Bradley resident Tom Cameron nodded his head in agreement and loudly clapped his hands during several points of Tuesday’s town hall meeting titled “Keep Jobs in Kankakee.”
Although there were a few who complained afterward that the discussion was short on specifics about keeping existing jobs in Kankakee County, the majority of the crowd of more than 300 felt like Cameron — the evening was great.
“This was very, very informative,” he said at the close of the event at the site of the former General Foods plant on Kankakee’s north side.
“It’s great to hear what the public thinks. This was fantastic. This is something we should do more often. The citizens can save this country,” he said.
The event was sponsored by the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the organization, Americans for Prosperity, who paid for the Washington D.C. panelists to come in.
The political and business panel assembled for the meeting said so much depends on what’s next in Washington. Featured speaker and news analyst Bill Kristol said the ball is in the Democratic court now.
“There is a lot of party loyalty to be quite honest,” he said. “It would be hard to vote against him (as a Democrat) on such a major issue” referring to voting against President Barack Obama on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
“How fast does he use up his political capital?” Kristol asked.
Tom Ascher, 24, of Aroma Park, said he hopes it is sooner rather than later. A Republican, Ascher said people need to wake up before it’s too late. The timeto voice objections is before a vote.
“If some of these bills are passed, it will be difficult to undo them,” he said.
Marge Brooke of Peotone said people have to realize they are the people in control, not the representatives sent to Washington.
“We have the answers. As citizens we should have the answers. People should want to get their message out.”
Ed Lee of Limestone said the country is moving toward socialism, a form of government where production and distribution are taken out of the private sector.
“Why are we experimenting with socialism? It’s never worked. We need more free enterprise.”
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