By Phil Angelo
pangelo@daily-journal.com
815-937-3382
Best political
gadget
His last election may
have been 144 years ago, but Abe Lincoln is on the campaign trail again.
Lincoln, or rather the 28-foot-tall Plexiglas version of him off the Bradley-Bourbonnais
exit of Interstate 57 has a sign up: "Want $7.00 gas? Vote Democrat."
Jerry Alexander, Abe's
owner, says it's his way of making the point that it's time to drill up, so we can fill up, with Alaskan and offshore oil.
"It's wonderful to talk
about electric cars," he says, "but no one can really afford one. Nobody really has an energy plan," he says.
Abe, who sits atop a 10-foot
concrete platform, has not always solely backed Republicans. In the past, Abe has held signs up stumping for State Rep. Lisa
Dugan and Kankakee County Sheriff Tim Bukowski, both Democrats.
As a gimmick, though,
Alexander says, Abe attracts attention. He is, the owner says, in just about new shape after spending four years on the job.
Alexander says he changes
the sign every two to four weeks when an inspiration hits.
"We get a lot of comments
on it. Comments from people who agree and comments from people who don't agree."
Alexander, who is in the
construction business, as well as the head of Innovative Mobile Marketing, is also the guy who put the giant ship's anchor
in front of the Prairie Harbor subdivision
in Bourbonnais.
***
David McAloon, the Republican running against Careen Gordon, says there should be a 14-day period
between agreeing on a budget and the date the legislature finally ratifies it.
McAloon believes that the waiting period would curb "11th-hour
maneuvers and insider deals."
"We need to shed some
sunlight on the state budget process and encourage public input and review into the over $50 billion in taxpayer funds," he
says.
McAloon says the scrutiny would fight government waste.
He notes last year's budget is projected to be $750 million in the red.
In general, sounds like
a good idea here. But, you never know. It might backfire. A 14-day waiting period just might give agencies more time to complain
for more funding.
***
Throughly enjoyed talking
with both Kankakee County
political chairmen, Don St. Germaine for the Democrats and Darrel Smith for the Republicans.
Both men say they are
making efforts to get more people involved and more people to the polls.
St. Germaine hopes each
committeeman picks up 20, 30, 40 voters per precinct.
Smith says he's doing
away with the cigar-smoke-filled backroom and has weeded out the committeemen who aren't working.
You know, it's good for
the democracy if they're both right.
***
Here's the best political
gadget we've seen so far this election. Jamie Boyd, who is the Republican running for Kankakee County State's
Attorney, is giving away a retractable yellow-colored brush that can be used to dust off your computer screen.
We've said it before.
If we have to endure tons of political muck, we would just as soon it be useful stuff. Give us a jar opener. Give us a ruler.
Instead of yard signs, we've always favored candidate lawn leaf bags.
***
Phil Angelo may be contacted
at
pangelo@daily-journal.com, fax him
at 815-937-3876; or write him at
8 Dearborn
Sq., Kankakee, IL 60901.
