It’s hard to believe that summer is here and the year is fast-approaching the halfway mark. Sadly, what’s not hard to believe is the business-as-usual attitude that surrounds our state government and the dynasties that control it.

Even the most cynical observers among us have been shocked and bewildered by some of the actions of the elite few who dominate government in Springfield and Chicago. The important decisions that affect millions of people – like balancing our budgets, seeking real reform in healthcare and government programs, facing challenges in our education systems, and working with cities and villages to serve the critical, basic needs of the people – are decided by the same handful of power brokers that got us into the terrible conditions we suffer with today.

When will enough be enough? When will there be some balance in the State Capitol, to allow for real statewide representation? When will good government techniques be brought to the table by someone who has actually administered them? When, when, when…? To those questions, I say the time for action is now!

I was born and raised in central Illinois (in the small town of Macon, just a few miles south of Decatur) and I have lived the last twenty years in Carbondale, in southern Illinois. I grew up in a middle-class family, learning the values of hard work and believing in the merits of public service. I know Illinois… and I know the real people that make it work everyday.

This is a big state and it’s hard to change it from the bottom up. But those barriers can be overcome with a commitment to do what’s right and with enough help from people who care… people like you. Now is the time for real change in Illinois politics, it is time to change the system of one party rule. It is time to clean house in Springfield and end the cycle of control that has done nothing but destroy our State’s good name and burden us with the Blagojevich leftovers.

When I was elected Mayor of Carbondale more than six years ago, I committed myself to serving the needs of a community that desperately needed renewed direction. With the help of a lot of people, we have made great strides in our community. We have eliminated the city’s portion of property taxes, implemented local medical malpractice reform, rebuilt our infrastructure, established better incentives for new businesses and housing developments, removed abandoned properties and cleaned-up eyesores, improved internal customer services, created innovative programs to foster new jobs and invest in our children and young people, and we tackled tough decisions like keeping our budget balanced and making public safety a priority.

Our local accomplishments have been praised from near and far and many stand as best-practice models for other cities to follow. With a great deal of help, we have accomplished a lot, but there is still work to do everyday just like there is throughout our state government.

If these things can be done at City Hall, why can’t they be done in the halls of our State Capitol? The answer is… they can! We can get spending under control and solve difficult problems. We can end the cycle of insider deals. We can focus our efforts and start heading in the right direction again, putting an end to the embarrassment the last six years brought us as a state.

It can happen, but it won’t become reality until there are new people with new ideas and a new approach to getting the job done. I’ve made tough decisions and compromises to make life better in my city and I won’t stand by any longer to watch what’s happening in state government.

The change I’m talking about must include bold leaders with courage to turn the system upside-down. It will take leaders who aren’t afraid to work, leaders who will join together with all parties, and leaders who are capable of making the right decisions.

I want to be a part of that effort and I am considering a run for statewide office in 2010 as part of the Republican ticket. Because of that, I need your help.

I know that I can raise enough funds and work with a winning team in this upcoming campaign. Talk with your friends and neighbors, visit with your co-workers and colleagues, and share our common thoughts to help build momentum. The old school political machines have been working inside deals for decades and they have millions of dollars in their bank accounts, which is why your assistance is so critical to my success at this early stage.

If you have comments or ideas about the issues we face, send me an email at: citizensforcole@hotmail.com. Thank you!

Together, I know we can get our State back on the right track… together, we have to!

BRAD COLE