In 1990, as the father of two young daughters, I realized that our public schools were becoming increasingly troubled. As my wife and I approached the time to enroll the first of our two daughters in kindergarten, we listened carefully as concerned parents noted with dismay what was happening in their children’s classrooms. First, there was the new math that hardly anyone could understand, including the teachers. The new goal, it seemed, was to teach why math worked the way it did rather than help students learn how to do it. Second, sight reading was adopted at the cost of phonics. Rather than sounding out words based on letters, students were taught to recognize whole words. Unfortunately, if students had never encountered a given word before and did not immediately recognize it, they might just as well have been looking at Greek. As a result, hardly anyone was learning how to read. Before long, cursive writing disappeared from the school curriculum because it was deemed too complicated. Cursive writing, once a common patrimony, became little more than hieroglyphics to the latter generation of students who could only read block letters. (Click on the title above to continue if necessary.)

Almost everyone knows what a pendulum is. In its simplest form, a pendulum is a weight attached to a string. The string is anchored firmly at some point above the weight. When the weight is set in motion, it freely oscillates left and right under the influence of gravity. The pendulum is a good analogy for analyzing politics. Let’s look at a hypothetical political pendulum and see what we can learn from it. (Click on the title above to continue if necessary.)

Until recently, it was easy to distinguish conservatives from liberals. Conservatives told us how to run our lives. They promoted self-dependence and self-sufficiency. They urged virtuous behavior and regulated vice. They told us that good things would come to us if only we worked hard. A characteristic saying might have been, “God helps those who help themselves.” Unfortunately, that wasn’t a popular message, and the number of conservatives began to shrink, as would be expected. (Click on the title above if necessary to continue.)

The great divide between Republicans and Democrats results from political extremism. A generation ago, both parties agreed about the goodness of America. Today, Democrats believe that the United States is a terrible country in desperate need of reform, while Republicans believe America is a wonderful place in need of protection. Issue by issue, the extremes of our political spectrum appear as far apart as the East is from the West, and “the twain shall never meet.” It doesn’t have to be this way. It is possible that we can find and share common ground to the benefit of all. (Click on the title title above to continue if necessary.)

Republican Party Chair Dennis Grundler: ‘Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White Delivered on Her Promise.’

Judicial Supports of the MCGOP
Judge Amy Lannerd, Justice Lisa Holder White,
Chairman Dennis Grundler, Judge Eugene Doherty

McLean County Republican Party leaders Dennis Grundler (Chairman) and Connie Beard (immediate past Chair) agree that Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White delivered on her promise to give an inspiring and informative presentation at the Party’s October 27 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. Attendees strongly agreed if their strong ovation following Justice White’s presentation was any indication. Cities 92.9 FM radio personalities Cat Petersen and Ty Smith interviewed Justice White in an on-stage, sit-down setting. (Click on the title above to continue reading if necessary.)

By definition, an issue is something that people legitimately disagree about. A broken-down car or a cancer diagnosis are not issues; they are problems in need of solutions. Politics is the fine art of solving problems, many resulting from issues. Issues frequently arise because of differences in political, social, or moral values – something beyond the ability of politicians to resolve. Still, there is a two-thousand-year-old bit of advice that can help solve today’s nearly irreconcilable problems associated with issues of a political nature. (Click on the title to continue reading if necessary.)

Representing McLean County were Cat Petersen, Norma Brown,
Connie Beard, Joanne Knipmeyer and Chelsie Leffelmen

“I know moving forward, all I learned with Lincoln Series will impact me and my involvement as a Republican leader,” noted 2023 program graduate Joanne Knipmeyer. She should be well prepared. The Lincoln Series is the foremost educational and preparatory leadership initiative for Republican Women. This program equips participants with essential tools, knowledge, and a broad statewide network, fostering purposeful leadership development. (Click on title to continue if necessary.)

Connie Beard, Denbesten Real Estate
Former McLean County GOP Chair

Current Illinois homeowners, as well as would-be homeowners, are facing significant challenges due to the tax-and-spend policies of the federal and state Democrat administrations. The most critical challenges are due to higher prices, rising interest rates, competition for limited housing, and growing real estate taxes. "Illinois housing market is facing several challenges," according to Connie Beard, a Denbesten Real Estate agent and former chair of the McLean County Republicans. (Click on the title above to continue if necessary.)

Carl Wenning
MCGOP Communications Manager

McLean County Republicans Communications Manager Carl Wenning stated recently that “The Protect Illinois Communities Act will criminalize otherwise law-abiding citizens for doing nothing.” The Act mandates the registration by owners of certain firearms that the Act defines as “assault weapons." The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024. (Click on the above title to continue if necessary.)