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Blue State Bullies: Illinois Dems’ Outrageous Strong Arming Of Small Businesses

Late on Friday night, when most of us were either sound asleep or out kicking off the weekend with some partying, Democrats at the Illinois statehouse in Springfield were busy trying to save their jobs by bullying owners of gas stations.

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, lawmakers in the Land of Lincoln put forth and passed a controversial and probably unconstitutional bill requiring gas stations to post stickers on their gasoline pumps. The stickers will laud the efforts of the Democrat-controlled legislature by stating the following;

“As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the inflation adjustment to the motor fuel tax through December 31, 2022. The price on this pump should reflect the suspension of the tax increase.”

If the law was demanding some type of critical safety notification to be posted, it might be understandable. If it were pushing some type of message about the evils of climate change, the bill would be propagandistic and problematic, but relatively unoffensive. But to pass a bill requiring everyone to see your self-promotional marketing material every time they put gas in their tank is outrageous.

Additionally, grocery stores will be required to post similar signage calling attention to the suspension of a “grocery tax.”

Not surprising is the timing of the effective date of the bill. It would start in July, about four months before Election Day, and end about eight weeks after the election. Hmmm. Furthermore, consider that the majority of the legislature will be on the ballot in November, along with Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker, and the logic behind the timetable is no longer curious, it’s obvious. Democrats are looking to legally compel private businesses to post campaign advertising material on their property under the threat of government force; those not complying with the law’s requirements will face fines of over $65,000.

What’s particularly interesting is the gas tax itself. With skyrocketing gas prices thanks to the ineptitude of President Biden and Congressional Democrats, and with Bidenflation raging and affecting the cost of virtually all goods and services, Democrats know that gas prices will be a major factor with voters this fall. But we must also note that in 2019 Governor Pritzker and legislative Democrats doubled the gas tax from $0.19 per gallon to $0.38 per gallon.

Did Illinois Democrats require gas stations to post stickers calling out those tax hikes three years ago? What do you think?

This desperate effort by Illinois Democrats shows two undeniable realities. First, it illustrates their authoritarian mindset. When they agree to hold back and temporarily take less of your money via taxation, they believe they should be applauded and recognized. They view that revenue as their money, and not only should you be forced to be made aware of their generosity, you’d better be appreciative as well.

But this bill is also indicative a broader problem, and one which has spread to all corners of the country: Voters’ intense dissatisfaction with Democrats. The Democratic party is heading toward one of the worst clobberings we’ve seen in decades, or perhaps centuries, and they’re running out of places to turn. They’re out of ideas. So, when they find a policy they hope will resonate, they need to try and do everything they can to exploit it.

So, here’s a prediction: It won’t work.

By Jess Lawson

Jess Lawson is a regular contributor to The Blue State Conservative and a passionate, conservative millennial who loves America.

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Blue State Conservative. The BSC is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any information presented.

Featured photo of President Biden and Governor J.B. Pritzker is courtesy of The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This story syndicated with permission from The Blue State Conservative