And the sad part is, they think they have won!

18th Congressional District
Updated 12:08 a.m. March 21, 2012 100% of precincts reporting Source: Associated Press
Democratic -------------Votes ---Pct.
Steve Waterworth--------10,180---69.6%
Matthew Woodmancy--------4,447---30.4%

Three days ago, Steve Waterworth, a spoiler candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party who originally had no intentions of running for the 18th Congressional District, received 69.9% of the votes, while Matthew Woodmancy received 30.4%.

Congratulations Mr. Waterworth, and congratulations to the 18th district incumbent, Aaron Schock, for now having an opponent he knows he can defeat without hardly breaking a sweat. The Democratic party in Illinois has once again guaranteed two more years of Republican representation. Guess they were worried about upsetting CAT and ADM if, God Forbid, a Democrat ever gets into office here.

All sarcasm and disdain aside, my hat is off to the Woodmancy campaign and Mr. Woodmancy for claiming a victory! Yes, that's right, a

VICTORY!

This entire campaign has been run on a shoestring budget, and it has gotten ZERO help from the Democratic party, not one red cent from anyone except the few blue collar people who wanted to see a politician who is not owned in Washington D.C.

Matthew Woodmancy is being gracious and looking toward 2014. He knows it will be another uphill battle, but he also knows the people who believe in what he wants to accomplish will continue to support him. If you haven't read Matt's platform, it is still available on the Woodmancy for Congress FB page.

In my opinion, the only people that won in this primary are the people who are happy with being screwed by the Republicans. Which means almost all of us lost.

St. Patrick's Day Parade - the Spirit of Unity?

You know, I get a little sick of partisan politics, but one thing makes me sicker...exclusion from any group by deliberate act of omission. Since the beginning of this process, Billy Halstead, Elaine Hopkins, and the Peoria County Democrats have deliberately and systematically avoided and omitted Matthew Woodmancy, a registered Democrat and a candidate for 18th Congressional District on Tuesday's ballot. Matt has been shunned by the Democrats because of his criminal background, but also because he is not another "cookie cutter" Democrat.
Some people might say that is reasonable, given the fact that Matt has freely admitted he has made mistakes in the past and is trying to get past them. But the fact of the matter is this is the same old crap we all faced in High School. The COOL KIDS make the rules, and shun anyone who doesn't want to play their game.
As a matter of fact, the Democrats were so worried about Matt being the only Democratic candidate on the ballot they actually sought out Steve Waterworth to go on the ballot as a spoiler to Matt. Steve revealed to Matthew at the debate in Macomb that he was not actually thinking of running until Elaine Hopkins encouraged him to run. Steve is a great guy, but let's face it, he has no chance of winning the election. He has tried twice before and failed.
Matthew has had to fight an uphill battle this entire campaign. The Democratic party has made it clear that not only will they not support Woodmancy, but no one else better support him either. Think of what an embarrassment it would be for them to have to acknowledge that a Gay Man from a poor background who has made a couple (and it is a couple) poor decisions in his life might actually have a chance of running for office. Worse than that, how about a Democrat who refuses to "kow-tow" to the party line, who refuses to take corporate or PAC donations, and thinks for himself?
Today, the Democrats will have several good candidates in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Peoria. Dave Koehler and Cheri Bustos I know to be honest and reputable people with the best interests of their constituents at heart. The people of the 18th Congressional District also have a candidate who meets these high moral principals. His name is Matthew Woodmancy, and he will be in Block 11 of the Parade. When you see his banner coming down the street, show him the respect and courtesy he deserves. He is out their on his dime, not the party's. And he is running for Congress to serve you!

Depleted Uranium, Bobby Shilling, and Veteran's Rights

Several months ago, a woman named Kim Schisler wrote to me and asked for my help in making a very disturbing situation more public. It involves Depleted Uranium, a substance being used by the U. S. Military in armor, weapons, and ammunition. "My son died today - August 24, 2011. His name was Aaron Barnes. He was 26 (years old) with a wife and two young children. He died of a very rare and extremely aggressive cancer called Sacromatoid Renal Sarcoma. Aaron was a soldier, serving two tours of duty in Iraq. During his 26 months there, he was exposed daily to depleted uranium. This is believed to have caused his cancer and many others. Depleted Uranium is everywhere in Iraq and Afghanistan, leftover shrapnel from previous wars. Veterans of current wars are coming home and getting sick with rare diseases with much higher percentages than the general population." I looked into these allegations and found quite a bit of evidence to support these claims. While not directly radioactive in the sense of the elements we commonly associate with nuclear weapons, Depleted Uranium poses some unique and deadly health risks that could lead to many cancers and other issues for veterans who have been exposed. Of course, the Department of Defense and the Veteran's Administration are denying any culpability or liability for this exposure, claiming the exposure is not sufficient to cause such problems. Yet the scientific studies I read state there is a substantial risk, since the particulate contaminants are in the air, and therefore in the food and water these soldiers ingest. These particles, once in the system, tend to react with the residual radiation (like X-Rays or Gamma Rays) and can cause cumulative effects in the system. Like any claim, this is subject to debate and there are as many articles that proclaim the substance safe as their are that support my findings. Ms. Schisler continues to fight for the protection of the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, with a campaign of letters to congressmen and senators, and others as well. She appealed to Rep. Bobby Schilling from Illinois, and this is the careful and thoughtful consideration he afforded her: "After months of phone calls, emails, and letters to Rep. Schilling, we finally received an answer. He sent a letter to my son thanking him for his service in the Armed Forces----my DEAD son. Followed by a bunch of crap on all the bills pertaining to veterans' rights that he voted on. I am beyond angry and disappointed. I feel like I've wasted the past five months." Perhaps the reason we are in a state of denial in this nation when it comes to Veteran's Rights is because of the insensitive and uncaring way our representatives respond to their needs. Perhaps they are uncaring and insensitive because, unlike many of their constituents, they have not served in any capacity other than to represent corporate interests instead of their constituents. Whatever the reason, the cause of Depleted Uranium exposure and treatment needs to be addressed. And it doesn't seem it will be a priority for Representative Schilling or his office. Frederick Smith.

Update on the Woodmancy Campaign

Matthew Woodmancy is on the primary ballot for March 20th, running against a very able opponent who apparently stands for absolutely nothing.
I mean, I understand that some politicians like to keep their politics close to the vest, but Steve Waterworth's blog reads like a third rate Dear Abby. And I have yet to read one bit of information about the man other than he has unsuccessfully run for office twice. Not once. Twice.
Matt Woodmancy, on the other hand, has made full disclosure on his facebook page and now on his website. His platform is posted for all the honest world to see and he doesn't back down. He's participated in reddit discussions with constituents, has agreed to participate in the League of Women Voters Debate on February 29th in Macomb, and will continue to speak out against the corporate owned politicians that are ruining this nation.
Can anyone tell me the appeal of Waterworth? I'd really like to know.

Guest Editorial - Matthew A. Woodmancy on Civil Unions

Thirty-four years ago, a man named Harvey Milk was elected to serve the people of San Francisco. Thirty-three years ago, he was assassinated along with the Mayor of San Francisco. He was not assassinated for his politics, nor for his fervor, or even because he was about to pass some outrageous law.He was assassinated for being gay.
 
His final campaign manager wrote this about him “"What set Harvey apart from you or me was that he was a visionary. He imagined a righteous world inside his head and then he set about to create it for real, for all of us." Sadly, when he was cut down by an assassin’s bullet the torch he cared for all of us fell with him. I stand before you today, and I have imagined that same just and righteous world, I have picked up our fallen leaders torch, and I am setting out to make Harvey Milk’s dream a reality for all of us.
 
On January 31st, Governor Quinn signed a bill into law, which made civil unions possible. This month, while testifying before Congress, representatives of the United States Navy said the Navy will allow same-sex couples to wed in ceremonies on its bases officiated by Navy chaplains after the "Don’t ask don’t tell" policy is officially repealed, in spite of the “Defense of Marriage Act.
 
These are truly historic decisions, these were brave decisions made by brave men and women who acted in the best interests of all Americans, I am waiting for the United States Congress to act that way, and I am waiting for the President of the United States to act that way.
 
We cannot accept this bill as a total victory. We cannot accept anything short of equal rights, if we do; we deny ourselves the right to be acknowledged as full equals in the eyes of the law, the community, the military, the nation and indeed the world. The infamous Defense of Marriage Act is still on the books. The language is clear and offensive to all Americans who envision a nation where all citizens are truly free.
 
We cannot accept a society where one group of people is forced to live outside the boundaries of that society. We cannot accept a society that will not acknowledge the right of people to love who they choose, and to receive all the benefits accorded the same unions between heterosexual couples. We cannot accept this bill, as monumental as it is, as the end of the war for equality for all people, all citizens of the United States of America.
 
President Obama has stated he will not fund the Defense of Marriage Act, nor will he support any law that openly discriminates against any American. I say that is not enough. I say the Defense of Marriage Act must be repealed, that the government of the United States must stand for freedom of all Americans.
 
I say we must stand up and be counted, and let our government know it is time to end the prejudice and hate. In order for that to happen, we need a voice that will be heard on the Floor for of the House in the United Sates Congress, a voice that will not falter, a voice that will speak loudly and clearly in demanding the rights of all Americans be upheld."
 
As your representative in the United States Congress, my goal will be to repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and to create legislation that prevents any state from inhibiting the rights of its citizens to love who we will, to live, as we will fully secure in the knowledge that we are free from harm and bias.

Springfield Pride Event

At noon today in Springfield, Matthew A. Woodmancy was among the many political and PRIDE volunteers present when the ribbon was cut on the first Springfield PRIDE event! Coinciding with the infamous assassination of Harvey Milk, the San Francisco Councilman who was assassinated for being GAY, The event marked the first of its kind in Springfield. Many LGBT activists and supporters were present, as well as many folks who wandered down from the Art Festival surrounding the Old Capitol Building. Held on Capital Street between 5th and 6th street, just two blocks south of Aaron Schock's office, the event marked the celebration of the world that Harvey Milk envisioned, and the continued battle to make that world a reality.
While Governor Quinn signed into law a bill permitting Civil Unions in the State of Illinois on January 31st, it is only a pacification that does not reach the full level of equality sought by the LGBT community. Until the Defense of Marriage Act is repealed, until LGBT couples and singles are afforded equal rights with all other people, we are not truly a free nation.

Guest Editorial - Matthew A. Woodmancy on Social Security

Saving Social Security

Social Security has been called the third rail of American Politics: if you touch it, you die.

That is exactly the kind of thinking that has led to Social Security reform falling not only between the cracks, but has so endangered the program that experts are telling us by as early as 2020, the program will no longer be able to sustain the millions of Americans who will be depending on it to survive.

The streak of not talking about Social Security ends now. We have a real problem in this country and now is the time for real solutions. Taxpayers pay 6.2% in Social Security taxes while their employers pay a matching amount. Self-employed workers pay it all themselves. But it caps at 12.4% and nobody pays any Social Security tax at all on any income over $108,600 a year. That means individuals pay a maximum of $6,733.20 and their employer pays the same amount. Once again the Republicans are protecting their power base of wealthy donors while leaving 98% of Americans out in the cold.

If we were to raise the tax on Social Security 2.2% and split that increase equally between taxpayer and employer, we would ensure that Social Security is there for the next 61 years. In 1998, a general tax increase of 2.2 percent was planned out to aid in social security, but in 2011 it still has yet to happen. The idea of a 2.2% solution is simple, but short-term, at best. With the current funds, Social Security can exist until 2032, and with the 2.2% it could last until 2072. So that isn’t the only step that needs to be taken.

A CEO, a major sports figure, or actually anyone making more than $108,600.00 a year gets a free ride on all income above that level. If that CEO makes $6 million dollars in a year, his Social Security contribution has been paid in the first week. The rest of their income is not taxed for Social Security. The average American will always be paying Social Security tax on 100% of their income while the richest among us will never pay more. Somehow they think their obligation to their employees ends at the failed pension plans and diminishing health plans that now permeate our society and threaten to destroy our economy. They are wrong.

America is a land of opportunity, a land where everyone deserves to receive a living income when they have reached the age where they can no longer work. I am not talking about a free ride for the poor or the rich, but a level playing field where the wealthy can still enjoy the fruits of their labor while allowing the average Americans to live out their lives in comfort, not poverty.

If we level the playing field and make everyone pay the same 6.2%, no matter of how much they make, we can save Social Security. Employer contributions would cap at 6.2% of $200,000.00, and the remaining income above $200,000.00 would be paid fully by the employee. In this way, we shift the burden of Social Security on all Americans, preserve the ability of employers to create jobs and pay decent living wages, and protect our senior citizens from poverty.