I think it’s beyond dispute that no one is happy with the Democratic or Republican candidates for Governor. Rod Blagojevich is beset by scandal. Judy Barr Topinka is “Republican” in name only. Many are looking for an alternative candidate, and I’m no exception.
The obvious choice, some say, is Green Party candidate Rich Whitney, who’s actually on the ballot with Blagojevich and Topinka, even if they won’t let him debate them. I’ve checked out his platform and he does have some positions that I find attractive (for instance, he’s pro-rail, anti-gambling, and supports a moratorium on genetically-modified foods in his ag policy). However, most of his positions are what one could call “left of center.”
In fact, that’s my major problem with the governor’s race overall. It looks more like a Democratic primary than a general election. This is especially pronounced when it comes to so-called “family values” issues. All three candidates on the ballot agree: they’re all pro-choice and anti-marriage-amendment.
So, I find myself looking around and thinking, who else? Am I really going to have to hold my nose and vote for the least offensive candidate instead of someone I can genuinely support?
As it turns out, there is another choice: Randy Stufflebeam. He’s a write-in candidate for governor on the Constitution Party ticket. Randy was born in Chicago, but raised downstate in Canton, Illinois. He served in the United States Marine Corp for over 22 years, retiring in 2003.
Some may be tempted to pigeonhole Randy as a typical evangelical Republican candidate. While he does support some traditionally Republican stances (pro-life, pro-family, pro-school-choice), you may be surprised to learn that he’s also against NAFTA, CAFTA, and other such agreements because he believes they ultimately hurt U.S. workers — Illinois farmers, to name just one example. That’s a predominantly Democratic position, and one with which I agree.
On an issue that perhaps strikes a little closer to home, Randy supports tort reform to protect doctors from frivolous lawsuits; if doctors’ exposure to liability can be reduced, insurance rates would be lowered as a result, making health-care more affordable for everyone. To combat Illinois’ well-earned reputation for political corruption, Randy also has vowed not to take money from those doing business with the state of Illinois, and would eliminate no-bid contracts.
Do I agree with Stufflebeam’s stance on every issue? No. For example, I think his education plan doesn’t adequately address funding equity across affluent and poor communities. But do I agree with him on more issues than I agree with Blagojevich, Topinka, and Whitney? You bet. And really, who’s ever going to find a candidate with whom you’re in 100% agreement, unless you run for office yourself?
Some may view a vote for Stufflebeam as “throwing your vote away.” In one sense, that’s a fair criticism. I’m under no illusion that Stufflebeam — or any write-in candidate for that matter — is going to get much of a showing in this race. But on the other hand, if we all keep voting for one of the two major parties even when we think the candidates stink, I would contend that those votes are just as wasted. In both cases, you don’t get who you really want in office.
I’m not going to throw my vote away by voting for someone I can’t endorse. Thus, my endorsement goes to Randy Stufflebeam for Governor. He’s someone I can vote for.
C. J. How do you write in a candidate? I think it would be helpful to explain this process.
Good idea. I’ll use Stufflebeam as an example of how you’d cast a write-in vote. I would recommend talking to the election judge first. Ask to see the official write-in list to (a) verify he’s on it — which he should be, as he submitted the required form weeks ago — and (b) make sure you know how to spell his name. You will be required to write in his first and last name as they appear on the write-in list. If you don’t, it will spoil your ballot.
Next, ask the election judge for instructions on how to write in a candidate on your ballot. If you’re voting in Peoria County, I’m afraid it’s kind of a hassle due to the new electronic voting machines. For an example, you can use this simulation of the eSlate voting machines used by the County. In their simulation, there are no write-in candidates on the first page, but there is one on the second page. When you choose it, you are shown a page with all the letters of the alphabet — you have to scroll to each of the letters — one at a time — to spell out the write-in candidate’s name. With a long name like “Randy Stufflebeam,” it’s not too bad, but a bit of a hassle, like I said. Double-check to make sure you spelled it right.
Stufflebeam’s website has instructions you can print off and take to the polling place with you.
CJ: I agree — if nothing changes nothing changes. Voting for someone who best aligns with your own values if casting a vote of integrity regardless of the outcome. Count two for Stufflebeam!
Besides each vote added to another and another and so on — that is how change is effected — one person, one vote on to victory!
Heck, why NOT Stufflebeam? For that matter, let’s go through the phone book, and I’ll come up with a few dozen other names that would make damned good Governors for Illinois, too… No doubt that Stufflebeam is eminently qualified to handle such a low-pressure job… If we can get the word out quickly enough, maybe he can get 294 votes or so… THEN we’ll make a point!
Even though you’re being sarcastic, the truth is that this year you really could go through the phone book and “come up with a few dozen other names” that would make better governors than the two front-runners.
I’m not really trying to “make a point” with anyone. I’m just trying to vote with a clean conscience. Why should I vote for someone I dislike?
CJ, “dislike” has nothing to do with it. I would ask you, “Why vote for someone who does not have the experience to even come CLOSE to hitting the ground running for GOVERNOR of Illinois?” Again, I think you need to vote for who can keep the engine running… not someone who will not be able to get ANYTHING done at that level. Come on, let’s get serious… what on EARTH do you think would happen in Illinois if Whitney or Stufflebeam WERE elected? The Dems and Republicans in the House and Senate would hoot and holler about the wonderful change at the top? Yeah, RIGHT.
This whole fairyland la-la dee dah shoombah happy hoo-hah CRAP about voting for someone other than Rod or Topinka is nothing more than nursery school baby vomit. CJ, you ARE trying to make a point by even floating a guy like Stufflebeam’s name out there as a SERIOUS vote. Again, I reiterate “SERIOUS.” He has no more business running for Governor of Illinois than the butcher at Schnuck’s does… and yet, you’re on here putting his name out as someone to SERIOUSLY vote for.
You call it what you want. I call it just “Silly.”
Just plain old “Silly.”
Other than that, I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.
So call it silly, if you want.
I would remind you, however that the only requirements to be Governor according to the Illinois Constitution are that “a person must be a United States citizen, at least 25 years old, and a resident of this State for the three years preceding his election.” (Art. V, Sec. 3) Whitney and Stufflebeam both meet those requirements.
I understand there’s value to having experience in politics and knowing how the system works from the inside and all that. But to add such experience as a prerequisite to running for Governor is a slap in the face to our Constitution. If our founding fathers had felt that such experience was essential to running the state, they could have written that into the requirements. For some reason, they declined to codify a meritocracy.
I’m just curious, under the Prego Man requirements, what experience would you accept? Time served in the general assembly, like Topinka and Blagojevich? Or that they be state’s attorney for ten years like Birkett? How about serving on the state board of education like Gidwitz? Does that count? How about a successful businessman like Oberweis? Do you support a plutocracy?
Of course, by our state constitution’s “silly” standards, they’re all eligible and equally qualified.
What would happen if Whitney or Stufflebeam won? I don’t know. You’re right that the Democrats and Republicans wouldn’t be happy. But outside of that, I don’t know what would happen. Maybe the government would come to a standstill. Maybe they would be able to work with both sides of the aisle more effectively since they themselves are not part of either party. We’ll most likely never know.
On the other hand, I can tell you from experience what will happen if/when Blagojevich or Topinka wins: more of the same. Status quo. More casinos. More corruption. More pay to play.
I don’t want to “keep the engine running” if we keep going in the wrong direction. That, my friend, is just plain old silly.
Well, then we’ll just all throw our hands up in the air, as from your perspective, this is a clear “no-win” situation. We just close up the doors to Illinois, say that we’re as “corrupt as hell,” and that our only alternativess are a dude who was a Marine for 22 years and a gung-ho Law Professor in Carbondale.
You can get sucked into the “corruption” angle as far as you want (as the Right-leaning Journal Star wants you to), or you can accept that some amount of that stuff is going to happen anyhow, take off your Pollyanna curls and move on. Bottom line is this… none of the third party candidates could get a THING done, corrupt or not, in Springfield, if elected. You make your choice. But, let’s be realistic about it. Or, everyone can keep their Pollyanna curls well clipped onto their noggins.
Prego – there are a number of Green Party folks already serving in Springfield, FYI. Not a lot, but they’re there. And CJ makes an interesting point, maybe Dems and Repubs would be more willing to work with a Green as he isn’t beholden to either party.
Have you ever been in this situation? Have you ever lived someplace where a third party got elected over the two major parties? Unless you can actually speak to some experience with this, you’re just blowing a lot more hot air.
Every day I talk to someone new about Rich Whitney and everyday, Rich gets another vote.
Prego,
Yes it is true, Whitney, Stufflebeam, and other write in, DO NOT have the depth of experience at screwing up Illinois government and politics, that Blago and Topinka have. Better the guy you know will certainly screw things up than the guy you don’t who might not.
Prego, if a having third-party governor meant that nothing will get done, I’d consider that a plus! This state, just like every other, has way too many laws already; yet, somehow, the government finds ways to keep passing more of them. A stagnant gov’t might help the situation, although I’d rather have a gov’t that is actively repealing the mistakes of the past.
If you’re worried that Illinois might suddenly fall into disrepair and lose all ability to function, you clearly haven’t been around enough bureaucracy; they generally have enough inertia to carry on just fine without any action from the top. :-/
Randy Stufflebeam is qualified to be Governor, how qualified do you have to be to not balance a budget and be corrupt, just as Rod or Judy! Randy is pro life, pro family, pro 1st and 2nd amendments, pro education, pro veteran, pro acountability, pro private property, anti same sex marriage, anti corruption, anti illegal imigration, to find out how where he stands on the rest of the issues check out http://www.runrandyrun.com
Randy you have my full suport and vote!
It’s good to see that Fairyland is alive and well, here at Peoria Chronicle.
Had I known that Randy Stufflebeam’s beliefs made HIM Governor material, I would have had my minister run.
Prego Man,
That may not have been a bad idea. In fact, it may have been a fabulous idea. One of the most important men influencing the creation of the Constitution of the United States of America, the man quoted as saying, “give me liberty or give me death.” was Patrick Henry — A Minister.
Talk about living in Fairyland. This country was founded on those principles which incidently is exactly why you have the freedom to rail against another principled man the way you are.
Maybe it’s time to get honest men and women into government, instead of the same ole secularists who have brought us to the brink of bankruptcy and destruction. Secularists who believe in redistribution of wealth, have done nothing to improve education, driven jobs out of our state, endorsed the murder of untold thousands of unborn children.
Yeah, maybe you should have had your minister run for office. It’s not too late. We’re not quite over the cliff yet. Go ahead, encourage your minister to run!! I dare ya!
Patriotic Jones
Uhm, Patriotic… your version of America was not only over 200 years ago, but also about 295 million people ago. In case you don’t already know… things have changed.
Yep, Fairyland still has that cubicle with your name on it.
Patrick Henry was a lawyer.. never a Minister. He was however very involved in religious freedom issues and cases. The cases he argued and the legislation he advocated had very different motivations than todays religiously motivated politicians. Most of our founding fathers were deists, which today would probably be viewed as secularlists.
A vote for someone you believe in is never wasted. Besides, under Illinois Election Code, whenever a party receives 5 percent or more of the vote it establishes them as a major party.
I have met Randy Stufflebeam. I have never served in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines. I’m just a Lifelong Illinoisan resident baby boomer, born in Chicago and now in the Northwest suburbs. I have yet to meet Judy Topinka, Rod Blagojevich or Rich Whitney. I like Randy beacuse he would not support a choice to abort me or you. Judy would Rod would. So would Melissa Bean and tammy Duckworth. Randy also supports only one man to only one woman marriages. Most Illinoisans do also. Judy, Rod and Rich all support allowing state same-sex civil unions (state gay marriages). Randy wants accountability and balanced budgets in Illinois. The state controlled Democrats of Cook County, Chicago and the state Legislature all have given Illinoisans massive debt and LESS accountability. Do what is best for families, taxpayers, farmers, city dwellers, ans Suburban and Rural Illinois by casting a write-in vote for Randy Stufflebeam (again spelled S T U F F L E B E A M) and learn how at http://www.runrandy run.com and tell others to do the same.
I have met Randy Stufflebeam. I have never served in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines. I’m just a Lifelong Illinoisan resident baby boomer, born in Chicago and now in the Northwest suburbs. I have yet to meet Judy Topinka, Rod Blagojevich or Rich Whitney. I like Randy beacuse he would not support a choice to abort me or you. Judy would Rod would. So would Melissa Bean and tammy Duckworth. Randy also supports only one man to only one woman marriages. Most Illinoisans do also. Judy, Rod and Rich all support allowing state same-sex civil unions (state gay marriages). Randy wants accountability and balanced budgets in Illinois. The state controlled Democrats of Cook County, Chicago and the state Legislature all have given Illinoisans massive debt and LESS accountability. Do what is best for families, taxpayers, farmers, city dwellers, ans Suburban and Rural Illinois by casting a write-in vote for Randy Stufflebeam (again spelled S T U F F L E B E A M) and learn how at http://www.runrandyrun.com and tell others to do the same.
Do you feel like there are no candidates running for governor that represent your values? If you feel this way you are not alone. It is no secret that many people are dissatisfied with the choices for governor on the ballot. However there is another choice, you can vote for Randy Stufflebeam. He is running as a write in candidate for governor of Illinois. He is different from the three candidates on the ballot because he shares the values of the middle-class. Randy is a twenty-two year retired veteran of the Marines. He is the only candidate running for governor that is pro life and against same sex marriage. He has received endorsements from the Illinois Federation for Right to Life and the National Constitution Party’s Veteran Coalition. He believes that people in public offices should be held accountable for their actions. He supports the state and federal constitution, specifically the right to bare arms and private property. He wants parents to have more say in what their children are taught at school and will make sure that the money for education will actually get there. Randy opposes the state and federal income-tax, illegal immigration, pornography, drug abuse, and judicial tyranny. To find out where Randy stands on the issues and his plans for cleaning up Illinois go to http://www.runrandyrun.com