica Martinez. "So it would be a good idea if they could bring their lunch so they could at least eat something."
"(My grandson) is really picky about what he eats," said Anna Torrez, who was picking up the boy from school. "I think they should be able to bring their lunch. Other schools let them. But at this school, they don't."
The school banning packed lunches from home is an infringement on parental responsibility. It boils down to whether the parents or the States have ownership of the child. It's quite obvious the parents have responsibility and should decide what the kids eat. They are the ones that literally create the child and raise the kid(s). They have an intimate relationship and knows what's best for them.
Government ignores the reality that humans by nature are independent, with a unqiue set of desires. Each kid differs in his taste, interest, abilities, intelligence, and chosen activities. The best kind of formal instruction would be suited to his own particular individuality. Curriculums in public schools don't recognize this. Government planners approach school with a one size fits all approach, which is why they fail so horribly at educating our kids. Now they're trying to carry this notion on to regulate what kids eat. Each kid is going to be unique in what he desires and his body needs. Some kids may prefer a chicken sandwich, vegetables, fruit, lunchables, etc. There's an infinite variety of combinations, and no central planner can ever know the needs of every child. Only the parent can, and only the parent has the right to regulate what their kids eat.
There is hope, though, for the comrades of Little Village Academy. School officials have announced they're ramping up his food quality, and next week is sloppy joes!
Chicago Tea Party / Cook County Campaign for Liberty March Meeting! Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 Blackie's Restaurant & Tavern 755 S. Clark Street Chicago, IL
You won't want to miss our next monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00PM at Blackie's, 755 S. Clark. We will be making three major announcements about the future of the Chicago Tea Party. You'll want to be the first to know and get involved.
We'll discuss our efforts to support Gov. Scott Walker in the Madison, WIsconsin budget battle, how it will affect us in Illinois and what it means for the country. Our speakers at the meeting will include:
* David Hale, Rockford Tea Party Organizer. David has successfully confronted the runaway Wisconsin State Senators on multiple occasions. Videos of the confrontations have gone viral and received national attention because David asked them questions the media is not asking.
* Bruno Behrend, Director of the Center for School Reform with the Heartland Institute. Bruno will discuss education reform, pension reform, the situation in Madison, WI, and what the tea party movement in Illinois can do to bring reform here.
* Brian Costin, Director of Outreach at the Illinois Policy Institute. Brian heads up IPI's Liberty Leaders program. Brian helped organize the first Chicago Tax Day Tea Party and is now running for Mayor of Schaumburg in the April 5 election.
We will be joined by the Cook County Campaign for Liberty at our meeting. The Cook County C4L shares many of our same goals, including promoting ethical leadership and advocating the great American principles of liberty, fiscal responsibility, transparency and limited government.
The Chicago Tea Party meets the first Wednesday of every month. We hold monthly meetings for people to meet our elected officials and candidates, ask direct questions and discuss the most important issues facing our country. Most importantly, you can meet and enjoy the company of dozens of friends and neighbors just like you. Admission is free. You can order from the menu and get drinks from the cash bar. There is metered parking on the street and a $6 parking lot across the street.
Our monthly meetings are open to all freedom loving Americans.
Please call 773-559-0105 or email us with any questions.
Twenty Seven responses to Cook County Campaign for Liberty's 2011 Chicago Municipal Candidate Survey have been returned as of Thursday, February 27th. We will be updating this page with more survey results daily between now and election day. So far, 11.25% of the 240 candidates surveyed have sent in their responses.
I have posted the results and answers to our 15 question survey below and included a copy of the questions at the bottom of this page. Each candidate has recieved a Liberty score based on their responses to our questions.
Thank you to all Candidates who completed the survey for running for office and for taking the time to participate this year.
MEETING RESCHEDULED!!! Cook County Campaign for Liberty February Meeting! Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 Blackie's Restaurant & Tavern 755 S. Clark Street Chicago, IL
Due to the upcoming SNOW-POCALYPSE, we are rescheduling the February Campaign for Liberty/Chicago Tax Day Tea Party meeting to next Wednesday, February 9th.
"If you're outraged over the 67% income tax increase and the 46% corporate income tax increase in Illinois, then please join us at our next meeting. Our featured speaker will be John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. We will discuss our efforts to repeal the tax hike and reform out of control government spending. Find out what you can do to help make a difference. "
Cook County Campaign for Liberty / Chicago Tea Party February Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 - 7:00pm US/Central
Location: Blackie's Restaurant & Tavern 755 S. Clark Street Chicago, IL, 60605 United States
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 9 at 7:00 PM at Blackie's, 755 S. Clark. Our featured speaker will be John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. We will also hear from candidates running in the upcoming Chicago election.
Click here to register for the Chicago Tea Party February Meeting.
When you attend a meeting of the Chicago Tea Party, you don't just sit and listen - you can be part of the discussion. Our meetings give you a chance to get informed, stay involved and socialize with great people. You can stay up to date on the latest from the tea party and learn about opportunities to volunteer and get more invovled.
We will also be joined by the Cook County Campaign for Liberty at our meeting. The Cook County C4L shares many of our same goals, including promoting ethical leadership and advocating the great American principles of liberty, fiscal responsibility, transparency and limited government.
The Chicago Tea Party meets the first Wednesday of every month. We hold monthly meetings for people to meet our elected officials and candidates, ask direct questions and discuss the most important issues facing our country. Most importantly, you can meet and enjoy the company of dozens of friends and neighbors just like you. Admission is free. You can order from the menu and get drinks from the cash bar. There is metered parking on the street and a $6 parking lot across the street.
Remember to click here to register for our February meeting.
Our monthly meetings are open to all freedom loving Americans.
Please call 773-559-0105 or email us with any questions.
Attached is a DRAFT of the Cook County Campaign for Liberty and Chicago Tax Day Tea Party 2011 Chicago Municipal Candidate Survey. The survey has four sections; Liberty Issues, Tax Increment Financing, Budget and Education. Each section will be weighted evenly for scoring purposes (25% per section) and we will feature the results on our websites for the benefit of our members and the general public.
PLEASE take some time to review this survey and offer any suggestions or additional ideas by next Wednesday's meeting. Please forward you ideas to Scott at scott.m.davis@gmail.com.
Cook County Campaign for Liberty Meetup: Chicago Municipal Elections Candidate Survey Brainstorming meeting When: Thursday, January 27th 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Where: Hispanic Voter Initiative Office 2057 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL
With Chicago's municipal elections just around the corner (February 22nd) the need to get the candidates on the record about our local issues is more important than ever. Cook County Campaign for Liberty will host a meetup this Thursday, January 27th from 7:00pm-8:30pm to assemble a list of questions to ask candidates for Mayor and Alderman.
Topics outlined to include in the questionnaire so far...
* Banning Red Light Cameras * Tax Increment Financing - Reform, Transparency, Repeal * Education - School Choice, Finance, Elected School Board * Privatization of Public assets - Parking Meters, Airports, etc. * City Budget reform * Others
Please bring your ideas for other topics and questions for this survey so we can discuss your ideas and include them in the survey.
IF YOU CAN'T make the Meeting, e-mail your ideas to Scott Davis at scott.m.davis@gmail.com and I will make sure we review them with the team to include on the list of questions. Please create your questions in multiple choice format.
Last night, the Illinois Policy Institute (those who don't know about them should check them out) crossed ideological lines to team up with Illinois Raise Your Hand, and Democracy for America to sponser a mayoral debate on the topic of Education, which can be watched here. They invited the top six candidates according to a recent poll to participate. Rahm Emanuel, the clear frutrunner at this point, was unable to attend, as he is undergoing some fairly exhausting hearings regarding his residency. Danny Davis was also unable to attend, as he was called back to Washington to vote on some key issues in the lame-duck congress session.
As any resedent of Cook County is aware of, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) does not have the greatest reputation. Low educational standards here is probably the #1 reason young families move out to the suburbs when they have kids. The debate covered many important topics, including who the next mayor would appoint for superintendent/ shool board, issues of school choice/ charter schools, school infastructure, union contracts, and how to handle bad teachers. The candidates were even asked whether or not they support, and would help pass, Pat Quinn's proposed State income tax increase (DeValle said yes, Mosely-Braun said no, Meeks seemed to indicate most likely no, Chio's answer was ambiguous).
In attendence [in the order that they made their opening speaches] were:
Gery Chico: Former Chicago Public School superintendent (1995-2001)
Miguel De1Valle: City Clerk, former State Senator
Carol Moseley-Braun: Former Senator and amasador
James Meeks: State Senator and reverend of a black mega-church
Also, for clerification, if nobody reaches 50% of the vote on February 22nd, a run-off will be held in April. Since both recent polls put Rahm in the lead, but with less than 40% of the vote, it is quite likely a run-off will occur, and a path to winning for any of these candidates could be to get into a run-off with Rahm.
Here are my thoughts on them and their debate performance..
Chico: He is very good at sounding intellegent and saying things that people already know! Yes, we have a problem in Illinois. Yes, the school system is broken. Yes, we need better teachers and better parents. These problems, however, are systematic. His solutions rely on recruiting teachers and hiring the right people. This was somewhat underwhelming.
DelValle: If there is a true believer in left-wing ideology, it is him. From higher taxes, to opposing school voucher programs, to being the only candidate in the forum to bring up senate Republicans attempts to reduce funding for public education, this man pretty much tows the line, with a [Congressman] Guterrez-esque bend, as he talked intensively about ESL programs. Also, at least 50% of his answers, to all questions, were some kind of a personal narrative. All in all, the chances of me voting for him are about the same as the chances of Chicago having a 70-degree Christmas.
Moseley-Braun: I hated Carol Moseley-Braun as a teenager (when she was our Senator), and rejoyced when Peter Fitzgerald took her down in '98. I never would have thought that I would find her performance to be the most impressive at this forum ... but it was. Not only does she unequivacally oppose Quinn's tax hike, but she also proposed a moratorium on TIFs, demonstrating an understanding that creating a TIF is taking money away from our schools to begin with. I still disagree with her on many issues, but this is a Chicago mayoral election, and the best we can do is find a candidate that gets at least a few things right, and leaves Springfield alone (unlike Daley) so that us, and the IPI, can get to work on issues there.
Meeks: I still appreciate Rev. Meeks' steadfast opposition to Red Light Cameras, an issues Cook County C4L has been active with over the past year. The way Rev. James Meeks stands out amongst the others running is his activism on behalf of a school voucher program. He even discussed how to advance this issue with Republican gubinatorial primary candidate Dan Proft a year or so ago. I was impressed by his understanding of how competition produces better results (one of the basic tennants of free markets). I believe what he said was "We have Verizon, Sprint, and AT%T .. we got McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, and they have to make better products." He also had the best plan for eliminating bad teachers. He proposed posting where all the TIF funds are going online, better than having them secret like they are now, but still, I would rather have the whole system gone.
I am not expecting a true liberty candidate to be on the ballot. I am trying to pragmatically assess all of the candidates so that I can make the best vote possible. If we can elect someone that will get rid of or reduce the TIF system, or someone that will remove some red light cameras, or someone that is serious about cutting beurocracy, without doing any worse in other areas, it will be a small victory for liberty at the local level.
Campaign for Liberty is a 501(c)4 lobbying organization which neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office and claims no responsibility for the actions of individuals or groups of individuals who use the Campaign for Liberty logo or name or who may claim to act as representatives of the Campaign for Liberty without prior written consent of the Campaign for Liberty. [?]
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