VIA Times – October 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Elsie Sy-Niebar
* CHICAGO FILIPINO ASIAN AMERICAN HALL OF FAME a SPLASH! Was featured on WLSTV Ch 7 and CBS TV Ch 2! HOF Guest Speaker BRUCE RAUNER, GOP candidate for governor gets ‘Thumbs Up’ from guests while Keynote Speaker Billy Dec inspires younger generation! *WWII Vet JAIME PESONGCO, first Fil- Am Vet honored by the Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Few days from now, come November 4, we, the Voters will troop to the polls and elect our government officials who will lead us for the next four years. Topping it all is the seat of our Governor, currently occupied by Governor Patrick Quinn for the past six years. Inheriting a crumbling seat from former Gov Rod Blagjevich who was impeached and is now serving a 14-year sentence, was not easy for Gov. Quinn. Apparently, Gov. Quinn is doing his best but the Illinois economy continues to sink deeper in spite of increase in taxation and job cuts. Several Political Think Tanks, particularly from the Republican side, believe that Gov Quinn is under the thumbs of Powerful Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.
Heraclitus, one of the greatest Greek philosopher, said: “Nothing is more permanent than CHANGE.” Darn right.
Gov. Pat Quinn is hardworking and an honest government official. He is friendly and approachable. When he first ran for Illinois Treasurer in the early ‘90s, as a die-hard Democrat myself, our Illinois Asian American Political Empowerment Organization, and the Filipino American Democratic Organization of Cook County (FADOC) were all behind him as well as all other Democrat candidates like Richard M. Daley for Mayor; Jesse White for Recorder of Deeds, then Secretary of State; Senators Dick Durbin and the late Sen. Paul Simon, and of course former President Bill Clinton. And a host of Democrat candidates. Those were our heydays as POLITICALLY-EMPOWERED Asian Americans! With most of us retired now, we stepped aside but keep our hopes high for the younger Asian generation today. But of course, Political Empowerment will always run in my blood. Yes, I am a die-hard Democrat. And I respect Gov. Pat Quinn. But why am I ENDORSING BRUCE RAUNNER with VIA TIMES? Because I believe ILLINOIS LEADERSHIP NEEDS CHANGE and a complete overhaul. Under Gov Pat Quinn, jobs have been lost and public safety is getting worse. Schools are closing. People are having financial difficulties. Middle-class folks are taxed to the hilt and taxes keep skyrocketing! It hurts retirees like myself. Real Estate taxes keep shooting up the sky! Therefore, I believe in good conscience, that we need a Governor who has a great vision for Illinois; a great Think-Tank-Businessperson like BRUCE RAUNER. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He flipped burgers and parked cars. He earned his education and, more importantly, he learned by experience how to make a Piggy Bank grow. In their recent debate, Gov. Quinn kept hitting Rauner for his “millions.” Was it a sin? Rauner works hard to earn it. So, Illinois needs Rauner’s Talent to shape up the Illinois sinking ECONOMY.
Come November 4, if you are a qualified voter, help save Illinois. Please Go out and VOTE for BRUCE RAUNER, GOVERNOR. Thank you.
Joining our endorsement, is political commentator/writer and retired banking professional, Don Azarias. He wrote: “For the betterment of Illinois, no matter how those Illinois Democratic leaders in Springfield try to control both houses of the state legislature, they still can’t hide the fact that the State of Illinois is in complete financial mess and is on the verge of bankruptcy. Over the years, the corrupt leadership of Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and the impeached governor, Rod Blagojevich, and now, his successor, Pat Quinn — have wrecked so much havoc in the financial wellbeing of the State of Illinois which left the Land of Lincoln in dire financial straits with no immediate chance for recovery. As elected political leaders of the State of Illinois, what do Madigan, Cullerton and Quinn have in common? Well, they are all Democrats and there’s no way to sugarcoat their political machinations and party’s ideology. Heck, those Democrats won’t even allow the ‘passive’ Illinois voters to enshrine the ‘term limit’ in the State Constitution. Thwarting the voters’ will would enable those political crooks to perpetuate themselves in public office. And, doing so, would allow them to keep control of the patronage jobs that they dole out to their cronies of political hacks and ‘Brown Nosers’ at high salaries and excellent benefits that ordinary Illinois voters could only dream of. Is it any wonder that the State of Illinois is broke? It, therefore, behooves us, Illinois voters, to rally behind a reformer and proven financial expert, Mr. Bruce Rauner, a Republican candidate for governor of Illinois. Come November 4, 2014, we should cast our vote for him to help him get elected. Rauner’s business savvy and knowledge in dealing with the stock and bond markets made him a successful investor and a wealthy man. He did it through hard work. Unlike Pat Quinn, who is a political puppet of Mike Madigan and John Cullerton, Rauner is independent and is not beholden to any of those Springfield puppeteers. Rauner will use his expertise in finance and investments in order to turn the Illinois financial mess around. He will impose fiscal discipline when crafting the state budget and excise the fat that is causing waste and inefficiency in the state government that’s reeling under the weight of those unneeded and unqualified patronage job holders. It is for these reasons that the VIA Times is endorsing the candidacy of BRUCE RAUNER for GOVERNOR of ILLINOIS!
(Don Azarias, Former Assistant Vice President, Investments and Market Research Services, Bank of America)
Art Dilay, a long-time community leader in the Filipino American community and a retired Asst. Bureau Chief for Illinois Health Dept.,
added: “I am a Democrat and I like Gov. Pat Quinn. But the issue we face today is not personal. What is important is Illinois needs a change of Leadership, someone who is competitive and highly-knowledgeable in managing the economy of the State. And that Leader is Mr. Bruce Rauner. I am supporting him. Let us vote for Rauner. Our State of Illinois needs him.” (Art Dilay) Gov. Pat Quinn’s runningmate is Mr. Paul Vallas, former President of the Chicago Public School. Mr. Bruce Rauner’s runningmate is Evelyn Sanguinette, a former Asst. State Attorney. More Endorsements for Bruce Rauner as of press time: *The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board endorses Bruce Rauner for governor. *The Illinois Chamber of Commerce*The Daily Herald**ICYMI:Shaw Media*
Mr. Bruce Rauner happily poses with me (Shorty Elsie) to the point of “lowering” himself to be on my level… a very significant human trait showing humility to “bend down” to reach out and help someone. (E. Antonio photo)
MORE PUSH for BRUCE! from the HOF guests, from left, the youngest guest Sandiel Estavillo, Francis Mon, Brenda and Mike Stevens, Lourdes Mon, BRUCE RAUNER, Mercy & Tom Matousek, and Romy Gumila. Seated at fron are Cora Gumila and Mabel Estavillo (E. Antonio photo)
GOP candidate for Governor BRUCE RAUNER is shown given a THUMBS UP by HOF guests: Cindy Flores, Vicky Fertig, Edwin and Neriza Pineda, Lou Maningas, Elsie, your columnist; BRUCE RAUNER, Neneth Miranda, Nestor and Elsa Castillo and Alicia Monk. Seated in front are Mar LaPena and Dwayne. (photo by Ernie Antonio)
GOP candidate for Governor BRUCE RAUNER is shown given a THUMBS UP by HOF guests: Cindy Flores, Vicky Fertig, Edwin and Neriza Pineda, Lou Maningas, Elsie, your columnist; BRUCE RAUNER, Neneth Miranda, Nestor and Elsa Castillo and Alicia Monk. Seated in front are Mar LaPena and Dwayne. (photo by Ernie Antonio)
(1) Photo shows Simon Wlodarski, Chief of Staff, Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs, presenting the plaque to Mr. Jaime Pesongco, 94, the first Filipino WWII veteran to receive such honor. held last October 2 at the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago.(Elsie Sy-Niebar photo). (2) Mr. Jaime Pesongco reads his Appreciation speech spiced with a heartbreaking appeal to the US Congress to approve the Congressional Bill titled “Benefits Fairness for Filipino Veterans Act 2013” which discriminates Fil-Am vets the length of days of their vacation to their Homeland. “The few of us left may not live long to benefit from this bill if ever it becomes a law, but I will be proud to say that through these efforts we did our best to help bring equality and justice to the Filipino WWII Veterans,” Mr. Pesongco concluded his speech in a quivering voice. (ESN photo); (3) n photo from left are Jose Pesongco, son of honoree, Ed Brotonel, MBDO Director, Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO); Consul General Generoso Calonge; Col. Richard McMahon, Jr., MBDO president; Maj. Edwin Walker, MBDO VP; Mr. Jaime Pesongco, the honoree; Estrella Alamar, MBDO Director. (ESNphoto) (4) Other Veterans who attended the ceremony, seated are awardee Mr. Jaime Pesongco seated with Edwin H. Walker, IV, MBDO VP & Major, USMC. Standing form left are: Simon Wlodarski, an undentified veteran, Ed Brotonel, director of Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO); Jose R. Galarza, Jr. (MBDO Secretary); Estrella Alamar (MBDO Director and of the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago (FAHSC); Colonel Richard A. McMahon, Jr. (Pres., MBDO); and Barry Cicero (MBDO Director & American Legion Official. (ESNphoto).
(1) Never too late to give Thanks to the jolly couples above, my long-time great friends who made my recent Birthday and fundraiser truly like a Family Affair. Seated from left by couple: Becky and Manny Belbis, thanks Manny for your heart-rendering song; Lita and Flo Villegas; me and my best friend Richard Diesterheft; Hilda and Dr. Fred Sy, my cousin-at-heart; and Inday Jo and Don Azarias, another cousin-at-heart. (photo by Rosie Reid); (2) Another huge thanks to my Cousin Rhodora and her loving hubby Boni Cava. Thanks so much for always being there for me! (Rosie Reid); (3) Congratulations to Dr. Ramon Lopez, shown here with his beautiful wife MaryLyn, on his recent induction as president of the Philippine Medical Association of Chicago (PMAC)! Heartfelt greetings from me, Elsie!
