Illinois Primary Report: Little Faith or Big Hope?

So, how did Illinois’ earliest primary ever fare for the state’s values voters?

Just as those post-Exodus spies sent into the Promised Land fourteen centuries ago reported back about Canaanite activity, today’s answer would be, “Well folks, there’s good news and there’s bad . . .” Indeed, those spies’ reports reflected their worldviews: one of big hope or of little faith.

The same is true for Illinois values voters’ post-February 5. For those values voters who’ve been praying for the Land of Lincoln to become a land of milk and honey for family values, the “giants-in-the-land” initial report would ring true because there’s plenty of discouraging news.

For every Illinois voter who pulled a Republican ballot that day, 2.2 others voted in the Democratic primary for one of three presidential candidates advocating unrestricted abortion, unencumbered homosexual rights and more government power over our healthcare and education systems — all paid for with our families’ hard-earned incomes.

Such overwhelming enthusiasm among primary voters for anti-family candidates does not bode well for General Election projections. Those numbers indicate either pro-family values voters did not eagerly support a presidential candidate or that the number of Illinois voters concerned about traditional family values has drastically dropped.

Either scenario is bad news for candidates down the ticket. When values voters stay at home to protest candidates at the top, all those pro-family, pro-life candidates running for state and local positions suffer. Some Illinois election analysts spin February 5th results to say value voters may be content with the state’s current public policy. That’s hard to believe, but the numbers make that argument compelling.

Others say primary elections are not a good indicator of where values voters are. Values voters are more issue-oriented, and often are uncomfortable declaring a party affiliation as Illinois primaries require. Nevertheless, missing traditional values votes in the Illinois primary will have a substantial effect on the state’s policy direction.

For instance, pro-family forces missed the opportunity to build the General Assembly’s conservative caucus by replacing two socially-liberal Republican House members with pro-family candidates.

With the financial backing of rabid pro-abortion Personal PAC, Yorkville’s Kay Hatcher won the right to succeed State Rep. Patricia Lindner (R-Sugar Grove) in a four-way race. Elk Grove Village’s Christine Brochno won with the backing of her retiring predecessor, pro-abortion advocate State Rep. Carolyn Krause.

Not only were abortion forces emboldened in the primary, so was the radical homosexual movement. Chicago Alderman Dick Mell’s daughter and Governor Rod Blagojevich’s sister-in-law, Deborah Mell, won the February 5th Democratic 40th House District primary and remains unchallenged by a Republican in the fall. Ms. Mell will be the Illinois House’s first openly-practicing lesbian, and will be joining gay rights-promoting colleague State Rep. Greg Harris of Chicago’s 13th House District to strengthen the gay rights agenda.

But just as Promised Land spies Joshua and Caleb conveyed to their leader Moses, much of our expectations depends on our perspective and our commitment to what can be done. What caused “little faith” spies to fear as “grasshoppers,” caused “big hope” leaders like Joshua and Caleb to perceive limitless opportunity ahead.

It’s not easy to hope for dramatic change in a state that undermines God-given rights to life, property ownership, individual freedom and prosperity for our heritage. It will not be handed over to us without a struggle.

In order to gain victory, the Israelites would have to engage in battle to conquer the Promised Land for their people. Values voters must engage if they hope to regain lost family values in Illinois.

The good news is that in the 14th U.S. Congressional District, a majority of primary voters chose to nominate a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage candidate to succeed former House Speaker Denny Hastert. Aurora dairyman Jim Oberweis will face off against Bill Foster as soon as Saturday March 8th, when a special election will be held to immediately fill Hastert’s vacancy.

Two other U.S. Congressional seats have strong chances of remaining pro-life this fall: local police chief and New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann will vie against Crete’s pro-abortion, EMILY’s List-backed State Senator Debbie Halvorson to succeed U.S. Congressman Jerry Weller. In addition, consistent pro-life vote State Rep. Aaron Schock has a good chance to succeed retiring U.S. Congressman Ray LaHood in central Illinois’ 18th Congressional District.

At the state level, several pro-family challengers are on the political horizon, raising the hopes of increasing the number of General Assembly conservatives. Once again, these candidates will be anxiously looking for grassroots support and financial backing to fight an uphill battle in an election year that may lean heavily pro-abortion and anti-family at the top of the ticket. Values voters can make all the difference in these important elections.

Illinois political insiders concerned about family values are bracing for the worse in the fall with the strong possibility of sudden political “giant” U.S. Senator Barack Obama topping the General Election ballot. Values voters — who, for the most part, are not enamored with the emerging Republican nominee — are mulling the possibility of “sending a message” by staying home, leaving pro-life down-ticket candidates hanging in the wind. Staying home would have serious political ramifications.

One ponders what would have happened if the children of Israel chose to stay home in Egypt rather than head towards freedom and opportunity. While in the wilderness, some contemplated returning to their homes rather than endure the challenge of day-by-day dependence upon God to meet their needs. It’s most interesting to note that after forty years, God led His children to the place He wanted them to enjoy, He did not simply hand His gift over. He chose to make His people fight and battle to claim the Promised Land and finally enjoy its bounties. And after all that, they had to be on constant guard to defend against a relentless enemy who fought to regain lost territory.

Our America is the land of milk and honey much of the world envies. It is ours to enjoy, given to us by a God who is honored when His principles are upheld in our national and state policy despite the powerful political giants who would like us to believe values voters are meaningless grasshoppers.

Going to the polls on Election Day is one simple effort crucial to our nation’s system of government. That one small effort will make all the difference for our future and our children’s.

Which perspective will your spy report reflect — little faith, or big hope?