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In olden days, state legislatures elected US Senators and routinely passed resolutions like this directing their Senators on various issues. Those days are long gone, of course, but the resolutions pop up from time to time…
In a slap at President Bush, the Democratic-led Illinois Senate went on record Thursday opposing any additional troops being sent to Iraq.
“We have to send a message to Washington that it is time for us to get out,” said Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), sponsor of the resolution. “We declared victory already. We’ve already made it clear the weapons of mass destruction no longer exist, if they ever did, so why are we still there? It doesn’t make any sense.”
His resolution, which passed without any objection from Republicans, was watered down from an earlier version. A call for an immediate withdrawal of troops was stripped from the resolution that passed Thursday.
Hendon said he was “shocked” no Senate Republican stood to oppose his proposal.
Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) ridiculed Hendon’s nonbinding resolution and said legislators had no business dictating war policy. “I’m sure the Pentagon will be calling Rickey to get his thoughts on how to handle the Iraq war.”
The full resolution can be found here.
Question: Regardless of your position on the war, do you think resolutions like this should be encouraged or discouraged. Why?
I know I’m taking a risk here, but please, let’s not get into a debate on the war. There are plenty of places for that, so take it somewhere else. I know there’s anger, but let’s do our best to avoid it. Also, if I’m not around and someone tries to gin it up with some goofy comment, please just ignore them. I’ll delete them later and put them into permanent comment moderation. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 7:29 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Why doesn’t the Illinois Senate pass a resolution condemming the two Illinois senators in DC for not doing enough to stop the war in DC?
Either one of them should be able to sponsor a ‘Let’s get out now!’ bill, and they can be voting against further expansionof Iraq operations. Their party has a lot of power in the Senate, should be a no-brainer.
Unless of course, the purpose of the Illinois Senate’s action is to avoid dealing with things like the pension crisis, electricity deregulation, Illinois’s crumbling infrastructure, the corruption, the waste….etc etc etc.
Comment by Killroy D. Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 7:42 am
Since state lawmakers have their own Bush-like “mission accomplished” banner hanging over school funding, pension reform, health care, etc this seems entirely appropriate as they’ve clearly solved all of Illinois’ woes and earned those raises … err, cost-of-living increases … they voted themselves.
Way to go guys. When’s the ticker tape parade downtown?
Comment by Frank Booth Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 7:53 am
To quote Rudy ” In the real world (business) a non-binding resolution would would be considered non productive”.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 7:57 am
Given the huge issues the Senate has to deal with this session, this posturing is a nice idea, but a total waste of time…besides, any time Rickey Hendon is running at the mouth, my eardrums close down…yep, Hendon is a real progressive voice…God help us…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:09 am
We were talking about ridiculous resolutions just last night. Generally, when you see “HR” or “SR” in the title it’s some piece of feel good fluff that does absolutely nothing to improve anything. You know, I think it’s great that Joe Blow just retired after working 40-years at the grain elevator, and he should be recognized, but let’s not use time on it that could be spent deciding how to handle taxes, healthcare, law enforcement, etc. If it isn’t going to have a direct impact on how things are done in Illinois, let it go. Write a letter or something, but quit wasting our tax dollars on impotent legislation.
Comment by SILMO Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:14 am
I think it is a good idea to have Resolutions calling attention to the Illinois elected persons in Washington, on whatever subject thee can be bipartisan agreement.
One majority party resolution has a whiff of politics to it.
Comment by Truthful James Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:19 am
All I know is Cross and Watson and their people are worthless!
Our State goes out of its way to undermine the troops and their mission, and not a peep from a single Repub! Disgraceful!
Comment by GOPer Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:28 am
These resolutions are pointless.
Comment by Rummy Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:28 am
When I lived in Oak Park, the Village was famous for passing resolutions like this and I always thought it was a dodge from dealing with real problems within their control and responsibility.
Same goes for right or left resolutions although Oak Park was prone to the left kind. But a resolution on abortion would have seem the same kind of dodge.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:31 am
These kinds of resolutions contribute to the public debate in a very limited way. It’s a lot like a letter to the editor. I suppose they have their place, but they can become counterproductive unless used sparingly.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:45 am
I cosign what Bill Baar said. I saw the same crap when I lived in Urbana.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:46 am
In a republic, voices of dissent (or consent, for that matter) tend to have more impact as they become louder (agitators like Cindy Sheehan) or as they constitute an ever-larger chorus. Essentially, raised voices have a better chance of giving rise to “official” consideration and response than no voices at all.
The state legislatures do not have a national vote, but by spending a moment to raise their voice to the national level, they add weight to psychological and political forces at work on the national level.
The means for ordinary citizens or groups to influence policy, in terms of not only what is determined, but also in terms of what is considered, are few - and are most often associated with spending large sums of money.
Concerted voices are one such alternative means, and they should not be undervalued, even if the voice is “official”. Of course, they shouldn’t be over-used either, as they would then constitute something akin to “background noise” and thus be more easily ignored.
Comment by Scott Thompson Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:47 am
Since all the problems oof Chicago have been solved, electric bills rates are fine, I support these silly initiatives!
Comment by Wumpus Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:52 am
Anything to keep from dealing with the problems at home. Resolutions can be a good way to monitor the pulse of a city, state, or country, but to pass one with little or no discussion, objection, or support, from the opposing party does no one any good. I’m afraid that our politicians are more interested in keeping their heads down than actually tackling serious state problems. Resolutions such as this burn time and try to detract from far more serious home front issues. Certainly does not mean that we don’t support the troops, but doesn’t offer any solutions either. What a bunch of do nothings we have elected. It’s our own fault!!
Comment by Justice Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 8:53 am
The state is what, 90 days behind on its bills, but yet they somehow find the time to tell the federal government how to do their job?
This just goes to show how far out of whack government in this state is.
In answer to your question, no, the Seventeenth Amendment took away any necessity of having state legislatures being involved with U.S. Senate election or policy. Obviously, the Illinois State Senate didn’t get that memo, even though the Amendment was ratified in 1913.
That amendment was due much in part to our very own William Lorimer, whose election was invalidated by the U.S. Senate when it was found that he was paying Illinois state senators for their votes, so that he may become a U.S. Senator.
Maybe Sen. Jones and friends need to check their history.
Comment by Dieter Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 9:03 am
They should be discouraged and only because these are distractions to the actual problems of the state.
Comment by Levois Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 9:20 am
It is inarguable that the Iraq War has grave consequences for the State of Illinois and its people. Therefore, it is sensible and appropriate that the Illinois Senate express itself on the matter.
Comment by Lucky Mike Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 9:23 am
This Resolution is a ridiculous waste of time.
That being said, as Baar noted, there is a definite trend of bodies of government trying to get involved in the work of other bodies.
For example, although I favor reasonable tort reform, I am boggled by the fact that the federal government wants to get involved. Tort law is a state issue, the same way that conduct of a war is an issue for the feds.
The Illinois State Senate should worry about Illinois issues. If Sen. Hendon wants to dictate policy on the war, he should run for Congress.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 9:28 am
Governing bodies weigh-in on stuff all the time, like feel-good issue week.
The resolutions will carry more force when the text includes something specific to tie it back to the state or community served.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 9:50 am
No en- or dis-couragement needed.
Complain to/about your elected representatives if you think they are wasting their time or your tax dollars on such activities.
Comment by RBD Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 10:34 am
I don’t care if they “waste” their time on this issue or issues like it. They’re not going to spend 8 hours a day 5 days a week trying to deal with the hard issues that face the state. Let’s face it, a lot of those issues involve a lot of bright people working behind the scenes to come up with politically acceptable responses.
I would like to see these specific (anti-Iraq war) resolutions tied back to the community offering the resolution. In the case of IL, mention the veteran services that get less federal $ than other states, perhaps the IL national guard and the way it’s been impacted, perhaps name the communities that have lost IL service members.
Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 10:40 am
it only serves to give these worthless elected officials something to do to kill the time on their hands. only the two leaders and the guv’s puppets are involved in making all the important decisions. this leaves nothing for the rest of them to do. it is sad the tax payers get ripped so often by the political system that is so unresponsive. has it always been this bad?
Comment by amos garcia Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 10:54 am
What’s all this with “wasting time”? The issue is an important one. Our democracy allows for open, constructive dissent. The debate over this bill takes little time compared with the debate over more pressing issues. big deal.
besides, if they are “wasting time” as many allege, it doesn’t mean the closk stops on a magic date if a budget passes, it just means they go into overtime. That costs money, but I’d rather that debate isn’t stifled in the interest of “time”.
Comment by South Sider Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 11:21 am
I propose a resolution to end resolutions!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 11:40 am
I propose a resolution that we all go on a communal binge tomorrow and paint the town green!
Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 11:45 am
It’s gets them on the record. It’s something you can use should they run for higher office. I’ve been proposing for years that the GOP do similar things in the House and Senate.
Comment by Greg Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 12:09 pm
Sure it gets them on the record, Greg.
It gets them on the record as not understanding federalism.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 12:16 pm
Instead of passing resolutions the Senate should be protecting our children from sexual predators by passing Jessica’s Law. It is shameful that the legislature is ignoring this law.
Comment by Patriot Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 1:27 pm
In this day and age…states rights issues (or resolutions)are a thing of the past. This was settled by the Civil War. Today it does not matter what States do or say, the Federal government goes its merry way. Albeit resolutions state an opinion on current event happenings…maybe we (Illinois) should just focus on Illinois and make things happen here…Hum?
Comment by Siyotanka Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 1:43 pm
Anon 7:57, if the “real world” equals the “business world” we are in trouble. We should first be a nation of citizens, not of business people. In that spirit I suggest that this resolution, as a reflection of public opinion, is entirely appropriate.
The Conservative, I hereby reprimand you for outrageously calling half the country “traitors.” Aren’t we past the nasty era of discourse yet?
Comment by yinn Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 2:07 pm
Tactics like this are how you stimulate debate and help change public opinion. They are important for building a growing sense of support for an issue. They also help provide cover for the bodies that actually vote for something – when Congressmen see the state senate or their local village council vote for something and the sky doesn’t fall in, it frees them up to be more assertive where the votes do count for something.
Specifically, war is one of those issues where it’s crucial to build the feeling that there is a community of dissenters. No one questions your patriotism if you want universal health care, but you have the President, Vice-President and others saying that questioning the war or the way it’s being run is un-patriotic, or aids the enemy. And surprise! Already in this post you have Ali, VM and Conservative equating debate on the war with being a terrorist sympathizer or a traitor.
When you have people on one side saying that merely debating an issue is treachery, then you have to get groups to speak up in order to counter that rhetoric.
Comment by Underdog Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 2:43 pm
Other resolutions to come…
“The War is Not Nice!” resolution
“More Shrimp Should Appear At Buffets” resolution
“Potholes Aren’t Fun” resolution
“Paper Cuts Hurt!” resolution
“People Shouldn’t Die” resolution
“End Poverty Now!” resolution
“More Parking Downtown” resolution
“No More Anna Nicole Smith News!” resolution
“Ban Kidney Stones” resolution
“End Weird Bus Odors” resolution
“Encourage Taco Consumption” resolution
“Adopt A Cricket” resolution
Yup, I know we will get a WHOLE lot of NOTHING from these guys!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 2:44 pm
yinn, I assume The Conservative has earned himself being banned for not playing by the rules and being generally uncivil.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 2:52 pm
There is a place for resolutions like this. If all 50 sate legislators passed something similar it would mean sometime.
For another example, look at the Mayors conference around the country resolving to work on climate change in the absence of our Fed govt signing the Kyoto protocol. That has resulted in real action on the ground.
Comment by Way Northsider Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 3:21 pm
Carl, you guessed correctly.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 3:58 pm
Passing meaningless resolutions, on a matter that any level of government has no control over, diminishes that govs credibility.
There is a lot to be said for state legislatures electing U.S. Senators. Phil Rock, among others, serious legislators could be elected. Fewer pretty boys and rich folks.
Comment by Loyal Whig Saturday, Mar 17, 07 @ 12:40 am