My reluctant endorsements for the 2010 elections.

Bring this into your local polling place and give me a few more votes. Enjoy the informative links.

Amending the Illinois Constitution No

We already have a method to remove a governor who is no longer fit to serve. We used it to remove the indicted Rod Blagojevich successfully. Why change the Constitution to iunclude California-style recall? This measure gives Michael Madigan and the state legislature more power and takes power from the governor's office, upsetting horizontal balance of power within the state. The measure will create a horrible political environment in which governors are under the gun and will have to make popular decisions instead of correct decisions. While it seems to be a very democratic change to the Constitution, this measure will actually create quite a mess.

For Senate Mark Steven Kirk (R)

This race is easy and should have been an open and shut one for the Republicans, but Kirk has proven to have many flaws. He tries to please every segment of the electorate and has painted himself into corners. He says he supports this and then ends of voting for that. He tries to make everyone happy. This just doesnt work in a high-profile Senate race. I hope he realizes soon that we can all hear him now and maybe he should not streth the truth. His fibs, though, are nothing compared to the lies of his pathetic opponent, Alexi Giannoulias.

For me it comes down to Giannoulias' connections with Syndicate figures in Chicago and Miami. His dealings with mafia types while an executive at his family bank stink to high heaven. He has no answer for his shady past and cannot be trusted. Outside of the mafia, he has connections to future cellmates Rod Blagojevich and Tony Rezko. I think Illinois has had enough of politicians like Giannoulias who buy and sell influence. It is time for a public servant, even a flawed one like Kirk.

Giannoulias has tried to paint Kirk as an arch-conservative, which is far from the truth. He is one of the most liberal Republicans in the House. While he is no conservative, he will vote the party line and a vote for Kirk is a vote for a new party in the very Illinois Senate seat marred by the Blagojevich scandal.

And to call Kirk a liar over and over again when you are Alexi Giannoulias is the height of hypocrisy. Aren't there enough hypocrites in DC?

For Governor Bill Brady, er....maybe Quinn, naw Cohen.

This race is so full of buffoonery this year that I am seriously considering a vote for a steroid-abusing, wife-beating, prostitute-having, pawn shop owner. Why not just skip the formalities and just elect a criminal like Scott Lee Cohen? I suppose, it would be too cynical.

Does it even matter who the governor of the state of Illinois is when Michael Madigan rules from the Legislature with an iron fist? After all, Blagojevich was not removed until Madigan decided it would be so. So I will probably vote for Brady simply because our last indicted governor was a Democrat. I do not think he will have enough power to do much damage to education and hope that he will come to his senses and realize that eventually taxes will have to go up a bit. In the last debate, when asked what he would cut, he said he wouldn't know for sure because he does not trust Quinn's numbers.... and neither do I.

It is too bad Illinois cannot have a decent candidate for governor like Kirk Dillard or Jesse White. Maybe, on second thought, I will just write-in Dillard's name and cleanse myself of having to vote for such a doofus as Brady. Brady's promises in his recent ads that he will personally protect me from all harm are as laughable as his weak attempt at smiling. No one who passes bills aiming to gas puppies can smile, and Brady probably already knows this.

For U.S. House 5th IL David Ratowitz (R)

This is another negative vote. Mike Quigley is so focused on Mike Quigley that he forgets to represent the hard-working people of the Northwest Side. He decided to vote for Obama's unpopular "health insurance reform" that will bankrupt the American people at the worst time. The law is simply a corporate bailout for insurance companies and banks and might even be a political ploy, but Quigley did not care. So I am going to vote for his Republican opponent who will lose by 70 points. At least my conscience is clear.

For Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (D)

Preckwinkle will probably win with 80% of the vote. She is a far cry from the selfish criminal, Todd Stroger, who has held this office for the past few years. She is a former educator and understands public service. She is a proven leader in the Kenwood community and has a spotless record. Her opponent is anti-union just for the principle of it. He wants to go at the budget with a cleaver and is a real danger to the functionality of the county. I got to say that I really like Toni. Maybe it's just because we are both history teachers.

For Cook County Comissioner 9th District Brock Merck (G)

I usually vote for Republicans, and Merck is a conservative in many ways. His Green Party affiliation is simply a matter of necessity to get on the ballot. Merck is a real neighborhood guy who ran a great campaign. He is a former cop and the owner of a local store. He probably will not beat the connected Republican incumbent, but voting for Merck is like a voting for your neighbor. He is the only candidate who feels the pain of tax increases, poor management, and corruption. He will not represent any entity, but his fellow voters.

For State Senate 10th District Brian Doherty (R)

I was highly offended by John Mulroe's ads accusing Doherty of being the spearhead for the sale of parking meters when the sale was pushed by the Democratic party. I have zero tolerance for hypocrisy. The connected and scandal-ridden incumbent, the retiring James DeLeo, made a mockery of this post and now the state Democratic party is pouring millions of dollars to prevent the popular alderman Brian Doherty from taking the seat for the Republicans. I feel a vote for the Democrat, Mulroe, is a vote for the same party and policies that bankrupted Illinois.

Other endorsements:

For Secretary of State Jesse White (D)

Let's see if he gets over 95% this year. I don't just love him for being a Chicago Cub and a great educator, I also love him for this moment last year.

For Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D)

I don't like that she is the daughter of the anti-democratic czar of Illinois, but I do like that she isn't trying to be governor or Senator so she can keep her job. And, byt he way, she is pretty good at it too.

For Comptroller Judy Baar-Topinka (R)

What's she thinking? She's thinking about fiscal conservatism and experience... and pant suits.

For State Treasurer Dan Rutherford (R)

A solid candidate (who could be a future governor of Illinois) for an important position stained by its current, inept occupant Alexi Giannoulias.

For State Rep 19th Distrct David Anderson (R)

Lyons needs to be fired for helping to bankrupt Illinois.

For Cook County Clerk Angel Garcia (R)

His opponent has held the post forever and forgot to send ballots to servicemen overseas fighting for our democracy. Oops.

For Cook Couny Assessor Forrest Claypool (I)

He is reform-minded and NOT his fat, scandalous opponent, Joe Berrios.

For Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart (D)

Our future mayor and a great public servant.