Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Absurd absurdity
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Absurd absurdity

Tuesday, Aug 18, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column

The absurd facade of this long-running state government impasse might best be summed up with two brief statements.

1) Gov. Bruce Rauner to Democrats: “Just support my plans to eviscerate organized labor and I’ll give you the rare privilege of voting to raise everybody’s income taxes.”

2) Democrats to Rauner: “Just accept our piddly little workers’ compensation reforms and we’ll let you put all Republican legislators on an income tax hike bill, which you can then, of course, gleefully sign into law.”

Those two statements bring to mind a long-ago description of the absurdist theatrical “Waiting for Godot.” It was, the reviewer wrote, a play in which “nothing happens, twice.”

Ain’t that the truth.

Neither of those two things ever will happen.

I also have heard some portray this standoff as something like a religious war, where each side is so wedded to their own core beliefs, particularly when it comes to labor unions (Rauner against, Democrats for), that all rapprochement is impossible.

But, really, as absurd and hardline as the summer has most certainly appeared, I am increasingly becoming convinced that this overtime session cannot accurately be described as either of those things.

Rauner talks a good game, but as we’ve seen, he often backs off. He repeatedly threatened to shut down the government during last year’s campaign but instead has done everything possible to avoid a shutdown after vetoing most of the budget in June.

The governor has railed against unions but negotiated a state contract with the Teamsters that even includes collecting “fair share” fees that he believes are unconstitutional. He has made innumerable cuts that were quickly restored, whether through executive fiat, legislation he supports or court cases he backs.

House Speaker Michael Madigan likewise talks a very good game about “protecting the middle class,” but he hasn’t always been such a white knight for his core constituencies, either. He flipped on his much-favored trial lawyers and rammed through medical malpractice lawsuit reforms last decade.

The speaker made a deal that undercut trade unions at McCormick Place when asked to by Chicago’s mayor. He muscled through a Tier 2 pension plan for state workers and teachers that resulted in their boycott of him in the 2010 campaign. That led to the 2011 legislative education reforms (also pushed by the mayor and people like Rauner), aimed mostly at teachers and their unions, and legislation to cut back the number of state workers represented by AFSCME, along with pension reform Part 2.

To me, the key here is Mayor Rahm Emanuel. If he really is privately asking for some legislative limits on teachers’ union collective bargaining powers, as the governor has been telling reporters and anyone else who will listen, then you can expect the speaker and the Senate president eventually will go along.

Why would they? Because that’s what Democratic leaders from Chicago usually do when their mayor needs them. Not every time, but it’s a pretty safe bet.

And since Emanuel has not, as of this writing, actually denied the governor’s claim about what he really wants, I’m guessing the governor probably is telling the truth. Or at least a close enough version of reality to finally smoke out the mayor and have him prod his two leaders to move on a resolution that can be applied statewide.

As you know, the governor refuses to even talk about a budget until he gets some of his “turnaround agenda” passed, and keeping the teachers’ unions in check could go a long way toward that goal.

Until then, I think the Democratic leadership is content to continue their slow walk to oblivion and watch the governor’s poll numbers move inexorably down toward their own low positions, while galvanizing organized labor behind the Democratic Party like never before.

And as long as Rauner can keep most of government functioning, I don’t think he is prepared to make any major deals, either.

So the Democrats and the mayor and the governor could all choose to wait until the stuff really hits the fan this month and into next month, when the state government’s rapidly deteriorating condition could very well excuse an ugly deal in the minds of their respective constituencies.

Or they could just stick their necks out, act like statesmen and hammer out a compromise before the pain really begins.

Nah.

       

62 Comments
  1. - The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:11 am:

    This is a great read to start out the day. I think you pretty much nailed it Rich. I don’t think they will agree on anything until the situation hits critical mass sometime next month and then they will probably compromise just enough to keep things running for a while. I don’t expect any long term solution any time soon.


  2. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:17 am:

    For all the alleged political strategerizing going on, the fact is for FY16 state GRF spending is projected at $38 billion on projected revenues of $33 billion.

    And that’s without billions in social services, unis and group insurance being accounted for.

    That problem will grow bigger, more unmanageable, more destructive to real people and more difficult to solve every day.

    The political quacks behind the governor’s budget hostage strategy have, predictably, created a Frankenstein’s monster, a crisis of choice that will push all other issues to the side for some time to come.

    The arithmetic doesn’t care about dorm room political debate clubs and is unforgiving.


  3. - A Jack - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:23 am:

    I saw Rauner out at Veteran’s Day. He impressed me by sitting on that stage in the miserable heat while he could have been just about anywhere else. That is a guy who is dedicated. I don’t agree with what he is doing, but he is willing to take the heat.

    I wasn’t very impressed though when he was working the crowd. All he said was, “Hi, I am Bruce” and didn’t really talk to the veteran. It seemed more that he was just posing for pictures at that point.


  4. - Cassandra - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:27 am:

    Since Rauner and the Dems are still spending like crazy, aren’t they going to need those new tax revenues sooner rather than later. And how retroactive can they be, as the holidays approach. Are we looking at Rauner having to sign a tax increase higher than 5 percent, despite all the anti-tax yacking. And after he has utterly failed to do much of anything during his first year (but raise taxes), are we looking at three years of The Ceremonial Governor?


  5. - Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:28 am:

    Absurd absurdity is the best description.

    Neither can claim the high ground, and everyone has some dirt on their hands.

    ==Now, we wait.==


  6. - Triple fat - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:31 am:

    The ststements about the Speaker undercutting core constituents in the past… The fact that the State enacted work comp legislation in 2011… Should strengthen the Speaker’s resolve in opposing the Governor’s turn around and screw the worker agenda. Since when should Indiana be seen as a good example of Government serving the people? Having legislation that creating obstacles for injured workers to qualify for WC belies the program’s purpose. Rather than Worker’s Compensation, Indiana’s program should go by the name of Compensate Yourself - Workers Injured On the Job.


  7. - UIC Guy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:36 am:

    @ Dude: What exactly happens next month that will force a sudden change? (’Critical mass’ means that an atomic explosion is a few seconds away. I see nothing comparable. ‘Next month’, might be right, but seems pretty optimistic.)

    @Cassandra: no one’s really ’spending like crazy’, just funding most of the normal operations of state government (though leaving some pretty important ones out). This is all spending either mandated by the courts or approved by both the legislature and the supposedly penny-pinching Gov. For years (decades?) the tax-structure of the state has not been adequate to raise the money for normal operations, hence the shorting of the pension funds and other accounting tricks. We need a graduated income tax, which will enable most people to pay *less* income tax (most states have one). Until that that be brought in, we need, sadly, to raise the levels of the taxes we can levy. Anything else will just lead to more gimmicks and short-term fixes which make things worse in the long-run.


  8. - Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:36 am:

    Rauner keeps increasing the size of the cash bailout for CPS, so I guess he believes he can get Emanuel to eventually talk the others into getting what he wants. I don’t think it will happen because he wants to hit collective bargaining statewide, not just Chicago.


  9. - AC - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:43 am:

    A graduated income tax may be the best solution long term, but it isn’t happening this fiscal year, because it would require a constitutional change. The question now is, just how retroactive would the income tax need to be. Every day the problem gets worse.


  10. - Liberty - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:44 am:

    In other words Madigan is workable if Rauner would grow up.


  11. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:44 am:

    Did any of the guv’s political whiz kids ever get a hard count on how many GOP votes there are in the GA on issues such as gutting collective bargaining and prevailing wage?

    Was there ever a sober assessment of the realistic chances for success of a reactionary, secret agenda unleashed after the election without any demonstrated public support?


  12. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:46 am:

    ===I don’t agree with what he is doing, but he is willing to take the heat.===

    There’s a big difference in outside temperature and heat in the politics of choices. Rauner can’t take lukewarm heat, let alone own his own decisions.

    To the Post,

    ===Until then, I think the Democratic leadership is content to continue their slow walk to oblivion and watch the governor’s poll numbers move inexorably down toward their own low positions, while galvanizing organized labor behind the Democratic Party like never before.

    And as long as Rauner can keep most of government functioning, I don’t think he is prepared to make any major deals, either.===

    Ball game.

    Rich, once again, not surprisingly, you really “get at” the bottom line governing through the prism of the political goals both sides wish, or are willing to live with in their decisions. Well done, again.

    I never thought a governor, when as a candidate harped “Pur governor failed!”, but is so lacking in fundamentals, like that governors own, and governors need budgets. If the mentality is “I don’t need a budget, I don’t need successes, but I need to destroy unions”, at what point will Rauner’s failures be too much to overcome by simply repeating, over and over, “Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls…”?

    It’s literally as though Rauner just doesn’t care too much about being governor except when he can lower wages, stop collective bargaining, and keep the “them” away from the people he calls “us”. Otherwise, Rauner sees little to helping the state. So, “we wait”


  13. - Albany Park Patriot - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:47 am:

    All of these people need to realize that this isn’t a theoretical crisis-real people are hurting now.


  14. - Anonin' - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:47 am:

    You left out the part about after the taxes are raised TeamBungle gets to spend all the money. …vety attractive option


  15. - Anon - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:58 am:

    Willy,

    ===It’s literally as though Rauner just doesn’t care too much about being governor except when he can lower wages, stop collective bargaining, and keep the “them” away from the people he calls “us”.===

    I think that the attitude you describe is made quite clear by the realities of the budget. The one he spoke about at the budget address requires billions in additional revenue to function and his behavior makes it sound like he’s not really aware of that.


  16. - Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:58 am:

    We do seem to be stuck in an unfunny version of Groundhog Day.

    Now repeat stress relief mantra nos. 23, “take a step back.”

    http://alwayswellwithin.com/2014/10/12/calm-stress-response/


  17. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:14 am:

    Rauner has folded in the past, I believe, to pave the way for what is now upon us, the Ragnorock of labor battles. I beleave every goal has been subordinated to forcing AFSCME out on strike. He has gathered his einherjar for this SOLE purpose. We will see whom Loki Madigan sides with starting Wednesday if-when Cullerton calls for a vote to override SB 1229. If the override passes the Senate then it’s on the House and the next test. Then we will see if Madigan sold AFSCME out, paving the way for the battle of Ragnorock as Rauner desires or if he will deny Rauner his SOLE aim, the destruction of AFSCME through the nuclear winter of a protracted strike. If Rauner brings about Ragnorock I bet you anything he WILL NOT FOLD, HE WILL NOT STOP till AFSCME crumbles. I really beleave that Rauner has planned and prepared for this time and this time alone. He’s not governing. He’s not leading. He’s only compromising in order to bring about the final battle, the Ragnorock of Labor.
    ( yes, I’m being hyperbolic, but you have to admit, Ragnorock of Labor, is a pretty awesome phrase )


  18. - UIC Guy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:18 am:

    @Honeybear: I love the reference to Norse mythology! Anyone know whether Rauner is a Wagner fan?

    (For those as ignorant as I was, here’s a short extract from Wikepedia:
    ‘In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdallr, and Loki), the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water. Afterward, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and returning gods will meet, and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors.’)


  19. - Langhorne - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:21 am:

    Whether it is rahm, or a calamitous event that grabs the public’s attention, it will take some outside factor to get them to a resolution. Maybe a combination. For a supposedly smart, successful, guy, with a cast of supporting superstars, rauners analytical ability is woefully lacking. His playbook has one page. The longer they wait, the fewer and more difficult their choices.


  20. - Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:26 am:

    ==rauners analytical ability is woefully lacking==

    I don’t think that’s true. I think his analytical ability is tied to the world of CEO’s and that doesn’t translate into governing. He hasn’t made the transition from CEO to Governor yet. Until he does we’ll see more of the same from him.


  21. - AC - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:26 am:

    Götterdämmerung performed by Illinois politicians is fascinating but also more frightening than I’d ever imagined. Just wait till the rivers start rising…


  22. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:29 am:

    - Honeybear - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:14 am:

    I always like your comments.

    Not as much as RNUG but you are a good commenter


  23. - Demise - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:30 am:

    Great column. The two summaries say it all. By the way, isn’t Arduin’s contract up at the end of the month? I’m expecting the announcement of extending it for her “superstar” work any day now.


  24. - Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:31 am:

    The speaker made a deal that undercut trade unions at McCormick Place when asked to by Chicago’s mayor-
    It wasn’t Chicago’s mayor that was the motivator.
    It was really a favor to Madigan’s appropriations chief Veeonica Lynch and her husband Jim Reilly who were having a very serious financial crisis from their ownership of a B&B, The Sandpiper in Union Pier, Michigan.
    While the unions took a hit on McCormick Place, it is the taxpayers who have lost billions in this one Madigan favor.


  25. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:38 am:

    Oh yeah, as a Chicago trained former Professional French Horn player, I can totally go there on Wagner. The problem with Norse myth/Wagner ring cycle is that some characters/players act or see themselves differently than they really are. It’s a fascinating exercise to put the present situation into this context. Rauner sees himself as Sigfried, the hero or in his grandiose moment as Wotan/Odin, the Allfather. He has been gathering his forces, his einherjar, from the ILGOP fallen, to wait, feast in Valhalla, the “corpse hall” for the final battle Ragnorock. Thoughts?


  26. - UIC Guy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:45 am:

    While I like the Norse mythology, I don’t like the idea that this will be Gotterdamarung (sorry can’t make umlauts here), or that only two will survive. Somehow I don’t think I’d be one of them….


  27. - alas - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:53 am:

    Who will be the fat lady and when will she sing?


  28. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:04 am:

    Rauner got rich ripping his new acquisitions up, selling the parts for profit, then dumping the bones on someone else. He doesn’t build wealth, he strips it out of built things.

    As governor, Rauner is shredding Illinois government, looking for the shiny pieces he thinks someone is going to buy. He isn’t building it. He has become so conditioned into believing that his profits and wealth certify his genius, he doesn’t listen to opposing views.

    When the man walks into a room, he can’t help himself. He behaves like the guy who bought it, the people in it, and the attention he receives. Success blinds people. Rauner’s success over his lifetime has made him blind enough to qualify for one of his own social programs.

    So as things burn down, he is breaking out the marshmallows, picking through the smoldering ashes, and expecting to find things that prove that no only does he understand how to strip and sell businesses of every ilk, he understands how to strip and remake governments using a similar formula.

    Rauner is a believer that he knows better than you, is more ethical than you, is needed by the people of Illinois, and believes his mega-wealth certified his greatness.

    PS - he doesn’t need anyone to remake Illinois, because he isn’t interested in “making” anything.


  29. - @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:12 am:

    Soul they had not, sense they had not,
    Heat nor motion, nor goodly hue

    Völuspá (as translated by Henry Adams Bellows)

    The Norse origin story’s description of mankind before creation is also fair description of Springfield in 2015.

    – MrJM


  30. - Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:17 am:

    How about a “Repeal Blago” campaign. Then everyone can save face.


  31. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:26 am:

    Wow, that was well done MisterJayEm.


  32. - Cassandra - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:30 am:

    Is Arduin doing anything which would justify keeping her on. Making proposals for changes or cuts that will never happen (has she made any suggestions that were actually implemented?) is not worth the price to taxpayers of another plump contract, and then another, and another. Do our illustrious political masters support paying folks govt money to write fiction.

    Let’s get a summary of her work product before we hit up the taxpayer ATM for her again.


  33. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:33 am:

    Still on track for an October budget deal of sorts …

    I’m guessing any income tax increase and any new service tax will be pegged to January 1, 2016 since we can apparently fumble along until after then with the existing projected revenue.

    Going further, if there is no service tax or closing of various (mostly business) loopholes and based strictly on math, I’d guess the income tax will be set about 7% for the first half of calendar 2016 (last half of FY16) to generate the needed funds, then it will reset to about 5.25% - 5.5% on July 1, 2016 (start of FY17) and, if there IS a grand compromise, also tied to a possible graduated income tax constitutional amendment that also completely eliminates the corporate income tax. I could see Madigan proposing that as a “business friendly” reform since a lot of Illinois businesses already avoid most of their corporate income tax liability through various loopholes. It would be a brilliant move by Madigan because it would place Rauner in the position of either supporting a business friendly reform or opposing increased personal income taxes on the 1%. If that happens, it will be interesting to see which way Rauner goes.


  34. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:34 am:

    -Honeybear-

    Probably the best explanation / analogy I’ve heard yet.


  35. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:35 am:

    == As governor, Rauner is shredding Illinois government, looking for the shiny pieces he thinks someone is going to buy. ==

    Be interesting to see which operations Rauner tries to outsource in the name of budget savings.


  36. - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:44 am:


    Be interesting to see which operations Rauner tries to outsource in the name of budget savings.

    Not outsourcing, but we do know he’s going to make a move soon on selling the Thompson center. What happens to those folks that work in the Thompson center is probably a big questions. My guess (because the bid request included job counselors) is that he’s going to make them choose between losing a job or moving to Springfield.

    I’m surprised there hasn’t been more about the Thompson center (potential) sale. Seems like that’s going to be a big bang in terms of Rauner saying it must be done to save money due to the crisis he’s created.


  37. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:50 am:

    == he’s going to make a move soon on selling the Thompson center. ==

    Ironically, dumping that white elephant is actually a move I could agree with. And I could even agree with moving some of the employees back to Springfield (the ones moved to Chicago under Blago) since that would lower the employee cost some since, in my experience, you had give people titles several levels higher than their skill set just to be able to hire / retain them.

    I will free sorry for some of the people who might lose jobs but, on the other hand, I know a number of former state employees with desirable job skills who have changed jobs without even changing their parking spaces in the big city.


  38. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:52 am:

    Frenchie, I wouldn’t get too excited about a JRTC sale, even though downtown real estate is hot as a pistol.

    If it ever happens, it’s probably a tear down, so not much money. As AA has pointed out, repurposing that building probably is not in the cards.


  39. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:54 am:

    “Until then, I think the Democratic leadership is content to continue their slow walk to oblivion”

    I love this line. For Madigan this process began in the early 80’s for the rest of the Dems it began around 2003


  40. - Cassandra - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:01 pm:

    Yikes. A 7 percent personal income tax comes online just as the Christmas bills hit? Now that would be remembered at the polls.


  41. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:09 pm:

    - Cassandra -,

    It’s the math. We needed a full year at 5% to be more or less even; cram that into half a year and you have to go high if you’re not going to close loopholes or implement a service tax. The good news of sorts is you can spin it as a half year “temporary” increase to be phased back to 5% July 1.


  42. - Mama - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:22 pm:

    ++Rauner is shredding Illinois government, looking for the shiny pieces he thinks someone is going to buy.++ The shiny pieces the governor’s rich friends want to buy is education. Look for higher ed to be outsourced. Also look for public P-12 to be outsourced to public schools & charter schools. Look for private schools to take over part or all of public educations buildings. Watch for future changes to public education.


  43. - Mama - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:23 pm:

    The above should say “outsourced to private schools &….. Sorry


  44. - Cassandra - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:32 pm:

    Well, better than a retroactive one-time increase, I suppose. Still, I wonder how Rauner would explain this to his supporters. Presumably a deal would require some tamping down of rhetoric re blaming the other side. And under the circumstances, it’s a little hard to blame Pat Quinn.


  45. - Levois - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:59 pm:

    we could seriously use some statesmen or stateswomen right now.


  46. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:13 pm:

    Perfect summary of the madness that is going on


  47. - DuPage Don - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:35 pm:

    Nailed it, Rich! However, I would have titled it “Logical Absurdity.”


  48. - Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:18 pm:

    === @DougFinkeSJR: Rauner says he’d consider shifting downstate teacher pension costs to schools, but with conditions. ===

    Let me guess …


  49. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:37 pm:

    - Norseman -

    I don’t think you need to guess … I’m sure we both have zero doubt about the conditions.


  50. - A realistic citizen - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:53 pm:

    The democrat controlled Obama administration went 3 years with no budget. What makes you think the democrat Madigan administration won’t do the same? After all, budgets are…so…well …limiting.


  51. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:57 pm:

    - A realistic citizen -

    (Sigh)

    Obama is in the Executive, MJM is in the Legislative.

    Different roles. Please learn. I know if don’t get that “Democrat” in there you won’t feel better, but your feelings and facts are on opposite sides, and your feelings are accurate to truth.


  52. - A realistic citizen - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:13 pm:

    Willy:

    Everybody knows Madigan and not the governor runs the state through the democrat super majority.


  53. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:17 pm:

    ===Everybody knows Madigan and not the governor runs the state through the democrat super majority.===

    I’m embarrassed for you.

    The Governor and all his powers are victim to 1/2 of 1/3 of state givernment.

    Do you pretend to be a victim all by yourself, or are you not educated enough to know better?

    You are a Troll, read McKinney, maybe you might stop being a victim.


  54. - A realistic citizen - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:26 pm:

    Willy:

    Personal insults? Really?
    I guess the truth must really, really sting.


  55. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:27 pm:

    Do. Not. Feed. Trolls.


  56. - A realistic citizen - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:29 pm:

    Sad. Very sad.


  57. - Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:35 pm:

    ARC:

    If you didn’t post like a troll we might take you seriously. When you have something intelligent to offer to the conversation then by all means offer it.


  58. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:38 pm:

    (Tips cap to - Demoralized -)


  59. - A realistic citizen - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:47 pm:

    You know that you have lost a debate when you have to sink to launching personal insults.

    In the liberal world, if you didagree, you are a “troll”.

    So sad.


  60. - Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:53 pm:

    ARC:

    What exactly is your argument? That’s all I’ve asked for. As soon as you figure out what you are arguing for or against I’ll be happy to tell you whether I agree or disagree. Now, do you care to tell us what the heck it is you are arguing other than “democrats are bad?”


  61. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:55 pm:

    There is only so much you can do - Demoralize -

    Those want this place better than newspaper comment sections, some want to drag everyone down.

    To the Post,

    Rauner should have been trying to cobble 60 and 30 in February. That was a choice. Now, why wouldn’t the Dems slow-play? Rauner owns. All the robocalls in the world will never inoculate Rauner.

    “Pat Quinn failed” - Candidate Rauner

    Welp, welcome to ownership, Governor Rauner.


  62. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:57 pm:

    In the real world, if you’re Bruce Rauner, you’re the governor of Illinois.

    And will be until January 2019.

    This ain’t no summer fling.

    It’s an all-day job, so pack a lunch and get on with it, already.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Reader comments closed for the weekend
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* The Waukegan City Clerk was railroaded
* Whatever happened, the city has a $40 million budget hole it didn't disclose until now
* Manar gives state agencies budget guidance: Cut, cut, cut
* Roundup: Ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis testifies in Madigan corruption trial
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller