Today’s quotables
Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Peoria Journal Star…
Gov. Bruce Rauner made two stops last week during his visit to the Peoria area, including to visit a series of classes at Charter Oak Primary School.
Aside from kids demonstrating an impressive familiarity with government affairs — who among us knew as much about elective term lengths or the separation of powers in the fourth grade? — the youths asked Rauner some good questions.
One question in particular stuck out from the last group of them, a question on organization in government.
Rauner stressed the values of teamwork and of being able to work together with others. That includes working to “get a great team of people together and try to get things done.”
Given the state’s current budget drama, perhaps the working-together-with-others part of that plan needs some work?
* Chicago Tribune…
Speaking to a Chicago gathering of business students last month, Gov. Bruce Rauner related how a professional mentor long ago had instilled in him the importance of embracing the golden rule.
“Treat other people the way you’d like to be treated,” Rauner said. “Sounds simple. Sounds corny. Hard to do consistently, and it’s the key to success. It’s the key. Respecting other people.” […]
Each side insists it has the moral high ground in the dispute, which now has left Illinois without a spending plan almost halfway through the budget year. All of which may underscore another bit of career advice Rauner gave to those business students in October.
“Persistence, persistence, persistence,” he said.
* Keith Kelleher, president, SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana…
In private conversations, many Republicans have told us how pained they have been to be put in this position of voting against the most vulnerable people in their communities and against programs that actually benefit the economy, save taxpayer dollars and help people who often are their friends and neighbors and, in some cases, their flesh and blood.
Some of them have actually broken down in tears describing the threats and intimidation they’ve faced from Bruce Rauner and his allies, who themselves have made very clear they are willing to do or say anything they believe will help achieve their union-busting, non-budgetary goals.
- Arsenal - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 9:58 am:
==Some of them have actually broken down in tears describing the threats and intimidation they’ve faced from Bruce Rauner and his allies==
Oh, the poor dears.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:01 am:
==the golden rule==
Could that help explain why he has been able to reach agreements with some but not others?
If you are ready to compromise, he will as well. If you are not, he is not.
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Golden Rule! Really, so Rauner likes being called corrupt and being threatened. Who knew he was a closet masochist.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Former “GOP” Caucus members, both chambers;
People, real people, remember where you “were” when they needed you most.
We let a stranger in our house. Crying about the stranger isn’t goin’ to make it better.
Hootin’ about it makes you all look embarrassin’.
Until any of the 67 decide people matter, The Owl “will take it from here”… for you;
“@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.
The Raunerite Caucuses are owned, The Owl makes sure you’re embarrassed to be owned.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:03 am:
Cry me a river “many Republicans” - if it pains you so much then do something about it. You know, your job.
And if you think your pain is too much, think about your constituents and the pain they are having forced upon them.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:06 am:
Those republicans in tears have some Rauner money to use for kleenexes though.
Did the Governor learn anything in the classroom?
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:07 am:
“get a great team of people together and try to get things done.”
In his world this means the CEO (Rauner) and Board of Directors (Superstars). The system of checks and balances (Legislative & Judicial branches) aren’t part of the “winning” equation.
- Anon221 - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:11 am:
Rauner believes the People of Illinois are only worth about $1.66 each this go round. If you want to cry about his treatment of you as a Legislator, then take that money and go out an buy yourself a box of Kleenex. It’ll cost you about $2.00, but hey, what’s that compared to a few constituents? They don’t vote anyway, right?
Might want to prepare yourselves-
http://www.pjstar.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151109500/?Start=2
While the political fight is likely to come to a head on Tuesday when legislators return to Springfield, it’s sparked some thoughts in Sharp-Bowen about the role she can play in future debates. In the past, she said, she’s spent “so much time working to make ends meet for my children that I don’t have time to go out and vote.”
Now, she realizes, “maybe my vote could make a difference.”
- cdog - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:11 am:
67,
Stand up to Rauner and then move on from the circus. Channel your inner-Trump.
If you truly believe your platform, you aren’t planning on staying anyway, right?
Check my drama, but, many of history’s worst happenings were accomplished while those with some power stood by and did not act.
Speak up, sacrifice yourself a bit. There is life after this hitch.
- walker - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:12 am:
Some of the strongest and most productive Reps in responding to human services needs, have been in the Republican caucus. Nowhere near a controlling majority, though.
Same for pro-union Republicans. More than a handful, but not a force on the brink of control.
If there’s real movement in the caucus, it will be from those who simply view the budget impasse as too damaging, and are willing to take some now, and fight for more later. They could make a majority.
- Curious Georgina - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:13 am:
Republicans, if you’re so upset about what’s happening, then stop voting against your friends, neighbors, and constituents. If you’re so worried that you won’t get re-elected without Rauner’s money, then let me ask you: Why, exactly, are you running for re-election? You DO realize that your job is to look out for your communities and your constituents, right? If doing that isn’t that important to you, then you should step down and let someone who DOES care about the people in the district take over.
- Sir Reel - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:15 am:
Rauner’s a do as I say, not a do as I do kinda guy.
Maybe letting him into a classroom isn’t such a good idea.
- Daniel Plainview - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:16 am:
- Some of them have actually broken down in tears describing the threats and intimidation they’ve faced from Bruce Rauner and his allies -
You’ve got to be kidding me. Everyone knows how to deal with a bully, so grow a spine and hit back.
If you’re so afraid of losing that you abandon principles you apparently hold dear, you’re not a public servant.
- cailleach - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:18 am:
“Threats and intimidation . . .” - isn’t that illegal? If they simply lay down and take it, they have no self-respect and deserve no respect from others.
Big donor money is here to stay until Citizens United is nullified. Find a way to neutralize it’s effect. Integrity, anyone?
- History Prof - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:20 am:
So when exactly does the threat of a primary challenge end? At that point will the Dems be able to capitalize on this discontent and pull over some Republican votes? Thoughts? If not, then these really are crocodile tears. Or have I missed something important?
- thunderspirit - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:20 am:
== Some of them have actually broken down in tears describing the threats and intimidation they’ve faced from Bruce Rauner and his allies, who themselves have made very clear they are willing to do or say anything they believe will help achieve their union-busting, non-budgetary goals. ==
“Limiting collective bargaining is not part of my agenda.” — Candidate Rauner, Illinois Education Association Conference, April 11, 2014.
One of these things is not like the other.
- nixit71 - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:23 am:
There’s no crying in politics.
- Solid Dwight - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:35 am:
It’s been a long time since the GOP had any real responsibility. All they had to do is point their finger at the Democrats and a Democrat governor.
As sad as it may be for those with tears…I have a feeling everything will be ok for you at the next election. This too shall pass.
- Nobody Sent - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:38 am:
Rauner knows The Golden Rule and believes respecting other people is important??!! I am stunned - absolutely stunned! Perhaps he should instruct his minions to abide by such rules, because from what I have witnessed and experienced, they consider such niceties to be more like guidelines.
- sal-says - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:43 am:
‘Two faced hypocrite’ + ‘do as I say, not as I do’ about cover it?
- walker - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:46 am:
Rauner thought he would have the Dems in tears by now.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:47 am:
Meh, Rauner says whatever the audience wants to hear.
The fact that what he pretends to be is often in direct opposition to his true nature is very revealing.
Pay attention to what politicians do, not what they say.
- PolPal56 - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 10:48 am:
I’m disgusted and have no sympathy. If you are this upset, you know you are doing the morally, ethically wrong thing by going along with Rauner.
Do what will allow you to be at peace with yourself.
- Muscular - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:04 am:
Some Republicans are in love with the bloated and corrupt welfare state. This is in contradiction to many Republican activists and donors. With a conservative Governor in charge, these supposed Republicans in tears must now make a choice: learn to appreciate conservative values and traditions or join with the Democrats.
- Mama - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:08 am:
==“Treat other people the way you’d like to be treated,” Rauner said. “Sounds simple. Sounds corny. Hard to do consistently, and it’s the key to success. It’s the key. Respecting other people.” […]==
Remember Governor, the key to success is treating people with kindness, speaking the truth and keeping your word.
- Mama - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:09 am:
“There’s no crying in politics.”
There should be! I shows you have a heart.
- Mama - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:12 am:
==Now, she realizes, “maybe my vote could make a difference.”==
WE ARE ONLY HOPE PEOPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP!
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:13 am:
===With a conservative Governor…===
LOL!
“Who” is that?
Rauner is going to force real conservative Republicans to vote for, arguably, the largest tax increase in Illinois history.
Rauner is a Raunerite. Do yourself a solid, keep up with what is actually happening before calling Rauner a conservative.
- Mama - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:14 am:
delete the word ‘are’. Sorry
- History Prof - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:17 am:
“Conservative values and traditions?” Muscular Man, if threatening to burn down the house or shut down the government in the name of a minimal state is a “tradition,” then it is a tradition that only goes back to Newt Gingrich.
But it is not “conservative” in any way. It is revolutionary. And by the way, it is also radically liberal. It puts freedom “from” government ahead of all else. So it is neither traditional nor conservative. (Actually it is no really opposition to government, but only to paying for it, but that’s another conversation.)
I will concede that skewing the economy only toward the rich while pressing everyone else to subsistence or worse does constitute a “value” of sorts. But I trust you are not pretending to yourself that it is a Christian value.
- nona - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:23 am:
== In private conversations, many Republicans have told us how pained they have been to be put in this position of voting against the most vulnerable people in their communities ==
Obviously the GOP caucuses have not been applying the Golden Rule to the most vulnerable people in their communities. Rauner would punish them if they did.
- Foster brooks - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 11:47 am:
, many Republicans have told us how pained they have been to be put in this position of voting against the most vulnerable people in their communities and against programs that actually benefit the economy, save taxpayer dollars and help people who often are their friends and neighbors and, in some cases, their flesh and blood. …
Good lord you work for the people in your district not bruce Rauner
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
Upon hearing Rauner quote the Golden Rule, must mean that the Golden Rule no longer is either golden, nor a rule.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 1:40 pm:
Whoever has the Gold, Makes the Rule.
- Empty Suit - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
Ever notice the refrain of “Most vulnerable people” is used by countless agencies, groups? Do they all have the “most vulnerable people”. So just who are the most vulnerable people? Almost seems like a competition for the title. It’s all just so confusing.
- Liberty - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
What happened to the Madigan Cullerton demonizing? I thought he had them on the run…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
“I love Bruce Rauner’s teaching style for the Caucuses” - Dolores Umbridge, Hogwarts.
- Earnest - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
>>Ever notice the refrain of “Most vulnerable people” is used by countless agencies, groups? Do they all have the “most vulnerable people”. So just who are the most vulnerable people? Almost seems like a competition for the title. It’s all just so confusing.
It’s empathy and compassion. People with severe chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, homeless, ill, inpoverty, children in abusive situations, people experiencing domestic violence…people in social services don’t generally feel that “only the population I serve” is the most vulnerable and most needy. So much of social services requires intense collaboration because needs run across populations.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 9, 15 @ 5:40 pm:
Run as an independent, or run as a Democrat, and tell Rauner to kiss your backside.
Or stop whining.
Or be willing to go on the record with “I was threatened.” It only takes a relative few to recall, sounds like there are plenty.