Question of the day
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* State Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) wants a privately funded statue of Ronald Reagan somewhere in or around the Illinois Statehouse…
“Everyone knows about our extensive Lincoln heritage and President Grant’s military prowess, but they often forget that Ronald Reagan is the only Illinois-born man to reach the White House,” LaHood said. “Currently, the Capitol features prominent statues of Lincoln and Grant, but it’s time for President Reagan to have his place at the Illinois Capitol.”
LaHood and other lawmakers are seeking to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of President Reagan’s death on June 5, with a private fund-raising drive to place a formal statue on the Illinois State Capitol Complex grounds.
Senate Resolution 1242 was introduced on May 27 and requests that an appropriate memorial be placed at the State Capitol. In addition to the resolution, Senator LaHood also sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol and the four legislative leaders stating the desire for the Reagan memorial. That letter was signed by Senators Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), and John Sullivan (D-Rushville).
“We are keenly aware of the state’s fiscal condition, which is why we want to emphasize the need to raise private funds for this Reagan memorial at the Capitol,” LaHood concluded. “Let me make it abundantly clear that this Reagan tribute will not be funded by any taxpayer monies.”
The resolution is still in the Assignments Committee.
* The Question: Should a privately funded statue of Ronald Reagan be placed on the Illinois Statehouse grounds? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
polls
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:17 pm:
Absolutely. Only president Illinois born-and-bred.
- Formerpol - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:18 pm:
We miss Ronald Reagan today!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:19 pm:
Privately-Funded statue of Ronald Reagan, Illinois native, President of the United States, 1981-1989, and to locate this Privately-Funded statue on the Statehouse Grounds?
Yes. Yes. Yes.
- the Patriot - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:19 pm:
Definitely. He was a great president, and even if you don’t like him, he deserves the honor. I don’t care for our current President personally, and I would support the same honor for him out of respect for the accomplishment and the office.
- Bill White - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:21 pm:
Maybe there should be an Illinois Presidents park with various statutes
Abraham Lincoln
U.S. Grant
Ronald Reagan
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
- Joe M - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:22 pm:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Ronald Reagan didn’t really have much of a connection with Springfield or Illinois State politics - or Illinois for that matter after his mid-20s. So I voted no. Maybe a Ronald Reagan statue in Sacramento CA, Dixon, IL, or Eureka, IL, but Springfield no.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:22 pm:
Honestly, for many years, I’ve found it quite strange that there isn’t one. Grant, too, for that matter.
You’d think that the state or Sangamon County GOP would have pushed it shortly after Reagan left office, or after he died.
- A guy... - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:25 pm:
This could inspire the Hawaii State Capitol to do something similar, dontchathink? Private money makes this not too hard a decision. Of course we should.
- Sun - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:27 pm:
Sure why not. He wouldn’t be the first union boss to be honored in the capitol.
- Try-4-Truth - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:27 pm:
I voted no. If he served in any capacity in Springfield or for the State of Illinois, then yes. But he didn’t.
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:28 pm:
He had zero connection to Springfield….How about a bust (teehee) in CA?
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
Joe M…
Using that logic, you wouldn’t have anything Grant related at the capitol either…
Sounds like a good idea to me.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:30 pm:
No, more appropriate for his IL hometown. He didn’t live or serve here during his political years.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:32 pm:
–He didn’t live or serve here during his political years.–
Some surprising parochialism here.
He didn’t go to prison, either, so I guess that’s another pebble on the pile.
- Been There - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:33 pm:
=== but they often forget that Ronald Reagan is the only Illinois-born man to reach the White House,” ===
That itself is enough for me to vote yes. I wasn’t a fan but he was born and raised here. Just because he didn’t have a Springfield connection this is the capitol of all of Illinois so its location here is appropriate.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:36 pm:
Indiana and Kentucky claim Lincoln, and Reagan himself talked lovingly about growing up in Illinois.
While never serving in Springfield, I may be wrong, but are all the statues IN the Federal Rotunda, representing 2 heroes from each state, did they have to serve in either house of Congress?
It’s a symbolic gesture, that a man, from Illinois, became president, and our state’s government is honoring his service to Illinois, and the other 49 states, in the Capital of his home state…privately-funded too.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:37 pm:
I agree with Wensicia and voted No.
Reagan belongs to California, whether others like it or not, and we shouldn’t get into a fight over it.
Reagan left Illinois as fast as he could and never returned.
And the State Capitol? Not sure Reagan ever even set foot in Sangamon County.
- PoolGuy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:37 pm:
yes, and it’s a no brainer if it’s privately funded too. there is plenty of room our there and will draw tourists to Capitol.
also like Bill White’s comment of a Presidents park including Hillary Clinton who is not even President… yet?..
- horse w/ no name - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:38 pm:
I vote no because he didn’t have any association with the legislature, Illinois government etc. California, yes. Illinois, sure in birthplace or wherever, but Springfield doesn’t make much sense
- Joe M - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:40 pm:
==Using that logic, you wouldn’t have anything Grant related at the capitol either…==
Good point. But at least in April, 1861, Grant traveled to Springfield, Illinois to offer his services to Illinois Governor Richard Yates. History might have come out different if Gov. Yates had turned him down.
- Ahoy! - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:41 pm:
Yes, just as their should be one of Obama in the future as well.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
Word,
there’s a Grant statue in the rotunda
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
– I may be wrong, but are all the statues IN the Federal Rotunda, representing 2 heroes from each state, did they have to serve in either house of Congress?–
No, it’s of the particular state’s choosing, and they can rotate them in and out.
There have been statues under the Capitol dome from Southern states of figures whose only connection to DC was that they tried to sack it while in the Army of Northern Virginia.
- KGB - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:45 pm:
Yes. And it should be paid for by Bruce Rauner!
- downstate demo - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:45 pm:
Springfield already has a Reagan bronze likeness outside the Scheel’s store.
Why not the Capitol grounds.
- Joe M - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:47 pm:
Okay, I’ll change my mind and go along - as long as Bonzo is included in the statue, hand in hand with Ronald Reagan.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
word, sometimes you are overly sarcastic when it isn’t called for…
“He didn’t go to prison, either…” Really??!
- CollegeStudent - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
Unsure leaning to no.
Regardless of his Illinois ancestry, the state’s fiscal and revenue problems are partially a reflection of Reagan’s rhetorical legacy. I’m not terribly keen on honoring him in light of the state’s current issues.
- South of Sherman - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
I agree with Ahoy! A privately-funded Reagan statue should go up, and right next to it should be the statue of President Obama, who actually served in Springfield, at that Capitol building.
It would be an appropriate tribute for both, and a suitably hilarious instigation of all sorts of right-wing hysteria.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
Sure.
He is an Illinoisan who succeeded in Hollywood, as governor of California and as President of the United States. His movie and television work may have kept him in California until 1981, but he is an Illinoisan. He was born, raised and educated here in Illinois. Not just in Dixon, but also in Eureka.
He got his start in Hollywood because of his Illinois roots. He wouldn’t have been signed to a contract by Warner Brothers without his Land of Lincoln birth, accent and upbringing. He was selected by movie heads because they wanted an Illinoisan, a Prairie State kid who would be popular in their movie theaters across the Midwest and plain states.
Reagan used his Dixon roots to connect with Louella Parsons, who was at the top of her game as a Hollywood radio and newspaper personality. She was also from Dixon. Parsons highlighted Reagan and his first wife, Jane Wyman, continuously. Parsons, Reagan and Wyman were often presented as Middle American sweethearts from Illinois and Missouri.
Ignoring Reagan’s Illinois birth, upbringing, college education, young adult years, parental heritage and as the basis for his successful film, television and radio work is being willfully blind and historically ignorant.
Dutch Reagan was an Illinoisan - all the way. His successful careers and political life is based on that Land of Lincoln connection, through and through.
Rightfully remind the world that he is one of us!
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:50 pm:
–And the State Capitol? Not sure Reagan ever even set foot in Sangamon County.–
Care to lead the charge to take down the Martin Luther King statue?
While we’re at it, let’s get rid of that big George Rogers Clark painting on the Third Floor. That was a Ft. Kaskaskia, and technically, it wasn’t even Illinois yet.
- Abraham Froman - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:50 pm:
Just say No to Nancy Reagan honorings but Ronald sure, so long as we can use the image of him advertising cigarettes, maybe a statue with a carton of Lucky Strikes tucked under his arm
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
No problem with it.
- Norseman - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:53 pm:
=== And the State Capitol? Not sure Reagan ever even set foot in Sangamon County. ===
He was scheduled to speak on the State Capitol grounds, but a small thing like a bullet changed that plan.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:54 pm:
Thanks, Michelle, my bad. He was short, but not that short!
- yinn - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
Sure, why not. Though it is a little weird if Reagan never visited the capital.
Dixon has two statues of Reagan that I know of. It has a statue of Lincoln as well, because Lincoln had some ties to the town.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
Nancy Davis Reagan is also an Illinoisan.
The fact that we have two Illinoisans who climbed the ladder of success in Hollywood, in Sacramento and in Washington DC is a fact.
Screw the politics! Embrace our native son and daughter as they have been embraced by so many around the world!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
The statue is in recognition symbol that Ronald Reagan was from here, not a marker indicating “Ronald Reagan slept right here!”
Big picture.
- Stones - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:56 pm:
I don’t have an issue with any President who has a strong connection to Illinois being honored through a statue. Doesn’t matter if it’s Lincoln, Grant, Reagan or Obama. Perhaps some criteria should be established to avoid turning this into political issue.
- I B Strapped - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:58 pm:
Yes, and if we can get the Koch Brothers to fund it, I hope it’s a Ginormous one.
- Anotherretiree - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:58 pm:
There’s already a Springfield Reagan statue at Scheels sporting goods store !!!!!
Yes
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 1:59 pm:
Reagan was also a staunch Democrat and our only union president elected to the White House. He didn’t switch political parties until well into adulthood.
I can’t believe some narrow minded idiots in Illinois continue to play petty politics over this man and his amazing accomplishments.
- Norseman - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:00 pm:
=== There’s already a Springfield Reagan statue at Scheels sporting goods store !!!!! ===
Maybe we can get Madigan to introduce a bill to take it from them.
- Rudykzooti - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:00 pm:
NO. he didn’t serve there, well maybe if it has Francis the mule with him…
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:03 pm:
So if “rhetorical legacy” and it’s impact on state finances is enough to get you off the list, I am sure then you are also against anyone who actually voted on a budget in this state in the last 20 years or so being so honored, right?
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:04 pm:
Also as part of this, can they replace the horrible drawing of Reagan they use on the I-88 signs?
- CollegeStudent - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:08 pm:
===So if “rhetorical legacy” and it’s impact on state finances is enough to get you off the list, I am sure then you are also against anyone who actually voted on a budget in this state in the last 20 years or so being so honored, right? ===
If this is your way to get me to oppose an Obama statue, sure, I’ll oppose one. For all the “benefit” of having one of our own as President, the state’s also been used as fodder for all sorts of negative hyperbole because he’s from Illinois.
- anonymoose - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:09 pm:
There is a Springfield connection. In 1984 during his re-election, Mr. Reagan spoke in front of the Lincoln Statue on the Illinois Capitol grounds. I also recall seeing at the event two huge Semi’s hauling a trailer with “Teamsters” written on the side.
In the 1980 campaign, Mr. and Mrs. Reagan were at Lincoln’s tomb. Mr. Reagan hoisted the Mrs. so she could rub Lincoln’s nose.
Yes, to the statute and private funds…but dear God, hire someone to render a good likeness. There are some really BAD Reagan statues/drawings.
- Susiejones - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:10 pm:
Yes, we should do this. An Illinois born citizen becomes President of the United States. He spent his formative years here, graduated from college in Illinois, had a successful acting career and then went into public service. Of course, we should do this.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:12 pm:
–NO. he didn’t serve there, well maybe if it has Francis the mule with him…–
Reagan was never in a “Francis” movie. Clint Eastwood was in “Francis in the Navy.”
Sometimes on the farm, Channel 9 was the only station that would come in….
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:15 pm:
- CollegeStudent -,
With respect, this ain’t sophomore year. Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama…that’s the list. Understand? No matter what is happening, fiscally or not, politically or not, those men have Illinois Roots, we claim them as Native Sons, and while other states claim their parts of them too, it’s right and just to honor these four, and if it’s privately-funded, how is this not a no-brainer?
This privately-funded statue deserves a place on the Grounds as a reminder to those who arrive at the Statehouse daily, and those who will only visit once, that Ronald Reagan is from Illinois, and we honor him and his history here.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:20 pm:
Sure, place it in front of the Stratton Building with this caption etched into it:
“Mr. Alsop, tear down this building!”
The Stratton Building is one of the last reminders of Soviet architecture in the country. Reagan would have hated it.
- CollegeStudent - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:24 pm:
===With respect, this ain’t sophomore year. Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama…that’s the list. Understand? No matter what is happening, fiscally or not, politically or not, those men have Illinois Roots, we claim them as Native Sons, and while other states claim their parts of them too, it’s right and just to honor these four, and if it’s privately-funded, how is this not a no-brainer?
This privately-funded statue deserves a place on the Grounds as a reminder to those who arrive at the Statehouse daily, and those who will only visit once, that Ronald Reagan is from Illinois, and we honor him and his history here. ===
I’m sorry, I don’t want Illinois legislators asking themselves “What would Reagan/Obama do?” Encouraging our politicians to follow their example is precisely why I don’t want a statue right now, and not for another generation at least-the memories are too fresh.
Besides, Reagan is sufficiently honored in the state already in my opinion. Just look around his old stomping grounds.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:26 pm:
Yes. Nothing to add to the thoughtful comments supporting the idea. Won’t respond to the snarky comments against it.
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:27 pm:
BTW it appears even CA does not one these….let’s let them go first!
- Bill F. - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:30 pm:
I was going to point out that there is a Reagan statue in Springfield at Scheel’s, but anotherretiree beat me to it.
(It’s a fantastic store - my kids have a ball there)
But yes, why not. Now that a sufficient time has passed and those that would rename everything not tied down after Reagan have caught their breath, we should honor Reagan’s Illinois roots. We don’t toot our own horn enough.
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:30 pm:
Yep it was…
Man I hope I wasn’t generally that unhappy when I was in college….
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:31 pm:
===Besides, Reagan is sufficiently honored in the state already in my opinion. Just look around his old stomping grounds.===
That is a well thought argument against, and I get and respect that.
Then…
===I’m sorry, I don’t want Illinois legislators asking themselves “What would Reagan/Obama do?” Encouraging our politicians to follow their example is precisely why I don’t want a statue right now, and not for another generation at least-the memories are too fresh.===
… this is exactly why honors and honoring those who rose to the Office of President, MSNBC or Fox News talking points notwithstanding, should be honored and even questioned bad at the least discussed.
Ignoring real time history and burying or heads in the collective sand, or “making a point of ignoring” is Sophomore year thinking, to the realities of our current living history.
I can go with you other reason as to “No”, but the latter reason is exactly why history needs to be discussed and promoted, not hidden away until some faceless next generation can only ask about it.
- countyline - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:35 pm:
-Regardless of his Illinois ancestry, the state’s fiscal and revenue problems are partially a reflection of Reagan’s rhetorical legacy. I’m not terribly keen on honoring him in light of the state’s current issues.-
I see that liberal college education is working…
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:35 pm:
The man was born here and rose to the presidency. It’s a no-brainer, even if you hated him.
We have statues of cops and firefighters, long-dead Illinoisans whom nobody remembers, a painting of a former governor who just got out of prison, so I don’t see the harm here at all.
- Just Observing - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:36 pm:
I lean no. I just think a Reagan statue would be more appropriate in his hometown. He has no real connection to Springfield.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:37 pm:
===The Stratton Building is one of the last reminders of Soviet architecture in the country.===
I couldn’t agree more.
- Just Observing - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:38 pm:
=== While never serving in Springfield, I may be wrong, but are all the statues IN the Federal Rotunda, representing 2 heroes from each state, did they have to serve in either house of Congress? ===
No, but it’s not apples to apples. Apples to apples would be allowing each Illinois county to erect a statue in the state capitol rotunda representing a hero from the respective county. In that case, Lee or Woodford counties could send a Reagan statue.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:40 pm:
When the statue deteriorates, who pays for it? Where is the net present value analysis? Hasn’t anyone thought this through? Why are legislators supporting this without a long-term plan in place?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:41 pm:
===He (Reagan) has no real connection to Springfield.===
Jeez, Louise, is Springfield “just a city in Illinois” or the representation of all of Illinois by sending representatives, to two chambers, to do the people’s business as the officially recognized capital of the state of Illinois.
So, is Springfield just a city, or does Springfield hold a even more important position as a symbol of all of Illinois uniting?
Way too simple-minded.
- Diogenes in DuPage - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
Why not include a statue of one of Illinois’ favorite sons?
- CollegeStudent - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
To those going for the “liberal college experience barbs”, I’ll just suggest that finishing one’s undergraduate degree in Spring 2008 goes a long way to permanently discrediting certain fiscal and economic policies in one’s eyes and by association those who espoused them.
With regards to the history and respect arguments, I do get those, but quite frankly I don’t believe Illinois’ current crop of politicians have the critical thinking capability to differentiate between the good and the bad. It’s not that they will take away the good, but they will see everything he did as good, when it was not.
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:52 pm:
Springfield is our state’s capitol so yes it should be put there. Anything we can do to remind ourselves and tourists and politicians and our future citizens that Illinois produced some amazing men (and women) who were successful and loomed large on the world’s stage is a good thing and an inspirational thing. Reagan is one of those men. So are Grant and Lincoln and Obama There have only been 44 presidents of the United States and Illinois can claim strong ties to four of them. That’s something to commemorate and be proud of.
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:58 pm:
Newsflash College Student. It’s not all about you!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 2:58 pm:
===…but quite frankly I don’t believe Illinois’ current crop of politicians have the critical thinking capability to differentiate between the good and the bad. It’s not that they will take away the good, but they will see everything he did as good, when it was not.===
The statue is for the Citizens of Illinois, not a snarky gift to legislators or elected officials to treat as Edward G. Robinson did in “The Ten Commandments”.
What, are the Statehouse Grouds full of strolling Mushrooms opining about statues all day? I hat to break it to you too, the “I’m just a Bill” is not how a Bill becomes a Law too.
Being a True Believer in government is good, and being the reverse of that, snakily, is ok too, but a statue honoring a native son, sometimes, is just a statue honoring a favorite son.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 3:23 pm:
===No, it’s of the particular state’s choosing, and they can rotate them in and out.
There have been statues under the Capitol dome from Southern states of figures whose only connection to DC was that they tried to sack it while in the Army of Northern Virginia.===
Thanks - wordslinger - for clarification.
- Just Observing -, I was just making a point that specific “roots” to the building is required, not the formula that rotates the statues out. Thanks for making it clear, however.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 3:26 pm:
Interestingly, Reagan and Obama got similar percentages in Illinois for their second term runs: Obama, 57.5%; Reagan, 56.2%
Reagan got just less than 50% of the Illinois vote in 1980, but Rockford’s own John Anderson was on the ballot and took 7.3%.
- CLJ - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 3:28 pm:
=So, is Springfield just a city, or does Springfield hold a even more important position as a symbol of all of Illinois uniting?=
Yes, Springfield is just a city. I grew up there and went to high school with kids that didn’t even know that Springfield was the state capitol. The city symbolizes the unified feeling that the citizens of Illinois believe government is corrupt and dysfunctional.
No to a Reagan statute unless someone wants to privately fund replacing the Stratton building and placing a hall of statutes in the new office building.
- Nearly Normal - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 3:33 pm:
==Yes, to the statute and private funds…but dear God, hire someone to render a good likeness. There are some really BAD Reagan statues/drawings. ==
Couldn’t agree more. So, now do we want a young Reagan to remind us of how he appeared as he set off from Illinois to his destiny? Or, an older Reagan, when he was president?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
Currently, Jefferson Davis (MS), Robert E. Lee (VA) and Alexander Stephens (GA) are among the rebs in Statuary Hall at the Capitol.
Illinois’s entrants are Francis E. Willard and James Shields.
California sent a statue of Reagan.
- Jeff Trigg - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 4:01 pm:
-Yes, and if we can get the Koch Brothers to fund it, I hope it’s a Ginormous one.-
More evidence that most of the Koch brother haters are ignorant and should probably just keep their mouths shut. One of the Koch brothers disliked Reagan so much, he ran against the Reagan ticket in 1980, and was promoting gay-marriage legality during that 1980 campaign.
- Walker - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 4:01 pm:
Sure, why not?
- Jeff Trigg - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 4:21 pm:
I voted no. I’d prefer a minimalist, austere state capitol that has no statutes or busts or pictures of politicians or anything that shows luxury and wealth. But since we’ll never go that way, might as well give Reagan a statute like the other political people.
- Forrest Gump - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 4:56 pm:
Only if it is privately funded. The same goes for Presidential libraries which are glorified monuments to a President’s own ego. If they want to stroke their own ego I am okay with it as long as they lean on their own friends and family for the cash—and not the taxpayers.
- A modest proposal - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 5:06 pm:
College Student -
Do you think that it was Reagan’s Labor Leadership that is causing Illinois’ financial situation? Or could it be his fiscal conservationism? I am confused…
- PolPal56 - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 5:50 pm:
Yes, absolutely, especially since it’s privately funded.
And eventually Obama will have one.
Entirely appropriate.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 6:02 pm:
He was a citizen of Illinois and a great president!!
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 6:02 pm:
Yes.
And while we’re at it, let’s get a private developer to knock down the Stratton and put up something decent to lease back to the State. Name it after Obama.
- Guzzlepot - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 6:09 pm:
Yes. He was born in Illinois, he went to college here in Illinois, that is enough of a connection for me. It’s just a statute. It isn’t like they’re trying to rename Springfield after him.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 6:10 pm:
===…knock down the Stratton and put up something decent to lease back to the State. Name it after Obama.===
Yes.
“Obama Office Building.” - Legislative Offices.
Very Nice. Stratton still has a State Park…
- Jacob S - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 6:26 pm:
Privately Funded
Fine
As long as NO public funds are used
- Jacob S - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 6:51 pm:
Reagan was not the only person who beloved the Berlin Wall would come down. I stated for years that it would come down. It was an unnatural division. However, Reagan had the power to argue for its destruction so I am happy that he did argue to tear it down. He did what I only could dream about doing. He gets credit for that.
- DuPage Dave - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 8:20 pm:
It doesn’t matter if Reagan was born in Illinois. He was a lousy president who accomplished little during his time in office. Let him slip into the mists of memory like Nixon.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 28, 14 @ 11:31 pm:
–Reagan was not the only person who beloved the Berlin Wall would come down.–
The significance of the Berlin Wall is misunderstood by some.
It’s construction was a major victory for the West, the beginning of the end in the long twilight struggle against the Commies.
Give it a think: Here you have a system, claiming to be the future, the new, better way, that has to build a concrete wall, with barbed wire, attack dogs, and armed guards with shoot-to=kill orders, to keep it’s people IN?
What a total, humiliating admission of defeat.
At the time, privately, the braniacs in the West welcomed its construction as a way to reduce tensions over Berlin. The Soviets were going nuts over all the defections.
You have to remember, West Berlin was in the middle of East Germany. As part of West Germany, it was part of NATO, and an attack on it would have been considered an attack on the United States and other NATO nations.
Problem with that was, West Berlin was indefensible. The Soviets could have marched in at anytime.
Much more than Cuba, a Warsaw Pact occupation of West Berlin was what gave ulcers during the Cold War. The only game plan, ultimately, if you were going to back up the NATO charter, was to let the missiles fly.
- Dan - Thursday, May 29, 14 @ 6:26 am:
I like Bill White’s idea of a President’s park honoring all of our presidents with information about them. I wasn’t a Reagan fan, but I must honor his service to the Country.