The Illinois Republican party may soon come out swinging against Morgenthaler's campaign by using evidence like this to associate her with Governor Blagojevich, who has low approval ratings and endorses Senator Obama. Morgenthaler may also have trouble taking Roskam to task for the war in Iraq when he himself is one of its injured veterans. Voters may do themselves a great service by finding at least one candidate for this district who has no record of participation in the war but wants it ended.

Roskam is well-known for fiscal conservativeness. He was recently named a "taxpayer hero" by The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) for key economic votes in Congress to stop wasteful government spending. CCAGW president, Tom Shatz dubbed him the most fiscally responsible member of the Illionois delegation, rated at 81% economic conservation.

“CCAGW’s 2007 Congressional Ratings reflect some positive trends. For example, in the House in 2007, an average of 89 members voted for earmark-related amendments, compared to an average of 68 in 2006. However, in spite of a growing recognition that earmarks are a problem, Congress still spends more than is necessary," said Shatz.

Roskam recently voted against Bush's blank check that would increase taxes by $800 million and give Governor Blagojevich tax incentives to buy up foreclosed homes.

Roskam: “I am thoroughly disappointed that the Bush Administration and Democrat Majority in Congress have decided to ram through legislation that puts hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars at risk with absolutely no spending oversight. Expanding the government’s reach, without checks-and-balances, is an affront to what our founding fathers set forth more than 200 years ago. "

After the passing of the bipartisan energy bill, HR 6899, many conservative politicians, including Roskam, threw up their hands in frustration at the prohibition on leasing of land for domestic drilling.

Roskam's energy proposal, entitled the VISION act calls for an increase in domestic oil production through shale rock oil, ANWR and drilling off of the Gulf coast in an effort to stave off increasing gas prices. It also looks into heavily exploring nuclear energy and clean coal.

Roskam: I am disappointed the House has descended to this partisan political ploy. Quite frankly, I don’t know how a bill could be considered pro-domestic production when the first section of the bill is entitled ‘Prohibition on leasing.’ We need an all-of-the-above energy policy, like my Energy VISION Act, that increases domestic production of traditional resources, advances alternative renewable energy, and enhances conservation.

However, the bill was constructed in response to public outcry from the states in which domestic drilling was an absolute possibility, so could one say that Roskam's view motivated by self-interest?

Roskam Votes No to Bailout

Roskam explained that the bill did not do enough to ensure taxpayers that they would get their money back, to limit executive compensation, or to allow private capital to share in the burden. He stated,

“While action is necessary to keep our economy on track, the heavy-handed push from the Bush Administration and this Democrat majority places too great a burden on taxpayers with no guarantee of success. The plan voted on in the House incorporated watered down aspects of executive compensation limits and provided for insufficient use of private capital."

“Unfortunately, negotiations were unable to produce a solution to keep our economy on track without exposing taxpayers to extraordinary risk – this is why the bill failed."

He has yet to offer or support an alternative plan.

When it comes to a change in transportation methods in Illinois, Roskam and Morgenthaler both agree that a railway merger will play some point in easing congestion for Illinois commuters, but Roskam does not favor property buy-ups in order to expand O'Hare.

If the airport, which is the second busiest airport in the US according to a poll taken by the FAA last year, is to be expanded in order to accommodate all of the extra traffic, then, says Roskam, the face of Basenville will completely change. The expansion may jeopardize local businesses.

At such an uncertain moment for our nation's economy, is it prudent of Morgenthaler to want to further foreclosure risks for homeowners and small businesses?