An Advocate for Southern Illinois Statehood

Monday, March 30, 2009

The Land Called Egypt



http://www.egyptianaaa.org/SI-History.htm
(for more on "Egypt" click on the above link)





Southern Illinois joined the union in 1818. I say Southern Illinois joined the union, for at that time there was no northern Illinois. As the state developed the population and industrial and commercial activities moved steadily north, until today only 3 ½ percent of the population of the state lives in the 21 Southernmost Illinois counties. For 190 years the region has lagged behind the rest of the state.

Southern Illinois must change. Whether we call it The Southern Illinois enlightenment, or reformation, or renaissance, or great awakening, we must change. We must make quantum leaps forward. We demand to little of ourselves—we think to small and settle for to little. We must take to heart the words of Alexander Hamilton, “Wise political leaders march at the head of affairs. They do not wait for events—but know what actions to take. The actions they take will produce the events."

There is in each of us a spiritual power over which circumstance has no control. Our material, financial, and social progress as a region will not happen until we awaken that spiritual potential lying fallow and unexpressed within and rouse ourselves to purposeful and united action. It is said that, "God does not change the condition of a people until they first change what is in their hearts."


We must think of ourselves as Southern Illinoisans first, and then as citizens of our communities. I am convinced that until we adopt that mind-set we will never achieve the unity and prosperity we desire for ourselves, our children, and our grand children.

The answers to the problems that face Southern Illinois are not to be found in Springfield or in Washington. The answers are to be found in the hearts and minds of the citizens of Southern Illinois. Within every community reside the ideas, interests, and unique talents necessary for its own advancement. The ability of the community to seize the initiative and accept responsibility for its actions is the most dynamic and certain means of development.

IT IS TIME FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS STATEHOOD!!!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Every county should of course determine whether it will remain with the old or join in the new State of Illinois, however the above map shows one of the many possible outcomes of separation. The red area being the largest geographic area would retain the name ILLINOIS while the smaller area would determine their new name.

CORRUPT GOVERNMENT

Three Governors of the State of Illinois have served time in prison, one has been impeached, and the ethical status of one of the Illinois US Senators is in question.

Otto Kerner, Jr., Daniel Walker, and George Ryan all served time in prison. Former governor Rod Blagojevich was charged by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald with several offenses, including mail fraud and wire fraud, and attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat for personal financial and influential gain. He was impeached on January 9, 2009, by the Illinois House of Representatives, and removed from office by the Illinois Senate on January 29, 2009.

A corrupt and dysfunctional government is sufficient reason to seek separation and form a new State.

UNEQUALLY YOKED


Scripture admonishes us not to be “unequally yoked.” How long are we to remain bound by the greater numbers of voters that keep in power a corrupt State government? Our votes are ineffective and our voices go unheard in the chambers of government. Our Representatives and senators are forced to participate in a system alien to the values of the people they represent.

The Southern Illinois economy is ignored, our schools underfunded, and our natural resources undeveloped. Many of our town’s are losing population and their commercial districts are in decline—many towns are without hospitals, or doctors, or ambulance service.

Our schools are failing; medical care is inadequate, manufacturing essentially non-existent, and food production insufficient to feed our citizens. Our transportation infrastructure is deteriorating, fresh water resources are insufficient to support future growth and our over-all economy is impoverished.

Between the 1990 and 2000 census, 11 of the 21 southernmost counties lost population. It is estimated that between 2000 and 2006, 17 of the 21 counties lost population.
Chronic high unemployment and low wages plague the entire area.

To continue politics-as-usual is to condemn the next generation to continued poverty and political dependency.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, THE 51ST STATE

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,” … Remember those words from the Declaration of Independence. It is time that we apply them to our own condition in Southern Illinois.

Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois are in effect already two states. All that remains is to make it a political reality.

We have different economies, different cultures, different values, and different political views.

In State government, even if every Southern representative and senator voted in a block, they cannot overcome the greater numbers of the North.

If Southern Illinois is to prosper, it will be as a sovereign State. We must control our own destiny or forever be under the control of others whose interests and needs are in opposition to our own. It is time for Southern Illinois STATEHOOD.