Is Peter Breen the Ted Cruz of Illinois?

"Today's 80% super majority vote reaffirmed that Republicans stand for children and families, along with limited government and economic opportunity for all."

That cringe worthy doublespeak from my state representative Peter Breen reminds me of the equally cringe worthy doublespeak from failed presidential candidate Ted Cruz. Without context, Breen's statement sounds fairly sensible, but it's underlying mendacity is given away by his reference to 'limited government', the standard GOP dog whistle to cut taxes on the wealthy. Breen's remarks trumpet his victory in overturning the 10-7 platform committee vote for a plank at the Illinois GOP state convention which urges that "non-traditional families are worthy of the same respect and legal protections as traditional families.” That vague, innocuous statement was the platform's committee's feeble attempt to get GOP state delegates to accept that gay marriage is the law of the land. But Breen, like his mentor and soulmate Senator Cruz, sees an inclusive attempt by our secular democracy to uplift society, as an evil attempt to end bigotry and exclusion. Breen rode to the rescue, marshaling 783 votes, 80% of the delegates, to, well, "stand for children and families"...as long as they're not gay. Breen's linking a vote for bigotry and fear to standing for "economic opportunity for all" is both illogical and cruel. When he isn't championing homophobia, Rep. Breen is firing endless emails to me and fellow District 48 constituents how proud he is helping Gov. Rauner cut state services to people in need, reduce MAP grants to struggling students, and stiffing state vendors for their goods and services. What a peculiar way to expand economic opportunity!

Before turning a six term moderate Republican from office by damning her efforts to cooperate in bi-partisan efforts to improve the state, Breen was Senior Counsel for the Thomas More Society. His big three issues there were preventing 10 million Americans from enjoying marriage, forcing women to bear their rapist's baby, and desecrating the public square with religious symbols. That agenda comes straight from the Ted Cruz playbook. That may play well in the Lone Star State. It has no place in the Land of Lincoln.