Lake Forest citizens for OBAMA

The Genesis of the Economic Summit

George Russell — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:28:10 EST

12 of us met in Lake Forest, Illinois last Friday night most who had not met before. This was one of the earliest of almost 3,600 Economic Stimulus Discussion nationwide last weekend.

We viewed the videos from Organizing for America and discussed the local economy. We decided to attend today’s Town Hall meeting for our local Representative, Mark Kirk, who voted against the House Economic Stimulus program but who we believe can support the Senate version.

We also want to promote and implement a local Economic Summit to highlight the distressing situation. We hope to engage the support of the local Chamber of Commerce to bring together main street businesses, realtors, developers, local government and interested citizens to a) understand the situation, and b) decide what we can do locally. Still a lot to develop for this idea.

Here is what we plan to do and ask today at 2 PM at Mark Kirk’s Town Hall.

“I am spokesperson for a diverse group which wants to ask you about two things: your support for the Economic Recovery Plan, and for participation in a local, grassroots initiative to improve our local economy

We are a diverse group, most of whom did not know each other before last night

- From Libertyville, Lake Bluff, Glencoe and a core from Lake Forest

- Software engineers, bankers, health care, manufacturers, homemakers

- Some you voted for you even if we voted for our President

- Came to a Economy Recovery Discussion at our home in LF

Last night was the earliest of nine meetings in District 10 and 32,00 across country this weekend under the Organizing for America group, which was the former Obama for America grassroots organizing effort.

- Saturday PM – Vernon Hills, Highland Park, Mt. Prospect, Grayslake

- Sunday PM – Wheeling, Winnetka, Waukegan, Wilmette

- Tuesday – Highland Park

This Town Hall is timely because you’ll be voting on the Economic Recovery soon. We also appreciate your willingness to listen – many of receive and respond to your regular surveys. Here is what we learned last night which you may already know but which surprised and distressed us.

- 100+ foreclosures in Lake Forest alone

- 16 vacant storefronts in downtown business district

- Several of us have lost jobs with multi-national No. Shore companies

- One of our member house is in foreclosure now

So things are bad – worst than many might think even in higher income areas of Lake County. We can only imagine in other parts of District 10.

Lake Bluff - 52 foreclosures
Lincolnshire - 59
Libertyville - 95
Wilmette - 66
Wheeling - 100+
North Chicago - 100+
Waukegan - 100+*
* The site only lists up to 100 for a community.

So we have two questions – each based on actions we decided last night.

1 – Given the changes in the Senate version, can you support the Economic Stimulus program – that’s what you can do? You stated on Chicago Public Radio that your biggest concern was the size and the mix between tax credits and infrastructure spending. If passed as proposed, will you vote for it?

2 – Would you or one of your representatives attend a Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Economic Summit – that’s what we can do?

Out of town but not out of sight of the campaign.

Mary R. Il. — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:17:39 EDT

We've been out of town on a vacation, and wow how things have changed. Spent the week during the GOP convention in SW Colorado, watching it with many pretty right wing folks. INteresting to listen to their point of view, but they had no desire to debagte, just to ridicule any one who thought differently. Same old same old.

I am personally very sick of all the PALIN fixation by OBAMA supporters. Its time to get back to work, maybe past time.

I yearn for an OBAMA speech that will truely inspire me, and make me get all emotional and fired up to work. The magic seems to be gone. But then again, there haven't been any of the speeches of old. since last spring. Still and all, there is no choice here and OBAMA has to win or we are all doomed.

Alert: Chicago Sun Times picks up smear article and puts on front page

Mary R. Il. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:33:46 EDT

Well well, imagine my surprise as I saw the front page of the Sun Times today, being held up in the air by a women selling them in te middle of a busy street, me on my way to my Thursday nanny job.

For ever the Sun Times has been the voice of the Deocratic Party in Illinois, while the Tribune was the GOP voice. Gosh with headlines like these, who needs friends any longer.

Not a thoughtfu & sensitivel piece written about the extended Obama family in Kenya, but rather SENSATIONALISM at its worst.

But this is Chicago folks...

The paper is going under..anything to sell a few more. They cannot disappear quick enoough for my tastes.

http://www.suntimes.com/index.html

OBAMA will be in Springfield this Saturday August 23.

Mary R. Il. — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:18:45 EDT

Obama is beginning his travels to the Democratic National Convention this Saturday in Srpingfield Illinois. He will hold a rally at 1pm, in front of the Old State Capitol Building, exactly where be started this historic run for the Presidency.

Go to Barackobama.com/Springfield for additional details.

We all need to support our Senator and attend this happy event! Maybe he'll even announce his Veep choice there as well. Or at the least, bring him along.

OBAMA tax plan

Mary R. Il. — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:51:07 EDT

[The Obama Tax Plan]
'Obama's Responsible Tax Plan'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121867201724238901.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries