While governance on the national level may make me more than slightly ashamed to be American, right about now I'm prouder than ever to be an Illinoisan. In the time it took for Washington to come to a debt deal agreement, me and my fellow Illinoisan have been reaping the many benefits living in a strong democratic state. It started a couple months ago, when Governor Quinn signed a bill officially abolishing the death penalty in Illinois. The fact that our nation as a whole has not abolished capital punishment has been a stain upon the country, when execution has been almost completely abolished across the globe with the exception of Africa and the more oppressive regimes of Asia.
Now for me, that would have been impressive enough of a change for one month, but my great state legislators did not stop there. Earlier in June, Governor Quinn also signed into law the Illinois Civil Union Act. While not as progressive as our Iowan neighbors to the west, the rights now granted to same-sex couples under the new law provide a fantastic step towards marriage equality.
Last but certainly not least comes the Illinois DREAM Act signed into law this last Monday. While other states (you know who you are) have taken to infringing upon the rights of our nations immigrants, documented or otherwise, my fellow Illinoisans and I have chosen to actually give the children of these immigrants a fair shot at receiving a proper education. As college tuition rates have been rising, immigrants have felt the impact, being left behind without proper scholarship opportunities available to them.
Tack all these great advancements on with the fact that as of early July Illinois became the last state to maintain a concealed carry ban, and its a great time to be a citizen in the Land of Lincoln. Now we just need the Cubs to win a World Series. Or not, I'm a Cards fan anyway.
Kill People
Burn Shit
Fuck School
No comments:
Post a Comment