TEA Party: Don Lowery says 'cap-and-trade' would destory coal

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Speakers and the audience at the Harrisburg TEA Party came out swinging at what they see as federal, state and local government run amuck.

A good-sized crowd came out for the rally, which was held on the Courthouse steps. Signs and copies of the Constitution were passed out and speakers were met with raucuous applause.

Most of the crowd's disdain was aimed at the Obama administration, seen by TEA Party organizers as moving the country toward socialism. Loud applause greeted mention of Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, and Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. Shimkus walked out of a presidential address to congress last week. Wilson famously called President Barack Obama a liar during the same speech. Shimkus sent a letter of support to TEA Party organizers and said he continues to be concerned with what he considers runaway federal spending and the "diminishing authority of our constitution."

"The same spirit that drove patriots to hurl tea into Boston Harbor lives on in modern-day TEA parties," Shimkus wrote.

Several speakers referred to Wilson, including Don Lowery, a retired Pope County judge running for U.S. Senate.

"Joe Wilson is telling it like it is," Lowery said.

TEA Party speakers all expressed frustration and anger with the direction of federal government under the Obama administration, saying the administration's proposals on health care, energy, corporate bailouts, cash-for-clunkers and spending generally are running the country into socialism and bankruptcy.

"The goal of the Obama administration is to gut private industry and create a government that will control every aspect of your life," Lowery said.

But almost as much frustration by speakers was directed locally and at the situation in Springfield.

TEA Party organizer John Stanley suggested audience members need to form small groups to attend local city councils and county boards, "To keep those people from stealing us blind."

Danny Gibbs, a Democrat County Board member, brought a list of local concerns to the podium, many of which have been familiar topics at County Board meetings. Gibbs mentioned Saline County Housing Authority administrator Vickie Milstead, who was appointed tax assessor in Harrisburg Township in recent months. She was nominated at the Democrat caucus earlier this year, but withdrew because she learned her candidacy was a violation of the Hatch Act prohibiting federal employees, or certain people whose jobs involve federal money, from holding partisan office. Milstead has said she was told by the federal Office of Special Counsel she can be appointed to the job of assessor, but she cannot run in an election. Gibbs, however, believes Milstead can't hold the job of assessor in any case.

"I think this is an injustice, especially when she is appointed in Harrisburg Township and her husband (Jerry Cain) was elected in (East) Eldorado Township," Gibbs said.

Gibbs also called for election of the county supervisor of assessments and suggested anti-trust violations in relation to trash-hauling in the county.

A good deal of criticism was heaped upon Rep. Mark Kirk, a Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate. Lowery said Kirk is the favorite of GOP party regulars because they believe he is capable of winning. He described Kirk as too close to Obama in his voting record. Kirk voted for the "cap-and-trade" energy bill, which Lowery said is designed to destroy the coal industry. Exelon Energy - with ties to Kirk -- will be a big winner if cap-and-trade is ever passed through the Senate and signed into law, Lowery said. The company will make $1 billion in the first year after such a bill, Lowery said.

"Which is why Mark Kirk voted for the bill - he's taking their money," Lowery said, contending Exelon has contributed over $1 million to Kirk.

"He doesn't understand that taking $1 million from Exelon Energy and voting their interests over yours is corruption," Lowery said.

Kirk will lose to the Democrat nominee next November; Lowery can win the race if downstate voters get behind him, radio personality Scott Doody said.

Doody said, since most in the crowd are probably against abortion, gun control and higher taxes, "I would guess you are libertarian or conservative."

"If you pull a Republican ballot we need a new governor."

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