The Sauk Valley Newspapers service the local community in and around Dixon, Illinois - the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan.
The Congressional district (14th) historically votes conservative, and used to be held by no one less than Dennis Hastert, but now has a first-term democrat, Bill Foster, holding that postion. Representative Foster (
http://www.progressillinois.com/2009/7/13/foster-suuports-public-option) has made it clear that he supports the public option, and my all measures, is a very good democrat.
The local paper's editorial board is mixed (left v. right), but the letters to the editor lean so far to the right that you need opera glasses to even see them. The same can be said about the online comments which the SVN allows to be posted for their online edition.
If you live north of I-80, west of Chicago, south of the Wisconsin border, and east of the Mississippi River, I encourage (urge?) you to sign on to post comments at the SVN website.
The paper does NOT allow anonymity - you will be asked to provide your REAL name, and your REAL phone number, and the paper WILL call you to verify that you are who you claim to be.
They will not ask you for any other info.
This Congressional district could very easily pass back into the hands of the far-right, in the next election, and it is our duty and obligation to do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening.
Making sure our voices are heard would be a good, first, step.
To register with the SVN for free, go to
http://www.saukvalley.com/ and try to make a comment on any news and/or editorial item which you see fit... the REGISTER option will be right there, for you to fill in the blanks.
Can we keep this traditionally red Congressional district blue?
YES WE CAN!