Wheaton Congressman votes for draconian budget cuts hurting veterans, and the poor

By Lynda Carson -- April 17, 2011

The recent draconian budget slashing proposals promoted by Tea Party radicals and right-wing Republican extremists that nearly shut down the government, have been voted for and supported by Wheaton's Congressman Peter Roskam, of the 6th District of IL. The extreme budget cutting legislation was sent to President Obama, for his signature on April 14, 2011.

In part, the severe budget cutting deal known as HR 1473 which was voted for by Congressman Roskam and right-wing extremists in the House and Senate - took $25 million out of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher Program, $125 million from the Section 8 program, $149 million from the Public Housing Operation Fund, $456 million from the Public Housing Capital Fund, $942 million from the Community Development Fund, including 100s of millions of dollars from elderly and disabled housing programs, and included catastrophic budget cuts to other domestic programs.

Additionally on April 15, Congressman Roskam also voted for the GOP's extremist budget proposal called "The Path To Prosperity," also known as "The Path To Homelessness" by liberals, which is little more than a massive attack on the poor and working class, and amounts to a huge tax give-a-way to the big corporations, and the rich by extending the Bush-era tax breaks into perpetuity.

In contrast to the extreme budget cutting votes taking place last week, on April 14, homeless activists and around 30 people braved the wind and cold of Wheaton, IL, to rally for housing and assistance programs for the homeless, at the former Hubble Middle School. At one time, John and Jim Belushi went to high school in the same building when it was called Central High School, a few years before they were struck by fame and fortune.

Local builder Tom Cherrington has a dream of converting the former Hubble Middle School into a homeless assistance center with housing for the homeless, and organized the rally to occur April 14, being the same day that District 200 failed to receive any bids during a self imposed deadline, from any potential buyers for the former Hubble Middle School property.

This dream of Cherringtons to assist the homeless, has angered Wheaton's well known Republican party member Dave Dierson. In a March 9, 2011, racist comment directed against African-Americans and poor public housing residents, right-wing extremist Dave Dierson wrote in his blog, "Cherrington “wants to buy the former Hubble Middle School site and convert it into small houses for homeless people.” What would Cherrington call his project, Cabrini Green II? - http://tinyurl.com/3nohby3

Republican and Tea Party extremists across the nation have been confronted over and over again for their hate speech recently, and the latest example is a Tea Party member email going around, circulated by Republicans - depicting President Obama's parents as chimps. - http://tinyurl.com/3oh3mcy

Dave Diersons recent racist comments did not deter Cherrington's dream or his homelessness rally, and since the school board placed the former Hubble Middle School on the market to be sold, requiring a minimum bid of $10 million by deadline, with no takers, presently Cherrington hopes the school district will sell it to him for $1 (one dollar).

Additionally, on that same chilly April 14th day, Congressman Roskam was not there to support the rally for the homeless or Cherrington's dream of creating housing for the homeless in Wheaton, and to the contrary - according to the "Political Party Time" website, there was a fund raising lunch event held at the Cava Restaurant in Washington, for Congressman Roskam on April 14.

Only those PACs that could afford to pay $5,000 or $2,500, or $500 for an individual, could sit at the table for this lunch fund raising event, for Congressman Roskam. An event that homeless people could not afford to join. http://politicalpartytime.org/party/24822/

Records reveal that the top 5 contributers to Roskam's Campaign Committee are Goldman Sachs, Edison International, Morey Corporation, Exelon Corporation, and Oil-Dri Corporation of America.

On April 14, it was also reported by Reuters that Goldman Sachs shares fell by as much as 3.1 percent, due to a damning Senate report that raised investor fears. Goldman Sach employees are accused of exploiting clients and lying to Congress during some testimony last year.

Roskam also served as a legislative assistant to Tom DeLay (R-TX) in 1985, before Delay was sentenced to 3 years in prison for money laundering and conspiracy from his involvement in a scheme to channel corporate political contributions to state races in Texas. DeLay is presently out on bail, appealing his conviction.

Lynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com


For more on Congressman Roskam click on links below...


Roskam voting record.

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http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=6382

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Peter Roskam's Personal Finances

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http://www.OpenSecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00004719&year=2009

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Peter Roskam's, Campaign Finance Money -- Top 5 Contributors -- Fundraising Events

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http://www.OpenSecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00004719&cycle=2010

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2006 Race: Money Raised and Spent by Peter Roskam

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http://www.OpenSecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycle=2006&id=IL06

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Peter Roskam Personal Finance Profile (Tax Filings?)

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http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/candlook.php?CID=N00004719