July/August 2006
The Addison Democrat
Newsletter of the Addison Township Democrats
Volume 1, Number 1
Newsletter Date
In This Issue: Notes from the Chairman Labor Day Weekend Picnic August Meeting On the Campaign Trail – Issues Drugmakers May Reap Windfall From Rx Benefit June & July Meeting Minutes F
Notes from the Chairman
What would happen if we woke the day after the election and the headline read: Democrats Sweep Local Races Could this happen? Most people would say no. Yet they stand by and allow business as usual. They don‟t pay attention when, after an election, the County Board follows their standard course of business and votes themselves a raise from $46,000 a year to $50,000. Check the records – after each election they increase their salary. Doesn‟t this seem like a lot of money for two meetings a month? Did you know they also receive a car allowance and travel expenses? Ask yourself: What do we, as taxpayers, get in return for these expenditures, other than higher taxes?
I do not believe that any elected Democrat would tolerate this form of local Government that doesn‟t provide a detailed accounting to the taxpayers. Nor would he or she try to hide any agenda, or have closed County Board meetings.
We have so many fine Democratic candidates seeking elected office here in DuPage and Addison Township. The time to move forward is now. All indicators: news, media, and polls show a tight race with a lot of unhappy voters, especially in the 6 th Congressional District race. If we all work together, we can and will achieve our goal of getting our team elected. Those headlines could be a reality. With tax issues, fuel prices at an all time high, and a war with no end in sight, let‟s come together in the name of common sense and vote for a change. A change for the better for our country, our families, and our communities. All of us working together can and will make the difference! Art Remus, Chair
Next Meeting: Wednesday August 16 7:30 PM DuPage Democratic Headquarters 1000-6 North Ave Northpark Plaza Rohlwing Rd. and North Ave.
Labor Day Weekend Picnic
Save the date! The second annual ATDO Labor Day Weekend picnic will be held Saturday, September 2, 2006. As it was last year, the picnic will be held at the Wood Dale Grove, North Shelter, from 12:00 noon until 5:00. More details soon.
August Meeting
The August meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 16. We will be hosting our local candidates for a pizza party. Joe Vosicky, Bob Peickert, and Rita Gonzales will be there to discuss the issues. Please join us.
1
On the Campaign Trail -- Issues
Events Calendar
Working Women’s Breakfast – Meet Tammy Duckworth Monday, August 14 9:00 for information, call Eddy Copot 630-629-0480 As the campaign for the Sixth Congressional District seat heats up, it‟s important to take a look at the candidate‟s positions on the issues: The War in Iraq Duckworth: Wants to send home one battalion of U.S. troops for every battalion of Iraqi security forces who complete training. Roskam: Hasn‟t spoken of a withdrawal timeline and wants to make sure the United States “finishes well what it started.” Taxes Duckworth: Pushing for middle-income families to gain relief from the alternative minimum tax, which she calls a “middle-class surcharge.” She also supports a bill passed by the House of Representatives that contains a two-year extension of tax cuts on capital gains and cuts in taxes on dividend income as well as a one-year fix to the AMT that will help about 15 million taxpayers. Duckworth also favors per-child tax credits and relief from the marriage penalty. Roskam: Favors making 2001 tax cuts permanent. “There‟s a stark difference in how my opponent and I view this issue. She resorts to „class-envy rhetoric,‟” Roskam said. “But at the end of the day, constituents in this district want tax breaks. I have a general philosophy and way of looking at the world, and I apply that grid to each issue as it come up. My opponent relies on others to tell her how to approach things.” He wants to eliminate the marriage penalty and estate taxes. Budget Deficit Duckworth: Fiscal conservative. She wants a pay-as-you-go budgeting method implemented. Roskam: Concerned with skyrocketing federal spending that bloats government. He has a record of voting against budgets with increased spending. Lawsuit Reform Duckworth: Endorses steps that can be taken at the “front end” of the civil justice system to discourage weak cases from being filed in the first place, such as impaneling experts to determine case merits. She also would consider measures to punish lawyers who repeatedly file lawsuits without merit, clogging courts. Roskam: In favor of a cap on financial awards, especially in medical malpractice cases. He has been endorsed by the American Medical Assoc., the American Hospital Assoc., and the president of the Illinois Civil Justice League. Immigration Duckworth: Promotes legislation calling for the fuller deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor borders and prevent illegal crossings at a lower cost to taxpayers. Roskam: Believes securing the border is a No. 1 priority and doesn‟t support amnesty. Source: Press Publications
ATDO Labor Day Weekend Picnic Saturday, September 2 12:00 – 5:00 Wood Dale Grove for info, call Art Remus 630-832-1525
Joe Vosicky Campaign Golf Outing Thursday, September 28 Itasca Country Club for information, call Bob Peickert 630-421-2405
2
Drugmakers May Reap Windfall From Rx Benefit
Drug companies are in line to see a $2 billion bonanza this year, courtesy of the new Medicare part D prescription drug benefit – and U.S. taxpayers – according to the industry publication RPM Report. The windfall is a byproduct of shifting 6.4 million older Americans from Medicaid to the Medicare prescription benefit this year. Under Medicaid, drug companies are required to charge the government their lowest price; the new Medicare law, which went into effect Jan. 1, has no such restriction. In a separate study, Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, a professor of pharmaceutical management and economics at the University of Minnesota, analyzed drug prices under both benefit structures and concluded that the federal government is paying 20 to 30 percent more for most prescriptions under the Medicare rules. The Bush administration maintains that competition among private prescription drug plans will ultimately help keep prices low. But now, the Government Accountability Office has agreed, and the request of Rep. Henry A. Waxman, a Democrat from California, to examine to what extent drug prices under Part D may be higher than the “best prices” paid by Medicaid. Susan Q. Stranahan AARP Bulletin
June & July Meeting Minutes
June Meeting Meeting called to order by chair at 7:35 PM, Wednesday, June 16, 2006. Warren Hineline led the pledge of allegiance Introduction of guest, Kathy Slovick of DAWN. Kathy Slovick: Attempting to get question “Should the U.S. continue to pursue the war in Iraq?” on the November ballot. It would be the first time any DuPage voter would have a chance to make his/her wishes known regarding the war Circulated petition for signatures Asked for volunteers to circulate petitions Need 22,000 signatures for DuPage County Deadline is August 22. Finance: report presented by Gene Birmingham: Breakfast at Alta Villa with Sen. Dick Durbin cost $513.00; we received $560.00; current Treasury balance $6030.99. Correspondence: Mentioned Daily Herald article re: Pate Phillip Park. Email newsletter Duckworth e-newsletter re: stem cell research and privatization of Social Security. Precinct Committee: Tentative date set for a recruitment breakfast Putting together a mailing list Invited York & Bloomingdale townships to participate. Bella Vista charging $7.00/person + tax and gratuity Attendance not a commitment Jim Allamian is working on pulling a mailing list
3
ATDO Board
Art Remus, Chair Officers: Bob Peickert, 1st Vice Chair Steve Nelms, 2nd Vice Chair Gene Birmingham, Treasurer Barb Allamian, Secretary
Old
Barb Allamian is working on a letter for the mailing Art Remus spoke briefly on the duties/responsibilities of being a Precinct Committeeman Business: Elmfest parade a success Elmfest list of folks interested in more info on ATDO Fundraiser for Joe Vosicky County Fair – ATDO manning booth on Saturday, July 29. Need more volunteers for 3 hr. stints in the booth
New Business Opened discussion re: “Labor Day” picnic. Suggestion that picnic be held the week before Labor Day. Bob Peickert introduced motion to approve expenditures for Precinct Committee breakfast, not to exceed $1,000. Motion seconded and approved. Angelo Chrysogelos spoke on defeat of movement to launch anti-war movement in Addison Township, at Addison Township meeting. He believes this is vote fraud and is pursuing it with proper authorities. Candidate‟s Forum Rita Gonzalez and Bob Peickert spoke about running for County Board. Gayl Ferarro Encouraged everyone to participate in the County Fair. 4th of July – Wheaton/Elmhurst/Villa Park parades North Ave. office converting to Duckworth campaign office State Fair – encouraged everyone to visit Springfield for the Fair. Next Meeting – to be a cookout at Bob & Pat Peickert‟s house, 448 Larch, Elmhurst on Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 pm. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm. July Meeting Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm. Brief business meeting covered: Finance Report from Gene Birmingham – no substantive change. Correspondence Precinct Committee Breakfast to be held Saturday, July 22. Democrats to speak at Addison Seniors Mtg. on August 8 County Fair and volunteers for same Initial planning for Labor Day weekend picnic Reminder to turn in any DAWN petitions Followed by a lively round table discussion with guest, Sen. Don Harmon, of issues in the coming election, including possible legal issues for the Governor; campaign tactics and strategies; and overview of legislation he supports. Meeting concluded with a Thank You to Bob and Pat Peickert for their hospitality for the evening. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm. Respectfully, Barb Allamian
The Addison Democrat is edited by Barb Allamian. Please send news and story ideas to: barballamian@aol.com
4