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Mayor’s Row……………by Ned Mitchell
In the book of Matthew Chapter 6 verse 24 there is a saying of Jesus which
teaches “no man serve two masters; for he will hate the one, and love the other,
or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” First let me explain
that I am not a Bible scholar or an expert that would attempt to interpret the
scripture for readers but it is unique that some things written thousands of
years ago still can be applied to life in today’s world.
The story came out last week about an event that can but often does not happen
every 10 years here in Illinois. Voters this fall will have the opportunity to
cast their ballots in Illinois this November and one of the questions on the
ballot will ask if voters want to call a Constitutional Convention next year. We
last had a Constitutional Convention about 20 years ago so it has been a while
since we have had this exercise in democracy if my memory is correct. A
Constitutional Convention is called by the voters who will at a later election
chose delegates to this convention. Once a Constitutional Convention is called
and delegates are elected the sky is the limit as far as what can be added to or
taken away from the Illinois Constitution.
The sky is the limit theory is what disturbs those in the status quo who plainly
have it made. Nobody at that level wants to change a thing. Politicians don’t
want a convention because scary ideas like term limits and recall provisions are
sure to crop up. Big business and labor alike share a dislike for Constitutional
Conventions because they are not boat rocking people to begin with. Both sides
have issues they are not happy with but trust me they are not unhappy enough to
open up the doors to the unknown.
The two masters thought for today’s column involves Barack Obama’s chief
strategist David Axelrod. Axelrod is no doubt one of the most brilliant
political minds in modern history. After all he engineered the blueprint to take
on and defeat the Clintons, enough said! Axelrod has a public relations firm
that takes on a variety of clients and is well known for their expertise.
This past week a Chicago based social action network made up of religious,
labor, and civic organizations called United Power for Action and Justice raised
an interesting question. A spokesman for the group, Gregory Pierce sent a letter
to Obama and part of it says; “Our non partisan organization was surprised to
learn that David Axelrod’s public relations firm has negotiated a contract of at
least $2 million dollars to lead a campaign against the state’s best chance for
change in 20 years-the upcoming referendum on whether or not the citizens of
Illinois should call a constitutional convention to deal with the mess in
Springfield. While your campaign manager is heading a presidential effort whose
slogan is “Change you can believe in” his firm is running a local campaign whose
slogan should read “Change we must fear and undermine.”
While I have not made up my mind about who to vote for in the presidential
election this fall I for sure am not buying into the “Change you can believe in”
line of bull. Obama a few months ago was in Africa lecturing folks down there
about change and corruption but he has so far failed to talk the talk and walk
the walk in Chicago or right in his own back yard. Both Mayor Daley and Obama’s
pal and mentor Emil “I Need a Pay Raise” Jones could stand to hear that same
lecture from Obama. The only problem is Obama ain’t gonna say it!
So we have the author of the “Change you can believe in” campaign slogan in a
national political campaign but here on the home front the same guy has taken $2
million dollars to work toward defeating change we need. Can Axelrod and Obama
serve both the voting public and offering up “Change you can believe in” and at
the same time take $2 million dollars to knock down a Constitutional Convention
that would give the taxpayers an opportunity for real change that is badly
needed in Illinois? It is crystal clear to me that the answer is no!
Don’t get me wrong and think that I am a believer that we will actually have a
Constitutional Convention approved by voters this fall. We would have better
chances at winning big bucks on the crap table at an Illinois casino than seeing
this come about. With Axelrod leading the charge against the convention and
throw in every political hack in the state to boot, the average Jane or Joe will
be hard pressed to vote in a Constitutional Convention. I hear a lot of talk
about the public being mad at this or mad at that. Do you know folks who are mad
every time they pull up to the gas pump? Or mad when they get their utility bill
or buy groceries or in Franklin County when they get their real estate tax bill
this weekend? Sure we all do and most of us fall into that category but are we
mad enough to go vote? As it stands right now I would say that most of us are
mad at those we elect and send to Springfield. By the time Axelrod and his PR
firm get done will they convince us that we never had it so good in Illinois? I
won’t hold my breath waiting on this to happen!
We all know what a progressive little town Sesser is. After all we were the
first in the area to adopt the Home Rule form of government 20 years ago. We
were the first around to pave all of our roads with asphalt and start a trust
fund for our cemetery. We were the first to form a TIF District that covers the
entire town. We have many firsts and even though I would like to take all of the
credit for these and other progressive ideas I can’t. You see it takes a team
work effort between city employees and all elected officials. No one person is
smarter or better than their team mates on a championship team and it is no
different here in Sesser. We have the best employees around and our elected
officials all have the common goal of making Sesser better on their minds. With
that thought in mind we have passed a new ordinance allowing the use of gas or
electric driven carts on city streets. Sesser is the first in our area to do
this and we are excited about the concept of saving energy on short trips around
town. There are strict requirements and a $35 permit fee involved but don’t be
surprised if you see a golf cart or utility vehicle on your street.
In sick bay this week we have Danny Samples who underwent surgery in a St. Louis
hospital this week. Benton resident and my father-in-law Trent Terry is in a St.
Louis hospital in serious condition after having a motorcycle accident a couple
of weeks ago. Louise Nowland is home recovering from gall bladder surgery in Mt.
Vernon. Please keep these folks in your thoughts and prayers.
Wedding congratulations go out to Megan Smothers and Ethan Bowlin who will be
tying the knot this Saturday. We are happy to have them and their daughter Lily
as Sesser residents.
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