Donna - you understand you are also voting for the same control of the Senate that has put IL down the toilet, correct. No matter HOW independent you think Julie may be, she will still vote for WHOMEVER the party leadership puts up.

As a local party leader, I will ask you the same question I've repeatedly asked Atsaves, which of course he's never answered. What is Morrison's detailed plan to return our state to a balanced budget? I see some political gobbledygook on her website about letting the tax increase expire (which of course LOWERS revenue) but nothing about spending cuts. What is her DETAILED plan to increase revenue and/or lower spending? How can we be inspired by ANY of these candidates if they can't even tell us what their plan is? It's just ridiculous. The quality of the candidates in these local elections is so poor.

Walter - do you HONESTLY believe the democrats will EVER let the tax increase expire? I told Sen. Garrett as much at a benefit when she tried to say that the increase would just be "temporary" and how she and others were making sure it would not just continue. IL is broke and its continued war on working people does not help.

Well if there are no new revenues and no spending cuts, letting the tax increase expire would widen the deficit. So I'm not in favor of letting the tax cuts expire until there is a clear plan to balance the budget. Still waiting.

Walter White wants me to explain Morrison's detailed plan to return our state to a balanced budget? Morrison is a Democrat. I am a Republican leader. But since he insists, I will give it a shot. The Democrats have no plan. They have proven such over their complete dominance of governance of Illinois for over 10 years.

Want more of the same from Springfield, which is now closing prisons and mental health facilities, and has cut back on programs that protect children? Vote for the Democrats so that they can continue their suicidal fiscal policies that has brought our once great state of Illinois to its knees.

Any more questions, Walter?

Oh please enough with the melodrama. You know very well that question was directed as Lauren Beth. I've asked you repeatedly to do the same thing for your candidates and you haven't. But the answer you just gave works for them too. Thank you.

That's terrific. Sounds like a great guy. Now can he or you or maybe your brother tell me what his plan is regarding spending cuts, if he has one?

"when he says he's going to do something, I trust that he will because he's never given me any reason to believe otherwise."

Problem is, he hasn't said what he's going to do.

New ideas? Awesome! When will he be sharing those? Until then I will vote for the candidate that opposes your stupid concealed carry law.

You could always visit Dr. Friedman's political website, review what he has to say on the issues:

http://www.friedmanforsenate.com/news/issues/

Or perhaps even reach out and contact him to get the answers to your questions:

http://www.friedmanforsenate.com/contactarie.php

Oh yes, chock full of detailed new ideas. Here's a few:

-Repeal the tax increase (lower revenue)

-Cut wasteful spending (where we have no clue, but a brilliant new idea nonetheless)

-Pensions: A very incoherent statement that really doesn't describe what he wants to do but uses all the GOP buzzwords.

And of course, like a good little repbulican, he mentions Madigan and Blagojevich. Atta boy Arie. "More and more understand we have to support individuals – not a letter next to a name." Too bad he doesn't put his money where his mouth is.

High taxes are a deterrent to business and residents wanting to live, work, or locate in this State. Those who can move, have been, en masse. The statistics are there for all to see through the census and other Federal statistic collecting agencies. If they weren't, why else would John Deere and Catepillar threaten to leave the State after the increase passed if they didn't get tax reductions?

Cutting wasteful spending - sometimes one has to get into a job before one has unrestricted access to such information. Of course, if you want more in-depth information, you could contact the campaign and ask for clarification.

Pensions: What about this statement was incoherent? It seemed pretty clearcut to me.

And the last part you took out of context - it was about Democrats supporting him, a Republican, because of the devastation wrought by our Speaker and immediate Past Governor. From the website quoted above: "Arie respects that! In Illinois we must start voting for people – not parties. As a pro-choice – fiscal conservative – Democrats are getting behind Arie because they understand Illinois is a unique situation and has been devastated by the likes of Speaker Mike Madigan and Rob Blagojevich. Democrats are angry with how these corrupt career politicians have dishonored their party. More and more understand we have to support individuals – not a letter next to a name."

Ah, so he'll develop the details once he gets elected. Sounds alot like his party's presidential candidate. Not a fan of electing someone who will use the position as on the job training. The state budget is public, is it not? If I were running I'd have gone through it with a fine tooth comb and figured out what I wanted to cut. But I know, that's alot of work. Easier to bash Madigan and Blago.

"Ah, so he'll develop the details once he gets elected....The state budget is public, is it not? If I were running I'd have gone through it with a fine tooth comb and figured out what I wanted to cut."

As I said "...sometimes one has to get into a job before one has unrestricted access to such information." that doesn't mean that he'll develop all the details, but rather refine concepts or ideas in mind already based upon additional information that may become available to him once he's elected.

Plenty of documents are "public", and they're as clear as mud at first glance because while they technically comply with the law, lots of little details and nuances are left out. Sure once can FOIA them, but in some cases the Agency claims some exemption, or doesn't return everything expected because it wasn't asked for because the requestor didn't know to ask for it... Or may not even be aware of it.

As one delves into the various programs, one gains some insight into operations that enlightens things, so one knows what to request. Then inefficiencies become apparent and can be rooted out.

Again, why not contact the campaign to see what the ideas are?

Yes you are the master of saying much without saying anything at all. Still doesn't change the fact that he has no new ideas. Why don't YOU call the campaign and figure out what he stands for? If you're voting for him wouldn't you want to know?

Walter, Im glad you are concerned about concealed carry, legal in 49 states, and that is going to determine your vote. Meanwhile our state will slip further and further in debt.

Abortions and assault weapons........more fear from the Demorats.

When you have this horrible record to run on, i guess that's all you got.

Walter, I don't have the questions - you do, so that's why I gently suggested you call the campaign to have your questions answered. I'm satisfied with the conversations I've had with Arie.

As a GOP committeeman, I'm sure you are.

Walter, GOP Committeeman or not - I vote for the CANDIDATE that I believe will help to return Illinois to it's prior greatness, the party is and has never been the sole source of guidance for my choices, nor as a Committeeman am I required to vote the "party line".

As for Arie - you want the absolute truth? He's a friend of my brother's. We all grew up together. Although he's my brother's friend, I've known him for decades - he's never been a schlub, has always worked extremely hard, decided he wanted to be a Doctor and IS one - he's a Pediatrics Fellow (a tough specialty). He was in the Navy - flew all kinds of aircraft in defense of our Country and way of life - you can't be an idiot and be a Naval aviator trusted to fly around multi-million dollar pieces of hardware. He's earned my respect over the years, and when he says he's going to do something, I trust that he will because he's never given me any reason to believe otherwise.

If anyone wants to see some of his credentials, check his LinkedIn profile:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/ariefriedmanforcongress

That's terrific. Sounds like a great guy. Now can he or you or maybe your brother tell me what his plan is regarding spending cuts, if he has one?

"when he says he's going to do something, I trust that he will because he's never given me any reason to believe otherwise."

Problem is, he hasn't said what he's going to do.

Walter, I won't presume to speak for the Campaign. Again, if you have questions, you may wish to contact the campaign for answers.

You have no clue, either. Thanks for being honest.