By Nancy Thorner –
The 10th Congressional District of Illinois lies in the northeast corner of the state, and mostly comprises northern suburbs of Chicago. It was created after the 1860 census, and has changed dramatically over the last 159 years. The district is currently represented by Democrat Brad Schneider.
As a resident of Lake Bluff, and a constituent of Congressman Schneider, I responded to Schneider’s announcement that a town hall meeting would be held in Lake Bluff on Saturday, July 13 in Lake Bluff's Village Hall.
I had no idea when entering the room that as a Republican conservative I would soon feel like an alien seated in a room filled with Democrats, all in step with Nancy Pelosi. Yet I should have realized that Democrat Congressman Schneider was elected as a true, blue Democrat in a seat also once held by Republicans John Porter, Mark Kirk and Robert Dold.
Schneider’s opening remarks
In his opening remarks Schneider sounded somewhat reasonable, in what was his 8th town hall meeting the year. He thanked the officials present for all they do every day to fight for our country and for our schools. Those present included Village President, Kathleen O'Hara; Robert Morgan, my state representative in the IL General Assembly; and Sandy Hart, my Lake County Board Member.
In speaking about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the House and which now goes to the Senate, cited was a long-delayed pay raise for our troops; however, the Act also authorizes our military to reinstate LGBT individuals in our military. Incorporated into the NDAA was Schneider's own amendment, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act. This legislation ensures the Boots to Business program will continue training veterans and transitioning service members on how to start and grow a small business.
Looking ahead to the week to come, Rep. Schneider looked forward to voting on the Raise the Wage Act to gradually increase the national minimum wage to $15 per hour, citing how this month marks 10 years since Congress last raised the wage. Said Schneider: “We need to act now because it is wrong that someone working full-time in America is forced to live in poverty.”
It was what followed Schneider's opening remarks that caused me to squirm in my chair, having occurred when Congressman Schneider entertained questions from audience members. When listening to Schneider’s responses, it took all of my will power not to speak up to get out the truth.
On Climate Change
In responding to several question on climate change, Schneider indicated how pleased he was to have joined with his colleague Earl Blumenauer on a new resolution recognizing the global climate crisis as a "national emergency and as a threat to our communities today and a challenge for the future we hope to leave our children."
Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord was viewed as a huge mistake, with Schneider further claiming that "being a scientist isn't necessary to see what is happening to the planet." The Trump administration was pegged as denying science and of further targeting people who had worked on climate change in the Obama administration, but who are still are on board in the Trump administration. In driving from St. Louis to Chicago, Schneider observed fields not yet planted where usually seen are fields of corn growing high and where soybeans are thriving. Climate Change was the reason given by Schneider for Chicago's rainy weather, along with hurricanes, fires, and even Europe's recent heatwave, all as the consequences of CO2.
When questioned by a middle school student as to what was the difference between weather and climate, Schneider replied: "Heavy rainfall is "bad weather," but when it extends over a long period of time it is called "climate," as when a hurricane season extends longer than usual.
Fear was expressed over permafrost thawing exacerbating global warming by releasing methane, a greenhouse gas like CO2, considered by climate change believers to be far more devastating to the climate than CO2. With icecaps and glaciers starting to melt because of climate change, flooding is occurring because oceans were rising.
Cited was that greenhouse gasses must be cut in half through educating people to support green energy through adaptation of new technologies. Related was how China and India are investing in new technologies. We are not, suggested Schneider, because of the denial of the Trump administration to act.
Nancy Thorner found herself no longer able to stay silent when the issue of nuclear waste was brought up. Nuclear energy was presented by Thorner as an excellent clean and safe source of green energy. After its initial sizable investment, if properly maintained a nuclear plant can operate for 100 years. When Schneider cited the storage of nuclear waste as a problem with no place to dispose of it, Thorner asked what was wrong with the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. Already determined to be safe, the rods would be buried many feet under the ground. Thorner likewise spoke about the method France is using to store its nuclear waste where all can be contained in a room-sized area. Schneider did have to admit that the nuclear storage problem was mostly a political problem.
On illegal immigrants
A breakdown in the decorum of the room happened when possibly a Republican attendee shouted out if Medicare would be given to illegal immigrants. With many in the room feeling very passionate about the issue, Kathy O'Hare, as the overseer of the event, interrupted with this stern message: "Everyone has a right to speak their own mind. One at a time and be nice or you will be asked to leave."
Schneider believes that visitors to this country should receive free healthcare, further stating that immigrants are already accessing healthcare through hospitals. Never really answering the question directly as to whether illegal immigrants should receive Medicare, insight into Schneider's thinking was on display when he received a question about what to do about ICE. The questioner informed Schneider that she must carry her passport around all the time, further stating that this is not who we are as a nation, to which Schneider responded: "We are all Americans when we are here." Not happy with the announced raids or with what is happening at our border [Schneider is shortly planning to visit the border.], Schneider did say, "We can't allow Trump's vision of American to define our country. The raids are being done to create fear."
Available for pickup when signing in was a KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! sheet, telling illegal aliens what to do IF APPROACHED BY ICE AGENTS OR POLICE, IF ICE AGENTS COME TO YOUR HOME, or IF YOU ARE ARRESTED OR BEING DETAINED.
Schneider railed against Republican Senator leader Mitch McConnell for not passing a bi-partisan immigration bill when it was introduced and also for a remark McConnell supposedly made that should a House bill for immigration reform should come to the Senate, it will go to its death.
Reported by Schneider was that the House has already passed 9 of 12 appropriation bills. Now it was time for the Senate to move. Schneider feels the last thing this country needs is another government shutdown, but if the Trump administration continues not to care what Congress does, we will remain at an impasse.
On Medicare
An attendee who had just returned from spending several years in England, in remarking about England’s outstanding universal health care, asked Rep. Schneider is he would be a sponsor of Medicare for all, making make it happen here. To Schneider's credit, shifting the cost of health care from insurance companies to government is not something he could support. Questioned by Schneider was how the government would pay for the cost? But Schneider likewise expressed fear about shifting healthcare to the government in that President Trump, Senator McConnell, and Attorney General Barr are now in charge.
On gun violence
A student from Lake Forest High School quizzed Schneider what could be done about gun violence. Schneider explained how early in his congressional career he thought gun control legislation would be passed, but each time the Senate pushed back. Schneider did send a letter to the NRA in reference to the NRA's violation of the tax status of the IRA. Schneider mused how the money wasn’t there to take on the NRA.
About transparency
Relative to this issue, Schneider spoke of representing all the people in his 10th District, voting for what he feels best for his constituents and for this nation. Questions were brought up about Schneider's investments, which Schneider indicated had been moved to mutual funds to eliminate any conflict of interest.
As to whether President Trump should be required to make similar disclosure, there was a definite "yes" response from Schneider, who thinks Trump should be required to show his tax returns, but not for political reason. But “when is the why?” I thought after this unbelievable response from Schneider
When the meeting ended, I made the mistake of lingering to talk to an attendee who was appalled that I didn't believe in the ability of man to change the climate. It wasn't long before I was called crazy for calling climate change a hoax aimed at controlling the lives of people. It was then that I decided to leave the event, knowing there was nothing more I could say to convince the person who challenged and further pitied me to believe as I did.
It is well to remember that arguments are for the benefit of the undecided, which compose a significant but decisive minority. Arguing with fools is like wrestling with pigs. You get dirty, and the pigs enjoy rolling in the mud.
The 10th CD covers parts of Cook and Lake counties, as of the 2011 redistricting which followed the 2010 census. All or parts of Beach Park, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Libertyville, Mundelein, North Chicago,Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Wheeling and Zion are included.
