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Goofy Rod and even goofier complaints *** UPDATED X1 ***
Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller * This is just a ridiculous quote from the governor about the mass transit fiasco…
The governor’s refusal to support a package of tax hikes and worker pension reforms is what caused the wait in the first place. In the end, everything he opposed became law. The only thing he did was anger the Legislature and the public with his senior freebie idea. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of commuters throughout Chicagoland were on pins and needles for months wondering how they’d get to work every day, or the store, or school, or the doctor. And it turns out their anxiety was all about a silly press pop that has badly backfired on the governor. Worth the wait? Hardly…
That would have more than paid for the senior discount. * Truly, the man has no shame…
It’s not just legislators who are angry, governor. You’re dilly-dallying has caused a lot of unnecessary anxiety and your blatantly political move has backfired badly with the public…
* That being said, the opposition to and anger about the senior freebie seems mean-spirited and entirely illogical. Reporters seemed to key in on this statement by Senate President Jones…
That’s not all he said. Jones also pointed out that Chicago gives a discount to every senior regardless of income for their car stickers. Seniors get a discount regardless of income on their property taxes. The list goes on and on. Almost nobody complains about those things. Heck, seniors already get a discount for many transit rides. When has anyone ever grumbled about that? * Jones also made this point, which I think is probably valid…
* And even the city council is looking to help out the oldsters…
* Some comments posted here about letting seniors ride free have been ridiculously over the top. It is not right and really stupid to make such derogatory comments about old people when what you’re really angry about is Rod Blagojevich. Cool it or go away if you can’t contain yourselves. My blog, my rules. If you don’t like it, go to a public park and scream to your heart’s content. [The last paragraph from the original post may have been in error, for which I apologize. Until I find out for sure, consider it gone for good.] *** UPDATE *** On a much lighter note, Mike Flannery at CBS 2 showed an image of our “Overtime in Hell” t-shirt last night. Click here for the story. Click here to buy a shirt. Thanks, Mike. You made my day. (Hat tip: OneMan]
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- Angry Chicagoan - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:13 am:
Eighty years ago, seniors were the poorest group in America. They now have the lowest poverty rate. We need to accept that the problem of senior poverty has by and large been addressed, and that governments need to find ways of focusing benefits by income rather than by age.
As for the governor, words fail me. The sooner he gets a one-way ticket to Wisconsin, the better.
- Esteban - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:15 am:
Does anyone remember what happened in the late
’80’s when there was an effort to base Medicare
premiums on the individual’s income? You would
have thought someone was suggesting that the old
folks be put in concentration camps.
- Anon - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:15 am:
Good balance, Rich. Thanks.
- beavis - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:16 am:
I’m happy the Tribune lauded Rep. Julie Hamos for her leadership, she deserves all the accolades she gets for saving the transit system. If seniors are happy about their free rides, they should thank Rep. Hamos - she is the one who helped keep the entire system going.
Now what major issue can we assign her to tackle next? Oh I know. How about an income tax increase for education and to fund capital? Go Julie go!
- Levois - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:18 am:
Jones and other senior citizens exactly don’t have to prove they make a certain income in order to prove their eligible for a discount at McDonald’s or for anything else. The governor’s move was blatantly political he won this round for sure, a quick short term victory in a series of blunders. What people seem to have a problem with is his political move giving something for free to a select group of people. That is something that is bound to be problematic even if it was the right thing to do.
I would say the governor could have proven to be a little more proactive but he wasn’t. That’s also another problem. Didn’t he say that he wouldn’t even consider looking at a transit bailout unless the GA considers his GRT, payroll tax, and health care initiatives?
I don’t have a problem with helping seniors and I’m glad to know that food and medicine won’t be affected by this sales tax increase. I really hope that we can get a handle on allowing seniors free rides on public transit. And I hope I’m not out of line.
- Esteban - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:20 am:
Blago could have saved the cost of another legislative session by suggesting that the
old folks get to ride for free BEFORE the
original bill was passed; after all, by his
own admission, he was thinking about it even before then.
- Niles Township - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:25 am:
Just about the only Dem that gets more seething than Blago these days is Emil. I’d love to see a change in leadership there, but it’s not gonna happen.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:31 am:
Rich, regarding your last point, during debate, it was said that while the state exempts such products, the RTA’s sales tax does not and the increases would apply.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:31 am:
I am all for seniors riding the transit for free (although I think the disabled should be included in that as well). I am also not upset about it just because Blago thought it up and I don’t like him. What I don’t like is the fact that Chicago transit riders have been worried about this issue for months and all Blago REALLY cares about is looking like the hero. If he had compromised much earlier and threw in the senior freebie idea, then the state and the CTA would have saved a lot of money, and Chicago transit riders would have felt relieved months ago.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:32 am:
Hmmm. I may have to stand corrected. Thanks.
- ptabski - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:37 am:
afraid that the tax schematic for food/drugs and its accompanying exempt entities and circumstances are a bit more complicated than that….
- Dooley Dudright - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:37 am:
There’s a 1% sales tax on food and medicine: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/086/086001300C03100R.html
- Right On Bill - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:38 am:
Rich please sit to be corrected, it was a long week and I’m sure you are tired.
- Garp - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:40 am:
To paraphrase Steve Dahl this morning commenting about the governor. “The guys an idiot. Is there anybody left who thinks he has it together? Even the people who stand behind him at press announcements roll there eyes when he is talking”.
Almost all the other talk radio I heard was equally unkind. I am not sure what constitutes a political victory but this is not it.
- Crockett - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:54 am:
Most counties- 1% rate on food consumed off premises and for prescription drugs.
Dupage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will- 1.25%.
Cook County- 2%.
Difference is the RTA occupation tax, I believe, so if the increases were to the RTA tax, I think it would effect the rate on those purchases. If the changes are to the County rates, then it shouldn’t impact.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:57 am:
The RTA must approve the rate increases so it appears the taxes would apply.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:00 am:
“I did not get one phone call in support of the governor’s action,” said Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago.
Did ‘Hot Air’ Harry support his constituents wishes and not support this action? How did Harry vote?
- Cassandra - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:00 am:
We’ll all be seniors someday if we’re lucky, so in a way the senior discount benefits all of us, if it sticks. And I can’t believe I agree with Emil Joneson about something. But quibbling over senior eligibility seems petty. What would be a fair income cutoff? How would you enforce it. Etc.
But giving random freebies and tax breaks to various groups for political reasons makes our
overall tax system more, rather than less rational
and fair. And since the burden generally falls on
an adult working population which has increasingly fewer social supports (like affordable health care and pensions), the generation wars could accelerate as the tax system gets crazier.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:01 am:
I heard the video cameras the governor set up at the CTA stations backfired on the governor. All the complaints were about Rod. His office said after they edit them they will be available to the legislatures. Too funny.
- ABolt243 - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:03 am:
“I did not get one phone call in support of the governor’s action,” said Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago. “I would assume most of the people in the state saw right through his action.”
Uh, Harry, no phone calls in favor, and yet you voted “aye”. I thought the idea was to represent your constituents and their will.
- Jaded - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:05 am:
All you have to do is read the bill, and he can see the tax percentage for food and drugs increased (starting on about page 169). So in Cook county you will pay another 2.50 when you buy a thousand dollars worth of groceries. Big freaking deal. The collars may have to pay another 5 bucks per thousand. Ouch, I’m not sure they can afford it.
All Emil has to do is buy about a thousand of his senior discount coffees from McDonalds, and he will pay for a free ride for Grandma.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:15 am:
Now that the “crisis” is over, let’s blue-sky it a little bit. Generations before us built an incredible infrastructure for mass transit. Let’s make it better. We’re going to have to do it anyway — the days of even $2.50 gas are over.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Graduated fares on CTA, a la the Washingotn Metro. There’s no reason the lady who gets on the Green Line at Garfield Park should have to pay as much for her ride to the Loop as I do getting on at the origin station on Harlem Avenue (by the way, I always give up my seat for her).
2. Full integration of CTA, Metra and Pace. Meaning I can can use my Chicago Plus card on Metra.
3. Extension of the CTA on the IKE out to Oak Brook (now that Pate’s no longer in Springfield this might be possible).
4. New RTA funding formula based on ridership, not geography.
The best part of all, probably the most competent, trusted person in Illinois government is already in place to spearhead major reforms: Jim Riley.
- plutocrat03 - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:40 am:
We have become a smaller and greedier county over time.
Does anyone remember JFKs inaugural speech 1/20/1961? His speech sounds like it could be delivered by any Republican today. No Democrat would dare try to.
He said “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”
No one seems ashamed to ask for unnecessary or undeserved handouts anymore
Why have we evolved that way? Greed appears to answer that question.
Take a look at the federal income tax collections. 32.4% of returns filed in 2004 had no tax liability. in 2005 the top 10% of the taxpayers (Adjusted gross income 103,912) paid 70.3% of the Federal personal income tax. The top 1% paid 39.38%.
The politicians who pander have learned that most people do not pay a lot in federal taxes. If a tax increase is required for another giveaway, they can rely on the fact that those who benefit will outnumber those who pay. Divide and conquer. It works every time.
Just look at the discussion in this thread. It will only cost everyone just a bit more to serve the minority (primarily Chicago )who uses public transportation. It will only cost a bit more for free rides for all seniors. Where do we draw the line? Should all public transportation be free for everyone? For that matter, since transportation is important, how about water and electricity? Should all that be free as well?
Government simply needs to be smaller.
- Garp - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:46 am:
I may be wrong about this, but I never heard seniors complaining about their public trans fairs but I have heard them constantly concerned about high medicine and drug costs. The law seems to have given them something they don’t want and charged them more for something they need. Maybe to help them they should remove the higher tax on medicine for seniors.
- tubbfan - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:14 pm:
With all the comments from the Governor that have generated ire, laughter, scorn. . . I’m surprised no one has mentioned Mike Jacobs’ quote thanking the people of Chicago for sending his transit district more money (to be raised via the sales tax in the collar counties) without his constituents having to spend a dime.
- Dan - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:15 pm:
Rich, I think everyone is in favor of providing seniors and those in need with favorable terms (read: discounts) for services such as mass transit. But there’s a significant distinction between “discounted” and “free”, and that should be the main point of contention, both emotionally and fiscally. Putting aside Blagojevich’s ego and lack of statesmanship, his amendatory veto was irresponsible legislation.
Notice that Emil Jones never indicated that he received goods and/or services gratis.
- Ralph Kramden - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:41 pm:
I think it is very simple: if you’re a senior, and you are well off, you probably don’t ride public transit in the first place and none of this really matters. If you do ride it, are a senior, and you’re able to afford a fare, you are completely welcome to pay like everyone else does, on your honor. If you are a senior but not well-off, then you can just get on and nobody will hassle you.
I love how Rod tries to solve one problem by creating a more distracting one.
This will probably repeat when or if we ever get around to a capital bill. Perhaps there it will be free casino chips and slot machine slugs for seniors in exchange for massive gambling expansion that nobody wants but the insider developers.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 1:15 pm:
Ed Burke and the City Council would be fools to repeat Blagojevich’s mistake.
Chicago voters will swallow the real estate transfer tax because, by and large, they understand the importance of mass transit, and they understand that everyone’s home value benefits as a result.
However, voters will REVOLT if they are being forced to pick up the tab for someone else to benefit.
Why should someone 64 or younger see their share of the real estate transfer tax go up, just so that some couple in the Gold Coast doesn’t have to pay their’s when they sell their $4 million condo?
For those of you who think this is a smart move, let me share some electoral facts with you.
According to data from the U.S. Census and IL state Board of Elections, in a presidential election year, voters 65+ only make up 19% of the electorate in Illinois. There are 420,000 MORE ballots cast by voters under the age of 35.
Obama’s campaign has been successful, in part, because he has been able to tap into the sleeping giant of younger voters, not by wasting alot of time on registration, but by simply convincing voters under 35 who normally only vote in the general election to vote in primaries for the first time.
Alderman Reilly and Alderman Waguespack did the same thing in the municipal elections, convincing voters 35 and under to vote for the first time in a municipal election.
Chicago Aldermen and Mayor Daley would be foolhardy to incur their wrath.
- been there - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 1:18 pm:
Seniors get discounts at McDonald’s? Truly?
Well thanks, Emil, for telling us. Is that on everything? At every McDonald’s everywhere?
- KenoMan - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 1:55 pm:
From Blago’s own campaign website:
“Here is a look at the Blagojevich Administration by the numbers:
• 0: The number of times the income tax or the sales tax has been increased since Gov. Blagojevich took office, despite inheriting the worst budget deficits in Illinois’ history.”
Promises made, promises broken!
- James the Intolerant - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 1:55 pm:
Plus CTA wouldn’t have wasted untold hundreds of thousands of dollars in Doomsday preparations-signage, lay-off letters, the cost of lobbying legislators, etc. If this guy somehow wins re-election it will mean the entire state has lost its’ marbles, but anything is possible.
- IncrediblyDumberThanYouThink - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 3:02 pm:
But the Blaggodiots are wonders.
In the midst of all their RTA “planning” they still have time to send out a BoyToy to vice Howard Kenner from the IFA — talk about multitasking.
Geez
- fed up - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 3:42 pm:
I bet Blagos lawyers told him there are alot of seniors in the typical federal jury pool.
- Cogito - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 4:04 pm:
Regarding Sen. Jones’ defense of the Governor’s actions, McDonald’s can give seniors whatever discount the company wants in whatever way it wants because it is giving away ITS money, not the public’s.
If the public’s money is to be given away, that should be fully debated in the legislature, not part of some scam dreamed up by the Governor on the fly.
Note that of the examples Jones used, none of them involve a 100% discount. They may get a reduction of their property tax, but they still have to pay a portion as their share of the services they consume. Seniors were already enjoying discounted rates for transit across the state absent any means test.
Sen. Jones needs to make sure that his examples are exemplary.
- Bill - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 4:59 pm:
The House will pass a pork laden budget that is not really balanced by using accounting tricks and grossly overestimating revenue growth. There will be no new revenue streams. The Senate will concur with the understanding that they and the House will vote to override any veto by the governor. The governor will use his ammendatory veto power to eliminate all member initiatives of House Dems and Senate Repubs, leaving the pork of Senate Dems and House Repubs and members of JCAR in. The Senate President will renege on his agreement to call for an override vote and the budget will become law. Bloggers on Capitol Fax will then rave about what a genius the Speaker is and how he really put one over on the governor, since he plays chess while the governor plays Hannah Montana CDs. Half way through FY 09 the state runs out of money.
To be continued…
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 7:11 pm:
Fed up. That was really funny. We need a good laugh, since everything in this state is so depressing.
- Eric - What were you thinking Rod - Chicago - Friday, Jan 25, 08 @ 11:08 am:
I am puzzling the math out here and would really like to understand what was going through our Governor’s head at the time he came up with this. I just calculated that my monthly pass will now cost me $116 and 3 ten rides on Metra will cost me $106 where is my benefit from being a monthly rider? He has completely eliminated my discount over the ten ride fare. So should I now just say skip it all together and drive my 5 mile per gallon truck into Chicago everyday and raise the pollution levels and use up even more of the strategic petroleum reserve because I want to use GRods logic in my own life? Thanks.