More old tricks that won't pass the mustard from our opponent in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Right wing Ideologue Matt Murphy ran his primary campaign as the darling of the religious right and has now found himself an outcast in his own community. Doing everything he can to get back into the graces of our very moderate 27th district, Murphy has revealed himself to be a flip-flopper and man who vehemently opposes the interests of science, progress, and the hope of a cure for millions of Americans stricken with terrible diseases, soldiers robbed of limbs and mobility, and many more who have been the victims of unanticipated accidents.
Directly after President Bush's veto, a very predictable first veto, we were contacted, as was our opponent, by the Pioneer Press (A local paper in the Northwest suburbs) for comment on the status of embryonic stem cell research legislation in the Illinois General Assembly.
During the primary our opponent, in an Illinois Right to Life questionnaire, pledged that he was unequivocally against embryonic stem cell research (among other things he opposed). In his initial quote to the press he was caught attempting to soften his position by simply saying that he was against state funding for the research. After the reporter's discussion with our campaign he was outed for his inconsistency. Murphy then attempted to wiggle his way off the ropes by alleging that he would advocate for stem cell research if the embryos were to be destroyed, but if "adoption" of the embryos was available he would prefer they would be saved for that purpose.
At the end of this post I will copy in our press release to give you a better idea of how the dialogue sounded between our campaign and the press.
Peter Gutzmer was completely disappointed by the President's veto. Once again Republicans are playing politics with lives, hope, and the well being of American citizens in desperate need. As a firefighter/paramedic Pete is exposed to all the damage that could be corrected with the expansion and pursuit of stem cell research. These first hand experiences have shaped Pete's position on stem cell research as one motivated by the tragedies he bares witness to during a typical work day.
Because of President Bush's unhinged political motivation the responsibility has now fallen to the states. Illinois houses some of the most prestigious and respected teaching hospitals and research institutions in the country. Pete believes that as a leader in this area it is our duty to ensure we are giving all families and the afflicted the hope and the chance they deserve from a nation who prides itself on its willingness to help others and its ability to innovate and discover.
With our help (the state of Illinois) we could break down scientific barriers and help open doors for those in our Nation who need it the most. To an overwhelming majority of American's this is a common sense issue. Our ability to command and utilize this research to help ourselves, as well as the rest of the world is what we do!
And this is where you come in... Our race is the frontline of the 50 state strategy. It is a marvelous opportunity to expand a Democratic majority in our state legislature, hold a seat once held by Donald Rumsfield (Melissa Bean IL-8), and in addition pick up a seat held by republicans by more than a generation.
This is OUR fight, a fight for the values and ideas that have made this country a beacon in the world. We may have lost our way for a moment, but with your help and some hard work we can correct this course.
Pete is out there everyday, fighting for the Northwest suburbs, Illinois, and the United States of America. I urge you to join our cause in anyway you can. If you live in the area come to the office and volunteer. If you don't please be as generous as you can and give Pete the where with all to keep working, keeping spreading the good word, to keep fighting for the cure.
As always, thank you for listening.
Please visit our website votegutzmer.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Carroll Cell: 312 391 1981
July 20, 2006 Office: 847 348 1440
President Bush Chooses Ideology over Health, Science, and Progress
Palatine-Peter Gutzmer, Democratic nominee for the Illinois Senate's 27th district, released a statement Thursday expressing disappointment over President Bush's veto of stem cell legislation which puts the lives of millions of Americans at risk and forces the burden of progress solely on the states.
"President Bush's personal beliefs are diminishing the hopes of millions of ailing Americans," said Gutzmer. "It is obvious the American people want this, the majority of both houses want it, but once again President Bush is ignoring the voices of voters and going it alone."
71 percent of Americans believe stem cell research should be pursued.
"This isn't a question of faith," said Gutzmer, "its about science working to help people, it's about giving people afflicted by terrible diseases and accidents a chance to get their lives back. Republicans and Democrats from Ted Kennedy to Nancy Reagan are behind stem cell research, it is one of the few things we can all agree on."
According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation approximately one million people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease and half of those individuals have not been diagnosed. Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, and strokes are just a few of the afflictions that could be managed and or cured with the help of stem cell research.
"Another unfortunate consequence of Bush's decision is that it has pushed the burden of this vital medical research solely on the state," said Gutzmer.
Governor Blagojevich has redirected five million dollars from the administrative budget of the Department of Health Care and Family Services to fund stem cell research in Illinois.
"I applaud Governor Blagojevich for his courage to take the lead on a serious issue when the federal government will not," said Gutzmer, "but I caution the choice to resort to financial trickery to fund this need. It puts the integrity of the Department of Health Care and Family Services at risk, and jeopardizes our ability to care for people we are already struggling to care for."
Gutzmer warned further that this type of reallocation of resources is not a sound fiscal approach to funding any program in Illinois.
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