As my dear late grandmother would say, "The Gig is UP!" and that is what I think about the politics involved in the saga of the Jackson in U.S. Congress. I, for one, intend at least for now, to seek election for the job as a Republican. I did so in the last election and was defeated in the Republican Primary by Mr. Brian Woodworth. However, I do believe the district needs real people focused representation. I also believe that the values of the Republican Party are actually those of the vast majority of the residents of the 2nd District. I also believe the major media's focus on what Jesse Jr. would do took away from the much needed discussions from the candidates who were also seeking the office. The major media, like the Chicago Tribune, endorsed Brian Woodworth in the Republican Primary and Jesse Jr. in the Democratic Primary but did not make any endorsement in the General Election, Why?
Seems that the Tribune would have endorsed either Woodworth, the Republican candidate or Marcus Lewis the independent candidate, Voters in the 2nd District should be watchful of the agenda of the Tribune in any future endorsements. When I was interviewed by the Tribune it was my opinion that I was the victim of a predetermined bias against me as a black Republican and the woman who interviewed me asked why I as a black man would side against "my people" and not "with my people" as a Democrat.

The last open Congressional seat was the IL5thCD seat given up by Rahm. Twenty-seven were on the ballot from three parties. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IL5thCD
Joe Lake, Chicago

Were all those residents with your values just not able to vote, James? Because it was a pretty decisive victory, from what I've read.

Well, if there is a re-election, I will vote Republican, as always.

"...for helping an independent candidate running against him."

It did not happen.

Jesse needs to move over and let his constituency have a voice. It is a shame he would not allow the independent to represent us as he certainly cannot -- nor should he at this point. He has too much baggage and can only embarass himself.

The content of this man's character is filled with more holes than Swiss cheese - health issues aside.

Well I find it interesting that JJJ returns to work for a few days and the only action we, the electorate can find out that he takes is to fire a staff worker for participating in the campaign of a candidate he didn't approve. So the main issue after months of absence is to try to solidify political control in the district. You might of thought he'd be interested in doing some of the legislative work he got elected to do rather than politicing.

Mr Taylor the people in this District would not vote for Allen West or Herman Cain and remember Allen Keyes the conman from Maryland who rented a room in Calumet City to run for Mel's seat against JJJ ?
THE Zionist banksters wanted the election to look legit however no GOP candidate at this time can be legit due to GROVER NORDQUIST and the TPARTY which in this election shown he and their pledge are as good as JJJ attendance record but the underfunded will still seek the limelight and TV cameras they do little else in the peoples house these days why would u think the TRIBUNE is a rock ribbed GOP PAPER with values when the GOP is leaderless and rudderless now with a discredited early Demetia bitter loser John McSlime who has never seen a insurgency force he didn't want to arm as it's spokesman in these perilous times, get a grip Taylor there are no values in either party the real welfare Queens are your party's Corporations that a GOP retiring POTUS and WWII hero warned us about way back in the 20th century 1960

Assuming he spent an hour on the firing, and that is the only thing he has done in the last 5 months while earning a $170k salary, that works out to $170,000 X5 divided by Twelve and times 1 hour = $70,833.33 PER HOUR. Nice work if you can get it......

Wash.Post: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr: Where is he?, Nov. 19, 2012. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILCD2ndDistrict/message/127
Joe Lake, Chicago

Jessie the con man. rippin the people just like all the others. You da man Jessie! Let the people see what you are really made of and how little you think of them and the job you are supposed to be doing.

"...for helping an independent candidate running against him."

It did not happen.

Marcus Lewis
Independent Candidate for Congress
2nd District of Illinois

In a little while Jesse is going to be washing dishes in a federal prison. He had the world by the balls and didn't know it.

Butch, I understand how you feel, but in my opinion, and I do think I have a right to one, just as you. I believe there are people with values in both political parties and in the general independent elements of politics. However, I will agree with you that there are some and there may be more than either of us would like, who have taken and in most cases, still take advantage of their positions to push selfish and often criminal agendas. I am concerned because no matter how bad the situation may be, those of us who still believe in the American Dream must defend it and we must, in my opinion, defend the United States Constitution. I wonder how Mr. Jackson and his group can speak of representation of the 2nd District when so much negative information keeps leaking out about their activities and seeming disrespect for the very voters who have kept him in office regardless of his failures to actually represent them. I am now investigation the Abraham Lincoln National Airport funding structure and the fact that Jackson's chief of staff is in charge of close to a million dollars in that fund. Has it been audited and has Jackson spent any of those funds and if so, on what? Marcus Lewis raised an important point when he questioned the firing of a Jackson staffer, what was the real reason and is there a connection between that firing and accountability for the airport related funds? Hopefully we can get some answers on that one soon.

?

Two years ago our son was trying to get into one of the service academies. This involved getting a recommendation from JJJ’s office. Change was supposed to be the contact person. Whenever we called the office she was never in, she never returned our calls, and never ever gave us any follow up after (congratulations you made it, sorry you did well but others did better, etc). Besides securing Patriots Park in Homewood, Firing Ms. Hayyim is one of the few good things he has done for the district.

... Hamilton Hayyim v. Jackson et al...
(Things are not always as they seem-Joe Lake)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILCD2ndDistrict/message/129
Joe Lake, Chicago

I am not so clear on why JJJ won, I certainly did not give him my vote, I hope his health or legal issues are resolved but I NEED REPRESENTATION I selected from the 2 persons remaining on the ballot. It seems clear that the party wanted to keep the seat so...now that it has been held fill it I NEED representation!

I am going to run in April 2013 to stop the trickery and give you the representation you deserve. Denise, I ran because I am fed up with the lies, the outright deceit and the crookedness we have put up with for decades. Go with me to independent side as I will caucus with the Deomcrats in Congress and really represent our needs to rebuild this district to be a selfsustainng district.

I should be Marcus Lewis Congressman-Elect right now had the 181,000 plus voters for Jackson had realized he was just pulling their chain and revealed he was plea bargaring before the election. The Democratic party bosses knew. The Jackson Family knew. The masses of the people did not know but I was on the ballot cause I knew Jacskon did not deserve to return to congress as he was mentally unable.

In April of 2013, Special Election, vote for a change in reps. "FLEE WHEN YOU SEE THE D!". Vote InDependent, Vote for Marcus Lewis!

38,733 started it off, now let's finish the mission for a new beginning!

I suspect that instead of another round of snake like remarks exchanged by candidates and some supporters, What might best serve the district would be for us to discuss what is needed and necessary to improve the quality of life and safety in the 2nd District's towns and neighborhoods. I suspect this media would be a good place for such exchanges of ideas. Actually, it might not matter so much who represents the district as what they will be doing and what that person will focus on. All that really needs to be done is for the people to tell the representative what exactly it is that they want. Some say jobs, but what kinds of jobs, are there workers trained for the available jobs. Others say public safety and we all know full well that most of the property and physical attacks are in mostly black areas, so who is the solution there? We as residents of a district that goes from total urban and business sections, to very wealthy homes to farm land to the south must recognize the need to communicate in a positive way instead of the tone that has been present in the past election. I think there will be a new election, new petitions and a new set of distractions from dealing with specific needs and specific kinds of solutions. Just my opinion.I plan to seek election as I have said, as a Republican but will work with who ever is successful towards building a better and more improved district for all residents. Happy Holiday and God bless!

NBI, is a self hating republican that wants to dictate who can or cannot be congressman of our district.
That said I urge all to look at my credentials, my plan and my earnest sincerity to rescue this district from the machine in Chicago that pulled the worst trick that could be played on voters and that is to keep the truth to themselves as did the incumbent that plea bargaining talk was on going for months.
Trust me, we will ignore the NBI's of the district and look forward towards our future with an honest man 38,733 entrusted with their precious vote. I will strive to gain the confidence of the rest as I am the right man at the right time to be the next congressman for the 2nd District.
I don't know where these NBI type trolls do for a living but the great majority of the district do not listen to these type of people. They are self absorbed weak minded sick people that I will represent in congress to get the mental care they need.

But as for the rest of us this coming April 2013,

"FLEE THE D!".

Vote Independent

VOTE FOR MARCUS LEWIS FOR CONGRESS!

Honest & Caring. A fighter for what's right and decent!

www.marcuslewisforcongress2012.org

Joe Lake and Marcus Lewis are entitled to their opinions and I am entitled to mine!! My opinion is that the voters of the 2nd district should NOT vote for Marcus Lewis. I do not hate Marcus Lewis. I simply feel that he is NOT capable of doing the job. He is NOT qualified as anyone who checks him out will find. I do not hate Marcus Lewis. I DO hate the fact that people vote without thinking, without vetting, without informing themselves. I'm disappointed that M.L. received 13% of the vote just because his name was not Jesse Jackson Jr. This can not be seen as an endorsement of M.L., but rather must be seen as how uninformed the 2nd district voter really is. Get your heads in the game people. This stuff matters!!! You can't elect an unqualified to represent you. please do your homework.

AND WHO WOULD U CAUCUS WITH? WHAT CMTEE WOULD THE TPARTY or D GIVE U? U ARE A POTTED PLANT EITHER WAY! HALVORSON for CONGRESS!

<< I urge all to look at my credentials>> I asked for your credentials before and got a snotty (as usual) answer. I think we have established you have no experience with a college unless you were delivering it mail, right?

that makes him a wannabee Dem with the same credentials as JJJ 17 years ago!

NBI, you don't know Marcus Lewis.

@ MARCUS give it up become a LOBBYIST FOR THE USPO they need a fighter to battle the ISSA'S and other TPARTY MORONS who will screw up the USPO with their outrageous funding for 75 years BS
u can be a Indep DEM but i don't think the flee the D wil give u a ticket to the inaugural ball!

NBI, in Congress, their rules are, you must choose which side you will caucus with. And you need to learn before you speak. The newly elected Senator Angus King from Maine replacing Olympia Snowe,

"Maine's Incoming Independent Senator Angus King on Caucusing With the Dems"

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec12/king_11-19.html

I voted for Romney and I am not ashamed of that fact, I think in total he was the better candidate. No I don't support giving illegals anything but a free ride out of this country!
The word illegal says it all. Do we reward illegal drivers, no! Do we reward anything illegal, we should not! No here we go, someone will say I am a racist, anti Hispanic and so on but the fact is I think illegal means illegal.

My credentials and my plan are on my campaign website:

www.marcuslewisforcongress2012.org

Thank you NBI

Maybe a good start would be some public discussion on the issue of illegals ahd how to deal with the issue in a fair way, one keeping with the spirt of America as well as obeying our laws. We are a nation of laws and we lose it all when we pick and select which ones we obey. I have a heart for the Hispanics who have come here to work and do better for their families but I also have to recognize we need to close our borders and protect the security of our nation and I would suspect if asked, many who have followed the laws to get into America would agree and I also suspect a great number of those who became legal, in the Hispanic community would agree. We are a nation founded on the American Dream and no matter how difficult I have had it as an African American, I love America and want others to experience the American Dream and that is what I will fight for no matter who or what threatens it. A fool maybe, but a loyal one and a happy American!

@NBI , I met Mr Marcus, while he may be a bit overzealous, he has ideas that would help the district, I am an adult and do not need your or any other person to assist me in making my choices I do my homework, in light of the available candidates and I met them both, I made my choice based on what I heard, I will not be returning to this forum I find the back biting and mean spirited comments tedious I am sick of the political bickering "you said this so you must be a this and you like this so you are stupid" ENOUGH ! I am sure you all have more to do beside this. Go to a town hall meeting do something!!!! and please reconsider the mean spirited way in which you speak to one another it is helping NOTHING....good night and good bye!

Sorry Marcus the Senate has different rules because Independents are actually elected state wide and there are only 100, King a moderate DEMOPUB and Bernie Sanders of Vt A socialist and one of the last honest men in politics are caucusing with the Dem's both are independent and are needed to stop the obstruction due to their own archaic rules that allows the minority to stop majority rule and hucksters like Demint and Inhofe and the rest to keep pouring tax money into the pockets of the banksters and mil indus congressional complex not surprising u think u can get fat as a Independent.
Lieberman was a Dem who won his last term as a Independent also was a DEM 49% OF THE TIME he along with another corrupt former congressman was responsible for the INSURANCE-BIG PHARMA ACA (Obama CARE) but sorry the rules of the house do not apply u are toast Marcus with yer flee the D slogan!
Halvorson for Congress is the only choice,Taylor has impressed NBI and the few winguts in the district, too bad he seems to sensible and intelligent to sign a GROVER treason pledge!

As much as it hurts to say it the machine has done nothing to the second district, crime and enterprise zones by the same people who are the real creators of jobs in Mexico and then China and the wars in the golden triangle Columbia, Mexico
Baaka valley and WMD, this is one of the reasons McSlime and TWIT wanted 100, ooo more cannon fodder and in reality it does not matter if it is the second district of Illinois, Harlem, Atlanta, Jax Fl or Seattle no one on this planet has been born or will be that will stop the complex and banksters Wars for Terror-Drugs and for the Zionist -banksters.
5 JEWS have been killed by rockets, 4 American diplomats 4,0000 in WTC have been killed a million more VETS permanently damaged by PTSD since GULF WAR i when the real war began that was laid out after the bombing of the Marine Brks in Lebanon,now millions of innocent Palestinians relocated and killed millions more of Iraqi and Afghans do the math for DRUGS-TERROR and for the Zionists it surpasses the GDP of MURKA and America.
The question is what Halvorson can do compared to Marcus? The drive by's and turf wars will not change no matter who is the rep of the second district, what do they bring to the table Marcus not much, Debbie a lot but nothing dramatic a TPARYER even less than Marcus, it is depressing but realistic until all the BS stops and we have honest dialogue on these phony wars!

For Butch and with all respect extended. I know Deborah Halvorson and know her to be a find person, one I have considered a true friend for several decades. In fact it was Deborah who invested the first $500.00, aside from myself, towards the publishing of my Joliet City News paper some 12 years ago. So if she ran, I certainly would consider not running and supporting her for 2nd District. We have many of the same objectives. My reason for being a Republican is I oppose abortion in most all of it's forms and for most all of it's reasons. Except in cases where abortion would save the life of the mother. There are many Republican policy agenda items I oppose and my local party, where I am a committeeman for Bourbonnais #10, one of the most wealthy in our county, is aware of those and I battle within our leadership both in Kankakee and often on a state and national level for change in some of those issues, like debt reduction and treatment of illegals and immigration policy. So to be clear, my goal in seeking election in the 2nd is to improve the conditions of life for the residents and to develop means to better economic achievement within the district. I doubt that name calling is a true measure of one's ability to think or govern. Also, as a side note, our party last week organized two Outreach committees to reach out to the Black and Hispanic voters as Republicans. I chair the one for African Americans. God Bless and Happy Holidays.

Butch, Thanks, I thank? Anyway, have been a union member of AFSCME for 30 plus years, and a former DCFS child abuse neglect investigator as well as social worker as well as newspaper publisher for 42 years. So excuse me if I don't get very upset by certain insults and negative comments about my positions. However, how dare anyone resent me or anyone else from having an opinion on pro-life issues. What makes it more moral to kill an unborn child than to defend that child's right to live? As for who to vote for, anyone should be able to make that choise, isn't that the basis for American democracy? As for these postings, seems only four or five people are posting here and I suspect more have either tried or considered it but after reading the insulting comments about most any comment that is not supportive of what one person may think, they are attacked. Is that an idea of free speech and now we have to be subjected to more of this, I doubt it. As for me, I am a Republican and respect Democrats and independents and have no issue with a person's opinion. I certainly can't change Roe vs Wade!

@J Taylor did u ever have any dealings with the former Public Guardian now a sitting Judge Pat Murphy?
Being in that role at DCFS has more than anything shaped your POLITICS and world view I am now thinking u may be overqualified for the role of a congressman but could get my vote on this alone if I could get a position on ALEC!
Most arguments against pro life by lefties has to do with what u were working on DCFS or what do we do with the unwanted children after they are born? I myself have a table full of kids and gr kids and always was more pro life but the hypocrites who are worried about cannon fodder and were draft dodgers themselves and are so moral because that is where their wind is blowing while being partners with the murderers of first born girls, I am at a loss how anyone with a pulse could support this species?

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Jetta, with all due respect, I don't really care if you vote for me or not. I am not about to sell out my beliefs for yours or anyone elses vote! I am pro-life and I do think legal is legal and illegal is just that, illegal.
As far as telling you what to do with your body, wouldn't dare do that but only if you have the power to make a baby by yourself, say for example, like you can make your own tears. As far as a baby, you need a man to get that done and this to me indicates that before an abortion is allowed, at least the father should have something to say about that proposed abortion. The arguement for pro-choice is selfish and self centered and in my opinion, and I do have a right to one, just as you, those who get abortions should be jailed! Yes, if I could change the laws on abortion I would change them in a heart beat, the heart beat of one of those helpless babies who are aborted. As far as Mr. Caine he had a right to call it like he saw it, just as you! "Special" the only thing "Special" about me is that I don't fear those voters like you, I won't and God willing, never cave into your kind of rants just to get elected. I all ready work hard in my own business, so I don't need the money and won't sell out principal for a buck of a kind word or vote from someone like you.