Introducing The Johnson Watch
Who is Timothy V. Johnson?
He represents you in Congress. Although just one voice among 435, the man has leverage in deciding where your tax money goes, how (and if) the environment is protected, what laws will be applied to what parts of a woman’s body, who will be bombed, and what wall separates the lives of private citizens from the prying eye of the National Security Agency.
Being a member of congress is an important job. So SP.com politely asks, “Who is Tim Johnson, and what is he doing in Washington in our name?”
Johnson has kept a low profile while in congress, making few speeches and keeping mum during committee hearings.
In 1998, Johnson (while a state legislator) was criticized by his Democratic opponent for allegedly jamming a paper clip into his voting button so he could vote along Republican party lines while out of the chamber.
Interestingly, once Mr. Johnson went to Washington he hasn’t always walked a conservative line. In 2007, the right-leaning John Birch Society and Traditional Values Coalition both gave Johnson a 50 percent rating. The year before, John Birch only gave Johnson a 27 percent rating while the Traditional Values Coalition gave him an 85 percent rating.
Notably, Johnson was the only Republican member of the House to vote against the FISA Amendment Act of 2008 that granted telecommunications companies that participated in Bush Administration warrantless wiretaps immunity from lawsuits.
As a member of Congress, Johnson has managed to get very few bills passed. The bills he has sponsored have focused on obscure or provincial issues. Most notably, Johnson sponsored a bill that would have kept the National Collegiate Athletic Association from telling the University of Illinois that it needs to axe the controversial Chief Illiniwek mascot. Johnson has also brought home a relatively modest amount of congressional earmarks.
As the clocks ticks down to what promises to be a historic election, Smile Politely will be running a series of articles taking a hard look at the public record of the man who represents Illinois’ 15th district.
I will be asking: How has Johnson voted on pressing issues, and why? Who is helping get him elected, and who is helping in Congress?
All of this will be done to help you answer the most pressing question of all: does he deserve your vote?
5 comments
Gillian Gabriel
great idea for a column. it’s difficult to stay informed about what our representatives are doing, thanks for bringing this to the forefront.
todd
must say that’s a pimpin photo.
IL-15
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The republican on the Urbana city council or should I say spy is his daughter.
jjarse2
‘Any truth to the rumor he uses a wristwatch for a belt? I kid, I kid…
Most Recent Opinion Comments
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
And that, my friend, is love. Bob, I think I still owe you for my wedding cake, served in 1998. But nevermind.
I believe the kiss between Rob and I was documented on low-quality videotape in the mid-ninties porn classic, Dirty Harry…and Sticky.
“Do I have to sign some forms, or am I just considered ‘in.’” You’re in!
Got damn, Coulter. You are the greatest.
I have no specific memory of it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d kissed Mike, too—once we’d both drunk ourselves gay. And earlier this week I gave Clarence Shelley a back rub. Do I have to sign some forms, or am I just considered “in.”
FWIW, I got a copy of the letter in question. It was written in a way that would be plausible to a casual reader who didn’t scrutinize it too carefully. It announced the formation of an organization called G.L.A.B.A. (which actually exists), and had discussion about typical…
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Most Recent Comments
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
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hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.