.Sean at FiredUp! reports that the Lafayette County G.O.P. has put up a billboard sporting a hammer and sickle that says:

How do you like your change now???

OBAMA-NATION

They are coming for you!..1st & 2nd amendments are in jeopardy.

LIVE FREE OR DIE

Take a look at the lovely photo of it.

I especially like the use of three question marks. I wonder if that indicates that they’re especially puzzled. Or maybe the Lafayette Rs believe motorists to be visually impaired at reading punctuation marks.

Question is, should Democrats ignore the sign, in hopes that passing motorists will, for the most part, write it off as the work of loonies? That’s risky in light of Mencken’s observation that “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.”

Maybe Democrats should take some action. I’d favor another sign fifty yards down the road that says:

You can’t be serious. You’re off your meds, right?

UPDATE: CAP’s August 5th Progress Report noted a similar EFA campaign being conducted against Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN).

Yesterday while driving to Warsaw, Missouri for the dinner honoring Congressman Ike Skelton (D) sponsored by the Fourth Congressional District Democratic Committee we noticed a large billboard on U.S. Highway 50 attacking him.

A billboard along U.S. Highway 50 in LaMonte, Missouri.

We returned to LaMonte early this afternoon to photograph the billboard and to see if we could find out who was responsible for it. Sure enough, there it was, in tiny type (by huge billboard standards):

Just who is the Economic Freedom Alliance, who pays for their billboards, and why would they be targetting Ike Skelton? They are an IRS 527 organization.

Rove event sparks tension, protests

By KAREN McDONALD

of the Journal Star

Posted May 08, 2009 @ 09:36 PM

Last update May 09, 2009 @ 04:31 PM

….The Economic Freedom Alliance is a seven-state coalition comprised of manufacturing associations and chambers of commerce to fight the [Employee Free Choice] act.

The Employee Free Choice Act is a federal measure that would make forming unions easier. Freedom Alliance founder Ron Gidwitz says it will reduce competitiveness of American industry.

Ike Skelton (D) is a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Okay, so who’s paying for the billboard?

From IRS Form 8872, Political Organization, Report of Contributions and Expenditures for the Economic Freedom Alliance [pdf] dated June 30, 2009:

Phoenix Closures N/A

1899 High Grove Lane

Naperville, IL 60540 N/A $ 20000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 20000 01/30/2009

Maclean-Fogg Company N/A

1000 Allanson Road

Mundelein, IL 60060 N/A $ 25000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 25000 02/02/2009

Molex Incorporated N/A

2222 Wellington Court

Lisle, IL 60532 N/A $ 10000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 10000 02/18/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Suite 610

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 30000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 30000 02/23/2009

Bulkmatic Transport Company N/A

2001 N. Cline Ave.

Griffith, IN 46319 N/A $ 1000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 1000 02/27/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Ste 610

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 35000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 65000 03/05/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 100000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 165000 03/17/2009

Michael Keiser N/A

2450 N. Lakeview

Chicago, IL 60614 Investor $ 2000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 2000 03/19/2009

James P. Gorter N/A

855 Skokie Highway Suite D

Lake Bluff, IL 60044 Retired $ 1500

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 1500 03/20/2009

Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth & Prosperity N/A

220 E. Adams Street

Springfield, IL 62701 N/A $ 50000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 50000 04/17/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 35000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 210000 04/22/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 50000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 260000 04/23/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 90000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 350000 05/13/2009

Marquis Energy, LLC N/A

11953 Esk Road

Hennepin, IL 61327 N/A $ 5000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 5000 05/29/2009

David Grainger W.W. Grainger

100 Grainger Parkway

Lake Forest, IL 60045 Senior Advisor $ 1000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 1000 06/04/2009

Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A

1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610

Aok Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 50000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 400000 06/16/2009

Charlie N Mills Medline Industires

700 S. Ridge Rd.

Lake Forest, IL 60045 CEO $ 10000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 10000 06/22/2009

Hunter Engineering Company N/A

11250 Hunter Drive

Bridgeton, MO 63044 N/A $ 5000

Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution

$ 5000 06/30/2009

[emphasis added]

Yeah, did you notice the grass rootsie feel of their support? Not too many folks from Missouri, eh?

And who is the Economic Freedom Alliance paying to do all this (expenditures from the same IRS form)?:

Hastert and Associates N/A $ 10000

Box 386

Yorkville, IL 60510 N/A 05/13/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Robert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000

5943 East Circle

Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 05/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Christine Dudley N/A $ 6500

3100 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 05/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000

1020 College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 05/13/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000

1020 College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 05/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000

964 Cooper Ct.

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 05/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Anne F. Hathaway N/A $ 5000

4505 N. Delaware

Indianapolis, IN 46205 N/A 05/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Fee Expenditure

Karl Rove & Co N/A $ 20000

PO Box 40364

Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 05/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Christine Dudley N/A $ 726

3100 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 05/27/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Out of Pocket Expense Reimbursement

JAD and Associates N/A $ 5000

37 West Broad Street, Ste. 970

Columbus, OH 43125 N/A 06/01/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Robert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000

5943 East Circle

Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Karl Rove & Co. N/A $ 20000

PO Box 40364

Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Christine Dudley N/A $ 6500

3100 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000

1020 C
ollege Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000

964 Cooper Ct.

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Recurring Fee

Anne F. Hathaway N/A $ 5000

4505 N. Delaware

Indianapolis, IN 46205 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

New Media Communication N/A $ 8000

3046 Brecksville Road

Richfield, OH 44286 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Web Site Development

Christine T. Dudley N/A $ 453

3100 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 06/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Out of Pocket Expense Reimbursement

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 420

964 Cooper Ct.

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 06/22/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Out of Pocket Expense Reimbursement

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 451

1020 College Aveneue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 06/22/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Out of Pocket Expense Reimbursement

Saint Louis Club N/A $ 3586

7701 Forsyth Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63105 N/A 06/22/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Meeting Expense

Connell Donatelli Inc N/A $ 2898

116 N. St. Asaph Street

Alexandria, VA 22314 N/A 06/24/2009

Purpose of expenditure

email Contract

Serafin & Assoc N/A $ 5000

409 W. Huron, Suite 600

Chicago, IL 60654 N/A 06/26/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Communication Services Management

JAD and Associates N/A $ 5000

37 West Broad Street, Ste. 970

Columbus, OH 43125 N/A 06/26/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Americans for Properity N/A $ 5000

200 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606 N/A 06/26/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Reimburse for Event Expense

Washington Speakers Bureau N/A $ 10000

1663 Prince Street

Alexandria, VA 22314 N/A 06/29/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Speakers Fee

Xpress Professional Services N/A $ 22500

1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 06/30/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Adminsitrative Service Fee – 3 months

Roosevelt Watkins III N/A $ 10000

9231 S. Cottage Grove

Chicago, IL 60619 N/A 04/23/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Xpress Professional Services N/A $ 21000

1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 02/02/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Media Placement

Karl Rove & Co. N/A $ 20000

PO Box 40364

Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 02/19/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Christine Dudley N/A $ 6500

3000 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 03/06/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Robert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000

5943 East Circle

Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 03/06/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000

1020 College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 03/06/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Robert L. Athery LTD N/A $ 15000

5943 East Circle

Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 03/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Christine Dudley N/A $ 6500

3000 North Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 03/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Lisa Wagner & Company N/A $ 5000

1020 College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 03/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000

964 Cooper Court

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 03/06/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000

964 Cooper Court

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 03/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Karl Rove & Co. N/A $ 20000

PO Box 40364

Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 03/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Rev. James L. Demus III N/A $ 5000

4800 S. Lake Park

Chicago, IL 60615 N/A 03/17/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Rev. Leslie Sanders N/A $ 5000

1352 West 21st Street

Chicago, IL 60637 N/A 03/17/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Roosevelt Watkins III N/A $ 5000

9231 S. Cottage Grove

Chicago, IL 60619 N/A 03/17/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Xpress Professional Services N/A $ 15591

1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 04/02/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Administrative Services, Postage and Conference Calls

Xpress Professional Services N/A $ 25228

1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 04/03/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Media Placement

Robert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000

5943 East Circle

Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 04/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Christine Dudley N/A $ 6500

3000 N. Sheridan Road

Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 04/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000

1020 College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 04/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly contractor Fee

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000

964 Cooper Court

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 04/15/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Karl Rove & Co N/A $ 20000

PO Box 40364

Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 04/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Consulting Fee

Anne F. Hathaway N/A $ 5000

4505 N. Delaware

Indianapolis, IN 46205 N/A 04/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Ronald Gidwitz N/A $ 671

200 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606 Investor 04/16/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Travel Reimbursement

Rev. James L Demus III N/A $ 10000

4800 S. Lake Park

Chicago, IL 60615 N/A 04/23/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

Goodman Political LLC N/A $ 543

964 Cooper Court

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 04/24/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Reimbursement for out of pocket expenses

Serafin & Associates N/A $ 5305

409 W. Huron, Suite 600

Chicago, IL 60654 N/A 04/24/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Communication Management Services

Lisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 6360

1020 College Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 04/28/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Reimbursement for Out of pocket expenses

Xpress Professional Services N/A $ 60000

1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620

Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 04/28/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Media Placement

Rev. Leslie Sanders N/A $ 10000

1352 West 21st Street

Chicago, IL 60637 N/A 04/30/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Monthly Contractor Fee

New Media Communications N/A $ 8000

3046 Brecksville Road

Richfield, OH 44286 N/A 04/30/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Website Development

New Media Communications N/A $ 9000

3046 Brecksville Road

Richfield, OH 44286 N/A 05/13/2009

Purpose of expenditure

Web site Development

[emphasis added]

Ah, the usual suspects…