Issue Position: Government Reform

Issue Position

Corruption is a word that gets used a lot to describe Illinois, but I believe the problem is deeply engrained in the state's political cultural. Since our early history, politicians have had incentives to break the rules and criminal elements have infiltrated the highest offices of state and local government. The late Secretary of State Paul Powell, a Southern Illinois native, was quoted as saying, "There's only one thing worse than a defeated politician, and that's a broke one." This mantra has been carried onward by too many of our so-called leaders who enrich themselves at the expense of the people and mock our civic institutions and the importance of public service. Sadly, corruption and ethical malpractice are committed by politicians from both parties and all regions of the state.

In office, I will continually push for changes that make politicians accountable to their voters, like making it impossible for them to draw themselves safe political districts and allowing voters to have a say on changing the state's constitution to allow for term-limits. I'm sick and tired of the self-interested "leaders" we send to Springfield who fall in love with their special license plate and title, and lose site of the families they are supposed to fight for and the communities they are supposed to represent. I will be a strong, independent, and conservative leader for Southern Illinois.

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