188 Comments - Madame Defarge - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:01 pm: Blago inherited a $5 bil. deficit. - Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:05 pm: Myth: Blago is yesterday’s tomatoes. He will remain relevant to Illinois politics through November 2, 2010. - If It Walks Like a Duck... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:05 pm: 1. There’s no such thing as “The Combine.” 2. Republicans and Democrats are different. 3. Your tax money is being used efficiently. 4. I won’t forget you after the election. 5. Ala Jack Bauer, “Trust me.” - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:07 pm: MYTH: We have a two-party system in Springfield. FACT: We have a One Party system, and it convenes each session night at roughly 8 p.m. at The Globe. - Sacks Romana - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:08 pm: “Mayor Daley may be corrupt, but at least he’s a good and effective mayor.” - George - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:09 pm: Jimmy DeLeo is the real governor of Illinois - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:09 pm: George wins. - Eubie - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:10 pm: …That “special interests” represent a handful of powerful, wealthy people…certainly not “me”, the little guy. Bull. Every man, woman, and child in the state is a member of several “special interest” groups… - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:10 pm: MYTH: Downstaters don’t need Chicago. FACT: There are 54 counties in Illinois with unemployment of 10% or higher, and COOK COUNTY isn’t one of them. - George - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:10 pm: Oh John Kass. Great Comedy. - Concerned Observer - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:16 pm: It’s always the media’s fault. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:17 pm: 1. All politicians are equally crooked, so it doesn’t matter who you vote for. 2. Blago got into the governor’s office purely on Chicago votes (that was not the case in 2002). 3. Dan Walker counts as one of our recent corrupt governors (his conviction and prison term were for actions taken long AFTER he left office.) - wizard - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:18 pm: Yellow Dog-I thought they held court at Saputos. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:19 pm: 4. All our problems would be solved if Cook County became a separate state. - Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:20 pm: “The Illinois lottery will increase funding to education statewide” - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:21 pm: YDD- Take away Chicago, and they’d still have 10+% unemployment. Most of them aren’t within commuting distance of Chicago CBD, either, unless you’re a glutton for punishment. I don’t get your point. Back on topic, and spoken by many - “I am a reformer”. surprised this one wasn’t the first one mentioned. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:22 pm: Downstate taxes fund Chicago. - Skeeter - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:22 pm: MYTH: Mayor Daley gets whatever he wants. FACT: Well-funded challengers beat Daley’s people. When political opponents can raise cash, they can beat Daley’s people. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:23 pm: 1.) Illinois is a corrupted state, but Barack Obama isn’t a part of it. 2.) Illinois doesn’t need Chicago. 3.) The Illinois Republican Party exists. 4.) Democrats didn’t support Blagojevich. 5.) We can tax our way out of our budget miseries. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:24 pm: Rich - some of them do, some of them don’t. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:24 pm: Judy Topinka wanted Alan Keyes to run for US Senate. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:26 pm: 5. All state workers get their jobs through political connections and enjoy free healthcare and huge pensions. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:26 pm: Topinka was Ryan’s Treasurer. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:27 pm: The reason for our current mess was Blagojevich. - Balance - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:28 pm: Most legislators get most of their information, not from their “leaders”, not from their staffs,certainly not from the papers, but from the Capitol Fax. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:28 pm: Illinois is not a high tax state. - hank - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:29 pm: The Olympics won’t cost the taxpayers a dime - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:30 pm: The capital of Illinois is Chicago - or should be. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:30 pm: Balance, lol. Bite me. - Louis Howe - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:30 pm: AFSME Myth: We need more state employees - Concerned Observer - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:30 pm: VanMan, a revision: The *Sole* reason for our current mess was Blagojevich. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:32 pm: “The governor is doing what any competent governor should and, hopefully, would do.” - Skeptical - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:36 pm: “Waste Fraud and Abuse” is a line item, and easy to identify. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:36 pm: state Reps and state Senators NOT in leadership roles can make a difference. Rosemary Mulligan has never been a “target” for republicans or democrats, she is just in the most competitive district for the past 12 years. The Revolutionary “Fab Five” state Senators have left their mark on Illinois forever. “shell bills” are only used as an extreme last resort and are never floated out there for specific bills/projects that are for horse-trading. the GHR “favor” list was really a bad rolodex system. It was never used to track favors the holder thought they did for others (wether they did them or not). Lee Daniels and Pate Phillip were soulmates when both were the head of their chambers, getting the GOP agenda done easily. … - Deep South - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:36 pm: The Cubs are America’s team. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:36 pm: 6. A con-con would have taken away all public employee pension benefits. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:37 pm: The Chicago Cubs is a baseball team. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:38 pm: Tribune Co. was a Blagojevich victim. - South Side Mike - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:39 pm: Property tax/income tax swap would solve budget problems and school funding inequalities. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:42 pm: Illinois is a bell-weather state, nothing has changed. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:44 pm: 7. Legislators and their staffs work only on official session days. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:44 pm: Every politician that retires really means it when they say, “In reality, I want to spend more time with my family”. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:44 pm: The 55/45 highway funding formula robs Chicagoland and favors downstate. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:45 pm: Rod Blagojevich’s hair has filed for divorce. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:47 pm: Pat Quinn’s proposed reforms are definitely not self-serving. - A Citizen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:48 pm: Exguv was Impeached and Removed from office - Patti was not. Therefore since Pat Quinn is single Patti is still First Lady! - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:49 pm: There was a little African-American girl following Rod every week, pointing at him and saying to her mom, “Look Mom, there’s Mayor Daley.” Unbelievable, but true. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:52 pm: RRB was always late by accident. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:54 pm: 8. RRB was railroaded out of office on flimsy evidence purely to protect the Obama Administration from scandal (this one is more of a national political myth). - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:55 pm: Jesse White owns White Castles. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:58 pm: Rahm Emanual starred as “Webster” in the popular TV show. - Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 12:58 pm: “Attorney General Lisa Madigan believes that an open, honest and accountable government, the cornerstone of a democracy, can only be achieved through the free and open exchange of information between government and its citizens….. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to ensuring compliance with these laws and increasing awareness by both the public and public officials of their rights and obligations under them. - Lefty Lefty - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:06 pm: The state does not need a Constitutional Convention. - Boscobud - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:07 pm: State reps are there for the people. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:07 pm: Winning a seat to Congress within the city of Chicago is NOT a tool used by the Machine to get rid of politicians the Machine would like out of their hair. Never happens, never will happen - Phil Burrey - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:07 pm: We can cut our way out of a structural deficit. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:07 pm: The Associated Press deserves to be paid millions of dollars by Google because Google links to its stories. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:08 pm: 9. Republicans can never be forgiven for electing George Ryan, but Democrats are not to blame for electing Blago. - Phil Burrey - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:12 pm: 1991 to 1999 represent the halcyon days of the state of Illinois when nothing went wrong and peace and prosperity reigned because St. Jim of Chucktown blessed us with his wonderfullness. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:17 pm: Politics plays a ZERO factor in redistricting the General Assembly. Redistricting is based only on population and a bland, average-looking, map area that makes complete sense to the laymen. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:18 pm: “Actually, we encourage primary fights so the best person will represent our party in the general election” - Old Shepherd - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:23 pm: Snark myth: Glenn Poshard was a crazy, wild-eyed, intolerant fringe candidate. Real myth: All politicians in Illinois are in the business to line their own pockets. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:28 pm: Illinois reform groups are just as open and transparent about their funding as any politician. - Stones - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:29 pm: That the abolition of cumulative voting and the downsizing of the state legislature in 1980(championed by Quinn) led to better, more effective and representative government. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:29 pm: 10. Rampant corruption will prevent Chicago from getting the Olympics (if the IOC cared about good government, they would never have given the Games to places like Beijing, Mexico City and Nazi-era Berlin) - hmmm - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:33 pm: All lobbyists wear $1500 suits, smoke big cigars, drive fancy German cars and make all deals in some unknown room in the back of the Capitol. - BandCamp - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:36 pm: A retiring legislator’s most qualified replacement is a family member. - disgusted - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:37 pm: Myth 1: Illinois - Land of Lincoln Fact: Illinois is being run by the appointees of a gov indicted for fraud, misuse of office…etc etc. - Yadi Dog - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:38 pm: State of Illinois is going to buy Wrigley Field and rename it “Blago Field”…once a loser, always a loser. - South Side Mike - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:47 pm: All Illinois social services are necessary, well-run and efficient, and any attempts to curtail them are a blatant attack on the poor. All attempts at school reform that mention potential savings are really an attempt to hurt the children. Charter schools are a threat to public schools. Vouchers are a threat to the public school systems. Inner-city parents are happy with their schools and don’t want choice. - Leroy - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:48 pm: Economic recovery - second half 2009 - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:50 pm: Since 1992 GOP Presidential Nominees have not ignored Illinois, its just hard for them to get in and out of O’Hare. Its just easier to flyover. - In the Land of Silos and Cows ... - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:53 pm: Kennedy beat Nixon in Illinois solely on his message to the voters of Illinois. - Bill - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:53 pm: Illinois businesses are leaving Illinois in droves because of high taxes. Indiana has lower taxes than Illinois. Wisconsin has lower taxes than Illinois. Missouri has lower taxes than Illinois. - Bill - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:54 pm: Michigan has lower taxes than Illinois. Ohio has lower taxes than Illinois. - Captain Flume - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:57 pm: The top priority of an elected office-holder is the well-being of the voters. - Bill - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 1:58 pm: A reformer like Pat Quinn is just what Illinois needs right now to change the culture of corruption. - Yadi pup - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:03 pm: John Filan and William Brandt did not have shakedowns with that ballpark. - One of the 35 - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:06 pm: 1. “Blago has done nothing wrong.” 2. All state employees are lazy, unproductive leeches. 3. State Fiscal Notes disclose the true cost of legislative actions. 4. The current state ethics test is an excellent educational tool designed to prevent corruption. 5. The State payment cycle for vendors is only 6 to 8 months. 6. The State Prompt Payment Act allows vendors to add interest to past due bills. (just try it) - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:06 pm: There is no way Eddie V. is gonna stay out of the Graybar. - Irish - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:09 pm: It is the big pensions that state workers get that are causing the deficit. An increase in fees isn’t a tax increase. Most GA members have the citizens interests at heart. Reform will come to Illinois. - Been There - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:11 pm: That testimony that you are giving before a committee, and spent hours preparing for, will change the outcome of the vote. - Concerned Observer - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:12 pm: “I have nothing to fear but the truth.” Oh, wait. Sorry. That one’s true. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:17 pm: 11. The $11.5 billion (or however big it is now) state deficit can be cured without new taxes by simply doing any or all of the following: a) firing all state employees hired by Blago, b) kicking all illegal immigrants and able-bodied people who refuse to work off of Medicaid and welfare, c) replacing the current pension system with a 401(k)type plan. - blagowood - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:17 pm: Blago did not have the same plastic surgeon as michael jackson. - Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:17 pm: The Speaker wants political reform and isn’t just paying lip service to Quinn until he can sink him. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:40 pm: 12. State employees in Springfield hated Blago only because they were all disgruntled Republicans who were resistant to change. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:43 pm: The tea bag protests will draw huge crowds. - JJW - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:45 pm: When any elected member passes away the most qualified person to replace them is their spouse - bob the builder - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:45 pm: 1. ______(insert democrat elected official) is a good friend with Barack obama 2. Democrats outside the 10th will vote for Mark Kirk after he gets bombarded with 7 million in negative tv ads - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:48 pm: 13. Online petitions and huge rallies at the Capitol are effective ways to influence legislators. - Irish - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:51 pm: There is a difference between taxation with representation and taxation without representation. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:53 pm: 14. Republicans can’t win statewide offices because they are too conservative. 15. Republicans can’t win statewide office because they aren’t conservative enough. - Wumpus - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 2:57 pm: Quinn, Madiagan, Obama and Daley did not support Blago. Nepotism doesn’t matter - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:00 pm: AA- There are two famous Eddie V’s from IL. Which one are you referring to? - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:05 pm: 16. Poshard was no better than George Ryan and Topinka was no better than Blago. - Levois - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:09 pm: There is no Chicago machine - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:14 pm: Michael J. Madigan was to be one of the original Mouseketeers until Walt Disney met him. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:15 pm: Emil Jones invented the Nacho Bell Grande. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:17 pm: Actually, VM, that one’s true. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:18 pm: 17. The provision in the state constitution allowing the tie-breaking member of a 10-year redistricting commission to be chosen out of a hat is so desperate and ridiculous that the General Assembly and/or the commission will never allow the process to come to that, and will work out logical compromise redistricting plans acceptable to both parties before the process goes that far. - agree with walter - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:18 pm: “Your word is your bond. If you don’t honor your word you won’t last long in this town.” I don’t know how many times I have heard people say that, or how many times people have violated it and skipped along merrily with no consequences. - Frank Booth - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:23 pm: Michael Bond is the son of Adeline Geo-Karis and Terry Link. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:23 pm: When Blagojevich is sentenced, the prison number used by George Ryan will be reissued with a little (D) next to where Ryan had an (R). - Anon - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:23 pm: The Roeser reformers and Illinois Review crowd will bring the Illinois Republican Party back into power. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:26 pm: Rod Blagojevich will share a cell with Phil Spector in the institute’s “hair protection wing”. - Northside Bunker - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:26 pm: Blagojevich was a reformer. LOL! - Belle - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:29 pm: Chicago Illinois politicians are so admirable it seemed a good idea to take them national. - dan l - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:30 pm: The Illinois Republican party. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:31 pm: Obama is a creation of the Chicago Machine. - Concerned Observer - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:33 pm: Rich — which of VM’s myths is true? The Madigan one? - anon - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:35 pm: I’m still laughing at the Nacho Bell Grande!!!! - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:35 pm: Funny, but true. - Jake from ? - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:35 pm: “I was responsible for lowering your tax rate.” Um. .. no. . .the tax cap law (PTELL) is responsible for lowering tax rates. Sorry Smiling Bob Schilerstrom and all the others who claim that this natural erosion of tax rates are due to their own fiscal diligence. Balderdash. - Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:41 pm: Art. XIII, Sec. 5 will save your Illinois public employee pension windfall. - dupage dan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:51 pm: The GOP has learned its’ lesson. - Ghost - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:54 pm: Rich Miller secretly owns and control’s the associated press and Rush Limbaugh. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:56 pm: Bobby Rush has matured as a politician. - A Citizen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:57 pm: Gun buy back programs effectively disarm all gangbangers and other criminals. - Skeeter - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:57 pm: Bobby Rush is unbeatable in a primary. - Phil Burrey - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 3:57 pm: =========Obama is a creation of the Chicago Machine.======= New winner. - Objective Dem - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:00 pm: Governors Thompson and Edgar were honest good government governors. - Ghost - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:03 pm: Bill and VMan are the same person. - Chicago Guy - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:04 pm: The Hispanic Democratic Organization was a hispanic organization. - Sacks Romana - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:07 pm: This one applies to everyone posting. “Hey boss, I’d love to get right on that, but I’m just swamped. I’ll try to get to it first thing tomorrow (before Morning Shorts).” - Objective Dem - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:07 pm: JFK was elected president through voting fraud in Chicago. - Ghost - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:11 pm: The Obamalac was built entirely in china from lead based parts assembled by illegal clones of Edward Kennedy. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:18 pm: Rod Blagojevich will be this week’s guest blogger. - Ghost - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:21 pm: Rod Blagojevich and Emil Jones have etched a deal for a pay per view cage match with Madigan and Brown. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:36 pm: Ron Gidwitz’ Art Collection includes all sixteen of Coolidge’s famous “Dogs Playing Poker”. - Phil Burrey - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:39 pm: Someone clamors for Joe Birkett as a statewide officeholder.* *besides Joe Birkett - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:39 pm: William Holland is the only Illinois statewide official not a child or grandchild of Otto Kerner. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:41 pm: This time, I really think Oberweis has a chance. - Belle - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:42 pm: Mayor Daley was STUNNED, JUST STUNNED to learn ! - Belle - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:44 pm: Mayor Daley vowed to clean up . - Belle - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:44 pm: Blago does it for the people not to them. - Balance - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:45 pm: I am more influential than I thought. My opinion has quickly become a myth. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:47 pm: Every night at 8:46 PM, former governor Dan Walker phones Pat Quinn from Mexico, and recommends replacing the state plane with a 1974 Dodge Royal Monaco. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:48 pm: There will be an Illinois Republican with as much clout as Denny Hastert in the future. - Jake from ? - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:49 pm: Sunday afternoon pressers are key public relations tools to get important messages across. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:49 pm: There will be an Illinois Democrat with as much clout as Barack Obama in the future. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:51 pm: The people who run Springfield don’t want impeachment proceedings to happen because they’re afraid of what Rod Blagojevich might say about them. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:52 pm: Rod Blagojevich has secret knowledge about lawbreaking by Mayor Daley and Barack Obama. - Jake from ? - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:54 pm: The Green Party is the answer. The Libertarian Party is the answer. The Whig Party is the answer. etc. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:55 pm: Project Elwood couldn’t possibly cause a blog commenter to change his screen name. - Bill - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:55 pm: Rod Blagojevich is a criminal. - Phil Burrey - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:57 pm: _____________ is the Republican Barack Obama. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:57 pm: This (sales tax increase, fare increase, legislative aid) puts the CTA on solid footing for the foreseeable future. - Jake from Elgin or Elburn or El Salvador - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 4:58 pm: LOL - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:00 pm: Chris Lauzen is secretly addicted to a daily glass of Oberweis chocolate milk. - Mommy - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:02 pm: OK, I used to believe all these myths. I feel like a typical Illinois Resident. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:03 pm: George Hamilton is John Fritchey’s make up man. - A Citizen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:03 pm: The Cubs are to Baseball as Blago was to Good Government. The White Sox and Cardinals are to Baseball as Fitzgerald is to Good Government. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:06 pm: The tollways will be free once the bonds are paid off. IDOT could absorb the tollways and remove the tolls right now. - Al Swearengen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:07 pm: Democracy For America and the IVI-IPO supported the candidate that won the primary. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:07 pm: George Hamilton IS John Fritchey. - A Citizen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:16 pm: The real Mike Madagin was born a Republican but unfortunately switched at the hospital and given to his parents who raised him. - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:17 pm: Consolidating the State pension investment boards saves money. John Filan is a financial genius. - phocion - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:18 pm: The Illinois political establishment knew Barack Obama was going to be U.S. Senator as soon as he threw his hat in the ring. The Illinois political establishment knew Barack Obama was going to be President as soon as he threw his hat in the ring. - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:22 pm: Oops..forgot one. “Issuing $10 billion of Pension Obligation Bonds is just like refinancing your home mortgage.” - Kevin Fanning - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:27 pm: Rathskallar’s food is edible. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:29 pm: –Everybody’s in on it. –Mayor Daley ISN’T in on it. –The people want reform. – The people have a clue about their overall tax burden and what it funds. – Local government doesn’t matter. – The GOP “grassroots” wants to govern. – Illinois is more corrupt than other states. – Illinois’ economic future is dark. – The best candidates don’t run because of (your reason here). – “Reform” will end corruption. – It’s the GOPs fault. – It’s the Dems fault. – The voters aren’t responsible. – There’s no need for a Con-Con. – The pension systems are in deep trouble. - maddem - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:31 pm: “Downstate taxes fund Chicago.” Rich is right. This is one of the biggest myths in Illinois politics. The Legislative Research Unit did a study 25 years ago that showed Cook County basically funded itself and the Collar Counties funded downstate. I doubt that it has changed; in fact it has probably gotten worse as the Chicago metro population has increased and downstate has decreased. Somebody should update the study. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:31 pm: K-Fan, nobody has ever believed that. Ever. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:33 pm: ===Somebody should update the study.=== LRU refuses to do it. I am not making this up. The last study caused so much uproar that they don’t want to touch the subject ever again. I swear I am not making that up. - Anonish - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:36 pm: A con-con would have a reasoned and civil process to help solve our states issues. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:45 pm: Somebody should update the study. Especially since some counties once considered to be downstate are now considered to be suburbs. Heck, isn’t half of Rockford’s population driving to the NW suburbs to work every morning? Maybe we’ll be talking about “South of US 24″ someday instead of “South of I-80″. - Kevin Fanning - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:49 pm: Rich, I know that snark is encouraged, but jeebus. - MIDSTATE - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 5:54 pm: Illinois government is ran more efficently with shared services and less employees. - Smitty Irving - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 6:07 pm: John Filan has NOTHING in common with Milo Minderbinder. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Minderbinder - Independent - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 6:32 pm: Todd Stroger is the biggest political problem in Chicago. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 6:47 pm: No way will this blog thing ever work, Miller. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:08 pm: Rathskeller is still open? That challenges market theory. And evolution theory. And intelligent design theory. Just about any theory ever made to try to make sense of the universe. - Anon at night - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:13 pm: The media has given Barack Obama the same treatment it gives to other politicians. - Peter from Bloomington - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:27 pm: 1) The state IS much better off since they passed that “no driving in the left hand lane” law a few years back instead of addressing education reform. 2) That “no texting while driving” law will much improve safety on Illinois’ roads. It’s a good thing the legislature had already addressed the budget shortfall and campaign reform - otherwise, here would have been no time this year to focus on this important public safety issue. - PalosParkBob - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:29 pm: 1. Prevailing wage has been good for Illinois, and well worth the 2 billion per year it costs taxpayers without getting additional value. 2. Increasing funding for education in Illinois at double the rate of inflation has really paid off for our children. 3. The Quinn tax increases will be well spent and create fiscal responsibility in Springfield. 4. Medicaid in Illinois is as efficient as it can get, and there’s no reason to even study reducing eligibility from 400% of the poverty level to 200% or to move managed care in the program. 5. There’s no reason to limit school teacher contracts to growth in revenue because the nea,ift, and school boards would NEVER put the children at risk by entering into contracts the district can’t afford. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:40 pm: Things might have gone differently for Obama if he would had to tangle with Jack Ryan in the Senate race. Nobody can run Chicago but Mayor Daley. - Smitty Irving - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:43 pm: Except for Republicans from Kankakee (Len Small, George Ryan), only in the administrations of Democrats are laws broken in Springfield. - Smitty Irving - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 7:44 pm: And no governor was late for ANYTHING until Rod Blagojevich took office. - Black Ivy - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 8:05 pm: All Illinois politicians pay taxes. - Quinley - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 8:43 pm: 6.Freedom of the press in SPI means rent free offices with SOS workers taking messages 7.Prostitution is Legal in Costa Rica(Jill, pay no attention) 8.Cubs will shine in 2009 - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 8:54 pm: Bill Cellini controls everything in State Government. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 15, 09 @ 11:55 pm: I did not . I did . Even if I did do something you didn’t want me to do, or didn’t do something you wanted me to do, I did/didn’t do it because I knew that eventually you’d want me to do it/not do it and you did/didn’t. Didn’t you? - Quizzical - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:05 am: The choice between electing me or (my opponent) to the office of (what I’m seeking) will have an effect on your life. - Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:30 am: Bill Cellini’s toupee is more impressive than Rod Blagojevich’s real hair. - 3 beers to springfield - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 8:36 am: What Downstate could do without is legislation passed to address Chicago issues or reward Chicago constituencies - new laws that cost Downstate taxpayers a bundle - workmen’s comp, the most complicated election law in the country, the expansion of the types of projects that mandate the paying of prevailing wage to construction workers, continual increases in property tax exemptions that shift the burden to all other payers…we’re fed up! - Central IL - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 9:22 am: Mike Madigan is an uncaring, humorless, lefty-liberal whose only concern in life is his daughter’s political career. - disgusted - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 9:33 am: myth: quinn is going to start a reformed government with all of blagos appointees. geez….if he cant raise money at least he could gain some friends and respect of voters by putting in some real talent…there is a lot out there right now. 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