I doubt anybody'd cry about no politicos HOW CAN THEY possibly be trusted to govern the state of Illinois any longer? So vote Republican!They’ll probably cite the Republican Day rally scheduled for Thursday and all the excitement that will be on display and try to claim that it is evidence that The People!!!! are ready for a change.Excuse me for being skeptical. But I don’t buy it. I don’t think it is any big surprise that Democrats aren’t going to do much with their traditional rally on the fairgrounds. I’m actually surprised they didn’t do this years ago.Now for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, the tradition for the state fair (held at the State Fairgrounds on the far northeast corner of Springfield) is that one day is designated as “Governor’s Day.”IT IS A day meant for the governor himself to show up on the fairgrounds, take part in many events and appear as though he’s one of the people. By tradition, the governor’s political party uses the fairgrounds to hold a rally to let us all know how wonderful they are.Then, in a sense of fairness and equality, the opposition party gets its own “day” at the fairgrounds, in which their officials try to make it seem as though they’re more in tune with the public.It’s all a lot of trivial nonsense. Although in a year before the elections, it can be an unofficial start to campaign activity for the prospective campaigns.This year, Governor’s Day is Wednesday, and Pat Quinn will show up and do his thing (although he’s already spent a lot of time at the fairgrounds since the event began Friday). Republican Day is Thursday.
I doubt many would come even if there was a Wed. rallyBUT QUINN SAID last week that the Democrats who in theory are his allies won’t be doing anything at the fair on Wednesday. They will have a breakfast meeting in Springfield, but that’s it.Some people are pointing out the fact that at last year’s Democratic Party rally at the state fair, organized labor officials showed up and heckled the governor. Perhaps the reason for no partisan rally is that Quinn is some sort of coward who can’t take a little bit of criticism.Actually, I think it is just a realization that the state fair has become a less-important political event for the Democratic Party that represents the interests of the urban portion of Illinois.There are Democrats in the rest of Illinois, but their numbers are dwarfed in most cases by the Republican Party organizations. Which is evidence of just how much the Chicago area can dwarf the rest of the state that it has become the dominant political party in Illinois as a whole.MY POINT BEING that the Illinois State Fair largely draws its crowds from people who live in Sangamon County and the rural counties that are directly adjacent to it.Much of Southern Illinois takes the DuQuoin State Fair (this year, it’s Aug. 23-Sept. 2) more seriously. While in the Chicago area, even the scaled-back Taste of Chicago and all the summer festivals are more significant than what happens at the state fair.With the Chicago dominance of the Democratic Party, I wouldn’t be shocked to learn that most of the power-brokers are pleased they don’t have to make the four-hour drive to Springfield to pretend they care about what is happening at the fairgrounds.
QUINN: Gets the fair all to himselfIn fact, what I recall of the state fair during the seven years (1993-99) I was a Statehouse reporter was that the political rallies were held in a portion of the fairgrounds that was isolated from the rest of the event.MOST PEOPLE ATTENDING the state fair weren’t even aware of the blather being spewed by political people of all partisanships. I really doubt anybody at the fairgrounds on Wednesday will miss the presence of politicians in the least.Perhaps people at the fair on Thursday will wish that Republicans would follow the same lead and spare us their blather. You really want to get the people who attend the Illinois State Fair all angry? Take away the Husband Calling Contest.Somehow, I suspect the loss of the sight of middle-aged women trying to come up with loud, obnoxious screeches meant to attract their husbands’ attention (which took place Sunday) would upset fairgoers more than the loss of politicians. -30-Source:http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2013/08/no-dems-rally-at-state-fair-is-that.html
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family together1. You and your husband haven’t been to the movies in five years……because you won’t leave your kids with a babysitter. It’s tough to tell whose separation anxiety is more agonizing: yours or your little ones’. But hire a sitter anyway—for the kids! “Life has turned into one long, teachable moment, but we think we’re the only teachers,” says Lenore Skenazy, author of Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children Without Going Nuts with Worry. “Children learn a lot from us, but also from other people, including babysitters”—things like adaptability, resilience, even new vocabulary words. Plus, research shows that the more couple time
2. Your kid begs you to play endless rounds of Sorry, and mopes if you pass.It’s the parent-as-TV model: Children whose parents constantly entertain them can lose the ability to play creatively and independently. A little boredom actually can boost their imagination, though. Plus, it’s good for kids to see that you won’t cater to their every whim. “My little guy always wants to play,” saysDenise Schipani, author of Mean Moms Rule. “He says, ‘Come play a game with me.’ The other day I said, ‘I play with you a lot, but I can't play with you all the time.’”
3. You’re offended when your teen opts out of taco night to sleep over her BFF’s house.It hurts that teenagers need (and want) you around less, but “being with their friends is really important," says psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author of Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child's True Potential. “It's part of their identity, and they feel left out if they miss something.” Consider your kid’s “see you later” as an opportunity to get back in touch with who you are, and what you like to do, when you’re not being a mom. We’re guessing it doesn’t involve taco night. 
4. Your six-year-old wants to chat with you in the bathroom as you pee.Every family has different boundaries, but if this happens, it’s time to explain privacy, which most kids start to understand around age five, says New York–based pediatrician Alanna Levine, MD, author of Raising a Self-Reliant Child. Try saying, “There are some things like blowing your nose that you can do in public and other activities that are private.” A household policy of “knock before entering” can help everyone get their space. 
5. You’re torn about accepting a job promotion because of your kid’s sports schedule.“A lot of moms feel like they can't lean in because they have to spend all their time with their kids,” says Skenazy, who advises companies on creating work-life balance for employees. “But we don't have to lavish as much attention on our kids as we think we should. Don’t latch yourself to the desk, but don’t feel so guilty if you can’t watch every soccer practice.” It’s wise to figure out how a new job will affect family time, but passing up opportunities can leave you simmering with resentment—not a good cocktail for family happiness. 
6. You call in sick to girls’ night out because you feel like you’re abandoning your family.Mom guilt can make you reluctant to do something for yourself, but your kids should see you as “a whole person living a whole life, because that’s what you want for them,” says Schipani. In other words, when Mom has coffee with friends, your kids realize you’re more than just their mother. But never mind life lessons for your kids. Take time out because it's fun for you! “You might sign up your kid for tap dancing lessons. Why shouldn't you have tap dancing lessons? It has nothing to do with your kid; it has something to do with you as a person.” 
7. Your child has been talking for five minutes, but you haven't heard a word.If you never left your job, would you pay as much attention to your inbox as you do when you arrive in the morning? Time apart from your kids offers a similar refresh, so it’s easier to concentrate on them when you’re together. “Say, ‘For the next 30 minutes, we’re going to play together and not do anything else,’” suggests Dr. Levine. “It doesn’t have to be a huge quantity of time, but you want your child to feel she has your undivided attention so she can look forward to it.” When time’s up, you can focus on other things sans guilt.
8. Your teens stay up late watching TV with you—so you and your husband never talk anymore.On the one hand, you’re thrilled your teenagers want to spend time with their parents. On the other, their omnipresence can leave you feeling disconnected from your spouse. “Say, ‘Mom and Dad just want to hang out,’” suggests Dr. Kennedy-Moore. Or choose other ways to work couple time into your family schedule. “My friend used to go into the city with her husband for breakfast. They’d come home at 2 P.M. and the teenager hadn’t budged.”
9. You haul your kids along to grown-up events.Schlepping your tots to adults-only gatherings because you can’t stand leaving them behind annoys everyone—including your children! “I was giving a lecture in a ballroom of people, and a couple of parents were trying valiantly to keep their toddlers occupied,” says Skenazy. “Here’s the thing: There was free babysitting across the hall!” Sitting in a boring conference vs. playing with a bunch of new toys? No contest for your kid. Child care emergencies happen, but if you can help it, don’t bring wee ones where they won’t feel comfortable.
10. Everyone in your family has stopped saying thank you.“There’s a concept in psychology called habituation, which means you get used to what’s always there,” says Dr. Kennedy-Moore. “A little missing allows people to look forward to being with someone.” If you’re taken for granted or ignored because you’re constantly around, take a break. Sign up for a night class, slip out for a walk or lock yourself in your bedroom with a good book. Your children may be more grateful to have you around—and you’ll definitely be happier to see them.
