I want to share my thoughts on Aaron Schock, and why I won’t be voting for him on Tuesday.
Schock’s story is clearly exceptional. He finished his college degree in two years. He was elected to the District 150 school board as a write-in candidate at age 19. He’s been President of the District 150 Board of Education, State Representative for the Illinois 92nd District, and now Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives in the 18th District at age 27. No one can deny Aaron Schock has a remarkable resume.
So why won’t I vote for this Golden Boy? The answer is precisely that … he’s a Golden Boy. I have no doubt that Aaron Schock worked very hard for what he has accomplished. However, that does not change the fact that he was born with and provided every advantage by his well-to-do family. It does not change the fact that his entire adult life has been spent holding some sort of public office, and that each position was held with a blatantly obvious eye toward the next rung on the ladder of political power. It does not change the fact that Schock’s wealth derives entirely from investments, not a salary like most folks in this country. While the success of those investments was undoubtedly born of his intelligence and ingenuity, his well-placed connections certainly didn’t hurt.
I’m not voting for Aaron Schock because his life is COMPLETELY divorced from the lives of ordinary Illinoisans. He cannot possibly sympathize or understand the trials and tribulations of Joe Average. The lives of the impoverished and the middle class are totally alien to him, yet they are precisely the people that need help the most. He might mean very well. Aaron Schock’s intentions could be truly noble, but his sympathies will be with the wealthy developers and the failed mantra of trickle-down economics.
Aaron Schock cannot possibly represent the people of the 18th Congressional District in any true sense, and that’s why I won’t be voting for him.
13 responses so far ↓
1
Brian A. Graham
// Nov 3, 2008 at 8:55 am
I’m with you Knight. I’m against him because of his extreme ideology. His class background doesn’t interest me in the least. The Roosevelts did pretty well for being aristocrats. However, I would like to direct you to a couple of sites but I’m having a problem copying them into my browser. Please google Patrick McHenry Getting ahead in the G.O.P”It is an article about the then youngest member of Congress, Patrick McHenry. His biography, ideology, mentors, etc should sound very familiar to Schock watchers. There are also more “interesting” parallels in their lives if one wants to pursue rumors. Many of the same players show up such as Eric Cantor who is featured prominently on Schock’s website. Susan B. Hirschmann, who was Tom DeLay’s chief of staff recently hosted a Schock fundraiser at the Capitol Hill Club http://www.politicalpartytime.org Schock also has received money from Mark Gerson one of the directors of Project for a New American Century, and who probably has ties to Freedom Watch.
With fellow travelers like these, I think Schock will be part of prolonging the problem, not part of the solution. He’s too extreme.
2
Mike
// Nov 3, 2008 at 9:23 am
I completely disagree with you. You have obviously not spent anytime in his office watching him help ALL the people he represents. If you ever had a problem to address, he will work quickly to get it resolved like he did with me. You are stuck on the stereotype (Golden Boy) of Aaron, but that is not who he is. Being born into a family that took care of his existence and relatedness needs has allowed him to pursue his growth needs, and in the process help others through his office. Why should he be penalized for that?
3
Knight in Dragonland
// Nov 3, 2008 at 10:19 am
Mike, I really don’t care what he does in the office. It’s all well and good that Aaron Schock helps those individual constituents that approach him with problems. I’ve heard from many sources that he is very diligent in such cases, and that is certainly commendable.
The real question is will he LEGISLATE to help those same people? Do those people have his ear when it comes to matters of policy? The answer to that is clearly no, and he’ll wield far more power across a much broader spectrum in that regard.
4
Mamma Hen
// Nov 3, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Well i wasn’t going to write at this late date because people’s minds are made up. But i want you to know Aaron works very hard for the uninsuraned people of not only our community , but beyond . I have witness his warmth , compassion and caring . When you do a lot of volunteering with in your community , you see cadidates up close and personal, don’t judge a book , till you read a few pages . Aaron really cares and he, listens, gets it and understand it . That why i voted for him. He will do our district proud .
5
Anon
// Nov 3, 2008 at 1:10 pm
So only a person born in to poverty deserves to get ahead? Sounds like reverse discrimination to me. According to you, the guy because of his background, doesn’t deserve a chance. How unfair is that? You know many children born into privelege become lazy and abuse it. Aaron has used his upbringing to serve the people of Illinois. I don’t understand your way of thinking. It’s a shame.
6
Knight in Dragonland
// Nov 3, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I have many other reasons for not voting for Aaron Schock, but I chose to discuss one reason that, to my knowledge, hasn’t been aired in any other forum.
Because of his background, Aaron Schock apparently sees nothing wrong with backdating documents in order for his parents to evade taxes in an illegal shelter. His actions were illegal, unethical and nepotistic. IMO, he has already proven that he’s willing to abuse his privileges, and he’s glaringly unapologetic about it … even though a sincere apology for his actions would hurt him precisely nil. Schock will have even more power for abuse as a member of the U.S. Congress, and that’s frightening.
If he continues the tradition of Michel and Lahood in regards to reaching across the aisle and working with the opposition, Aaron Schock may prove me wrong. I sincerely hope that he does. However, that doesn’t mean I’ll vote for him on Tuesday.
7
Knight in Dragonland
// Nov 3, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I fully recognize that Aaron Schock’s exceptional background is viewed by most as a positive attribute. I am simply pointing out that it also has its drawbacks. Life experience counts for something, people. Aaron Schock’s life experience has been (1) short and (2) extremely bizarre. I don’t see how that could not affect his worldview.
8
Anon
// Nov 3, 2008 at 9:20 pm
You say his actions were illegal. The States Attorneys office said they were not. You and Colleen are guilty of wishful thinking for one, and spreading vicious lies for another. Ever heard of the presumption of innocence? Not a bad idea given that we live in a free and civilized society… at least for the moment.
9
Knight in Dragonland
// Nov 3, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I spread no lies, vicious or otherwise, oh so bravely anonymous. I simply describe behavior that Golden Boy ADMITTED. His father stated UNDER OATH that Aaron notarized and backdated the documents to set up the ILLEGAL tax shelter, and Schock himself confirmed his father’s story. So are you saying that Aaron Schock lied to the Journal Star when he confirmed his father’s testimony, or did Aaron’s father perjure himself??? Which is it? It has to be one or the other if what you say is true …
Any states attorney that couldn’t slam dunk that prosecution should be disbarred for utter incompetence. However, the statute of limitations expired, so there’s no reason to pursue it. Thus, the mollifying language of the the States Attorneys office. Even if by some miracle Schock’s actions weren’t illegal (Proven demonic possession? No, no … the one-testicled pig did it!), they remain clearly unethical and nepotistic.
“Notary Gate” is certainly not a hanging offense. I’m not saying it disqualifies him from office. I simple want Aaron Schock to acknowledge what he did was wrong, and apologize. Instead, all I hear from Schock and every Republican that takes on this issue are excuses and evasions and dismissals … the same sort of excuses and evasions and dismissals I heard from Bill Clinton ten years ago!
Would an admission of wrongdoing and an apology hurt Aaron Schock at the polls tomorrow? Highly unlikely. Would it change your vote, oh courageously anonymous Schock-apologist? I don’t think so. So why doesn’t he just do it? Because he really doesn’t see that he did anything wrong … AND THAT IS WHAT FRIGHTENS ME. It’s not the crime itself. It’s his (and your) utter incomprehension that he did anything unethical that disturbs me.
10
Neal
// Nov 10, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Your last sentence says it all. I also think it applies to another local candidate who won her election.
11
Knight in Dragonland
// Nov 11, 2008 at 7:52 am
Jehan Gordon? I most definitely agree, Neal.
12
RomanII
// Nov 12, 2008 at 9:56 am
Folks, the elections are over, let’s get over it. All we can do now is watch the guy carefully, see who he hangs with, what causes he promotes, and whether he is truthful to we taxpayers. It’s not a lifetime appointment for either he or Gordon. Let’s move on and make this a better place to live
13
jadedgirl
// Nov 13, 2008 at 2:25 pm
RIGHT ON, KNIGHT.
I mentioned in my own blog that was a pampered pet all his life… ( he was a part of dist 150 speech/debate, which I coached for 11 years.)
What would he know about struggle and how to help overcome it????
He’s charmed and being primed for a white house seat…which makes me wanna hurl.
I did NOT vote for him either.
People that did are SNOWED.
Sorry so blunt…I only call em’ like I see em’
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