The Republicans need this ballot referendum because they have no positive agenda or results on which to run this November. My position on the Second Amendment has remained consistent. I will never support legislation that bans firearms.
Rep. Shimkus continues to abdicate his constitutional responsibilities to protect and defend our country from external and internal threats. He, along with the rest of Congress, are also abdicating their constitutional responsibilities of regulating trade with foreign Nations. This is threatening our downstate and southern Illinois economy.
I’d say there is plenty of common ground, common sense, and common values on this issue. Separating children from their parents is not just a tragedy, it’s traumatizing. I’m also concerned about our broken immigration systems, as many Americans are. We need to fix our broken immigration system so that people can come here legally, so that those seeking asylum can do so safely, and that we can grow as a nation and provide for hardworking Americans that have spent a lifetime working hard for their own families and communities.
To me, I’m focused like a laser on changing the conversation. Moving beyond this blame game. Finding common ground, using common sense, and utilizing common values to move our district forward. That is why I’m showing up, standing up, and speaking out everywhere I go. Wages have been stagnant for decades, in some industries wages have actually been decreasing. This is why the economic environment is so hostile to both workers and especially to business. Without eliminating the disincentives and punishments for getting back to work, the bridge to self-reliance is non-existent. When you examine downstate politics, the Republicans have one mantra. “Madigan.” That’s all they run on mostly, adding in one or two social issues that divide and separate as opposed to build and boost our local economies. I know that the People are exhausted by that boring, tired playbook.
Check your voter registration.
Start voting.
Become engaged in your local, state, and federal government.
It matters.
Other than that, the people are going to have to elect different representatives that fight to change the 1993 Voter Registration Act to protect your rights to ballot access.
At some point, all of the people supporting the Second Amendment and all of the people that want to minimize gun violence in America, especially at our schools, must come together. I stand with both. Some people refuse to do so. Those that do not aren’t really in the conversation.
The lack of a diplomatic presence in the region is harming our efforts considerably.
Regardless of the results of the missile strikes, without a diplomatic strategy there is no chance for success.
From the hollowing out of the State Department to the continued struggles at the VA, when are the People going to hold Congress accountable?
Kevin Gaither for Congress
Illinois Public Media Reuters- Politics News
