I spent the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday taking a memorable road trip with my family. At about 6 a.m., my wife, Jennifer, our two children and I piled in our car and headed from Chicago for Springfield. The deadline for filing nominating petitions for the 5th Congressional District special election was Monday at 5 p.m., and the petitions had to be filed at the main office of the State Board of Elections in Springfield. After two necessary stops (which occur often with children), we made it and the petitions were filed at 10:19.

Jennifer and I decided that this was an important event not just in my life but in our family’s. My family is with me, and I need that. It was important that we took that first part of the journey together.

Plus, the kids got to see Springfield, the beautiful capitol of our state. By that time, though, the kids were more interested in McDonalds. (Yes, we stopped.)

Over the last week, when not circulating petitions, I had the opportunity to go to several Town Hall meetings; some to just listen and some to listen and share my thoughts.

At one event, I had the good fortune to listen to a financial professional who very clearly outlined the sequence of events, literally dating back over a decade, which lead up to our current financial crisis. There are many lessons to be taken from this situation but one is clear: we all must take responsibility for the financial decisions we make. From top to bottom, from the United States government to our personal credit card use, we must re-examine what we need and what we can afford. My wife always asks herself (as I do now) “is this a want or a need?” Sometimes wants need to be postponed so we can be sure to have the means to buy the needs.

This lesson was confirmed by another presentation that night on the chaos of the Federal government’s finances. Between the size of the national debt ($59 trillion) and the inability of the GAO to account for where it has all gone, we must change our ways. We must be creative and learn to do more with less; identify problems which are not solved simply by money (education for example) and stop just throwing money at them. We must devote our resources to where they will do the most good. President Obama pleaded as much yesterday. I don’t know if Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Congress will cooperate with him in cutting programs that don’t work; they’ve got too much vested in the system. I want to bring my belief in the Republican basics, which includes responsible spending, to Washington to help President Obama cut unnecessary spending.

The process of selecting our representatives is remarkable. Before the voting, before the campaigning, before the speeches, a candidate and his friends must stand among those he wants to represent and ask for their help.

Last week, I and some very dear friends spent more than a few hours standing in the cold and snow asking people to sign my nominating petitions. This was an incredible experience. I met new people and I listened to what they had to say (even if a few said “you’re all crooks!”). A candidate must earn the privilege of representing the community. The petition process was just the first step.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team, we obtained more than the required number of signatures to be placed on the ballot. I personally came away from the process with a deeper appreciation for the diverse group of people I one day hope to call my constituents. It was an experience I will never forget.

I couldn’t agree more with the evaluation and recommendations of former Representative Davis.  Please read this insightful piece http://www.riponsociety.org/forum109a.htm.

I have the experience and character to support a return to Republican Fundamentals

The country and the Republican party need to get back to the Republican Fundamentals of low taxes, responsible spending and reasonable regulation.  My experience and my character have prepared me to take on this fight and now is the time to do it.

Why me?

I Listen, I Understand and I Lead

My experience, who I am and what I believe in has prepared me to bring these essential skills to the service of the People of the 5th Congressional District of Illinois.

I have the experience to know the problems people in this District face.  I’ve been an attorney for over 23 years and during this time I’ve helped individuals and businesses solve their problems.  I’ve helped people start new businesses and I’ve helped people that can’t afford to pay their bills.  I understand the issues people face everyday.

• I have Unique Experiences that give me a fresh and important perspective:
• I have International Experience working with and teaching people abroad.
• I have been a teacher and Professor of Law
• I was a supporting spouse who had the role of Mr. Mom

I deeply believe in the principles that made our Nation great: Opportunity; Equality; The Power of the Individual; and, above all, Liberty. I don’t believe in labels: ask me about the issues.

I am committed to listening and understanding: I want to know what people think about the issues and what they need and I want to understand them.  This applies to my constituents and to people with views different from mine

My experience has proven that by listening to others (and understanding their needs, concerns and fears) you can reach common ground; very few issues are black and white or zero sum games.  It all begins with listening, not shouting.

Because I believe in Liberty, I believe that Government has an important role in many aspects of life but it should not be involved everywhere and it cannot solve every problem.

I will bring both creative solutions as well as a traditional Republican belief in fiscal responsibility and strong national security to the job.

I can and will say NO: NO earmarks; NO surrendering our government to special interests (like “Card Check” and Tort Lawyers); NO abdication of our Leadership in the world.  NO protectionism that will only ruin our economy.  NO class warfare policies that divide our nation.   NO to tax policies that will destroy job creation.

Why Republican?

I believe in the strength of the individual, the power of the private sector and the importance of family.

• I believe that the strength of the individual, and not the government, is the greatest resource we have to solve problems;
• I believe the private sector, and not the government, is the provider of opportunities for our society;
• I believe the power of the private sector, in cooperation with the government, can provide better and more lasting solutions to today’s problems - and it should be given the chance to solve the problems; (e.g., education, health care, retirement security, poverty);
• I believe the family unit is the strength of our society and that that institution must be recognized, respected and given full support of government, and society;
• I believe the security of our nation is the Federal government’s primary function;

What can Government do?

The role of government is first and foremost to keep us safe.  It then must ensure a fair and level playing field so that all may have the opportunity to succeed.

The responsibility of the government depends on the level, Federal, state or local.  Each has its own role to play; and sometimes they overlap and must work together.

Neither individuals nor business alone can solve all problems.  The government must be the “net;” and the government must be the watchdog and referee to ensure our rights, especially equal opportunity.  I recognize both individuals and businesses can be prone to abuses.  The government must act to restrain abuses and punish those who stray.  To some extent, government can set a tone of what is right and acceptable and provide a voice to the People to guide business on what can and cannot be done in business, and society in general.

It is a philosophy of not only government but of life; we have become dependent on government to fix every ill; it can’t and is shouldn’t try.  It simply cannot do it and we would bankrupt the country trying.  More importantly, if we try to fix everything, and financially we can’t, aren’t we acting unfairly?  How do we chose?  Whose cause is more needy or just?  Is clean water and air more important than supporting an orphan drug?  Are work programs more important than fixing a bridge over which thousands cross daily?  Are children more deserving then the old, the infirm, the veterans?  Is taking care of peoples health more important than insuring they are safe?  How do we make these choices?  Democrats believe government can and should fix all; Republicans know better, and history is on our side.

After national security, the Federal government’s most important roles are the establishment of a responsible, predictable fiscal policy and the enforcement of civil rights.

GUIDING THEMES:

1. INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE IS THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION
2. PARTNERSHIPS: Government and the private sector must work together on education; health; family; energy and the environment.  Government can’t do it alone.
3. WE CAN DO BETTER!