For Illinois House of Representatives District 107

About me:

• Born and raised in Centralia, Illinois and graduated from Centralia High School.
• Work at the Kaskaskia Workshop in Centralia.
• Have worked in factories [Alcan Plastics and Swan] as well as fast food restaurants, Laundromat, and grocery store.
• From an early age I worked alongside my Dad in the floor maintenance business, house painting, general home repair and yard maintenance.
• My sister and I sister helped our Dad promote and emcee Southern Gospel concerts [at the age of 4 I and my 8 year-old sister walked on stage for the first time and introduced J D Sumner & the Stamps Quartet].
• Worked with and was asked to sing with Cecil Blackwood’s Blackwood Brothers Quartet but Cecil died suddenly shortly before I was to join them.
• Raised by my Dad, Ken Qualls, a Baptist minister and author of Just Thinking Out Loud.
• Married to Nicole (nee) Walden
• Have a son, Michael Alexander Qualls, who was born November 2, 2009

Why I am running for the Illinois House of Representatives District 107:

• For a long time I’ve had my opinions on how our political offices are being handled. Given the state of our economy and with a new baby, I figured that this was the time to get involved.
• I want to make a difference in the world in which my son will grow up.
• I realize the difficulties facing residents in the area as the failing economy exerts more pressure on people in the region.
• People are hurting for jobs. We need to take a more aggressive approach to  cutting our expenses in this state and working to attract businesses, jobs and residents back to Illinois.
• It is time that government, like people, do without and cut out unnecessary spending.
• A lot of people don’t know how to do without. We have become so accustomed to instant gratification and living on credit that we have all extended ourselves and our government s beyond our means. Individuals and our legislature need to learn to live by a budget.
• The state needs to reassess its strengths and weaknesses, looking for ways to either improve on its weaknesses or eliminate those weak areas entirely. We need to look at the leadership of those weak areas and see if we restructure through possible leadership changes or perhaps through other changes.
• Too many politicians from both parties seem to work for themselves, the party and the big money donors and forget that they were put in office by the votes of the people.

My goals:

• I have no unrealistic expectations or promises. I want to listen to the people. Really listen and make your voice heard in Springfield.
• Encourage hope in our citizens.
• Inspire youth to get involved in the running of our communities, state and country. The great thing about this country is that is you don’t approve of something; you can work to change it. We need new blood, new faces, and new ideas in our governments. We need people who are courageous enough to restore trust, integrity and honesty to the political arena.
• I want to bridge the gap between political parties so we can get to work building a better, stronger United States of America. Both parties can be proud of their many accomplishments and both parties have made many contributions that have been detrimental to our country.

I may not be what many would consider qualified, but look at the mess that so called qualified people have gotten us into.

I know what it is like to be afraid to turn the thermostat up in the winter.

I know what it’s like to live on macaroni and cheese and Ramon noodles.

I know what it is like to live from paycheck to paycheck.

I know what it’s like to have an income that doesn’t begin to keep up with the cost of living.

I’m a common man who cares and wants to make a difference.

I would appreciate your vote. Together we can make a difference.

I have no financial support; I’m simply asking people who are tired of the way things are to vote for me.

Thank you,

Joshua Qualls