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Words to live by

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Illinois

* A commenter posted this last week and I believe it’s something we should all keep in mind during the coming days, weeks, months and years…

We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors - in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity - do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:43 am

Comments

Well the Governor is providing for the common defense. “It’s Madigan’s fault,” the common defense. /s

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:49 am
I hope they remember the constitution the next time they look at pensions. Rauner’s lengthy proposal is clearly unconstitutional.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:50 am
Or, we could stamp our little feet and say “Turnaround.”

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:53 am
Don’t believe that anyone has read this out loud to Rauner…

Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:55 am
“insure domestic tranquility”

I prefer the use of ensure here. Can we amend the Constitution to correct this?

Comment by Mittuns Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:57 am
Sometimes we forget why we are in certain “industries” and what drew us to working in them, no matter our roles.

The touchstones are always there to remind; strive for the betterment of what we can bring to tomorrow, not what debate points we can today.

If the arguments made are towards what is thought to bring that tomorrow, then the merits are worth discussing and framed and rebutted in that higher ideal.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:59 am
Wow, that so brought it home for me. Thanks for posting.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:00 am
Statesmen wrote that. The problem is that, now, we only have a plutocrat and many politicians with less-than-lofty ideals to read it. Thank God we have the ISC to interpret it.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:17 am
I’ve read this three times this morning. I’m still trying to figure out whether it is “extreme” or “moderate.”
(Those are the only two categories, aren’t they?)

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:20 am
“eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice”

When the Tax-Payer carries all the financial burden, that is inequality. When the State provides for the welfare of the people without a plan to eliminate poverty that is economic injustice. Rauner’s Turnaround agenda is spot on in an effort to eliminate poverty.

Freezing the property tax is an attempt at economic justice.

I know I’m Cherry picking here, but these are the points that resonate with me.

Comment by Pete Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:27 am
===Rauner’s Turnaround agenda is spot on in an effort to eliminate poverty.===

And that is…

Be specific.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:34 am
How is anything that Rauner has proposed going to eliminate poverty?? Seriously? Union busting actually has the exact opposite effect. Drops in the middle class are directly related to drops in Union membership.(there are many studies online by reputable sources). How is Workman’s comp reforms that he is proposing going to help poverty? Please don’t say it creates jobs-just look at Wisconsin’s numbers-completely shoots that theory down.

Comment by chiagr Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:45 am
@Pete 9:27 =Freezing the property tax is an attempt at economic justice.=

Rauner vetoed the property tax freeze.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:47 am
One of our state senators quotes this regularly to people, especially when talking about opposition to Rauner’s “reforms”. It’s a really lovely paragraph, and we all should be mindful of it, and our elected officials should remember that they swore to uphold it.

Comment by Archiesmom Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:15 am
“Rauner’s Turnaround agenda is spot on in an effort to eliminate p̶o̶v̶e̶r̶t̶y̶ the poor.”

If you interpret that statement correctly, Willy, it’s self-evident.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:25 am
Nice language in an ideal world and a boon for lawyers who could use several of the phrases to contest almost any state action, or lack of state action, on so many issues that there are less stars in the sky.

Count me out on this proposal.

Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:27 am
===on this proposal. ===

It’s not a proposal. It’s the Constitution.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:28 am
- @MisterJayEm -,

The clouds parted, the sun shines upon me. Clarity.

I thank you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:40 am
There’s the problem right there — relying on a deity. If the deity doesn’t exist or doesn’t actually care, where does that leave the State of Illinois?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:40 am
We must IMMEDIATELY remove the UNCONSTITUTIONAL mention of GOD. And substitute Mike Madigan.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:41 am
=== It’s not a proposal. It’s the Constitution. ===

Perhaps “Federalist” needs a new handle.

Note: Conspicuous lack of “job creation” and “economic development” in there.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:43 am
It’s 1970 people…the state existed for 150 years before this and other “bedrock” language were installed. You can appreciate the words or sentiment, but let’s not pretend like this was written by Madison, Adams, Jefferson or Franklin or for that matter Illinois’ original statesmen. Adding: Yes I know it is the law of the land, just stating that it should not be given such reverence.

Comment by Worth It Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:54 am
That is the Constitution’s preamble. Thank God it is not an enforceable clause.

/snark

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:55 am
===Adding: Yes I know it is the law of the land, just stating that it should not be given such reverence.===

Wow. That is the saddest thing I’ve read in a while.

“… should not be given such reverence.”

I guess those who fought and died for our state, and country, are too Pollyanna for ya?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:59 am
===eliminate poverty and inequality;===

Wow, how’s that working out? I think the drafters aimed a bit high there, but it sure sounds good.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:01 am
“If the deity doesn’t exist or doesn’t actually care, where does that leave the State of Illinois?”

Exactly where it did before, when we thought it did exist and care.

Seriously, I don’t intend to seem snarky about this; my point is that, devout or not, it has always been my opinion that working hands are infinitely preferable to praying hands. At least in accomplishing nearly any task.

Comment by Threepwood Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:40 am
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:28 am:

===on this proposal. ===

It’s not a proposal. It’s the Constitution.

Got Me!!! Still agin’ it!

Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:53 am
- Federalist - Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 11:53 am:

- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 10:28 am:

===on this proposal. ===

It’s not a proposal. It’s the Constitution.

Got Me!!! Still agin’ it! - Federalist

This exchange illustrates the, now common, Radical Rauner Republican Retort?…What we want disregards/violates The State Constitution and we do not care?

Who is for mandatory Civics Classes in every School?…Civics classes that include reading the preamble of our State Constitution …at the very least?

Comment by Anonymous Redux Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 1:54 pm
“eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice”

I doubt many conservatives support these goals of state government. If they did support them, then they would not, when they do support enhanced revenue, raise regressive taxes but fight progressive taxation to the death. Our friends on the right would be a tad more sensitive to the biggest spending disparities in the nation between property rich and poor school districts.

Comment by nona Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:33 pm
If I break Illinois, I can then buy it on the cheap.

That is how I got the GOP.
Now I want Illinois.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Disregarding constitutions seems to be all the rage nowadays. There doesn’t seem to be a downside to it, especially when the supremes decline to step in.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 4:28 pm
A good reminder for all.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 5:15 pm
General Welfare is a term in the US Constitution.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/General+Welfare

Comment by lost in the weeds Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 8:08 pm
Interesting. Even though they represent ideals, kind of surprised that SEIU or AFSCME has not used the preamble before in ads/speeches to pressure current and past governors/legislators into passing favorable budgets or contracts. Seems like any time they mention cuts to programs for the poor, elderly, disabled,or that leaders propose what is perceived as a unfair contract provision, they could proclaim through the airwaves the leaders are not following the constitution in securing justice, eliminating poverty, etc.

Comment by TheCantrallKid Tuesday, Jul 21, 15 @ 9:49 pm