“The American people are very into the issues; much more so than members of congress give them credit for and we are seeing a very informed electorate who want to get involved on an active basis and who appreciate showing up at a meeting and sharing their concerns with a member of congress.”

Congressman Don Manzullo’s (R-Egan)

Manzullo opens ‘America Speaking Out’ initiative in Milledgeville

Tony Carton For The Prairie Advocate News

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) hosted his inaugural “America Speaking Out” meeting Friday, June 4, at the Milledgeville Community Center in Milledgeville, IL. Manzullo spent nearly two hours discussing ideas that will put America back on track with more than 50 area residents.

Nearly 60 area residents attended the inaugural meeting of Congressman Don Manzullo’s (R-Egan) “America Speaking Out” initiative Friday, June 4, at the Milledgeville Community Center in Milledgeville, IL.

“America Speaking Out” is a new program that encourages Americans to offer ideas on a new way forward for America. House Republicans will use the proposed ideas later this summer to construct a new agenda for America.

The congressional representative and his staff provided a suggestion box to collect comment and posted suggestions on large white boards throughout the meeting. Suggested topics included values, security, economic recovery, medical care legislation, and education. Manzullo posted photos of the suggestion boards on his web site at http://manzullo.house.gov/ following the meeting.

Manzullo said that too many Americans are still out of work and frustrated because they are not seeing action from Congress that would help the economy recover and as expected, the assembly responded with a full two hours of discussion and input.

Retaking power

Chadwick resident Kathy Hood said she found the meeting productive, but she hoped for answers that were more complete.

“I just want to make sure that the GOP has a plan to take our country back and repeal what I consider unconstitutional legislation that’s been passed,” Hood said.

Hood added that she intends to stay involved, remain in contact with her congressional representatives and make her voice heard.

Social Security concerns

Kevin Folk of Milledgeville came to the meeting for answers on Social Security. After the session, Folk said he felt Manzullo abandoned his question to comment on health care legislation.

“We kind of got off into the subject of the Congress and their health care plan,” Folk said. “I didn’t get a specific answer to my question of whether Social Security will be there when I’m ready to retire.”

Folk said that he wants to see stricter guidelines covering the funds collected for Social Security.

“I want to see the government not pay other stuff using Social Security funds,” he explained. “The way I’m understanding it, they pull from Social Security to pay off other things, but I want to see them keep that money where it belongs. Either that or give me my share and let me invest it. I want assurances that they are taking care of it. I’ve been paying in for years and I don’t want to lose what I’ve paid.”

Securing the SW border

Representative Manzullo maintains that too many Americans are still out of work and frustrated because they are not seeing action from Congress that would help the economy recover. (PA photos/Tony Carton)

Milledgeville’s Jimmy Eller said he is satisfied with the responses he received on his immigration questions.

“I’m very concerned with the Southwest border being so porous,” Eller said.

He said that the State of Illinois is spending $3.8 billion on illegal immigrants.

“$500 million is claimed with the taxes so we are spending $3.3 billion on items like education, incarceration and health care,” Eller said. “We just allow illegal immigrants, but we have immigration laws and they should be enforced.”

He recommends sending American troops to secure the border with Mexico.

“Mexico should help us to secure that border,” Eller said. “We give them billions of dollars. We should have a secure border. In addition, we need to deport all the illegal immigrants especially the criminals that are up here; make them do their time first and then deport them.”

Providing representation

Manzullo said his office would continue to schedule “America Speaking Out” meetings throughout his district because working to stay close to the people is his primary purpose as a congressional representative.

“We did a lot of these meetings last summer and we will continue with them this year,” he said. “The American people are very into the issues; much more so than members of congress give them credit for and we are seeing a very informed electorate who want to get involved on an active basis and who appreciate showing up at a meeting and sharing their concerns with a member of congress.”

Manzullo said that it is refreshing to see large numbers of concerned residents attend the meetings.

“Lincoln called public sessions like these, ‘My bath in public opinion,’ because he always wanted to stay close to the people,” Manzullo said. “This [Milledgeville meeting] is huge. It’s 9 in the morning on a workday and people of all different ages and backgrounds saw fit to come to it. This is a big group.”