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* From a letter to the editor…
In Springfield, I had the misfortune of watching Rauner speak, twice.
The first time was in downtown Springfield for a [Civil War] re-enactment. I subsequently shared a room with other Gold Star family members as Rauner and his wife made the rounds, shaking hands and apologizing for each loss. We moved outside for the dedication of a statue with a plaque etched with the names of our loved ones.
There were children, siblings and parents named on that plaque. People including my brother. Rauner had the audacity to assure us he knew how hard it was for us. As if he could grasp the depth of all of our losses, let alone one of ours.
I peacefully protested by turning my back while he spoke. I also did so as he was shaking hands with families.
Later, he and his wife forced themselves on me. They engaged in political bullying to gain power and control over me.
After his arrogant “I know how hard this is” speech, Rauner stood at the end of each aisle, so people could not leave without shaking his hand. I felt forced to engage and shook his hand.
Further, his wife approached me, saying she hadn’t had the chance to shake my hand yet. I was shocked by her nerve, and acquiesced. I wonder if survivors of entitled abusers feel similarly upon recognizing the lengths someone will go to to exude power and control?
I believe they registered my silent protest and decided to show me they wouldn’t be snubbed. They may be used to running businesses with impunity, believe they know what it’s like to lose someone precious in a senseless war, and feel entitled to bully, coerce and harass.
I hope they also know that winning by any means necessary isn’t really winning.
Oh, for crying out loud.
* We get this sort of thing a lot in comments and it drives me batty. It doesn’t matter what he does, the governor is somehow evil.
I’m not sure if some of y’all realize it, but going all-out against the governor for every little thing says more about you than it does about him. You should’ve seen some of the comments I deleted yesterday on a post about a pretty good speech the governor gave this week. Sheesh.
Grow up, toss out the hyper-partisanship and open your eyes and your minds, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:07 am
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If the guy doesn’t want to shake Rauner’s hand, he should have had the nerve not to do it. Next time fold your arms, dude. You don’t have to shake anyone’s hand.
Comment by Fedup Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:11 am
Given that the Peoria Journal-Star once called Pat Quinn Satan’s apprentice…
https://capitolfax.com/wp-mobile.php?p=3311&more=1
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:14 am
Rauner’s actions and words speak for themselves. No need to make stuff up.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:15 am
I think to0 often people forget politicians are, in fact, people.
Comment by Come on man! Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:17 am
I’d venture to say our governor has Working Family Derangement Syndrome. Nevertheless, what a bizarre Letter to the Editor.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:18 am
Well said Rich. While I don’t agree with Rauner on a lot of things, I do not beleive he is evil, and he has inherited an incredible fiscal mess in this State. We really need some non partisan thinking and cooperation if we hope to get Illinois thriving again. It is too great a State to continue to ruin it by idiotic thinking and partisan politics.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:18 am
cor·rup·tion
kəˈrəpSH(ə)n/
noun
1. dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.
“the journalist who wants to expose corruption in high places”
BVR, you keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Comment by CharlieKratos Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:19 am
Sorry. Wrong thread…
Comment by CharlieKratos Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:19 am
Well said Rich. This guy sounds bizarre.
Comment by Peoria Guy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:22 am
Hilarious! Victimization has become a badge of honor … to some.
Comment by Georg Sande Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:22 am
I’d venture to say our governor has Working Family Derangement Syndrome.
I think this another example of inane comments Rich is trying to clear out of his blog
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:23 am
I think all too often politicians see people as voters.
Comment by walker Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:27 am
The big question: why even attend an event like this if you are still feeling such pain? The Governor (whoever he or she may be) is expected to offer healing words at a ceremony like this. This Governor (and his wife) apparently set aside a lot of time to be personal in their greeting of guests. I’m sure these folks are in a lot of pain still, but this criticism in a public letter is over the top. I’m not so sure this “silent protest” was that silent, turning your back on the speaker at an event. Nerves are still too raw for this. Peace to these people. They’re obviously still hurting very badly.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:31 am
There are enough things to have a disagreement with anyone, let alone the Governor.
There are things you like, and if you can’t admit where you find common ground, or see someone doing their job without distain, Rich is right, it says more about you.
This story seems to be an instance that Rauner not “accepting” the snub makes everything else done or perceived by the writer “acceptable” in the writer’s eyes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:31 am
Walker:
The problem is when they see people ONLY as voters.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:33 am
I’m no fan of Rauner, but I feel the ‘victim’ here is out of line. I’ve no doubt that Rauner was being sincere in offering condolences. As for him ‘having no idea’ how they felt, I say nonsense.
The writer needs to get over themselves. If they didn’t want to attend the ceremony, then they shouldn’t have gone. By trying to make the gesture of condolence something other than what it was, they are if anything sullying the memory of their lost one. Not Rauner.
There are plenty of stones that can be cast at him , but this one is not one of them.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:35 am
There is an element of outright fear in the Rauner bashing. But in fairness he can be seen as a destabilizing figure, though I would see him more as a mirror reflecting the already destabilized nature of Illinois today. Pointing out that there is rot in the foundations of a house does not make you the mold. Illinois will eventually crash out of Madigan-Cullerton Fiscal Fantasyland one way or another. Rauner is just forcing the process to limit the disaster through a controlled crash.
Comment by Percival Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:39 am
I thought Gold star recipients were people who lost a loved one in a recent war. This was a Civil War reenactment!
Comment by John Parnell Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:40 am
– he inherited an incredible fiscal mess–
Rauner got the revenue situation he campaigned for and requested that the lame-duck GA leave for him.
No need to engage in historical revisionism a few months in due to some goofy letter.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:46 am
I think it is unrealistic and hypocritical of Rauner to expect to be accepted in any way by working men and women. The tone of the letter was intense, to say the least, but the idea of being forced into a civil exchange with man who spends his days trying to destroy your livelihood is understandably unappealing. Rauner can’t have it both ways.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:46 am
This honor was for your brother not you to act-up
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:48 am
This story reminded me of Rep. Careen Gordon refusing to shake Blago’s hand on the House floor. I believe it was also on the evening news that night.
Comment by Bee Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:48 am
Amen. Its called a “bunker mentality.”
Comment by Anon III Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:48 am
Well…..Here’s my little solution to the whole thing. Remember the movie Mall Rats.
Should have given him the old stink palm!
Comment by BlameBruceRauner Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:50 am
I’ve listened to a number of Rauner’s speeches; he says the right things … but his actions so far don’t always seem to match his words.
I’ve tried to like Rauner. I really wanted a GOP Gov as an offset to the Democratic majority in the General Assembly and to, hopefully, bring some better fiscal management to the State budget.
But fairly early on during the campaign I decided he was just a GOP version of Blago minus the corruption since he was already wealthy. So when it came down to it, I voted for Quinn … the first time I voted D for Gov in about 40 years.
Rauner may be a great guy to share a beer or glass of wine with, but I just don’t see it. Still want him to help fix the State’s problems; just not sure he can learn to do so.
To the post specifically, I agree with some of the comments posted. The writer could have just refused to shake hands; I know I did more than once over the years with Blago along the State Fair Parade route. Or he could have just said it was still too painful to talk about.
As to the rest of it … that’s politics. Politicians are going to say things, some of which they mean, or at least think they do. I will credit Rauner with making the effort to properly honor people.
And here’s the bottom line: While I believe Rauner is misguided in some of his efforts, he does seem to believe he is trying to fix Illinois. At least we don’t have Blago, who seemed to only be concerned with fixing his bank account.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:52 am
Rauner derangement syndrome or was he reflecting the pain of his loss unfairly on the governor and his wife? If it’s his dislike for Rauner, he shouldn’t have attended the event.
As for the piling on with negatives, I know what that feels like as an educator and union rep. We’ve received little more than negative opinions and insults from everywhere, including Rauner and Tribune. I’m not going to pile on needlessly, but I cannot find much in the governor’s plans that I can praise or agree with.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:54 am
Forgive me Fr. Miller for I have sinned. I am guilty of this and I admit it. I have have had several comments deleted and I am learning. But I am also struggling to understand and comprehend an important person who effects my family’s life tremendously. The heuristic that Rauner is “True Believer” never quite did it for me. It didn’t help me understand the man and thus have a device to predict how he might react. I just posted this on another post and I will repost it here. The realization of it helps me tremendously. It also doesn’t vilainize him, which is an important step.
Gov. Rauner is a prisoner of his own privilege. He’s not corrupt himself. He has no problem obviously engaging in corrupting others, campaign contributions (having taken my Ethics exam yesterday, I’m stunned that these campaign contributions aren’t being treated as bribery for “an official act”, voting present) I’ve also come to the conclusion that there is nothing mentally/emotionally wrong with him in a diagnostic sense (DSM 5). The understanding I have of him now is that he is fully encaged in his own privileged world. It seems he is uncompassionate because he really and truly doesn’t get how most folks live. He is uncompromising because in his world/cage he never had to compromise to get what he wanted. He calls those who disagree corrupt because in his world/cage money and it’s misuse (corruption) are of primary importance. He has no problem destroying institutions, departments, whatever because that is what a venture capitalist does, tear it down and rebuild. He’s unconcerned with consequences/repercussions because as a venture capitalist he never had to deal with them. They are simply someone elses problem. He is fully a prisoner of his own privilege.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:58 am
Treat others as you would like to be treated. She said she disliked Rauner and obviously went their with an agenda.
Comment by The Colossus of Roads Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:59 am
Yep, that is it, he and his capitalistic cronies spend all day trying to destroy you way of life. Because before he got elected obviously Illinois was the land of milk and honey for the working man. Also because the stuff he is suggesting that other places have had for a long time have lead to the complete destruction of other states.
You may think is approach is wrong, but if you really think he is out to destroy working people, then to be blunt, just continue with that thought if it gives you comfort.
People can in fact have different viewpoints and approaches than yours without being ‘out to get you’.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:59 am
re ” Come on man!”, no politicians are not people they are corporations. oh wait…
Comment by Leonard Skinner Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:00 am
Rich here is my recommendation. I can understand being so upset with Governor Rauner that some people do not want to acknowledge him at public events. I would suggest they simply boycott the even or avoid the part of the event at which the Governor is present.
I felt that way about Governor Blagojevich after he was charged by the Feds, so I simply avoided being around to have such an interaction.
Comment by Rod Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:00 am
Rauner got the revenue situation he campaigned for and requested that the lame-duck GA leave for him.
Are you saying the Lame Duck legislature could have fixed the problem, but didn’t because of partisan politics?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:00 am
Imagine that… somebody that wrote a letter to the editor is a weirdo…. Never woulda thought….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:08 am
Anon 11, if you’re confused by what I wrote, I doubt that I can help you.
Does your own comment make sense to you?
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:09 am
Really? I got to be honest with you, I am not sure how the governor on his own has any real impact on my family (and yes I have kids in school). I can see how state government has an impact on my family (not as much as my local school board in many ways) even my local mayor has a bigger impact since he can get our Aldermen to go along with virtually anything.
But the governor, sorry I am not seeing it.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:16 am
I think it’s important to maintain the concept of “respect for the office” being separate from one’s personal respect or feelings toward the person holding that office, for two reasons:
1. It may prevent persons who hold public office from getting swelled heads and thinking the honors and titles (Your Excellency, Your Honor, etc.) they receive are all about them and how wonderful they are, rather than being a sign of respect for a public trust that they hold temporarily.
2. It helps citizens remember that our government, our constitution and our public offices are bigger and more enduring than any individual, and not necessarily defined by the people who happen to hold them at the moment. Yes, the current governor, POTUS, mayor, congresscritter, etc. may be a jerk, and you may despite everything he/she stands for, but you still respect the office they hold. Or, at least that’s the way I was taught.
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:16 am
@Juvenal: Yes, that’s what I meant. Common failing so hard to ding too hard him for that.
@Guy: Perhaps in the future Rauner would have the sense not to work the room in a standard way, among groups of bereaved, who should feel free to approach him informally. The best thing to say: “I cannot imagine how hard it must be for you. I’m so sorry for your loss.” The “I feel your pain” approach can be especially grating when personal loss is involved.
He can learn all “rooms” are not the same, and do better.
Comment by walker Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:18 am
That should read “you may despise everything he/she stands for”
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:19 am
=I’ve tried to like Rauner. I really wanted a GOP Gov as an offset to the Democratic majority in the General Assembly and to, hopefully, bring some better fiscal management to the State budget.=
This is what I hate. If Rauner is successful, I will not be happy. His agenda will really hurt my family. If Rauner fails, he goes down in flames and the Democrats downstate are even more invulnerable because he’ll take the GOP down with him. It’s become lose-lose
Comment by Carhartt Representative Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:24 am
I’m guessing Rauner wasn’t nearly as obsessed with the letter writer’s disdain for him as she seems to think he is. In fact, he probably didn’t even notice.
Comment by ??? Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:28 am
OneMan, you should run at the Belmont, because those are some blinders you have on.
You can’t see that the intent of the governor’s agenda to date is to reduce future income for anyone he can?
Is that a secret?
Why do you think private sector union members are showing up at those meetings? Why public sector unions are suing him? Why current and future pensioners are opposed to his pension “plan?”
Are they all stupid or something?
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:28 am
I had a bad feeling about Rauner during the primary, but he seemed to tone things down before the general election. For those of you that think he is a “true believer” or “just trying to make things better for Illinois”, ask yourselves this question? What does exactly Rauner’s better Illinois look like? It would seem that a thriving middle class with decent wages and benefits would not be part of Rauner’s Illinois. Corporate elites would run government with no one to fight back since unions would be eviscerated. Average Illinois workers would just get used to having lousy health care benefits owing to their “new skin in the game.” They could forget about retirement security having either lousy pensions or 401ks that employers can just decide not to match at all. They can look forward to more of their jobs being farmed out to independent contractors who get no benefits and have no representation. They can forget about having the savings to put their kids through a public university that has now become unaffordable to all except the well-off. But the corporate business climate — Oh baby, it’s smoking. I can see the announcement of all the new chicken processing plants moving to the state, which now looks like as good a climate as Arkansas. Maybe there will be some high tech firms come in, but only if we give them lots of H1B visas so they can bring in Indian engineers at half the rate they used to pay Illinois engineers. If only Rauner could help create an anxious, desperate workforce in Illinois, what a paradise this would become. And if you think this is not what the Rauners in this world want, you are not paying attention.
Comment by kimocat Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:37 am
OneMan, my wife and I both work for the state in departments that are going to be privatized. We will both likely survive that but it is not for certain. So, for my family, what the Governor does or directs to be done has, like I said, tremendous effect. The people appointed by the Governor also have a great effect. So many things are happening and are in play that do effect non state workers though. I think you would be shocked by the extent of what may be coming down the pike and how it effects you.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:43 am
It is impossible to have the right things to say The presence of the State Commander in Chief is out of respect for those that served/sacrificed. The Governors predecessor granstanded at every posible opportunity. As a military family with several active military members/retirees we watched in amusment the lack of hubris quinn had. He speeches lacked cohesion except to say thank you for your service and sacrifice and for many that was enough. The effort to try should at least be appreciated. As an elected official it is VERY difficult to go to a family that you dont know and offer your condolences when the situation calls for it.
Comment by the Cardinal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:48 am
Behavior like this is irritating. It just has to be partisan - as stated. I wonder why SHE - the write of this op/ed - reacted this way.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:51 am
I think I would have left once Rauner assured everyone he knew how they felt. I wouldn’t have “had” to shake hands with him then.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:59 am
Wordslinger –
I am half tempted to use one of Rich’s expressions but he has told us only he is allowed to use it now..
I think they are legitimate questions to ask in order to try and improve the states economic status. If right to work was some sort of economic death sentence I suspect fewer states would have it. I freely admit I am not a big fan, but part of my thinks if some county wants to try it, more power to them. Also I still don’t understand how if unions are so great why they would have to worry if their members had the option not to belong to them. I understand members not having that option is better for a union…
As for reducing the cost of labor, yep that is part of it. But the question is if you can employ more people is that better even if the average wage is lower? There have been 18 or 19 foreign auto maker plants built in the US, Illinois got one of them, is that a good thing? Would we have gotten a second if there was a right to work zone someplace in Illinois? I think that is a question worth asking.
Like it or not, voters have made it clear they don’t want the income tax rate back to what it was. So the state is going to have to spend less, one way to do that is reduce labor costs.
Finally, if we are going to increase taxes it is likely going to be a lot more palatable if the governor can say to folks “Hey, I tried to do this and I was rejected” than going straight out of the box for a tax increase.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:05 pm
OneMan, your original point was that you couldn’t see how the governor’s agenda could effect someone’s family.
The agenda is to reduce future income of pensioners and union employees in the public and private sectors, Perhaps you can see that would effect them.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Grow up, toss out the hyper-partisanship and open your eyes and your minds, please.
Probably the most well-said and important sentence that’s been said this year. I listened to his whole speech. It wasn’t political - just a citizen trying to turn the state around because he loves it so much and wants to give back. And what does he get? Stereotypes about being a rich guy who doesn’t care about little people and certainly not about the average worker. It’s no wonder Rauner surrounds himself with positive, can-do people. He doesn’t hire the negative doomsayers who constantly take this state downward.
Comment by The obvious Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:27 pm
*affects.
And if people didn’t understand that some changes needed to be made before the last election, they’re insane. I seriously doubt PQ would be able to maintain the status quo, so let’s stop pretending that he could.
Comment by ChrisB Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Speaking of derangement syndrome, I would also like certain FB and newspaper commenters to stop saying Rauner is going to prison. No. Even I, who can’t stand most of his policies, can see he has done nothing to send him to prison. So, just stop.
Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:37 pm
==I think I would have left once Rauner assured everyone he knew how they felt. I wouldn’t have “had” to shake hands with him then. ==
You know, U.S. Presidents and Governors throughout history have attended memorials and spoken at commemorations for fallen soldiers and first responders. They do it acting as the formal representative of the citizenry or on behalf of a grateful nation, to show respect to the fallen. With the possible exception of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, there is never a “perfect” or “right” thing to say on these occasions because people who’ve lost loved ones react in myriad different ways anywhere from anger to shock to pride to numbness to acceptance. One need not lose a loved one in battle to understand grief and loss. Gov. Rauner and his wife showed up and represented the rest of us who could not be there. They are not to blame for the war or for the event that caused the Gold Star families such pain.
The ugliness of the comments in the letter to the editor, and some even on this thread, are very sad and troubling to read– and Rich has my appreciation for pointing out how truly off-kilter and overblown some of them seem to him and to many others of us as well.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Well put.
Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:41 pm
I’ve come to realize about 75% of the comments here are anti-Rauner. Ya just gotta chuckle.
Comment by anon Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:48 pm
-one way to do that is reduce labor costs-
With a state workforce that is already thin? I think that is SO SO short sited and shows the same “privilege blindness” that we see in Rauner. You say that so cavalierly (sp?) it really angers me. Say it correctly, “one way to do that is to fire people and destroy their lives”. Buddy, jobs are scarce out there, even for the state workers who are well educated and highly hirable. It is still really really bad in the labor market. So think about it before you say something like that. What if it was your loved one you were talking about.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:49 pm
I think the writer should have used the opportunity to speak with the Governor about the cuts to which she is opposed, rather than her ’silent’ protest. I do think many commentators should have read the entire letter before commenting since many comments seemed to lack the context of the letter.
Certainly the Governor had no way of knowing that this woman was upset about rape program cuts at a ceremony for fallen National Guard soldiers. I think this Governor does listen, but had surrounded himself with the wrong voices.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 1:00 pm
As a Gold Star father, I try to be gentle with those who offer condolences. The phrasing is less important than the thought. And some phrasing is poor.
The events are not about me. I attend to honor and represent.
Rauner is not evil incarnate. Many of his goals, I share. Less sure about his math.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 1:36 pm
I don’t think this letter writer deserves to have her statements republished. I doubt if censored posts are coming from deranged commenters that are analagous to this letter writer, Rich . I too can appreciate a great speech and I have heard at least 2 great speeches from Rauner in the last week. But I guess where we differ in our opinions of Rauner’s recent speeches is that I believe actions speak much louder than words.
His talkin’ is how he got elected. But he and his spokespersons have a hard time speakin’ the truth. Lance Trover’s quotes in the newspapers during the first 2 months were truly sad if he truly believed his statements on behalf of Raunder. Most of their statements on proposals and policies are at best misleading and at worst outright fiction. Stop campaignin’ and start governin’. He with Radogno and Durkin are two months overdue on providin’ the detailed bill language to his key budget speech proposals. It is a little like Blago in that you can’t legislate or vote on press releases. Except for Rauner, he uses continued campaign speeches and town hall talks instead of written press releases. Talking in general concepts is easy. Putting concepts into detailed bills that can be administered properly and passed and signed into law is hard work.
Comment by MJG Citizen 4 Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 1:37 pm
@- anon - Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
“I’ve come to realize about 75% of the comments here are anti-Rauner. Ya just gotta chuckle.”
You should have been here when Blago was Gov, it was about 90% anti-Blago, and about 80% anti-Quinn.
You would have probably split your pants laughing then.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 3:04 pm
How Ironic, somehow, for some reason, I just don’t believe those stats. Sorry.
Comment by anon Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 3:29 pm
anon: Your disbelief just reflects your lack of knowledge about this blog. Over time you will learn more.
Comment by walker Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 3:37 pm
@- anon - Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
“How Ironic, somehow, for some reason, I just don’t believe those stats. Sorry.”
Then clearly you’re new to the blog. If anything though, I probably lowballed the disdain for Quinn. It was most likely 90% anti-Quinn.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 4:04 pm
Geez, - anon -…
Quinn and Blago would get hammered and shook, at times far worse than Rauner’s gotten.
What do they all have in common?
Self-inflicted.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 4:30 pm
I think too often people forget politicians are, in fact, politicians. Its what they do for a living. And they are never going to please everybody.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 5:33 pm
I think this line says it all (as others also have as well)
“Grow up, toss out the hyper-partisanship and open your eyes and your minds, please.”
It is not unique to office or party. I found this whilst trolling downstate this am:
http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150515/OPINION/150519422/10971/OPINION
Comments section too …
Comment by Conusone Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 6:59 pm
I believe that someone intentionally inflicts pain, financially or otherwise, on others for their own benefit and enjoyment to be profoundly immoral and malevolent.
Elected officials are there to serve the public, not to divide, ridicule and bully the constituents.
Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 8:23 pm
Cut the poor guy some slack. Rauner isn’t Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, or GW Bush, but he is an elite. He’s also not the first to assert that Rauner feels entitled to bully, coerce and harass. Remember the “hubris”? This fellow seems to agree with Political Scientist Greg Page who claims the U.S. is now an oligarchy, not a democracy. It seems like a bad idea to make this guy into the poster boy for political incivility. Leave him to his grief.
Comment by jknell Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:22 pm