* Gov. Pat Quinn was asked if he’d seen the new “Lincoln” movie…
“If you want to see how Democracy works, see that movie … You will appreciate the battle to get pension reform if you see the movie and see how hard it was to abolish slavery and get that amendment for the people. And they went to great lengths to use the Democratic process properly.”
So, he’s a pension abolitionist? Or something?
* The We Are One Coalition’s response was furious…
“We are also shocked and disturbed by the Governor’s recent comments to the Associated Press that compared his efforts to enact unfair and unconstitutional pension legislation to one of the greatest moral crusades in our nation’s history, the struggle to abolish slavery.
“Governor Quinn’s continued use of over-the-top rhetoric is not helpful to the effort develop a comprehensive fix to our pension shortfall. His careless comparison of slavery to the policy debate over pensions is insensitive, offensive and wrong.
“The We Are One Illinois coalition calls on Gov. Quinn to apologize for his remarks and then start showing true leadership on the pension issue. We hope the governor will join us in developing a plan that is fair to the workers and retirees who paid into the system and ensures adequate funding for state services going forward.”
* The governor talked about how Lincoln “went to great lengths to use the Democratic process properly” to abolish slavery. From the Illinois Times’ review of the movie…
However, the most pressing concern is making sure that there are enough votes to pass the amendment [to abolish slavery] if it comes to a vote. What ensues is a display of real politics in action as promises are made, arms are twisted and patronage jobs are given as well many other backroom deals that’s “the end justifying the means” in vivid action. James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson and John Hawkes provide welcome comic relief as “skulky men,” charged with getting the final 10 votes needed by hook or by crook.
Discuss.
LIVE session coverage...
- Blago's Hare - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 5:03 am:
Up early, Rich? Or still up from the weekend?
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 7:21 am:
The Governor appears to miss the big picture which isn’t something new for him, but it was the utter breakdown of democracy that led to the Civil War and even having the chance to pass a 13th Amendment.
- Newsclown - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 7:23 am:
Quinn will take the wrong cue from the movie and suspend Habeas Corpus regarding a balanced budget.
- state worker - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 7:40 am:
We Are One needs to be careful not to go through this process like drama queens. This WILL take wheeling and dealing — and not running to press like a bunch of crybabies. Everyone get to work!
- nieva - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 7:52 am:
Every time the boys in Springfield wheel and deal I get tire marks up my backside!
- Panopticon - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 7:59 am:
Quinn must have it confused with the Vampire Lincoln movie, but the vampires in Springfield are the ones that have been bleeding the pension funds dry for the last forty years.
- Dan Shields, Springfield - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 8:30 am:
That bizarre quote is a perfect example of the mess that State Government in Illinois is in. These jokers don’t have a clue how to fix the mess they have made.
- geronimo - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:12 am:
He needs a mental health screening.
- collar observer - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:18 am:
Over reaction on the part of both parties - plain and simple.
- Shemp - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:24 am:
“Governor Quinn’s continued use of over-the-top rhetoric is not helpful to the effort develop a comprehensive fix….” No irony here. None.
- Madison - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:42 am:
This Quinn has either an altered view of reality. Now demagoguery is as old as politics itself, but comparing pensions to slavery and himself in the image of Lincoln?
That’s more than a little over the top. Less pension reform, more medication. Perhaps Michelle Saddler could refer him to a professional.
- zatoichi - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:47 am:
Can’t he just say it was a good movie?
- Scott217 - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:49 am:
What zatoichi said.
- John Parnell - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:49 am:
We Are One what Quinn said, not what you wish he said. He was talking about the process of passing a bill. Find another reason to issue an absurd press release.
- Fiefdom - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 9:54 am:
Can’t wait for his review of Red Dawn.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 10:15 am:
—Can’t wait for his review of Red Dawn.
I can’t let this go
WOLVERINES!
- John on the spot - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 10:18 am:
Quinn needs to grow some giant, mutton chop sideburns.
- Squeezy - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 10:39 am:
I’ll choke the fool who hates on pension reform.
- Lay Person - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 11:06 am:
Bull, Bull and alot more Bull from the Governor and Representatives. Let’s get serious and resolve the pension issues. Unions cannot run the State or the USA, they must be willing to compro-mise. Unions are not all bad. I applaud them for the safety issues addressed with owners, but wages and benefits must be also addressed, with limits imposed. Most employess in non profits that serve those less fortunate, do not receive annual increases in these times.
- Soccertease - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 11:36 am:
Rich, please ban Squeezy for the violent remark.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 11:40 am:
Soccertease, that’s what pythons do.
- Liam - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 11:50 am:
@Lay person-
The problems we face aren’t because the unions run the state-they don’t-it’s because no one runs the state. The guy nominally in charge thinks a cartoon snake will help get his point across. Sad times we live in.
- Stooges - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 11:53 am:
I thought of Blago as I watched the movie. Something tells me he now feels even more vindicated as he compares himself to Lincoln in trading jobs for votes (or money).
- Boone's is Back - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 12:26 pm:
Cmon, everyone knows that Thaddeus Stevens had a pet python.
- Joe Bidenopoulous - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 1:51 pm:
Wow, talk about unclear of the concept. If a Republican had compared pensions to slavery, s/he’d be pilloried, and rightfully so, with howls of protest and calls for resignation. There should really be a Godwin’s Law corollary for slavery.
What an ignorant doofus. More proof he needs to go away.
Signed,
A confirmed Dem
- D.P. Gumby - Monday, Nov 19, 12 @ 5:09 pm:
I missed the part where Lincoln created Squeezy the Confederate Python who was choking the North….
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 20, 12 @ 7:37 am:
Unlike Lincoln, Quinn doesn’t have Grant, Sherman and Sheridan as “grassroots” campaigners.
Those guys could be quite persuasive, in their own way.