Mercer Communities

We're Gathering Election Candidate Information to Help Inform

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:30:00 -0200

Mercer Communities wants to help inform our area of who is running for what - and WHO they really are. Now more than ever, the "people" need to be making informed decisions in their voting - and we ALL need to be voting.

The Threat: Attacks on Parental Rights

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:43:44 -0200

The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children has been recognized and upheld for centuries. But there are dark clouds on the horizon.

Today parental rights are coming under assault from federal judges who deny or refuse to recognize these rights. Adding further danger to the child-parent relationship, international law seeking to undermine the parental role is advancing on the horizon. Together, these threats are converging to create a "perfect storm" that looms over the child-parent relationship.

In the early 1980s, a landmark parental rights case reached the Washington State Supreme Court. The case involved 13-year-old Sheila Marie Sumey, whose parents were alarmed when they found evidence of their daughter's participation in illegal drug activity and escalating sexual involvement. Their response was to act immediately to cut off the negative influences in their daughter's life by grounding her.

But when Sheila went to her school counselors complaining about her parent's actions, she was advised that she could be liberated from her parents because there was "conflict between parent and child." Listening to the advice she had received, Sheila notified Child Protective Services (CPS) about her situation. She was subsequently removed from her home and placed in foster care.

Her parents, desperate to get their daughter back, challenged the actions of the social workers in court. They lost. Even though the judge found that Sheila's parents had enforced reasonable rules in a proper manner, the state law nevertheless gave CPS the authority to split apart the Sumey family and take Sheila away.

Ron Paul wins a key battle in war to open Fed's books

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0200

Woo Hoo - we can all do a VICTORY dance!

Ron Paul wins a key battle in war to open Fed's books
November 19, 2009 | 5:42 pm

Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas Republican who is perhaps the Federal Reserveâs most implacable enemy, scored a big win Thursday on Capitol Hill: The House Financial Services Committee approved adding to a financial-system reform bill Paulâs provision to begin federal reviews of the central bankâs operations, including its interest-rate decisions.

The vote on the audit provision amendment was 43-26.

Paul has for years asserted that the Fed, which by design is independent of the federal government, was corrupt and that its monetary policy would drive America to ruin by debasing the dollar.

♪ ♪ 76 Trombones Taken Away by the CPSCâ¦ ♪ ♪

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:30:00 -0200

♪ ♪ 76 Trombones Taken Away by the CPSCâ¦ ♪ ♪

CPSC Ruling: The Day the Music Died for Elementary School Brass Bands?
In an unfortunate but widely expected decision last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted 3-2 to reject a petition to exempt brass from the new CPSIA-mandated lead standard.

NOVEMBER 7, 2009

Congress's Brass Knuckles

Another casualty of the lead toy 'safety' law.

The wheels on the bus won't go 'round and 'round in many playrooms this year
if the Consumer Product Safety Commission has its way. On Wednesday, the Commission voted against a petition to exempt small pieces of brass used in the wheels on toy cars, tractors and buses from draconian lead standards. The fiasco is one more sign that Congress must address the chaos created by its 2008 law regulating lead in toys.

Schilling Visits Thomson Correctional Facility

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:10:00 -0200

Schilling Visits Thomson Correctional Facility

Says we cannot afford to be short-sighted

EAST MOLINE, IL-- Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for Congress in the Illinois 17th Congressional District, visited the Thomson Correctional Facility today. Thomson Correctional Facility is under consideration to house Guantanamo Bay detainees. Schilling criticized the proposal, calling it "short-sighted" but also said that he supports filling Thomson with federal criminals, just not Al-Qaida terrorists.

"Our politicians tend to be a little short sighted at times," said Schilling. "That explains why we have a skyrocketing national debt and the highest unemployment rate since President Carter. It is almost as if as soon as someone says the word 'jobs' they will fully support the measure, even if it means bringing Al-Qaeda terrorists within 50 miles of their residents. We can create jobs by bringing federal prisoners here, we don't need to bring Al-Qaida terrorists here in order to create jobs.

Schilling to Host Health Care Town Halls

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:55:59 -0200

Schilling to Host Health Care Town Halls
Challenger to travel district hearing from voters

EAST MOLINE-- Bobby Schilling, candidate for Congress in the 17th Congressional District of Illinois, will host a series of town hall events, concerning health care, across the Illinois 17th Congressional district.

"This is going to be great opportunity to hear the health care concerns of voters in the 17th district," said Bobby Schilling, candidate for Congress. "Health care reform will effect everyone and we want to make sure that everyone is heard. Whether they are Democrats, Republicans or Independents, their concerns and questions are all very important."

Bobby continued, "As the father of nine, with another child on the way, lowering health care costs is a primary objective."

Bobby Schilling is the father of nine, a local business owner and a candidate for the Illinois 17th Congressional District.

Below are confirmed town hall locations and times:

Senate Leadership Blocks Federal Reserve Audit

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:16:56 -0200

Many New Boston & Keithsburg, Illinos residents got the chance to meet me in person as I paved the streets with petitions for S.604 - The Senate Audit the Fed Bill. I sent in well over 200 signatures from both towns. I even spent the extra on postage to make them sign for it so that we knew they were received.

I'd like to thank all of you that signed and supported this very important ammendment that will audit the Fed. Unfortunately our job is not done.

PLEASE pick up the phone and call Durbin - NOW:

Senator Dick Durbin
309 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
9 am to 6 pm
(202) 224-2152 - ph
(202) 228-0400 - fx

Use your voting power to make sure he knows that we will VOTE HIM OUT if he continues to fail to support this very badly needed ammendment!!

Senate Leadership Blocks Federal Reserve Audit
Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) was blocked by Senate Democrat Leadership from having a vote on his amendment to audit the Federal Reserve, based on a bill authored by Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) in the House, H.R. 1207, and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) in the Senate, S. 604.

Please go directly to the article - watch the video, read the rest of the article, then pick up the phone and take action. Our Country's survival depends on you getting involved. Please help us save America, before it's too late.

Read the Article - Watch the Video

Congressional Candidate Bobby Schilling Q&A

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:50:00 -0200

Congressional Candidate Bobby Schilling Q&A

Congressional Candidate for district 17 Bobby Schilling will be conducting a public Q & A at the Moline Public Libraary on Thursday, July 9, 2009. District 17 includes all of Mercer County. We'd like to encourage all that can be there to attend.

Date: 07/09/09
Time:: 6:00 PM - 07/09/09 8:00 PM

Location:
Moline Public Library
3210 41st St.
Moline, IL 61265

Bobby Schilling will also be attending New Boston's Annual Fish Fry on Saturday - August 16th, 2009 and is very exited about meeting our local residents.

Musical Talent Explodes for New Bostonâs Fish Fry

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:00:00 -0200

Saturday, May 30th was a fun & musical day at Fish Fry Park in New Boston. The fundraising event was organized by Dave & Missy McDonald, whom is also in charge of the Fish Fry entertainment. I was in total awe of the musical talent that came out to help support the New Boston Fish Fry fundraiser.

Drums, guitars, & sound system were furnished so that all that wanted to could join in, plus many musicians also brought their own instruments. Even the youth that got on the make shift stage to play were amazingly talented. Zach Simpson started the âStar Bangled Bannerâ while Mason Vestal and little David McDonald followed along for a salute to our country that thoroughly impressed this Veteran.

Along with the above mentioned youth, musicians that joined in were Dave McDonald, Clint Nelson, Ben Barnard, Doug Ferguson, Rich Vestal, Lance Dale, Tom Dale, David Shearer, Marc Sholewater, Mike Whitehall, Derek Schmitt, Mark Shearer, Mark Fourdyce, & Bill Rudd on the harmonica. If any musician was missed, my sincere apologies - I tried to write everybody all down but may have missed a few.

Food & beverages were served by Missy McDonald and a few local children. Dale Beam cooked the pork chops. Terri Dale assisted by helping with 50/50 & Small Mart gift certificate raffles. Winner of the 50/50 raffle was Chris Defrieze, which he generously donated back for the cause. Mike Dale won the Small Mart gift certificate. $600+ was raised for the Fish Fry.

The Community Club of New Boston has been working hard this last year to help revive our main annual event, to include bringing J&M Amusements for carnival rides. New Boston Fish Fry dates are August 14-16. Please contact the following people for more information on the Fish Fry: Entertainment contact Dave & Missy McDonald 563-260-4211. Princess/Queen Pageant will begin in June, contact Tammy Phillips at 309-587-8303, for Vendor & Crafter information contact Ralyn Schraceo at 309-587-3223,. Volleyball contact Doug Ayers, and for Parade & any other information, please contact Lenise Phillips at 309-587-8505.

Open Jam Fish Fry Fundraiser Photos

More Pictures + Videos on their way...

Proposed tax, increases in Illinois 'keep adding up'

Wed, 27 May 2009 07:00:00 -0200

Proposed tax, fee increases in Illinois 'keep adding up'
Mike Riopell | Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 4:40 pm

*Only a small fraction of article is posted here with link to full article.

SPRINGFIELD â As Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn bat around a handful of tax and fee increase ideas, a typical family of four could face paying about $200 more every year if all of them are approved.

Clearly, there are a lot of variables.

The most obvious ding to paychecks would be an increase in the stateâs income tax, which has been touted by Quinn as a way to help rescue the state from financial ruin.

Quinn proposed raising the rate from 3 percent on people to 4.5 percent. Higher deductions would dull the hike on people with lower salaries. And Quinn notes that families of four making less than about $60,000 a year would actually see their taxes go down.

But thereâs no guarantee lawmakers would go along. Some are hesitant to anger voters, especially in a recession.

âThey just keep adding up,â said state Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton.

The median income for a family of four in Illinois is about $72,400, according to the U.S. Census bureau. According to Quinnâs numbers, a similarly typical family of four that made $75,000 would take home about $146 less every year.

The income tax idea remains in a legislative limbo, but lawmakers have already approved tax and fee increases to pay for upgrades to state roads, bridges and buildings. Quinn has yet to sign off on them.

They call for the cost of annual car registrations to go up $20 to $99. A family of four with two cars would be obviously hit up for $40 more a year. Non-yearly fees such as driverâs license and vehicle transfer fees would also go up.

Read the rest of the article - Quad City Times

Mercer Communities

We're Gathering Election Candidate Information to Help Inform

The Threat: Attacks on Parental Rights

Ron Paul wins a key battle in war to open Fed's books

♪ ♪ 76 Trombones Taken Away by the CPSCâ¦ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ 76 Trombones Taken Away by the CPSCâ¦ ♪ ♪

Schilling Visits Thomson Correctional Facility

Schilling Visits Thomson Correctional Facility

Says we cannot afford to be short-sighted

Schilling to Host Health Care Town Halls

Senate Leadership Blocks Federal Reserve Audit

Congressional Candidate Bobby Schilling Q&A

Musical Talent Explodes for New Bostonâs Fish Fry

Proposed tax, increases in Illinois 'keep adding up'

♪ ♪ 76 Trombones Taken Away by the CPSCâ¦ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ 76 Trombones Taken Away by the CPSCâ¦ ♪ ♪

Musical Talent Explodes for New Bostonâs Fish Fry