Idealism -- Integrity -- Independence
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NTD NEWS    June 27, 2018
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This morning, I started the day thinking I would write about the disturbing activities on our southern border where children have been separated from their mothers and fathers in the name of national policy.  
     Then I got word that, last night, a convincing majority of the Wilmette Village Board voted to opt-in to Cook County's minimum wage adjustment schedule. This is especially newsworthy, considering the progressive vs. conservative principles that underlie this debate. (The opt in for a mandatory sick leave allowance was voted down.)
     Then later this morning I learned that Supreme Court Justice and sometimes "swing voter" Anthony Kennedy will be retiring as of July 31. At this point in our history this is definitely not good news.  
     So...I could keep things simple by just choosing one of those topics. However, I'm going to try to comment briefly on each because I believe that, in a general way, they are all connected.
     I'll start with last night's minimum wage opt-in vote in Wilmette. On the surface this was simply a local debate about whether village businesses could handle increasing the minimum wage they pay their employees. A number of the businesses and the local Chamber of Commerce asserted the increase would be burdensome and even damaging.
     On the other hand, opt-in advocates pointed out that most local businesses already pay their valued employees more than minimum; the present minimum wage has been in place for eight years while the cost of living has increased; other communities that opted in last year have not experienced the Chamber's predicted economic disaster; and, bottom line, raising the minimum after eight years was the right thing to do. -- The majority of Wilmette's Board agreed with such reasoning.  
     This morning's announcement by Justice Kennedy threw a bit of cold water on my warm feelings about the Wilmette news. Although he was hardly a liberal justice, he did vote for social changes that would likely have been rejected if he possessed more of the Scalia or Alito understanding of individual rights. (In the future, look out Roe v. Wade.) 
     Now Chief Justice Roberts, with his boyish looks, charming smile and Federalist Society morality is enjoying the possibility of gaining a locked-in conservative majority in his court for years to come. This bodes well for Americans dreaming of a future of unfettered free enterprise with an absence of government intrusion. Unfortunately, in the long run, this is not a healthy prescription for a democracy.  
     Here at home, I'm sure that some of the opponents of Cook County's mandated minimum wage schedule view it as a despicable government invasion. (The workers trying to get along on $8.25 an hour probably disagree.) And I'm guessing that if the SCOTUS had been running the meeting last night in Wilmette, they would have rejected the opt-in 5-4.  
     This is where the United States is today. The philosophical argument over what American values should represent is being debated, even at our most local levels of government, and not just in the area of commerce.      At its best, the United States is a capitalist democracy encouraging free enterprise within moral boundaries. Yes, there will always be a tension between the expectations of businesses pursuing profits and individual workers expecting to receive fair treatment as participants in the system. -- But I believe that a fair-minded approach to business and worker relations can only lead to a stronger society and economy.  
     Such thoughts lead me back to the situation on our southern border with its flood of Central Americans seeking asylum from nightmarish situations. It's one more story with American business at its center. A few days ago the wonderful international reporter Georgie Anne Geyer
wrote a Sun Times guest column entitled, "U.S. support for brutal Central American dictators led to today's border crisis." I was heartened to see that headline since almost no-one was talking about why so many families have risked their lives to flee from their homelands.  
     For more than a century, the United States has played a big role in the Central American mess. Our unchanging national policy has been to keep governments in power that were friendly to our nation's business interests, no matter how terrible those governments were. U.S business profits always trumped Central American human rights.  
     The Cold War against communism justified further support of oppressors. When that "war" ended, we did nothing to urge reforms. In El Salvador we supported rulers that sponsored death squads to murder anyone opposing them. We looked the other way in Honduras when reform-advocating priests and nuns were murdered. The peasants in Guatemala, embattled for 20 years, lost 200,000 lives. They still don't have an honest democracy.  
     This decades-long turmoil has produced a hopeless, crushing nightmare for many in those societies. Lawless behavior has become a way to survive. Vicious gangs rule large areas. Cooperation between criminals, the police and the military leaves the poor with no possibility of a decent, safe life for their families.  
     Wouldn't you want to get away from that?  
     Our President Trump says he wants immigrants allowed into our country based on their merit -- scientists, doctors, engineers. But what could be more beneficial to our country than an influx of totally committed mothers and fathers? People so dedicated to their children that they would risk everything, traveling 2000 dangerous miles to give their families better lives. That's the kind of "merit" that made our country great from its beginning. -- And by the way, those immigrants were good for American business too.
 
                                                                           Nels Howard
                                                                           NTDO member since 1973   
 
P.S. I urge you to Google Georgie Anne Geyer to track down her article on Central America. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the Federalist Society, Google them to read what they stand for. You will understand Chief Justice Roberts more clearly. 
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Monday, July 16th 

It's the ANNUAL NEW TRIER DEMOCRATS
MEET AND GREET 
at AVLI ESTIATORIO

566 Chestnut, Winnetka 
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm




Delicious Greek nibbles, refreshing drinks
and lots of liberal conversation
with fellow Democrats, office holders and candidates.
Don't miss this event!

 

Other events of interest:
  
Thursday Night, June 28 in Chicago - Reception for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza with Jason Kander

When: Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Where:  Chicago location to be determined
What: A reception supporting Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza featuring special guest Jason Kander, founder of Let America Vote. Susana is a member of the Let America Vote board. For additional information or to RSVP,  register online  or email Katy at [email protected] or call 312-600-9496.
 
 
 
This Saturday, June 30 -  Visit New Trier Democrats at the Glencoe Sidewalk Sale

When: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Where: Downtown Glencoe
What: Visit New Trier Democrats at their booth during the Glencoe Sidewalk Sale. We would love to see you - whether to chat politics, sign up to become a member, check out local volunteering opportunities or fill out a political survey. If you are interested in volunteering to work our booth for this or any other Sidewalk Sale, please contact Joan at [email protected].
 
This Saturday, June 30 in Riverwoods - Women for Bob Morgan Luncheon

When: Saturday, June 30, 2018 from 11:30am to 1:30pm Bob Morgan Where: Ravinia Green Country Club, 1200 Saunders Rd., Riverwoods
What: A luncheon in support of Bob Morgan, Democratic nominee for state representative, 58th District.  Special Guest: Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan Governor and current CNN political contributor. For additional information or to RSVP,  register online or email [email protected].

Monday, July 16 in Chicago - Second Annual Women's Rights & Resistance Lunch

When: Monday, July 16, 2018 at 10:30am (doors opens), program begins promptly at 11:30am
Where: Revel Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
What: Second Annual Women's Rights and Resistance Lunch hosted by JB and Juliana. Keynote speaker will be provided at a later date. The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. RSVP is required to attend. RSVP to [email protected].
 
Monday, July 16 in Chicago -  League of Women Voters "Food for Thought" Lunch with David Orr

When: Monday, July 16, 2018 from 11:30am to 1:00pm
Where: DePaul Club, DePaul University Center, 11th Floor, 1 E. Jackson, Chicago (corner of State Street and Jackson)
What: The League of Women Voters of Cook County presents a program on different aspects of Cook County government - with food!  Featured speaker: Cook County Clerk David Orr.  He will talk about what he is working on now and what he would like to see happen in the future. Proceeds benefit the League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund. Reservations are required.   Register online or for questions, call Priscilla Mims at 312-861-0166.

Save The Date!
 
2018  New Trier Democrats' Events


Saturday, June 30, 2018
Visit New Trier Democrats at the Glencoe Sidewalk Sale

Friday & Saturday, July 13-14, 2018
Visit New Trier Democrats at the Winnetka Sidewalk Sale

Monday, July 16, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Annual Meet & Greet at Avli in Winnetka

Friday & Saturday, July 20-21, 2018
Visit New Trier Democrats at Wilmette Summerfest & Sidewalk Sale 

Saturday, September 8, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Annual Meeting and Picnic at Mallinckrodt Center

Sunday, October 14, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Annual Dinner at Maggiano's in Skokie

Thursday, December 13, 2018
New Trier Democrats' Holiday Party at Wilmette Wine Cellar
 
Your Legislators:


Legislators Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in 
Washington, Springfield and Cook County 
 



You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. --
And they want to be hearing a lot from you. 
     The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start. 
 
Jan Schakowsky , 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative  and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe. 

Brad Schneider , 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe.
     
Daniel Biss,   State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
  
Julie Morrison, State Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.   

Robyn Gabel, IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
 
Laura Fine , IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.

Scott Drury ,  IL 58th District State Representative. 
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.

Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships. 
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Sincerely,
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Contact: [email protected].

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