The Mike Bertelsen Project

Joe Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber) has spoken (written) about the Tea Party movement. First he states it is real and second he states that the movement is not by a bunch of right-wing zealots.

Joe sums it up by saying the distance between elected legislators and their constituents has grown to the point where effective representation is at or has been at risk. Not good. We as the represented have to continue the movement until we are listened to. Remember the best set of ears is the ballot box!

After years of watching mismanagement and corruption ruin our state, people like me across Illinois are fed-up. Movements like the Tea Parties have cropped up, and motivated Americans are stepping up to protect our freedoms and support candidates that can shake up the system.

I’m an ardent supporter of Tea Party movement, and I will likely be after this primary. That’s why I’m supporting the only true conservative outsider for Governor, Bill Brady. Brady won me over on issues – not by hiring a member of the Tea Party movement I belong to or through behind-the-scenes endorsement deals.

He’s the only candidate from outside the Chicago area, the only candidate with a proven, rock-solid conservative record, and he’s the only candidate with hundreds of volunteers running his campaign in counties and townships throughout Illinois. No smoke and mirrors. A real, effective, grassroots campaign. I encourage my like-minded friends to support Bill Brady for Governor.

Bill Brady is the only candidate for Governor from Downstate Illinois.

One-party, one-city control of Illinois government has failed our citizens.

Bill Brady will be a Governor for all of Illinois and bring a long-missing balance to state government. He understands the issues of suburban voters and knows the challenges that Downstate residents face - all of which have been left by the wayside by the Chicago Democrats in power over the last eight years.

Bill Brady will bring a new common-sense approach to government, giving citizens a greater voice in their government and making government work for the people, not for the career politicians. He has pledged to not raise taxes and to cut spending. He will work to bring jobs back to Illinois.

He is a lifelong resident of Bloomington, where he and his wife Nancy have raised their three children, Katie, William and Duncan. He and his brothers operate home construction and real estate development companies in Illinois, as well as property management, mortgage, real estate marketing, hospitality and entertainment companies in Central Illinois.

Brady is the only candidate for Governor who has both the business and legislative experience that is needed to turn Illinois around.

Oakview Country Club was the location for the meet and greet with Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the 17th district, U.S. House. A good contingent of folks braved the weather on January 25th to hear what Bobby had to say. I had the honor of introducing Bobby, as I have known Bobby for about a year.

Bobby's town hall meeting thus far on health care have received a very positive response. Bobby has also received more campaign contributions in Q4 of 2009 than his democrat incumbent opponent.

Other candidates that were there included me for Mercer County Treasurer, Vicki Bull for Mercer County Clerk and Jason Soseman for Mercer County Sheriff. County Board member Bob Vickrey, who is running for re-election was there along with Jason Connell who is running for Mercer County Board within the city limits of Aledo, the Mercer County seat.

The issues we face today are more serious than in 2008. Be sure to watch the State of the Union on Wednesday the 27th.

The gubernatorial debate held in Champaign-Urbana last night was where State Senator Bill Brady from Bloomington pulled ahead of the pack. Senator Brady's comprehensive plan to get Illinois back to work was proof positive he is up to the job to be Illinois' next governor. He is calling for a tax cut of about a billion dollars which includes an end to the estate tax penalty.

Illinois has lost about 700,000 jobs which has lost about 3 billion dollars for the state in annual revenue. Senator Brady knows that Illinois needs to be more job and business friendly, having been in private business himself. Senator Brady has never voted for a tax increase while serving in the state legislature. Join me in electing Bill Brady our next governor.