Spears vs. Schock: I called a Republican an Idiot

Local Politics: I called a Republican an idiot.

by onanyes [Subscribe] [Edit Diary]

Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 06:38:54 PM PDT

In my section of Peoria, we have a Republican Freshman (Aaron Schock) who is being challenged by a long time city councilman, Bill Spears.

Basically, Spears is backed by grass roots and labor; Schock is being backed by big business and money.

Spear's campaign is grass roots; hence our political flyers are sometimes "neighbor to neighbor" letters.

One of the issues we have is with ease of voting; in particular House Bill 1968, which Schock (the Republican) voted against. More below the fold...

• onanyes's diary :: ::
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HB 1968 has lots of good things in it; it allows for "no excuse" early voting, for election judges to have to be excused by their employer, for women who have been recently divorced to be able to vote with their madien names, given that they have proper ID. It was passed; it was voted on straight party lines (61-55) and signed into law by Governor Blagojevich.

For more:
http://www.news-gazette.com/...

Since I took early voting in 2004, I was chosen to sign a letter, which went out on my behalf (and yes, the disclaimer had an embarrasing typo):

Date

First Last
Address
City State Zip

Dear Fellow Early Voter:

As a fellow absentee voter, I am writing you today with disturbing news about efforts to suppress our voting rights.

Last year, the state enacted a new early voting law allowing local voters, like you and I, who have a difficult time making it to the polls on Election Day, to vote during a two-week period prior to Election Day. This is now known as the early voting period.

Early voting is expected to increase voter turnout and allow thousands of local voters the opportunity to let their voice be heard. Unfortunately, Aaron Schock tried to muffle our voices when he opposed the legislation creating early voting. In 2004, 23 states had some form of early voting and 26 states had an absentee ballot program that didn't require someone to have an excuse to vote in this way.

Schock voted against House Bill 1968, landmark legislation that made it easier for Illinoisans to stand up and be counted. For someone like me, who has voted by absentee ballot, early voting provides a new opportunity to cast my ballot in the voting booth. It's so disappointing to know that Aaron Schock tried to stand in our way when he should have made voting more accessible for all of us.

To strike back and let Aaron Schock know we don't approve of his actions, vote in protest during the early voting period at a designated early voting center between October 16 and November 2. I've enclosed a little bit more information regarding early voting for your use.

Remember, as you cast your vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, that Aaron Schock wasn't willing to stand up for your right to vote and he probably won't stand up for you in the future.

Sincerely,

Paid for William R. Spears. Printed in-house.

Well, a local Republican official (low level) got the letter and called me up.

She wanted to confront me.

Things went on; I pointed out that I got stuff from the other campaign all of the time.

Anyway, I made a mistake. She asked what I did for a living : I was honest and told her that I was a university professor.

She said "it figures; you don't have to say anything more" and went on about how I taught the kids that hard work wasn't necessary; I didn't work hard,etc.

I responeded: "Mamm, this proves to me that you are an idiot! Unlike your political leadership, I actually served in the Navy prior to becoming a professor."

She was upset and actually had the nerve to ask me if I really wasn't glad that Kerry lost the election; how he "had given himself ribbons", etc.

In other words, I was talking to one of those who actually believes what comes out of the mouths of people like Couter, Hannity, etc.

Anyhow, I shouldn't have lost my temper and called her an idiot (even though she is) and I reported to the Spears campaign what had happened.

I'll be more ready this time.

My mistake is that I did my homework by merely studying the facts of the bill and wasn't prepared for such total ignorance.

Now I am; and when someone says something stupid I'll respond: "now, why do you think that?"

Sigh...