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The Obama Doctrine


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Illinois School District PTA Promotes $8 Billion Tax Increase


We have to wonder if the citizens in Palatine School District 15 in Illinois have ever heard of Randy Page.

As in Lexington County School District 1 in South Carolina, Palatine 15 is utilizing a public communication system to promote legislative outcomes in favor of the elite, education establishment and their State-monopoly power. As reported by Red State:

“The PTA, Teachers Unions, and school officials are hosting a meeting on Saturday, April 12th to push the $8 Billion Dollar tax increase known as HB750 or SB2288. Since this is being hosted at a school, I wonder if any of the groups hosting the event are paying for the facilities or are the taxpayers footing the bill.

‘A+ Illinois Group is also promoting this education forum at Winston Campus 4/12: (see flyer, below; and proponents of the Tax Swap, HB 750 (2007)and SB2288 (2008)). District 15/211 Leaders also to attend (see below).

‘From a Flier:

‘Make your plans to attend and participate in the most important community forum ever focusing on public education in the Northwest Suburbs.

‘The Northwest Suburban Area
Community Forum on Public Education
Saturday, April 12, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
‘Winston Campus, Junior High
900 East Palatine Road
Palatine, Illinois

‘Community members, parents, school employees and patrons in the Northwest Cook and Lake County Suburbs are invited to attend this important community conference on education.

‘This event is free to all. Continental breakfast will be served.
Master of Ceremonies: Dann Gire, Film Critic, Daily Herald
Event Chair: Celina Watts, Region 43 Chair, Illinois Education Association…

‘This event and open community dialogue session marks the first time in which parents, community members, the education community and leaders will come together in an open forum to discuss current issues and changes in public education in the Northwest Suburbs.

‘Conference planners expect a large turnout from the public, so secure your seat now.

‘Mark your calendar today!

‘Please RSVP to (847) 359-0300. Ask for Education Forum reservations.
Hosted by the Northwest Suburban Regions of the Illinois Education Association’

“Last year, the unions and school officials enlisted students and used taxpayer dollars to bus them to Springfield for a rally. I would venture to say they will probably do that again at some point this spring…

“HB750 and SB2288 are not a Tax Swap, they are a tax increase. This is an $8 Billion dollar tax increase. Everyday we hear more and more stories about how bad the economy is, how many people are losing their homes from foreclosure. Yet, the teachers unions, school officials, and many elected officials want to saddle us with an ever increasing tax burden so they can spend as much money as they want. Of course they tell us it is all for the kids. The truth is this is not for the kids. Look at the numbers during the presentation. A large chunk of this money goes to the State's structural deficit, another large chunk to the teachers' pension fund, finally the remaining money goes to increase the Foundation level money to the schools.”

Depending on the outcome of the Page v. Lexington 1, citizens in school districts across the nation could have the right to respond on an equal footing when their local school districts engage in political propaganda to promote their own questionable political agendas.

ALG CTA: The days of State-funded propaganda to advance State powers without the right to respond must come to an end. Citizens across the nation should call (849)359-0300 and demand equal time on April 12th to speak out against Illinois’ $8 billion tax increase at the “open community dialogue session”, and they should contact the Palatine 15 PTA and demand the opportunity to send out their own fliers against the tax hike to parents in the District.

Page v. Lexington Video Interview


In response to several requests from journalists across the nation for more information regarding the precedent-setting free speech case, Page v. Lexington County School District One, ALG News correspondent Carter Clews recently sat down for a video interview with appellant Randy Page and his attorney, Kevin Hall.


The interview offers a complete background of the case, which involves Page’s claim that by promoting its views against a South Carolina school choice initiative, the District had created a public forum from which the appellant unconstitutionally barred. Page and Hall also discussed the potential impact of the case and generally comment on the issue of school choice in South Carolina and across the nation.

Page and Hall are hopeful for a victory in this case, but they suggested that however it turns out, that this case could wind up in the Supreme Court. A victory for Page would mean that when the government takes a stand on a legislative issue, doing so creates a public forum with which citizens with dissenting views must be allowed to participate in.

For information on this case, please visit http://picfoundation.org.

4th Circuit Hears Page v. Lexington Free Speech Case


On March 20th, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the precedent-setting free speech case, Page v. Lexington County School District One. ALG News correspondent Tracy Jones filed this report from the scene:


During oral arguments, the majority of questions posed by the judges pertained to the First Amendment, indicating the court was strongly considering Page’s claim that by promoting its views against a South Carolina school choice initiative, the District had created a public forum from which the appellant, Randy Page, was unlawfully barred.

Once rendered, the court’s decision will have immediate impact in 5 States – Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland – and will set precedent for the other Circuit Courts throughout the nation.

ALG Prediction: This case, win or lose for Page, may ultimately wind up in the Supreme Court to be decided. A victory for Page would be a victory for free speech, and would send a clear message to school districts throughout the country, and other Big Government organs, that when a public forum is opened, they must make room for the dissenting views of citizens.

Sunshine, Sunshine in My Heart Today?


The headline on the American Society of Newspaper Editors’ (ASNE) website says it all:

Clinton Tells Sunshine Week

She’s “Committed to Restoring Open Government”

The ASNE lead confirms the Senator/Presidential candidate’s allegedly unequivocal commitment to making Big Government entirely open and accessible to those who pay the bills:

Washington — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) says she is "committed to restoring open government" by not only mandating more open meetings and release of public documents, but also by nominating "an attorney general who has a proven commitment to open government," according to her response to the Sunshine Week 2008: Sunshine Campaign survey of presidential candidates.

Sunshine Week — a non-partisan, open government initiative led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors that runs March 16-22 — surveyed the presidential candidates on a variety of open government issues, including access to information, Freedom of Information Act reform, secrecy and classification. To date, Clinton is the only remaining major candidate to respond. Former democratic contenders Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) replied in full and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) responded in part.

Clearly, Her Ladyship means business. Fortuitously, her commitment comes just as ASNE has proclaimed March 16-22 “Government Sunshine Week” – and just as South Carolina’s Randy Page takes his case to court to force Lexington School District One to allow taxpayers open and equal access to the government’s sophisticated communications system.

Currently, as we reported in yesterday’s edition, the government has placed a gag order on all but those who agree to tout the government line.

Taking the former First Lady at her word, Mr. Page has extended the courtesy of inviting her to get a jump on her hoped-for Administration’s commitment to openness by turning her words into actions now. Herewith, the letter Mr. Page has sent to Senator Clinton via postal mail, email, and hand delivery:

Dear Senator Clinton:

First, please allow me to commend you on your response to the American Society of Newspaper Editor’s “Sunshine Survey” by declaring your full commitment to “restoring open government.”

In your response, you stated unequivocally, “I believe in an open, transparent government that is accountable to the people,” adding emphatically, “Excessive government secrecy harms democratic governance and can weaken our system of checks and balances by shielding officials from oversight and inviting misconduct or error.” And, of course, you are absolutely right.

Now, I am pleased to tell you that you do not have to wait until next January to begin combating that “misconduct or error.” That is because this week, in a courtroom in Richmond’s 4th Circuit, the case of Page v Lexington County School District One could set a important new precedent in opening up government communications systems to the very taxpayers who are paying for those systems, while being forbidden to use them.

I am providing you the affidavit my attorneys have filed in that case. And I am inviting you to lend your public support to this very worthy and important case.

As you have so eloquently stated, “To me openness and accountability are not platitudes – they are essential elements of our democracy.”

Now, during “Sunshine in Government Week” – when you have come out so strongly for all that it portends – you have a golden opportunity to help make that dream a reality.

Sincerely,

Randy Page

Now, it is up to Mrs. Clinton to prove whether her “commitment to restoring open government” extends as far as Thursday.

ALG Forecast: Low-hanging clouds over “Sunshine Week.”

Government Putting a Gag on Liberty


Should a school district be allowed to silence a citizen who wants to promote a school choice initiative?

The friends of limited government at the Parents in Charge Foundation don’t think so. And, they put together a clever mailing last week promoting the precedent-setting 4th Circuit Court case, Page v. Lexington 1, to graphically make their point. It featured a paper cut-out of the Statue of Liberty – complete with a red gag – and “Government Instructions” on how to silence pesky dissenters:

“1. Cut out statue.

“2. Fold statue.

“3. Place gag over Liberty’s mouth. Now.”

If you would like your very own limited-edition “Gagged Liberty” cut-out, you can get one by emailing the Parents in Charge Foundation at ray@picfoundation.org and including your address. They’ll be happy to mail you one promptly.

ALG Reminder: The case itself will be heard at the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA on March 20th. If you have any questions, you can contact the Parents in Charge Foundation at (703)383-0908.
 
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