It's time to say no to the Democrats

For years, the Democratic Party here in Illinois and across the nation has labeled itself the party of working, middle-class families.

Election after election, Democrats have campaigned on middle-class tax cuts.

Unfortunately, here in Illinois, those campaign promises have not been fulfilled.

Residents in Cook County are now paying the single highest sales tax in the entire nation as of July 1st.

The sales tax increase was passed to fix budget shortfalls in Cook County.

It's the same Cook County where family members and friends of County Board President Todd Stroger receive jobs that pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. This is outrageous.

I attended the Palatine meeting with President Stroger and found myself in disbelief. I am 19 years old and come from a middle-class family. The Democrats in Illinois aren't fighting for my family. They are fighting for themselves.

Time after time, the Democrats in Illinois have been given the chance to lead and to get things done for working families across the state. They have failed. They have not led.

It's time for a new brand of leadership in Cook County and in the state of Illinois.

Republicans are offering the people of Illinois a break away from the failed policies of Blagojevich and Stroger.

This is a fight for the future of our state. This is a fight I welcome.

Candidates like Tony Peraica and Steve Greenberg and other Republican candidates across Illinois understand what is at stake in this race.

They will fight for my family and families like mine across the state.

It's time to say no. No to Stroger. No to Blagojevich. No to Melissa Bean, who is out of touch with the people of the 8th District.

It's time for a new direction in Illinois politics. The status quo is not acceptable.

Ryan Melchin

Hoffman Estates