* A subscriber sent me this e-mail today. My mom also received one of these in mid February…
From: DanRutherford@danrutherford.org
Date: March 2, 2015 at 11:36:15 AM CST
To: xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Rutherford Asks You to Weigh in on Taxes some want to raise
Xxxx,
The financial health of our state is my top priority and was as State Treasurer. People have expressed concern that no one asks their opinion or takes it into consideration, especially when it comes to taxes. I am going to change that.
There are those in Springfield who are looking to raise taxes and fees, again. I am NOT a supporter of tax increases or creating new ones. I am posting a survey on my website for you to express your position on this matter.
I am NOT advocating these raises. I am providing this survey as an outlet for you to express yourself. I appreciate you taking time to participate. The link to it is http://danrutherford.org/survey/income-tax/
All information provided is confidential. Results will be posted as a cumulative of those who respond.
If you participate in the survey, you will receive an email letting you know when the results are posted. The cumulative results will be known to the media and public policy makers.
Thank you for your participation.
Sincerely,
Dan Rutherford
Illinois State Treasurer
(2011-2015)
The results are here.
I called Rutherford today and left a message. I’ll let you know if he responds and tell you what he says.
*** UPDATE *** Rutheford just called me back and said, “I’ve been doing this for years.” I asked whether this was any indication of any future political plans and he said, “No, my gosh, no.”
“I’ve only been out of office two months,” said. “I’m taking some time, I’m relaxing, I’m doing some travel… By no means should anyone read into this any future plans.”
He said he has an “extensive database” and this was just a way to use it to test some issues for those who are still in touch.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
@FakeRutherfordDan - Look at me! Look at me! #ForgetTheTaxpayerReportThatsSealed
Dope.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
I was still getting unwanted e-mails from him so I finally unsubscribed. Dan, I learned to let it go, and maybe it’s time for you to try too.
Let it go. Please.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
I’m trying to imagine where Rutherford thinks the Comeback Trail begins.
I’ve got nothing.
- ??? - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:57 pm:
What, exactly, is he planning to do with this info? I can’t imagine there are too many folks in power who care what Dan has to say these days.
- Federalist - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 12:58 pm:
Yea, I got this survey. What a phony, self- promoting waste of email space.
- Reality Check - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
I support a 100% income tax on people who should’ve dropped out of the gov primary but didn’t.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
Will this help him with some sort of lobbying? Does he think he can win a race for Comptroller in 2016?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
===“I’ve only been out of office two months,” said. “I’m taking some time, I’m relaxing, I’m doing some travel… By no means should anyone read into this any future plans.”===
I’ll help ya.
Your future plans, if you want success, won’t include politics.
How’s that sealed report doing?
- VanillaMan - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
“No, my gosh, no.”
You took the words right out of everyone’s mouth, Dan.
- Rufus - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
No one wants to pay more taxes. Everyone wants more State services.
Surveys that ask if people want tax increases — Worthless.
- Anonymous Retiree - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
Ego out of control, he should sign the email as Former Illinois Treasurer, trying to make it look like he is still in office
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
It seems an open lawsuit, a sealed taxpayer funded report and backdated pay increases (which should actually just be illegal regardless) to staff members who supported his case (including Employee 1) ought to be a enough to keep him quiet. Unfortunately ego has the best of him…and he is not the only former elected official to get trapped by ego…
- A guy - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
It’s one of the stages of grief. Unsubscribe and let it go.
- Westward - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 1:57 pm:
What a HO-ax. “…gosh no…”
The dude is ultra-ambitious.
- Langhorne - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
DAN if you can’t bear To go away, maybe you can hook up w pat quinn
- Norseman - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 3:19 pm:
Well said Langhorne
- Sage - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
Wasn’t he the candidate who wouldn’t rule out tax increases during the 2014 Republican gubernatorial primary?
- Let'sMovetoTexas - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 4:34 pm:
Rutherford is a class act so, naturally, Reublicans destroyed him. That’s what the party does.
- Norseman - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
=== Rutherford is a class act so, naturally, Reublicans (Sic) destroyed him. That’s what the party does. ===
Tex, get off the horse and watch the news. Rutherford destroyed himself. A lot of us were hoping he could get it together and beat Rauner.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 5:46 pm:
- Let’sMovetoTexas -,
You must’ve missed Fiasco Friday…
- Duder1972 - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 6:30 pm:
Enough
- Big Mouth - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 6:51 pm:
Unbelievable. I used to get his hilarious birthday greeting (which I thought was great and loved) - so I am supposed to be on his email list….but I didn’t get this. Maybe the birthday one or this one was targeted? He definitely disappointed us! This is dumb and pathetic.
- Silent Majority - Monday, Mar 2, 15 @ 7:45 pm:
Rutherford loves politics and probably unrealistically hopes for a quick comeback. What is realistic is that some presidential hopeful will hire him for the upcoming primaries and general in a low visibility but high level position.