GOP Debate Nails Media Bias (Video)

Debate Nails Media Bias Video This link will direct you to You Tube site and away from IFA.

GOP presidential candidates turned the tables on the media during January 7th evening debate in New Hampshire on ABC .  Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich responded to a highly emotional and liberally slanted question about homosexual marriage. His comments were arguably the most important point of the evening:

I just want to raise the point about the news media bias. You don’t hear the opposite question asked. Should the Catholic Church be forced to close its adoption services in Massachusetts because it won’t accept gay couples? Which is exactly what the state has done. Should the Catholic Church be driven out of providing charitable services in the District of Columbia because it won’t give in to secular bigotry? Should the Catholic Church find itself discriminated against by the Obama administration on key delivering of service because of the bias and bigotry of the administration? The bigotry question goes both ways, and there’s a lot more anti-Christian bigotry today than there is concerning the other side and none of it gets covered by the news media.

Debate moderators Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos quickly changed the subject so they wouldn’t have to deal with the very real issue of liberal media bias.  Gingrich received a loud round of applause for his comments, and obviously benefited from turning the tables and exposing the media’s liberal bent.

The Left’s Heart of Darkness

A great post from Bruce Walker at AmericanThinker.com. Here’s an excerpt:

Conservatives sometimes get too distracted by dollars and deficits and debt. These matter, of course — they matter a great deal in political life. But the deconstruction of the American economy is a consequence, not a cause, of our fundamental problem, which is moral.

The road back requires first of all that politicians who are asked to cure social problems be allowed to tell the truth about why these problems exist. The values given us from above are beyond the reach of leftist pygmies, and the laws prescribed for us by God have definite and absolute consequences which ripple throughout our lives and the lives we touch.

Most of us secretly know that the hedonistic and atheistic system foisted upon our culture by leftist bosses is a suicide pill. Let us hope — better, let us pray — that those men and women who carry the banner of conservatism into political combat have the courage to speak that too often unspoken truth.

Read the entire article HERE…

Q&A with Dr. Wayne Grudem talking about his new book “Politics according to the Bible”

Question: Should Christians be involved in politics & government?

Giuliani says Republicans should stay out of bedrooms

In a recent CNN interview, former New York City mayor and possible presidential aspirant, Rudy Giuliani had these words of wisdom for the Republican Party:

…get the heck out of people’s bedrooms and let these things get decided by states….I don’t know [why] the heck the Republican Party wants to be getting involved in people’s sexual lives and personal lives so much….Stay out of it, and I think we would be a much more successful political party if we stuck to our economic conservative roots.

What planet is Giuliani from?

First, homosexuals have no intention of letting “these things get decided by the states,” hence the fevered efforts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Second, Republicans in the sex lives, bedrooms, and personal lives of other people? Surely Giuliani jests.

It’s not Republicans who are reading picture books to other people’s children about Heather’s two dads or boys who wear tutus.

And it’s not Republicans who want men who wear dresses to use women’s bathrooms.

And it’s not Republicans who want to teach the nation’s adolescents that “Erotic images in art reflect society’s views about sexuality and help people understand sexuality.”

And it’s not Republicans who parade annually through the streets in rainbow-colored panties and gigantic inflated phalluses, proclaiming that the entire nation should affirm their sexual proclivities.

And it’s not Republicans who have changed laws to permit genetic males who electively amputate their healthy penises to change their sex designation on government-issued drivers’ licenses, which, by the way, represents Democrats inserting/imposing their philosophical assumptions on the entirety of society.

Continue reading at AmericanThinker.com…

Our Position on the “Defense of Marriage Initiative”

Click on this link for an explanation for why we are not supporting this effort:  IFA Flowchart on PMI 2011

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us at (708) 781-9371.

The fact is, we must deal with the political realities of Springfield’s power structure before we can think about realizing legislative solutions. I would like nothing more than to see the “Civil Unions” law repealed and a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man, one woman passed. The fact is, in every legislative session since 2003, such an amendment has been introduced, but has, without exception, failed to even be scheduled for a legislative hearing. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) – formerly Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) – are the gatekeepers. If they do not want a bill to move, it lingers in Rules Committee until the session ends.

If we expect to affect legislative change, we must first work to change the power structure of the Illinois General Assembly.  That means working to unseat House Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton by making Democrats the minority parties in the Illinois House and Senate.  That can be achieved by gaining 6 seats in both chambers — and it could be realized in the next General Election in November 2012.

“CIVIL UNIONS” is bad public policy

Same-Sex Civil Union IS Same-Sex “Marriage”! —  Don’t be fooled!

Section 10 of the bill that passed the Illinois General Assembly states that any partner in a civil union shall be legally considered a “spouse” and “family.”  It isn’t just conjecture to say that the proponents of this radical legislation are attempting to redefine the very meaning of marriage and family.

Moreover, the “civil unions” bill says:

“This Act shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purpose, which is to provide both eligible same-sex and opposite-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the same protection, benefits, and responsibilities afforded by the laws of Illinois to parties to a marriage.”

A “civil union” is same-sex “marriage” under a different name.

Public Schools Will have a Duty to Normalize Homosexuality

• With the passage of homosexual “marriage,” every public school in Illinois will be free to teach that homosexuality is morally equivalent to natural marriage between a man and a woman.

• In 2006 a Massachusetts federal court ruled that because homosexual “marriage” is legal in Massachusetts, the school actually had a duty to normalize homosexual relationships to children and that schools have no obligation to notify parents or let them opt-out their children.

Ultimate Goal – Same-Sex “Marriage”

“We are using the civil union bill as a foundation to go for equal marriage…That is exactly what we want!” said homosexual lobbyist Rick Garcia at a Joliet rally last year.

At a forum on same-sex marriage at the Chicago History Museum on September 14th, lesbian State Representative Deb Mell (D-Chicago) said that she was confident they have the votes to pass a civil unions bill.

“Gov. Quinn believes that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same benefits as heterosexual couples..” ~Quinn campaign spokesperson Mica Matsoff  as reported by the State Journal Register newspaper. “There is a bill in the legislature… and Gov. Quinn looks forward to signing it.”

Conclusion

This essential, organic, cultural institution of marriage that is recognized—not created— by the state must be preserved as the union between one man and one woman only.  Counterfeit marriage (“civil unions”) is the Trojan horse that will usher in the destruction of marriage and the natural family.

As the Illinois General Assembly considers homosexual “marriage” legislation, voters of our state must understand the wisdom and urgency of protecting the time-honored institution of marriage and say YES to the time tested union of one man and one woman who are knitted together physically, spiritually and emotionally through God-ordained marriage.

“Civil Unions” (SB 1716) Passes in the House — How did they vote?

Sixty-one state lawmakers in the Illinois House cave into pressure from Gov. Patrick Quinn and Speaker Michael Madigan.

Despite an outpouring of calls, emails and faxes against redefining marriage and family, legislators in the Illinois House passed SB 1716 on Nov. 30th by a vote of 61 to 52.

Only two pro-family lawmakers, Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Highland) and Rep. David Reis (R-Olney)–both from downstate–had the courage to challenge this anti-family legislation on the House floor during debate while nine pro-homosexual lawmakers (2 Republicans and 7 Democrats) made emotional manipulative appeals for the bill’s passage.

To see how your state representative voted, download the roll call by clicking HERE.

Thirty-two state senators vote to pass same-sex “civil unions” legislation.

Homosexual activists mustered enough votes to legalize a new category of marriage–homosexual “marriage” — under the name “civil unions” early in the afternoon on December 1st.  Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn has pledged to sign SB 1716 after the state Senate approved it by a vote of 32 to 24.

Seven pro-family state senators had the courage to challenge this anti-family legislation on the Senate floor during debate, including Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora), Dan Duffy (R-Barrington), Kyle McCarter (R-Decatur), John Jones (R-Mt. Vernon), Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), David Syverson (R-Rockford), and William Haine (D-Alton).

State Senators David Koehler (D-Pekin), Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa), Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), Heather Steans (D-Chicago), and Mike Noland (D-Elgin) spoke in favor of the bill’s passage.

This bill now goes to Governor Pat Quinn who made a campaign pledge to sign it into law.

To see how your state senator voted, download the roll call by clicking HERE.

The Illinois Family Action works hard to champion immutable moral principles, and takes a strong stand for traditional values. Bible believing Christians and true conservatives cannot afford to run the risk of complacency while anti-God, anti-American, and anti-freedom forces work overtime toward the radical socialist agenda.

If you believe in the mission and purpose of Illinois Family Action, please send your most generous contribution to IFA today.  We are supported by voluntary donations from individuals like you across the state of Illinois.  Donations to IFA are not tax-deductible.

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Give by mail:

Illinois Family ACTION
PO Box 93
Mokena, IL 60448

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Illinois Family Institute’s Voter Guide

Today is Election Day, and it is imperative that voters have information available to help them make educated decisions as they cast their votes for the different candidates running for public office.

To download the IFI Voter Guide, you will need Adobe Acrobat and will need to know in which legislative districts you live.  (Look up your legislative districts HERE or call IFA at 708-781-9371.)  District numbers will be found after his/her name.

The full version of the IFI 2010 Primary Election Voter Guide is available for download HERE.

Click HERE
for the full version.

A Personal Note from Dave Smith Regarding Cook County Races

Dear Pro-Family Neighbors in Cook County,

Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2010. This is your opportunity to vote on whether Washington and Springfield are heading in the right direction.

I would like to make some recommendations to you for your consideration on November 2^nd:

Federal Offices:

–    U.S. Congress: Ray Wardingly (1^st CD) and Isaac Hayes (2^nd CD)

–    U.S. Senate: Mike Labno (He is 100 percent pro-life with no exception.  He is opposed to the homosexual agenda, but has indicated he’d vote to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. As a Libertarian, he doesn’t believe the government should have anything to do with marriage.)

State Offices:

–    Illinois Governor: Bill Brady – and – Illinois Lieutenant Governor: Jason Plummer

–    Attorney General: Steve Kim

–    State Senate:  Brian Doherty (10^th)

–    State Representative:  Dr. Barbara Bellar (35^th), Rich Grabowski (36^th), and Jeffrey Junkas (37^th)

Cook County Offices:

–    Cook County Board President: Roger Keats

–    Cook County Board of Review: Dan Patlak

–    Cook County Sheriff: Frederick Collins

–    Cook County Board:  Carl Segvich (11^th District)

Illinois Supreme Court:

IL Supreme Court Justices Thomas Fitzgerald and Charles Freeman are from Illinois’ 1st District, which includes all of Cook County.  I highly recommend that you vote NO on retaining IL Supreme Court Justices Fitzgerald and Freeman.   Both voted against the immediate transference of the Parental Notification case from the Appellate Court to the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing. (The ACLU and Planned Parenthood challenged the law.)  As a result, the case is not expected to be heard for a year or more in the Appellate Court and under-age girls can still obtain abortions in Illinois without their parents’ knowledge.

To be retained, judicial candidates need to secure 60 percent of the vote.  If they fail to get the needed 60 percent, there will be an open election for that particular seat.

Other Judicial Seats:

We will vote for many other judges, and judges are adifficult group to evaluate. We found a couple of legal groups who rate judicial candidates. One is the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. The other is an alliance of liberal law groups. If they did not recommend a candidate, I recommend voting in favor of that person.

I recommend that you vote YES for: Sandra Ramos, Dorothy Jones (Yes to retain) and Susan Jeanine McDunn (Yes to retain).

I recommend that you vote NO for retention of:  Joseph Gordon, Donald J O’Brien, Jennifer Duncan Brice, Thomas Davy, Timothy C. Evans, Carol Kelly, Paul Biebel, Thomas P. Fecarotta, John Patrick Kirby0, Kathleen Pantle, Paula Daleo, Michelle Jordan, Mary Lane Mikva.

Ballot Initiative

Finally, the November 2^nd election includes a ballot initiative to amend the Illinois Constitution to include the possibility for a recall election of any Illinois Governor.  Please vote “NO.”

This amendment is a sham.  It would require citizens to collect about 550,000 signatures from voters in 150 days (15% of the number of votes in the last governor election).  But before a single signature can be gathered, an affidavit signed by at least 20 State Representatives (10 Republicans, 10 Democrats) and at least 10 State Senators (5 Republicans, 5 Democrats) would need to be filed with the Secretary of State.  Gathering over a half a million signatures is extremely difficult and expensive.   In short, this recall amendment is useless.

Thanks for your consideration.  I am

Sincerely,

David E. Smith, IFA Executive Director

Click HERE to download this as a PDF.

Click HERE to see the Illinois Family Institute Voter Guide to learn more about the candidates and their positions.

Click HERE to make a donation to IFA. Donations to IFA are not tax-deductible.

Election Watch: Endorsement Lists for

You can make a difference in the November 2nd election by voting for candidates who share your values!

Cut through the political spin by using the IFI Voter Guide to get straightforward information, and then use the Illinois Family Action Election Watch supplemental to learn even more.

Want to know what groups have endorse which candidates? Then you will want to check out these resources:

State Rep. Endorsement Lists

State Senate Endorsement Lists

Statewide Endorsement Lists

Congressional Endorsement Lists

U.S. Senate Endorsement Lists

Together, we can make a difference in electing men and women who share our values and who will make policy based on those values when elected. Please share these resources with your friends and family and don’t forget to vote on Tuesday November 2 — or earlier as Early Voting is taking place now from Oct. 18-29.

Find Early Voting locations in your area HERE.