[As always, please be polite and stay on topic with our guest. Any off topic discussions should be taken to the prior thread. With that, please give a big FDL welcome to Mark Pera. -- CHS]
A lot of members in this community have been excited about Matt Stoller’s Bush Dog expose and call to action. Blue America’s long-term commitment to help replace reactionary and corrupt Maryland Congressman Al Wynn with Donna Edwards is coming from the same intention of trading in Democrats who collaborate with the right-wing agenda for Democrats who are believers in progressive values and principles.
Some time ago I started watching a suspiciously conservative-voting congressman in a very blue Illinois district, Dan Lipinski in IL-03, an area that includes southwest Chicago and mostly working class ethnic suburbs.
Several Chicago bloggers and local DFA members have asked me to get to know Mark Pera, president of the Lyons Township high school board of education and an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cooks County State’s Attorney’s Office, the second largest prosecutorial office in the country. I’m really glad I did and I hope you will be as well. He started the conversation off on the right note:
“I represent the values of the Democratic Party… I’m from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party and he’s from the Republican wing of the Democratic Party. There’s a place for people like him… and that’s the Republican Party.”
Lipinski slipped into Congress in 2004 when his father retired. If his voting record is frighteningly similar to reactionary Tennessee congressmen like John Tanner, Lincoln Davis, Bart Gordon, and Jim Cooper, that’s because the representative from IL-03 has spent the last couple of decades outside of Illinois, mostly living in Tennessee. To this day he hasn’t bothered buying a home in the district. He rents half a duplex in Western Springs but mostly lives in his congressional office. And I mean that literally.
The July 13 issue of Daily Southtown quotes Lipinski telling a reporter:
“Yes, I sleep in my office.” He purchased an air mattress 18 months ago. The congressman, who makes $165,000 a year “showers in the House of Representatives gymnasium each morning. He keeps his socks and underwear in a filing cabinet. His suits and shirts are in the office closet. A staff member estimated the dimensions of the office as 20 feet by 13 feet… ‘I make myself about six sandwiches every weekend and take them back with me,’ Lipinski said. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever gone out for lunch in Washington.’”
Since entering Congress, Lipinski has racked up quite a record. He’s virulently anti-choice, anti-stem cell research, anti-environment, pro-war, and even voted with the Republicans to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case. He became part of the Bush Dog campaign when he voted with the Republicans on Bush’s FISA legislation, something that stands in stark contrast to Mark’s well reasoned stand on FISA. In this community, I think I’ve said more than enough about Dan Lipinski.
Now, what about Mark?
When he graduated from high school he went to work in the steel mills of East Chicago to raise money to send himself to college. He worked in the mills every summer through college and into law school to pay his tuition. Unions and understanding the needs of Americans working men and women aren’t just theoretical to him — he has lived it.
He’s building a ground campaign of grassroots activists that draws from a natural Illinois progressive coalition: pro-choice voters, anti-war voters, environmentalists, and the district’s rapidly growing Hispanic community. Unseating an incumbent is always an uphill battle. Mark’s is a winnable race.
Before I ask you to kick in at our Blue America page, I want you to ask Mark questions about the issues that mean the most to you. I suspect you’re going to be very happy with what you hear.
His prosecutorial specialty, by the way, is environmental law. Sandra from the Northside DFA described him to me as “right on all the issues that Lipinski is so wrong on, he’s charismatic, confident, and well spoken. And unlike Lipinski, if elected he will owe his allegiance to the people instead of to the Democratic machine. If you are a voter in District 3, it’s a no-brainer.”
Related posts:
Spotlight
Support this site!
Subscribe to the newsletter
Advertise on Firedoglake
Send
us your tips
Make us your homepage
About Firedoglake
Advanced search
Howie!
Welcome Mark! We are honored to have you here with us.
Hi everyone. This is Mark Pera here. We’re running an exciting, progressive campaign here in IL-03. I am coming to you today from our offices in Countryside, Ill., just outside Chicago, here in the heart of blue America. If you need any background on me, please take a look at our Web site, http://www.PERA08.com , which we’re constantly updating. There’s some terrific stuff on there thanks to the bloggers and the local and national media. Thanks for welcoming me to http://www.Firedoglake.com. I’ll be happy to chat with you about our campaign.
Welcome to FDL, Mark. We’re happy you could join us today. It’s not every day we get someone brave enough to stand up to the Insider Democratic machine. I think most Blue America community members agree with Jane and John and myself that rogue Democrats like Lipinski, who consistently vote contrary to Democratic values and principles, should be held accountable. But “most” is not the same as “all.” Do you ever get questions from Democrats who are angry that you would challenge a Democratic incumbent– even one as reactionary as Lipinski? How do you convince people like that that you are doing the right thing?
Hello, Mr. Pera – glad to see you are running. As a resident of Beverly, let me say we are anxious to run Lipinski out of office. However, are you concerned that you could run into the same challenge John Sullivan did in the ‘06 primary, ie a phantom candidate like Kelly to split the vote?
Mr. Pera, your wife is a consultant who is working to privatize the UK health care system. You’ve stated that the best health care system is more public than the U.S. system and more private than the UK system. In your mind what are the problems with the U.S. health care system? What needs to be fixed?
Thanks for having me. I’d have to say that the overwhelming response has been a very positive one. The way we convince people is that I emphasize that I’m from the Democratic wing of the Democratic party.
Welcome Mark — and thanks to Howie for the great introduction to your campaign. I read this morning that Lipinski was giving Rep. Mark Kirk (a targeted GOP district representative) cover by co-endorsing something with him on the weak Udall bill on the Iraq Study Group recommendations. Any comment on that today? This isn’t the first time that Lipinski has given cover to local GOP candidates, but this comes at a very poorly chosen time.
Reggie, we’re running a serious campaign, we’re in a campaign office with several staffers, a full staff of people working hard here everyday, we’re successfully raising money and we’re doing all this in order to beat Lipinski.
Welcome to FDL, Mark. We really appreciate you being here today.
Hi Carl. FYI, my wife is not working to privatize the UK health care system … The US health care system is in dire straits. The number of uninsured has jumped from 12 million to 47 million today. We can no longer allow the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies to write our health care laws. The leading cause of bankruptcies today is due to peoples inability to pay health care bills. Congress needs to stop talking and do something about this.
Mark,
Welcome to the Lake. I think it is time and past time we started delivering accountability to Blue Dogs as well as Republicans.
It’s one thing if your from a red or purple district, but a record like the incumbent’s is NOT representative of your constituency, so there is no excuse for it.
Mark Pera @ 9
Oh, I don’t doubt your efforts. My question is whether you are concerned the, uh, “powers that be” will scare up someone else to split the anti-Lipinski vote. Has anyone else filed papers to run at this point?
Mr. Pera, there are four constituencies that will be pulling on you as a member of Congress: 1) ward bosses and other local pols, 2) activists, 3) interest groups, and 4) Beltway elites (think media conventional wisdom and Beltway group think).
How will you balance and integrate these perspectives? On what matters will you let the different constituencies have the most influence?
For those of you who aren’t familiar with this upcoming media event, please take a look at this link.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/…..2693.story
Christy, unfortunately, what Lipinski is doing here is what he has done consistently during his time in Congress, he has sided with Bush to the detriment of Democrats and his country.
Thanks Jane, we’re happy to be here.
Loose Head, we’re with you on that — there is no excuse for it.
Mark Pera @ 16
Kirk and Lipinski should get identical treatment from Illinois voters who are sick of the odious Bush agenda.
Reggie, There is no doubt that we’re putting in the work to rally the Democratic vote in this district and we’re doing everything we can to show people we are the only viable DEMOCRATIC candidate in this race. The endorsements and the attention folks like yourself our giving us is going to take us a long way …
Welcome Mr. Pera. Thanks for visiting here today!
As a Prosecutor, though not a Federal Prosecutor, I’d be interested in your take on the problems at the Department of Justice. Obviously you wouldn’t have any direct contact with Federal cases, but there must be a filtering-down of effects in local districts. Thanks!
Carl, I believe in the core values of the Democratic Party. My hope is those constituencies also reflect those values.
Newtonusr, I think it is appalling that Bush has politicized the Justice Department and I am saddened as a prosecutor that the American people now question the impartiality of the Department of Justice.
Is the problem that Americans don’t have insurance? Or don’t have health care?
This is excellent news that someone will run against Lipinski again. In 2006, I canvassed for John Sullivan who ran against him in the primary. Everyone I spoke to disliked Lipinski either for his voting record or the back door way he got into office. (His daddy ran in the primary — the real election — and then resigned his seat to let Jr. run in his place).
Lipinski is a DINO. He votes with the Republicans on important things like the Patriot Act. Anyone who wants to help Mark beat this DINO focus on winning the primary!
Good Luck Mark Pera!
For the people who haven’t met Mark Pera on the campaign trail, at Yearly Kos or some other place, he and his wife bring a great deal of positive energy to campaign events.
Mark, can you give us some sense of how your district has voted in other elections compared to other areas? Is it more similar to Evanston, South Side, downstate, etc. when it comes to Presidential, Senate, and state office elections?
I was very impressed by how eloquently and clearly you slapped down the bogus FISA bill that 40-some-odd rogue Democrats joined the Republicans to pass. Can you let us know how you feel about Bush’s request for another $50 billion to carry out his war agenda?
Carl Nyberg @ 24
The problem is that 47 millions Americans don’t have health insurance, which has left many of them exposed to bankruptcy. Americans may have “access” to health care by walking into an emergency room, but the e.r service they get, they can’t afford.
IL Dem, thanks for your comments. Please contact our office and canvass for us!
Go get ‘em, Mark!
Carl Nyberg @ 6
Carl, that was quite a charge. Since the candidate denies this below your comment, can you explain your basis for saying this?
It was nice of you to compliment the Peras’ positive energy, though.
Carl Nyberg @ 26
Thanks Carl, come join us on Sept. 15 here in Countryside at our offices and celebrate our grand opening — 7061 S. Willow Springs Road.
Major Danby @ 27
In the last two Presidential elections, the district went 60/40 Kerry, 60/40 Gore. This is a winner-take-all primary on Feb. 5.
Howie, Lipinski has authorized funding five times … I will vote against any further operations to continue the war.
Mark Pera @ 35
Meant to say “authorizations” there… Thanks.
Welcome to the Lake Mark! I’m just over in Chicago and very excited to see your race develop!
And your very clear position on funding for more war gets my vote!
I’m in for $25 for Mark at Blue America – hope some pups will match me on this!
Phoenix Woman @ 31
Thanks, we appreciate your support!
Mark, many activists are concerned that if and when the Democrats regain the Presidency and improve our position in Congress in 2008, there may be a mood to move on from the injuries done to our Constitution by this Administration and put them behind us. This seems like an invitation to a future GOP Administration to do the same things over again.
As a prosecutor, what are your views on the need to pursue and punish those in this Administration who have committed crimes, for its deterrent value, regardless of how well it plays with public opinion? To what extent are you willing to face down a party leadership that may think that it’s better just to move on and not cleanse the wounds of the FISA scandal and so on?
Siun @ 37
Thanks for the donation and thanks for sending more people our way…
That’s what happened the last time. They ran a guy named John who had a suprisingly similar Irish surname in the primary. Among other tactics.
Major Danby @ 39
Thanks for the question. As a prosecutor, I believe strongly in the rule of law and if a U.S. Attorney or local prosecutor believe that there has been a violation of the law, they are obliged to investigate it. We’re a nation of laws, we are a nation of law and if people have broken the law, then they need to be held accountable.
When Mark and Leslie Pera appeared at the local DFA (see Proviso Probe) event I understood Leslie as saying she was currently employed as a consultant who was working to privatize the UK health care system.
If I misunderstood, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to get into an antagonistic discussion about the issue, but that’s what I remember of what she said.
This is how I summarized the discussion at the time.
I have not received any negative feedback from Pera’s campaign or from people in attendance about the accuracy of my summary.
I like what I’m hearing.
Donations: Count me in.
Carl Nyberg @ 43
Carl, I have the highest respect for you and I value your counsel. I thought I had written you back about your summary … Regardless I have spent a lot of time thinking about this issue since we met several months and your comments helped me to crystallize my thinking.
egregious @ 44
Thank you!
Major Danby @ 39
I second that question!
Just wanted to re-post this one in case you missed it in the box above:
Carl, I have the highest respect for you and I value your counsel. I thought I had written you back about your summary … Regardless I have spent a lot of time thinking about this issue since we met several months and your comments helped me to crystallize my thinking.
Welcome, future U.S. Representative Pera,
let’s see, uh -
Bill Lipinski – Dan Lipinski
Frank Murkowski – Lisa Murkowski
they even rhyme!
Frank retires from his U.S. Senate seat, to become Alaska’s worst governor, appointing his daughter Lisa to his senate seat, sidestepping a democratic process.
Bill wins the Dem primary, but announces he won’t run, requesting the old-school Chicago Dem machine place his son in his slot, sidestepping a democratic process.
I don’t mind it when Dems steal from the GOP playbook for certain strategies, but the dynasty crap is immoral and anti-democratic.
If I could inject a bit of reality about the 2006 Dem primary in IL-03.
The candidate identified as a shill candidate (Kelly) got more votes than the guy who was talking to all the progressive groups (John Sullivan).
1,592 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Pera:
Thank you for stoppin’ by FDL and for your apparent candor in all things political as it relates to defining partisan labels. My question is simple: have you run into the wall created by the axis of the Chicago machine and Rahm Emmanel’s corrupt operation? That is, have your early donors suffered any intimidation from Daley or the DCCC…has there been any evidence of the Daley goons bein’ sent out in yer district yet?
How can the Democratic Party cut through the axis of evil that is the Daley machine and A*PAC Rahm to make the Illinois delegation a progressive force in the House of Representatives?
KEEP THE FAITH AND REMEMBER, ALL FASCISTS DON’T WEAR COWBOY HATS!!
Mr. Pera, Thanks for being here, and thanks to you and your family for taking this incredibly brave step.
Lipinski proudly puts this picture on his Web site, where he supports “Democrats for Life.” Are we to assume then that you hate Life?
Mark Pera @ 42
Can you give us a sense if, were you on a committee investigating the abuses of FISA, signing statements, etc. — by the way, would you like to be on such a committee — how you would be pursuing people? What would you do, for example, if Bush issues a blanket pardon at the end of his term — make people testify as to who did what in a “Truth and Reconciliation” sort of hearing under penalty of perjury?
One real advantage you have as a candidate is your ability to step right into a significant investigative role, much as Sheldon Whitehouse has been able to do in the Senate. (If all of this is too speculative, though, of course there’s no need to answer.)
Mark, and everyone- If you perform a hard-refresh, you will find the formatting has been corrected.
Mark how much will the mortgage (and housing) mess impact the folks in your are, and how if at all will you address this in your campaign?
LHP I left you a message down stairs.
OOPs, sorry.
When I hit “refresh” I saw you already answered at 42.
Thanx
Mark Pera @ 48
What is your current positon? do you favor the Clinton plan? Do you oppose universal health care?
Ed*ard Teller @ 49
Thanks Edward. The manner in which Lipinski got the seat leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many Democrats in the district and around the country. It is shameful that a sitting Congressman has the audacity to bequeath his seat to his son, who, it was reported, had not lived in the district for 15 years. He was teaching political science in Tennessee at the time. I wonder what chapter in his political science textbook condoned this behavior.
Mark, I know you’ve updated your thinking on health care.
I’m trying to educate myself about your new position.
What is wrong with the status quo in your mind?
What should Congress do to improve the lives of people living in the United States?
Hi folks! Sorry I am coming late to the discussion. Regarding this:
Here’s the thing: if every time the machine puts some shill candidate into the race to split the vote we just give up, then we will NEVER win against them. The machine is weaker than it has ever been. NOW is the time to hit them.
And I disagree with the idea that there is some kind of finite “anti-Lipinski” vote. Though I appreciated John Sullivan’s efforts in the last cycle, he raised $127K for his WHOLE CAMPAIGN. That is NOT a congressional campaign. Lipinski (and the voters in his district) have never SEEN a real congressional campaign. The votes are there, we just have to go and get them.
Mark Pera @ 29
I used to do bankruptcies, up until about the year 2000. At that point, anyone who had been swamped by unexpected medical bills could file a Chapter 7, and get relief from those events over which they had no control. A Trustee looking at a BR Petition which showed, mainly, medical bills would barely even ask questions at the Creditors’ Meeting – and the petitioner would get quick and relatively painless relief. (tempered, of course, by the fact that another Chapter 7 could not be filed again for 7 years) Now – not the case.
All of which is a roundabout way of asking – what’s your position on the state of the law concerning bankruptcy?
bonkers @ 51
I am the proud father of four children and I believe that women have the right to choose and to have control over there reproductive choices. I believe that abortion should be safe, legal and rare. This is contrast to Lipinski who is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape and incest, opposes funding for contraception, and would even oppose the right of a servicewoman serving in Iraq to have access to an abortion. His extremist views on this and many other issues are why we, together, are going to win this seat.
I also want to add the local perspective that Mark Pera has been president of the board of education of Lyons Township High Schools.
The school is well respected as delivering a high quality product at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. And Mark Pera’s leadership of the board of education is particularly well regarded.
This is not true for many local communities in the area. Some school boards and school board members are despised.
Major Danby @ 52
You’re right. It’s too speculative. I can tell you that no one should get a pass from being held accountable for their actions regardless of whether or not they are serving in the Executive Branch.
Richmond @ 54
The folks in my area have been affected as are people throughout the country. We need to put a stop to predatory lending practices.
looseheadprop @ 56
I don’t think Clinton has proposed a plan yet. I am confident that when the Democrats take control of the White House again that we will move forward on universal health care.
If you can, tell us a bit about your campaign. What is the “win” number. How have you broken down some targetting. Where do you see YOUR votes coming from and how do you intend to go get them?
Any endorsements (well, we know you have Blue America)? Any major groups that will give you boots on the ground? I see you screened with DFA, did they endorse you? Any unions yet?
If it is a winner take all primary what are you backwards countdown clock benchmarks and are you hitting them on schedule?
have you screened with the major daily’s yet? how was the outcome?
Carl Nyberg @ 58
I’ve tried to answer this question in terms of bankruptcies and the uninsured.
BTW, my DFA group, Northside DFA, has just endorsed Mark Pera, and we will be traveling down to his campaign HQ next Saturday for the grand opening, and to do some door-to-door action to gather nominating petition signatures.
Here is my blog post announcing the endorsement:
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22117
And if you live on Chicago’s north side and want to car pool with us, you can sign up here:
http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=23560
P.S. Mark, I LOVE your campaign logo. Who did it for you? It is really sharp!
Yoda (a.k.a. Sandra Verthein)
Yoda @ 59
Thanks for the comment. With your help and with the help of many others, we’re confident we can raise the money needed to win this race. We know the votes are out there to win. Keep the Blue America donations coming.
How does one put a stop to predatory lending practices?
What should be done about those who are already on the verge of bankruptcy?
I recently had shoulder surgery – fairly basic rotator cuff fix. It cost almost six times as much as a similarly difficult knee operation on my son just four years earlier. Some of the billing amounts were totally outrageous, and the insurance company took almost seven months to pay some pretty basic bills. Even with what we regard as fairly good insurance, I ended up paying out-of-pocket more than my son’s operation had cost – including the insurance – four years ago.
There is more wrong with this health and medical care system than the problems of lack of insurance for 35 to 40 million Americans, and terribly flawed bankruptcy laws. It is a sick system, gone totally out of control.
Excellent answers, Mr. Pera.
As a father of four with one marriage, how can you possibly win over the “family values” voters, since you haven’t been married several times or not at all? Also, I assume you don’t plan to sleep in your office most nights of the week, which must make for a great marriage between Lipinski and his wife. These are things the self-proclaimed “values voters” apparently cherish.
Best of luck to you!
jayt @ 60
Just as the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies have written our health care laws, the banks and the credit card companies have rewritten our bankruptcy laws to the detriment of citizens. Congress needs to re-look at what Bush has done in this area.
Carl Nyberg @ 62
Thanks Carl, I appreciate it.
Welcome, Sandra. I hadn’t figured out you are Yoda. This is the Sandra who is quoted in the last paragraph of the story on Mark above (the “no brainer” line), the person who inspired me to look into his campaign.
looseheadprop @ 66
Thanks for your interest, but it’s awkward to discuss campaign strategy here on the Internet.
Yoda @ 68
The DFA endorsement was greatly appreciated. The campaign logo IS sharp, a great friend of mine Bob Konold did the logo.
Mark, thanks, I agree with you on stopping the predatory lending as a key to this (ditto on credit cards).
A second question if I could: Considering the amount of big pharma and insurance money involved in maintaining the current health system, how would you strategically work to bring about a universal health program?
rwcole @ 70
Among other things we make sure people are educated and they fully understand what they are signing and that the “fine print” doesn’t contain information that “boomerangs” on people.
bonkers @ 72
Thank you Bonkers.
I like what I’m hearing. Good luck in your campaign. I’m in for $25.
I believe in quality, free education for all. Single payer health care. Environmental protection. Equal pay. Gay rights. Minority rights. Elimination of right to work laws. Restoration of the DOJ. Elimination of the DLC. Overturning NAFTA, CAFTA and a pull out from the WTO. I want our infrastructure rebuilt. I want outsourcing stopped. I want a cap on CEO pay. I want out of Iraq. I want no war with Iran and I want an equitable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And I want teeth put back into the Sherman Anti-Trust act.
Have I left anything out?
How should Congress deliver health insurance to the uninsured?
And improving bankruptcy protection for medical bills is good, but it doesn’t fix the problem for people not getting basic preventive health care.
Cook County government is cutting back on mammograms for poor women. See Proviso Probe. Improving bankruptcy laws doesn’t give on more woman access to a mammogram.
Also Cook County government is eliminating dental care. Poor dental health is linked to heart disease.
Yo FDLers, we talk alot about “walking the talk” around here. Please consider this when contemplating a donation to Pera’s campaign (from a newspaper article):
Now he [Pera] has loaned his congressional campaign $86,261.86, according to a recent filing with Federal Election Commission.
Of that, $65,000 came from a home equity loan on his home…
Donate to Pera here through Blue America.
Richmond @ 78
Massachusetts is a great example. The stakeholders need to be brought together to create the solution.
Alicia @ 81
Thank you Alicia!
We’re quickly approaching $20,000 on Act Blue. Could you get us there today? Thanks.
Just as the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies have written our health care laws, the banks and the credit card companies have rewritten our bankruptcy laws to the detriment of citizens. Congress needs to re-look at what Bush has done in this area.
Well stated. This should be a country of the people and by the people.
bonkers @ 84
That means a lot to us. Thank you again Bonkers!
I think a major theme in this campaign, and I think you’ll agree with me, is privacy — whether it be a woman’s right to choose, warrantless wiretaps, or Terri Schiavo. Lipinski has consistently voted with Bush and against the privacy interests of American citizens.
A friend of mine and I were talking about what we really need from our congresspeople on health care. Especially our potential new freshmen like Mark.
I think the #1 thing we need them to do is to fight like hell for whatever program our new Dem president introduces, and with any luck that will be Edwards and it will be a program for universal health care (which I know Mark favors).
I don’t think we are short on ideas about how to fix health care. What we lack is the firepower to get even the simplest things done on this issue.
What I would like to ask Mark to do is to BE THAT FIREPOWER. And if the way he has attacked this campaign is any indication, I have a very good feeling that he will be able to make sure that we actually get it done.
Yoda @ 90
It is certainly all of our hopes and expectation that a Democrat will win the White House and I will be a strong voice in the House, fighting for the comprehensive health care plan that we need.
howieklein @ 76
Hi Howie! Glad to be of service!
I couldn’t decide if I should log in as Yoda or under my real name, but decided on Yoda as that is what I use over at Prairie State Blue. Which is the greatest blog in the world, BTW. ;-)
I’m in for $25 (10%) tip.
Good luck, Mark.
For anyone out there who doesn’t know, I have been the supervisor of the Environment and Energy Division at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. In that capacity I have fought big utilities and polluters. Lipinski voted with Bush on the big energy bill that gave massive tax breaks to the oil companies and provided for oil drilling in Alaska.
Jonathan @ 94
Thanks Jonathan.
While we have a break in the action, I want to tell everyone that I’m a 25 year resident of the community, President of the Lyons Township High School Board of Education and have coached more basketball, baseball and soccer games than I can begin to count. My wife and I have raised our children with a commitment to service, hard work and integrity. With your help, I will take these same qualities with me to Congress.
Mark Pera @ 74
And, will you support a return to the pre-Bush regs?
Richmond @ 98
I can’t give a blank check. Maybe there are conditions within the pre-Bush regs that need strengthening on behalf of consumers.
Siun @ 37
I’m in for $50.
Good luck, Mark.
Mauimom @ 100
That’s great. Thank you!
OK, I’m in, and a slice for Blue America.
Thanks again, Howie, and best of luck Mark!
Thanks Mark for the Mortgage answer. My concern with the “education” part of it, is that too many people get swayed by the lenders. In the past there were rules that you couldn’t borrow past a certain amount if you did not have the salary or collatoral. If banks made such loans, they would have problems. Isn’t that a better way to go?
newtonusr @ 102
Newtonusr, Thank you very much.
Mark,
There hasn’t been much discussion yet of the occupation of Iraq and the prospect of an invasion and/or bombing or Iran. Can you give your views on both?
I just dropped $50 (plus 5% tip) on the Blue America page, both to support Mark and to thank Howie and FDL for setting this up. So please, others, do the same, in whatever ammount you can afford.
http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08
Richmond @ 103
People got into trouble because predatory lenders were not following the rules because they were not being enforced. As a result, consumers were allowed to borrow beyond their means.
Yoda @ 106
Thank you!
Public financing of elections. That’s the ticket.
Mark, you previously ran for Illinois state legislature, and if I remember correctly lost by narrow margin. Perhaps you could comment a bit about what you learned from that race? And maybe say a bit about the local political landscape?
I believe that the totally unnecessary war in Iraq will probably go down in history as one of our worst foreign policy blunders. Our children will be paying the price for this war.
In regard to Iran, Lipinski once again voted with Bush, allowing Bush to go to war with Iran without Congressional authorization. This is a clear example of Lipinski’s abdication of his responsibility to represent the Democratic position. What’s worse is he gave this authority to Bush.
I’m in for $25.
Good luck, Mark.
Mark Pera @ 107
Thanks Mark.
Forgot to say I kicked in a 5% tip.
Mark, I’ll put you on my own ActBlue page, which I send to friends to make them aware of good candidates & solicit their support.
There’s some “room,” because I had to kick off a few folks for whom I solicited donations in 2006 but who didn’t turn out as I would have liked.
However, all my money for Dems go straight through ActBlue, NOT DCCC or DSCC.
Again, best wishes & good luck.
We only have half an hour left and I’d like to see the number of donors investing in Mark’s campaign go up some. I’ll be happy to match all the $5 donations that come in between now and midnight (Hawaii time). I know you’ve heard it from me before if you’re a FDL regular, but it’s the aggregation of all the $5 and $10 contributions which have helped so many of our candidates be able to run the ads and print the signs they need to get their messages out and stay competitive with the reactionaries– of whichever party– who are backing Bush’s agenda and policies. If you feel, like I do, that Mark is a candidate whose message deserves to get out so that the people in his district know there is a real choice and that they are not just stuck with Bush Dog Lipinski, kick down $5 and see it doubled. If 10 people give $5 each, my match will give Mark’s campaign another $100. That sounds like a couple of cable TV spots to me.
Are you satisfied with the air quality in district 3? When I have driven into Chicago around Gary “Scary” one wonders about the health issues in the region.
Yoda @ 110
It was a great experience. I didn’t win, but I learned about how to run an effective campaign. I made a lot of great friends along the way.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 109
Now there’s an idea! And another question. Mark, if elected would you sign on to the House version of Senator Durbin’s Fair Elections legislation, which provides for public financing of federal campaigns?
Here is a link to the bill:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/…..01614:@@@X
I see that our friend, Mr. Lipinski, has not signed on, though several other Illinois Dems have (Schakowky, Davis, Gutierrez, Jackson).
Mauimom @ 114
Thanks for your thoughts and your contribution. We appreciate the “add” to your Act Blue page. That’s great.
Just for you, Howie, I’m dragging my husband over there to make a contribution.
As your “match,” could you please-mail me [@aol.com] to discuss a candidate I’d like to introduce you to.
howieklein @ 115
Howie, I can’t thank you enough for your generous offer and everything you’ve done for us. The post you put up on your Web site is great. I hope everyone gets to take a look at it.
Kathleen @ 116
Thanks Kathleen. I am concerned about air quality throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. In the State’s Attorney’s office, I was part of the team that successfully filed law suits to shut down an oil refinery in Blue Island and an asphalt plant in Hillside.
Major Danby @ 105
Flynt Leverett is the best man on Iran. Flynt quit the Bush administration before the invasion of Iraq based on the lies they were telling.
http://www.cfr.org/publication/10326/
What we wanted to tell you about Iran
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12…..mp;emc=rss
Yoda @ 118
I respect a number of the people who have signed on, but this is a learning experience and I need to look into this legislation further. I generally support public financing for campaigns.
Immigration issues in District 3. What will be your approach?
Kathleen @ 127
Thanks for the question Kathleen.
Everyone agrees that we need to secure our borders to protect us against terrorism. We need to know who is entering our country.
In addition, I strongly believe we need to do everything we can to protect the sanctity of families. I would, given a Democratic President, expect that comprehensive immigration reform will be on the agenda in 2009 or 2010.
1,592 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizens howieklein and Mark Pera:
I’m ready ta drop a few dollars I can’t afford but I need some kinda answer to my question about what experience Mark has had with Daley-Emmanuel so far.
KEEP THE FAITH AND DO IT TO THEM BEFORE THEY DO IT TO US AGAIN!!
NorskeFlamethrower @ 129
Thanks for your question. Truthfully, I haven’t had a discussion with Mayor Daley or Rep. Emmanuel. We’re casting as wide a net as possible to build this campaign, that includes reaching out to a number of communities, including the immigrant community the progressive community and the netroots community, in order to bring as many people into the process as possible. It’s time for change. We can’t be afraid of politics as usual.
Mark, thanks for coming and spending some time with us today and for answering all our questions. Keep us informed as the race proceeds and we’ll try to figure out how else we can help out. I hope you’ll come back and celebrate with us after you win the primary. You don’t think there’s any chance Lipinski would pull a Lieberman and run as an independent, do you?
In closing, I want to thank Howie for this opportunity to chat with everyone who participated and everyone who blogged on today.
I hope you keep checking our Web site — http://www.PERA08.com — and keep following all the blog posts about this race. If we miss any, please point them out to us.
To stay in touch, sign up for our newsletter, which we send out regularly.
We want you to keep the energy up and keep us posted on this issues you want to hear more about.
Also, keep sending money our way — Howie is generously matching every $5 contribution.
If you have friends in Illinois make sure they know about us. If you live in the Chicagoland area, come see us on Sept. 15 when we celebrate the grand opening of our campaign headquarters.
If you live in the district, nomination petitions are up on the Web site and you can download and circulate them in your neighborhood.
Thanks again to everyone. Enjoy your weekend!
Citizen Pera:
Thanx fer the answer, I gotcha fer $25
howieklein @ 131
I would think that is very unlikely…
NorskeFlamethrower @ 133
That is terrific. Thank you!
cant get on to donate at the moment~guess it’s those folks trying to get all our names down~but I will keep trying.
Thanks Mark- you sound so grounded.
ruffian @ 134
Are you trying this link? Works now.
newtonusr @ 135
Thanks. Please visit http://www.PERA08.com and give us your information so we can all stay in touch.
New thread The Last Refuge
Nice job everyone; great thread, great candidate. I especially admire your passion for the rule of law, Mr. Pera. It is so woefully absent in these trying times. Best of luck to you.
got it!!
And ditto on the Rule of Law~ Its like, uh, basic man
Welcome Mark and best of luck to you.
(attn mods. Mr. Pera’s campaign website link in comment needs editing to remove the “,” at the end. Clicking it to go to the website results in an error. You may also remove this comment if you wish)
happy monkey @ 140
Thanks for the pick-up. Should be fixed now.