10 years of regressive dog whistles

My congressman Peter Roskam is campaigning for his fifth re-election on the slogan he's protecting the Sixth District from government overreach.

That harmless sounding phrase is actually a 21st century version of protecting citizens "states rights" used by segregationists and other reactionaries last century to derail civil rights and other federal programs to help the needy, the poor and the marginalized.

Roskam has spent the last decade in a failed attempt to prevent expansion of health care to 20 million uninsured, saving 50,000 lives. He's spent the last decade opposing every attempt to make marriage more inclusive. He's spent the last decade opposing every domestic jobs program. He's spent the last decade demonizing the IRS to pander to the "no taxation to help the less fortunate crowd."

His support to weaken the IRS has allowed his privileged base to game the system, further weakening resources to re-build America. His efforts to stop any progressive legislation aided the 2013 government shutdown, inflicting a $24 billion hit to the economy. Yet, Roskam audaciously touts his bi-partisan bonifides.

One area of true government overreach Roskam supports is prevention of access to reproductive health for the district's 350,000 women. On that issue Roskam's governance cannot reach far enough to inflict needless harm to one of their most cherished rights.

Sixth district residents may reach for a better choice this November. Ten years of regressive dog whistles to oppose progress for the district, the state, the nation are enough.

Walt Zlotow

Glen Ellyn