“We need a lot more purple thinking”
Wednesday, Nov 7, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From comments…
“Total ownership. No excuses now.”
That is the kind of wrongheaded thinking that got us into this mess.
“Governors own,” but you do not govern successfully by making the fixation of blame your primary objective.
Yes, Republicans are in the minority, but they still hold public office, they still bear some responsibility, and they should not abdicate all responsibility or refuse to work with Democrats just because they are hoping by doing so they can make Pritzker fail.
Senator DeWitte and Senator-elect Gillespie both need to represent not just the people who elected them, but also the people who voted against them. The 48% who voted against Senator DeWitte don’t want him to be an automatic No vote on every idea Democrats offer, and I am betting that alot of the folks who voted for him share that view.
By the same token, the 48% who voted against Gillespie do not want their Senator to vote to cram everything through the Senate just because Democrats are in the majority so they can. And I bet alot of their Democratic neighbors share the same view.
Purple districts, folks. A lot of purple districts, and we need a lot more purple thinking.
Exactly.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:44 pm:
I’d like to see a progressive income tax/school funding that reduces the tax burden for many middle/lower income people and responsible marijuana legalization with the focus on teen drug use prevention and traffic safety.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
One other point Rich. Republicans cannot succeed by making Pritzker fail because they don’t have the numbers to make him fail. So how about this alternative? After some soul-searching, maybe the GOP can figure out a way to work together to help him…and the state succeed.
Enough of war. We need to work together to rebuild our state. I guarantee he’s going to be reaching across the aisle. They should respond in kind.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
This is well said. We need to rediscover all that we have in common instead of seeing only what divides us.
Also, excuse me while I kiss the sky.
- Highspeed - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 12:53 pm:
Well said!
- Fax Machine - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:09 pm:
Republicans Charlie Baker & Larry Hogan won huge Pritzkeresque victories in Blue States last night because of Purple thinking.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:14 pm:
uh, back at ya Republicans. You think Trump is doing things that way? no. I’m proud that Democrats will be professional in how they govern.
- njt16 - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:22 pm:
The Art of the Compromise
- Earnest - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:35 pm:
Here’s hoping Republicans are an active voice in governing. Illinois would be the better for it. Even with supermajorities, there will be no way for Democrats to avoid unpopular votes in order to govern responsibly. Republican votes on some of these would provide a little bit of cover for Democrats, and a little bit of leverage for Republicans to get some compromises. Or maybe that’s a little too idealistic, or unrealistic. We shall see.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 1:58 pm:
When Dan Rutherford was in the Senate I met with him and listened to him complain how his part was the minority and couldn’t do anything. I named three moderate democrats that he could reach out to. I begged him to build relationships to get things done.
Where is Dan now?
The GOP still represents a lot of Illinois and must learn how to be public servants that serve the greater good not simply the party.
The same goes for democrats.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 2:15 pm:
Listen to yourselves.
You want the GOP to become the Democrats.
Before we go further here - a better question to you people is: “What would it take for you to vote GOP?”
We’ve been through rotten times over the past 20 years, but voters are still choosing Democrats. So, what does it take?”
I don’t see Illinois voting for the GOP, unless the GOP isn’t the GOP.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 2:36 pm:
“You want the GOP to become the Democrats.”
No, we want Republicans to work together with Democrats for the good of the state, Why is that concept difficult to understand?
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
“What would it take for you to vote GOP?” Well, I can assure you, moving further to the right will not win my vote.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
Tell it to Skillicorn.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 2:49 pm:
Where do you agree with GOP?
There can’t be any purple if you always choose blue, folks.
- Radical Trolling - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
@Vanillaman -
Topinka was a purple thinker.
Congressman Mark Kirk was a purple thinker. So was Congressman Ray LaHood. And Schock.
As the Hinz article indicates, the “job creators” want stability and acknowledge that taxes are part of the solution. If that is what they say it takes to grow our economy, shouldn’t “real Republicans” be willing to work with the governor and Democrats in the legislature to find common ground?
And shouldnt Democrats reach out to Republicans and make an honest effort to include them in the process?
I dont believe that being “reasonable” makes you less of a Republican or less of a Democrat.
While no one can know for sure upfront that a solution can be reached, Legislators do owe it to their constituents to try.
Sometimes, people surprise you.
PS: Democrats ought to start out by trying to find some common ground during veto session. Perhaps a social event with the governor-elect?
- Jibba - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 4:49 pm:
VM, I have voted twice for Rs for Governor recently. JBT and Dillard, who I would have supported in the general as well. Can you say that as well?
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Nov 7, 18 @ 5:48 pm:
47th — Or, as we say at my house:
“‘Scuse me while I kiss this guy…”
- BigDaddy12 - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 10:22 am:
I agree, but problem is these days, purple thinking gets you primaried…
- Jerry - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 11:00 am:
Agreed.