I have watched with much displeasure the way the media has probed into Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s current situation to ascertain his whereabouts and the nature of his health challenge(s). As an elected official, I understand the need for public disclosure about his welfare. However, I believe the fact that Jackson’s staff and family have indicated that he is struggling with a health challenge should be respected and that the public’s desire for detail should not override basic human decency for the man and his situation.

The clamor surrounding Rep. Jackson Jr. reminds me of Rep. Eddie Washington (Waukegan), a colleague of mine who was also confronted with a number of health challenges but nonetheless, served with distinction and hardly missed a session day. There was a cost to this commitment, though, because in spite of his dedication to his district and passion for the legislative process, Rep. Washington was very, very ill.

During what would be his last term in the Illinois House, I recall entering the House Chamber and being approached by Rep. Washington. He was sweating profusely and appeared to be experiencing difficulty breathing. After much persuasion, I was able to coax him to go to the nurse’s office and found out from the nurse that she had already advised him that he should be hospitalized, but that he had refused. Eddie was concerned about the media “blasting his condition” over the airwaves, which would have caused him unwanted negative publicity back in his district during his re-election campaign. The compromise he eventually agreed to was for me to transport him—quietly, but urgently—to the hospital. During our drive to the hospital, I noted his foot was bleeding heavily---resultant from his diabetic condition.

Rep. Washington died a month later of a heart attack which resulted from heart disease and diabetes. Gov. Pat Quinn in a statement to the media said, “Eddie had a servant’s heart and was a strong advocate for those deserving a second chance.”

I don’t dwell on the issue of whether Rep. Washington should have taken his condition more seriously or whether he should have not served the last couple of years of his term. I focus on the fact that there was not a more passionate advocate for “the least of these” than Rep. Eddie Washington.

I have no agenda in relaying this story except to express some empathy for a family going through a terrible time in their lives. I watched Rep. Washington struggle and even though sometimes he was misunderstood by some and differed on approaches, I still had an opportunity to see beneath the seemingly rough exterior of a man in distress. No one is made of “Teflon”—not even Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.. He is subject to all the challenges faced by everyday people. The public will know in due time what it needs to know about his condition. I appeal to the better angels within ourselves to allow him space and time to share his condition.. He has served the public with distinction for over twenty years and given his best. Now, it’s the public’s turn to give him what he needs—time.

Karen A Yarbrough

Assistant House Majority Leader

Illinois State Representative- District 7

Your doctor will examine the http://buyerectile.com causes of erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction: and other oral medications Mayo Clinic Staff Levitra and are often the first oral drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction tried. http://viagratobuy.com