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My Sun-Times column this week is about the governor’s new education/lottery plan.
I figure Gov. Blagojevich’s new education plan will probably end up like that bench-clearing brawl at White Sox Park last weekend: a lot of hype, a flood of media analysis, much huffing and puffing from all corners — all over an initial punch that didn’t even knock down the intended victim.‘’No. Not at all,'’ A.J. Pierzynski said the next day when asked whether he was still feeling the dastardly sucker punch thrown by Cubs catcher Michael Barrett.
I’m just not convinced yet that this education plan will ever amount to anything other than much-ballyhooed political fisticuffs.
The paper now has a permalink to all of my columns, which can be found here.
Also, Steinberg isn’t pleased with the plan.
Did Gov. Blago and the Rev. Meeks really need eight hours to agree upon that plan? My third-grader can spout that strategy at a moment’s notice: Let’s eat all the cookies now and not worry about spoiling dinner.The whole point of government is to restrain the public’s childlike yearning for immediate gratification, not offer new ways of indulging it. What’s next? Come winter, the governor will suggest we heat the schools by setting them on fire.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 26, 06 @ 8:16 am
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I agree with Steinberg’s conclusion, but his reasoning is only half right. The role of government isn’t merely to restrain us, but also to lead us to heights we’re afraid to attain on our own.
That kind of leadership in government isn’t always the most popular, but then governance isn’t a popularity contest. That is where the Governor’s leadership falls short. Any idiot can lead the people to the places they want to go.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, May 26, 06 @ 8:22 am
Wow! I always thought that politicians were supposed to lead the people to the places that the people wanted to go? Yellow Dog has thrown a new twist on what I thought public officials were elected to office for. I was always under the impression that they were to reflect the will of the majority of the people? Should we disfranchise those voters who are not college graduates and property owners? I thought that early in the nation’s history a select few also sought to make the nation’s rules without the will of the majority being taken into account? They felt that the non-property owners (such as indentured servants and slaves) were too stupid or uneducated to think for themselves. Only the elite “enlightened ones” such as themselves should be afforded this privilege of “leading the others”.
Yellow Dog Democrat surprises me with his elitist viewpoint? Has the Democrat Party evolved to this position over time? I always enjoy Yellow Dog’s viewpoints even though I often don’t agree with them. I am confused by his statement. It is so out of character for him. Perhaps, I misunderstand his point? If so, I apologize.
Comment by Beowulf Friday, May 26, 06 @ 8:51 am
You guys are thinking way to deep for a Friday. The truth is Blago is making a concerted effort to bankrupt the state and deplete resources. this will force major cutbacks and reduction in prison staff in state prisons forcing inmates to be early released, ie, his only change of parole when this is all over. He is of course betting Lisa gets him before Fitz and he does state not federal time.
Comment by the Patriot Friday, May 26, 06 @ 9:04 am
I’ve never been a big fan of “I know whats best for you” approach to nanny government. Perhaps Democrats really believe in tooth fairies, Santa Claus and benevolent dictatorships, but history clearly shows that us great unwashed really do know what is best for us more than the arrogant SOBs sitting in offices.
Remember democracy Democrats? Whatever happened to the party that favored empowering people instead of governments?
If you guys would stop believing in the Great Wizard of Oz, perhaps you will see that it is us Munchkins that cast the votes.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 26, 06 @ 9:10 am
VanillaMan…democrats remember democracy? This coming from a guy who supports the party that is now investigating reporters who write things they dont like? The party that makes energy policy behind closed doors with energy company ceos? The party that as been more secretive than any other period in our nation’s history? I guess THAT is what democracy is to you. Give me a break.
Comment by THE HANKSTER Friday, May 26, 06 @ 9:24 am
Beowulf — you just highlighted the difference between a politician and a leader.
Abraham Lincoln - leader
Rod Blagojevich - politician
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, May 26, 06 @ 9:45 am
Rich, “call me cynical?†You realize that the Governor already has, right? According to the Fornek/Fusco Sun-Times article on Wednesday, the Governor “called it ‘cynical’ to suggest he proposed the plan to get Meeks out of the race.â€
I guess I’m a cynic, too. What’s more, I think that Blago’s attempt to dismiss the blatantly obvious truth about what’s going on here is outrageously insulting to the intelligence of every voter in the state.
Then again, maybe I’m all wrong about this. After all, wasn’t he looking for a “long term” education funding plan? Since no reasonable person would consider 19 years “long term,” maybe this plan wasn’t so much to get Meeks out of the race, but rather to give Meeks the cover he needed to “abandon†a race he never really intended to run in the first place.
Boy, now I just don’t know what to think.
Comment by grand old partisan Friday, May 26, 06 @ 9:55 am
I agree with Rich that this is all hot air. It will die a quiet death in committee after Election Day, no matter who wins.
As intended.
Comment by Bubs Friday, May 26, 06 @ 11:45 am
Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling are going to jail for the kind of accounting practiced by Blago and Filan. I can’t decide if they are Marxists(as in Groucho) who are just clowns, or are they Marxists( as in Karl) who seriously want to preside over the withering away of the state.I tend to think the former, but I’d like to hear what others think.
Comment by anon Friday, May 26, 06 @ 3:28 pm