It Takes a Village to Fight the Democratic Machine

Last week, my husband and I attended several political events as March 2014 brings a new election cycle.  The first event was very nice.  It was held in a refurbished bank with ornate ceilings, marble floors, a great spread of Italian food, and an open bar.  We went to support an Asian American friend of ours who hosted the event and because several Asian Americans running for office were present and we want to support their campaigns.  Several prominent political figures (none of whom are Asian) spoke at the event and highlighted what is blindingly obvious -- that at a political event featuring Asian Americans, there is not a single Asian American to speak of in either the Illinois House or Senate.  WTF?????!!!!!  How can a whole population of people be not simply under-represented, but completely UN-represented???  Fear not, the Asian community is throwing hats in the ring (both of whom are female may I add!).  You go girls, and as you go, we are here to introduce you to people with both power AND money.  Ka-ching!  Here are a few photos from that event:

The beautiful venue

The hubby (on the right) getting "chatted up."  Note, not a good idea to
cross one's arms when talking politics.  It gives a sense of mistrust. A no-no.




From this event, we headed to another political event, though the two could not be more dissimilar.  My husband and I support our local candidate for State Representative, Will Guzzardi, running in the March primary against the democratic machine-backed, Toni Berrios.  I know Ms. Berrios as I worked for the Speaker of the Illinois House a while back.  So, I can say with full faith that Ms. Berrios is an absolute HACK.  She is the physical embodiment of everything that is wrong with Illinois politics.  Her father, democratic powerhouse Joe Berrios, is known not only to employ his relatives, but also known to direct democratic-machine money and manpower to his relatives' campaigns.  And what do you know, undoubtedly they win!  But, that is not the worst of it (you know - winning without having to campaign or raise your own money). The worst of it is... she does NOTHING to earn her salary.  The woman is there to party with her Latino mates and, every now and then, stand up on the floor and read from a sheet of paper prepared by "handlers."  I know this because I witnessed it.  I am fairly certain that Ms. Berrios does not know how a bill becomes a law and very well may not be able to properly pronounce the term "legislation."  That is just the tip of the iceberg.  So, Mr. Guzzardi fights a VERY steep uphill battle in trying to unseat the VERY large-seated, Ms. Berrios.  Enough of that, though.  In contrast to the earlier political event, Mr. Guzzardi's campaign headquarters is sparsely furnished and plastered with heavily markered poster signs.  The food was homemade by constituents (such as meatballs on paper plates and cheese cut up into uneven pieces).  The wine was pour-it-yourself.  The beer was donated by neighbors.  It was grassroots!  And it was great!  Wonderful energy!  Crazy zealous constituents! Not a single prominent politician in sight!  It felt like a campaign should - by the people and for the people.  Here are a few pictures from the event:

We ended our night stepping out into a wonderful Fall rain.  It felt good to know we support causes and people we believe in, even on the rainiest of evenings.  Until next time, SAHM.