Foster offers best chance for solutions (Beacon News editorial)
March 2, 2008
(Aurora Beacon News) - It's quite possible this newspaper has never before backed a Democrat in a 14th Congressional District general election. Given the traditional voting history of the district and former Speaker Dennis Hastert's popularity and political success over the past two decades, the Democratic Party just hasn't provided candidates who would best represent and benefit the residents living here.
That changes today with our endorsement of Bill Foster in the March 8 special election.
It's not that we're abandoning our roots by passing over Republican Jim Oberweis, Hastert's chosen successor. Quite the opposite. In Foster we see the same quiet leadership and consensus-building style that first made Hastert such a valuable member of Congress. We see in Foster the potential for accomplishment through consensus and a willingness to reach across the aisle to tackle challenges we face as a district and nation.
RELATED STORIES
• Mud-slinging does voters a disservice
Admittedly, the former Fermilab scientist from Geneva would represent a change from politics-as-usual in the 14th Congressional District. But Foster's more moderate stances on major issues -- including Iraq troop withdrawal and immigration -- and common-sense, problem-solving approach to government would help move Congress past partisan politics. That makes him the best candidate in this race.
What we hear over and over from Republicans and Democrats in our communities is that people are tired of the bickering and divisiveness in government, whether in Springfield or Washington. Oberweis' relentless attacks on state Sen. Chris Lauzen in the Republican primary election hint that he is not the right candidate to end government gridlock.
Foster isn't as "extreme" as his opponent has branded him. On Oberweis' signature issue of illegal immigration, the two men actually agree on much -- both support better border security, a worker-visa program and workplace enforcement that includes some form of a national ID card. Foster, however, takes a more realistic and compassionate approach to dealing with the millions of undocumented workers already here.
Make no mistake, immigration reform is a Fox Valley issue as much as a national one. Foster supports a path to citizenship and points out that if absolute workplace enforcement were to be put in place today, some local businesses would be shut down. Oberweis has taken a harder line, saying stronger employer sanctions will lead to 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants going home. That's wishful thinking at best.
As a policy, this newspaper is not sold on universal health care, but we believe strongly that all children at least deserve access to a basic level of care. Oberweis wants to let the free market work, which includes offering incentives to employees to purchase their own health insurance. Foster says he would vote to override President Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, an important bill that would provide coverage to millions of children.
On the local issue of funding for Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, we again give the edge to Foster. Who could possibly be a more passionate and effective advocate for science and research than a former scientist? Foster also wants to make sure local residents' voices are heard on major infrastructure projects like the Prairie Parkway and sale of the EJ&E railway.
Both of these candidates are untested, but to be fair, so was Dennis Hastert when voters from our district chose him to represent us in 1986.
Hastert's ability to bring people together, build consensus and get things done for real people were his best qualities, and voters in this election have a choice on which candidate is best suited to carry on that tradition and fill the balance of Hastert's term.
On March 8, that candidate is Bill Foster.