91 Comments - Peter Arnett - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 10:56 am: It is necessary to destroy the state, if we are to save it. - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 10:56 am: — Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno: “Otherwise, how does it get done?” — Well, when you’re in the minority, I guess there’s no other way is there? You gotta wonder if you’re a minority party for a reason, though. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 10:57 am: ===“Otherwise, how does it get done?”=== Like most major policy shifts, incrementally. You build support for your ideas, you campaign on them, you shift public support, then you win elections. In the meantime, you govern by taking whatever small steps you can in the right direction. Like when you could get a property tax freeze, you take it. And when you can get some modest worker’s comp reforms, you seize on that. You claim loudly that it isn’t enough, but you still you press on, until the public gets behind you and the opposition has no choice but to go along with your agenda or be voted out of office. But I think Sen. Radogno knew that already. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 10:58 am: Headline to this post says it all. It also answers the question why no “full meetings” have been held since May. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:01 am: – “Otherwise how does it get done?” – Swell. The IL GOP is now all-in with the tactics of the Washington GOP fringe. Can Sen. Radogno give us the data-driven fiscal and economic analysis as to the benefits, the ROI, of the willful engineering of this fiscal calamity? Such an analysis exists, right? They’re not just pulling this out of their tukkus? - Politix - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:03 am: Otherwise, how does it get done? FLEXIBILTY Enrollment Compromise Honesty Integrity - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:03 am: ===Senate President Cullerton: “What [Gov. Rauner is] doing is… the process of shutting down government in order to get leverage for these things [like workers’ comp and prevailing wage reforms].” Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno: “Otherwise, how does it get done?”=== Let’s be very clear; Rauner wants a state shutdown. Wants. Requires. Otherwise, how does Rauner get his agenda… According to what is being said… … right there. Rauner wants the shutdown. It’s on… the Governor. Got it. - Politix - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:05 am: Rauners biggest hurdle, one that he hasn’t managed to overcome, is enrolling the public, constituencies, legislators in his dream of toppling IL unions. - @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:05 am: “Otherwise, how does it get done?” In a representative democracy, they often elect a majority of legislators who agree with the political position in question. – MrJM - Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:07 am: OHDIGD- the new acronym “bracelet”. /s - Not quite a majority - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:08 am: Guess the whole drama of how Ted Cruz is currently being treated in the US Senate is not being shown on whatever news program BVR is watching. Shutdowns don’t have positive effects. They make for really bad public policy. If you hate government that much, don’t run for office. - illinifan - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:09 am: “how does it get done”….it is called compromise and compromise does not equate to “I want 100 percent”. - tominchicago - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:14 am: - Louis G. Atsaves - “Headline to this post says it all. It also answers the question why no “full meetings” have been held since May.” Actually, here is the money quote: “The question is what are we gonna talk about? And are we really gonna talk about some serious negotiations and not just ‘This is my bottom line and I want a hundred percent’? That’s not gonna work.” Rauner doesn’t want to negotiate, he wants to dictate. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:18 am: I’m sure when the Illinois National Guard occupies state government, we’ll all understand that Rauner’s demands need to get done. - Louis G Atsaves -, I’m sure you want the Illinois National Guard as an Occupying Force so Rauner can prove a point, right? Soldiers in Fatigues, runnin’ agencies, doin’ the People’s Business, saluting one another at the Capitol or the Thompson Center, MPs standing guard… … Otherwise, how does it get done. Right? Exactly right. - Rufus - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:21 am: It’s not going to be a very nice spring. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:21 am: “OHDIGD” What does this stand for? - Stones - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:22 am: To me, we aren’t really in a shutdown mode. Agencies that provide service and assistance to those who normally require the assistance of government programs are the citizens being hurt. Until folks can’t get their drivers licenses, FOID cards, paychecks this crisis isn’t going to get the attention that it deserves. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:22 am: Is it tragedy or farce that the Illinois GOP has degenerated to the point where they publicly put conditions on fulfilling the core responsibilities of their jobs? And all without giving any indication as to what the benefits are, in real terms, of paying their ransom. Rauner has a bully pulpit and tens of millions to spend on TV.Why is he not explaining, in detail, on what the return will be for the very dear cost he is extracting in record deficits and destroying social services? Where is that business plan? Did the dogs eat it? - Just Me - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:23 am: I’ve been with the Governor through much of this fight. He was elected to bring big change to Springfield, and the budget process is the process to determine state priorities and to affect the operation of state government and also the State as a whole. But even my patience wears thin when the Governor doesn’t see the need to try and have a conversation and instead just wait it out. - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:24 am: well christine this is a wild concept t, but you could always mobilize the public behind your proposed reform and win election of enough like-minded legislators to get the change you want through democratic action. I mean if you want to be an actual legislative leader. but I guess being an accomplice to a hostage taker gives more of a rush? - siriusly - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:24 am: Politix - you are correct. And that’s because he did not campaign on that message. He campaigned as a practical moderate who would get things done. He can’t expect the GA to pass everything he wants all at once - because the voters have never shown that’s what they want. And the 2016 elections will probably embolden the Dems. Right now is his best chance to get anything - even small reforms passed - it’s only going get worse for him going into ‘18. Make a deal Governor, do something. - sal-says - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:24 am: Dear GOP ‘Leader’ Radogno: You asked: “Otherwise, how does it get done?” Well, ya’all might want to work your hoofies off between now and the next IL election cycle. This is not WI where the GA rolled over to give the governor of the same party whatever he wanted. Between now & the next IL election cycle, you want voters to vote more Repubs in, but make real sure voters understand exactly what the ramifications of Raunner’s and the Repubs agenda is. From what we understand now, it’s more like Turnback than any real Turnaround. Or maybe you mean Turnaround and Go Backwards? Or Turnback the Clock on worker’s rights? And, don’t forget to remind Illinoisans what created the distress of people in need, non-profit help agencies and the IL economy while you and Raunner stone-wall everything. With warmest personal regards, sal-says - Georg Sande - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:24 am: Just brushed by that “Somebody’s not telling the truth” concept, Rich? - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:26 am: It appears the U.S. federal and the State of Illinois governments will shut down in the near future. Rich, what does anyone or any party gain from shutting down the government? I’m trying to understand their logic. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:27 am: Mama- Radogno’s mantra- “Otherwise, how does it get done?” - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:27 am: Georg, this is a different topic. I know you can often be slow, but try to keep up. - Flynn's Mom - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:28 am: Does Radogno not want to be reelected? Her blind allegiance to BVR will be remembered when it’s time to vote.What is her response going to be to the people in her district when they have to leave college due to no MAP grant funding? We must past BVR’s agenda or you can’t go to school.I don’t think her rhetoric will fly with her constituents. - How Ironic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:29 am: Morning Rich, Governor Bruce Rauner has rolled out a new negotiation tactic he’s calling “Shoot the hostages, two or three times”. In this version he’s going to totally decimate social services, by forcing them to provide services for free. This way he can more clearly demonstrate that minimum wages and prevailing wage are shams, if he can just get enough people working for free. If then entire state collapses, conservative nirvana will be reached. Mike Madigan and the legislature he controls will never be needed at another meeting that I’m ’scheduling’ again. Best ck! - Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:31 am: It’s called hostage governing. Hold the citizens and the most venerable hostage. Then just sit back and decide what ransoms to demand before you do any aspects of your job. - Wensicia - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:33 am: Radogno agrees with Rauner. It’s worth whatever pain and damage to the people of this state to get an agenda that cannot be acheived through the democratic process which she is supposed to represent. Coward. - Empty Suit - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:39 am: Remember when the federal government shut down and no one noticed - Ahoy! - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:41 am: Has Madigan and his cronies outlined which issues are non-budget related? Because some of the things he’s opposed to is actually budget related such as workers comp costs which could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, if you don’t believe saving money is a budget related item then maybe you should take a simple math class. Cullerton is going to blame this on the Governor, but in reality Cullerton is more likely to make a deal and get something done. Madigan is going to be the hold up, but Cullerton isn’t going to cross the party and place blame on who it should be on, Madigan. - Captain Illini - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:42 am: As OW has pointed out, the Gov needs his shut-down…but be careful what you ask for, as you might get it. Then What? How will unions be responsible for the shut down when it will be clear whom engineered it? How can his Hokey-Pokey agenda save the state after the lights go out? No, OW is right - the Governor will own this calamity lock, stock and barrel. - Abe the Babe - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:43 am: ==otherwise how does it get done== You win elections ma’am. And then you can put people in those comfy seats with green buttons in front of them. You remember green buttons, right? - Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:43 am: Empty Suit- I think Boehner noticed. it just took two years to sink in. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:43 am: ++- Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:27 am: ++ Anon221, does the GOP believe something good will come out of all the pain a shut-down will cause the people of IL? Please define all of the good things they think will be gained. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:46 am: Mama, the federales aren’t going to shut down. Boehner is going to spend the next month beating the House GOP shutdown crazies like a rented mule. Unfortunately, in Illinois, the shutdown zealots aren’t the fringe, but the leadership. - Qui Tam - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:50 am: =Because some of the things he’s opposed to is actually budget related such as workers comp costs which could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, if you don’t believe saving money is a budget related item then maybe you should take a simple math class.= Ahoy Please show me the “simple math” for this in the FY 2016 budget …. or event the projected FY 2017 budget. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:51 am: Mama- I don’t believe any good will come of this mess. In my original post, I had a /s after it. Radogno and most of the ILGOP, needs to calcify some of their cartilage. I hope they do pay for only being “Present” down the line. As I stated yesterday, the dissatisfaction factors don’t seem high enough yet for most Illinoisans. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:52 am: The governor can not blame Madigan for his shut-down. I understand Rauner will spin it that way with his TV ads. OW, what can the unions & others do to prevent Rauner’s shut-down? - Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:54 am: Rauner won’t talk budget until the Dems capitulate on non-budget issues. I heard that the Rauner people have been told to assume no budget until March as the state is expected to run out of money by then. I find this perplexing. Do they not realize that without an agreement on these cuts and revenue, they will have a nine month hole to fill on top of the mound of unpaid bills. In the meantime, countless social service providers will be out of business, new businesses will go elsewhere, etc. I don’t care what the polls say. It’s simply unconscionable for the governor to refuse to resolve the budget until he gets his “turnaround agenda.” The governor needs to resolve the budget first. Now. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:56 am: ” Boehner is going to spend the next month beating the House GOP shutdown crazies like a rented mule. ” Since Boehmer has already stepped down from leadership, do you really think he has any clout left with the Tea Party crazies in Congress? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:58 am: - Mama -, I said it before, still believe it. “Ghost Town” No protests, no signs, no picketing, No one at work, nobody anywhere. No phones being answered in Rauner’s Agencies, no responses by Rauner’s givernment. At 10 am, every day, two, maybe three “Spokespeople” read the following; “We want to work, we feel terrible the state is shut down and services are being stopped for citizens, especially those most in need and those that require the most help. We want to work. Please, direct all your questions to those still working during this impasse. Thank you.” … And walk away. Rauner wants chaos too. Rauner will get his shutdown, but a “Ghost Town” response… That would be impactful. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:59 am: Ahoy, where do you get “hundreds of millions” in budget savings from worker comp changes? Is that something the governor put out? What changes are you talking about? It’s almost October. Are you guys ever going to get specific about anything? - concern1 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:03 pm: Why can’t we the people recall the dictator I mean governor? Another point why are we still paying taxes? The state runs on our tax money….the governor and legislators are not doing their job so why don’t we just stop paying taxes then. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:04 pm: Boehner may not have to “beat” too hard on some items, but he will need to depend on the support of the Democrats: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-boehners-departure-means-for-a-government-shutdown/ This is one of the strategies to get around the tea-partiers. - the Other Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:07 pm: – Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno: “Otherwise, how does it get done?” – I’m glad I’m not the only one to hone in on this pretty amazing line. In addition to all the good advice offered about persuading people, making your case, and electing legislators, let me add one more: who says that all of the items on the Turnaround Agenda even need to be done? Some should definitely be soundly defeated, and already have been defeated on the floor of the House. - Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:10 pm: Rauner’s position: No discussion of budget until everything from the Turnaround Agenda is passed. Madigan’s position: No discussion of the Turnaround Agenda until we pass a budget. Reasonable compromise position: Work together on some but not all of the Turnaround agenda (fair maps + workers comp), along with the budget. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:10 pm: “I heard that the Rauner people have been told to assume no budget until March as the state is expected to run out of money by then.” Social services, schools, state offices will close. What happens next? Private businesses will take over all schools, colleges & universities and state offices, unions will be reduced to nothing, workers will become independent contractors with no benefits. Christine Radogno, this is your boss’s plan. Can you live with that? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:10 pm: - Mama - ===OW, what can the unions & others do to prevent Rauner’s shut-down?=== I wasn’t ignoring it with my comment, but I hope my comment by itself gives the answer. If not… “Nothing is my answer” They can’t do anything. Rauner is going to do what he fells he needs to do. Otherwise, how does his agenda get done? - Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:46 pm: Actually, I think there is an important reason to meet. I have a pool going on the length of the leaders’ meeting. 15 minutes is the favorite to win. - Shanks - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:48 pm: Bottom line, is Rauner is not going to budge until he is able to bust the unions. This is going to be a very long fight in this state…either Rauner goes, or the union goes…hopefully it is Rauner. - Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:49 pm: There’s room for compromise on the property tax freeze, worker’s comp reform and a couple other Turnaround Agenda measures. But every time the GA introduces a bill without measures stripping collective bargaining, Rauner’s shop calls “sham.” The Turnaround Agenda is a Trojan horse for union busting that Rauner isn’t comfortable enough to market without hiding behind a measure with more populist support. So far, the budget impasse is having the greatest effect on the most vulnerable, who don’t have a loud voice and state employees. Until the rank-and-file middle class starts really feeling the squeeze when basic services collapse, I’m not sure this governor will see much reason to compromise on his demand to stomp on collective bargaining. - PublicServant - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 1:00 pm: Correct TA, and it’s not governing, it’s straight out blackmail, and cannot be allowed to succeed as a tactic. - Liberty - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 1:09 pm: It is interesting to read the comments on the Chicago Tonight website. Comments are not a good judge of the political mood but they are generally favorable to Rauner’s rhetoric. - Skirmisher - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 1:15 pm: Some of the Governor’s agenda have no budget relevancy (term limits, for instance). Other issues are very relevant to the economy and budget (workers’ comp reform, changes to rules governing public employee unions). Neither Madigan nor Cullerton are being honest by characterizing these proposals as irrelevant. The Governor may very well be guilty of being politically naive in pursuing his goals, and he may want too much too quickly. However, history seems to bear out Radogno’s observation that that the current legislative leadership would never, ever consider any such reforms if they get what they want in a budget (Which includes having Rauner ask for a big tax increase, which is as much anathema to the Republicans as reining in AFSCME is for Democrats). It is going to take a cataclysmic meltdown to bring everyone to the table, and we ain’t there yet by a long shot. Wish we were, but we are not. The people doing the suffering to this point are the people neither party really cares much about, because they are not the folks writing the campaign checks, nor voting much for that matter. So I am thinking we are all just going to have to wait until the pain goes much, much deeper and to a much broader base. - Abe the Babe - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 1:20 pm: What assurance do D’s have that Rauner will not use the same hostage strategy next year? None that I have seen. So it seems perfectly reasonable to negotiate around the budget, not on it. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 1:51 pm: Rauner wants Illinois to be destroyed because he is confident that enough of his supporters won’t be impacted by its destruction. Rauner is confident that the right people will survive and rebuild Illinois in his image. - Magic Dragon - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:02 pm: Couldn’t agree more VanillaMan. One more critical point though, Rauner’s ability to rebuild Illinois in his image also means more of something that is very near and dear to Rauner’s heart….more cash in his bank accounts. - Cathartic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:02 pm: Looks like the best available option is to wait him out. Of course it’s grotesque, et al, but we all need to go ahead and accept it so Rauner understands that this is our actual, non-negotiable position too. Maybe he caves as the universities close and services collapse, and maybe he doesn’t, but he needs to understand sooner rather than later that we’re not giving in. No way, no how. Let’s pull together and support one another as the Governor intentionally burns the State down. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:04 pm: While Oswego Willy strangely frets over National Guard martial law stuff, for those urging Democrats to not budge on the turnaround agenda items, reality needs to finally sink in. Next year’s budget fight will also include demands to pass a turnaround agenda. What makes Democrats think Rauner is simply going to give up, say “never mind” and quietly go along with their way for the remaining three years of his term. Message sent. Message not received? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:10 pm: ===While Oswego Willy strangely frets over National Guard martial law stuff,…=== Nah. That was “ck”. If you’d like, I’ll point out where you even feel it’s part of every plan, however, Rauner might be the only governor to do it. Is that what Rauner wants to call this, “Martial Law”? Great, now I know. I’ll call it “Martial Law” ===Next year’s budget fight will also include demands to pass a turnaround agenda. What makes Democrats think Rauner is simply going to give up, say “never mind” and quietly go along with their way for the remaining three years of his term.=== So Rauner wabts a continual burning, brush fire and no budget? Goodness Gracious, - Louis G Atsaves -, you can’t count to 60 or 30… 71 or 36 too. lol. Rauner wants his time as Governor to be known as the destruction of people, families and the the most needy, have at it I guess. What a tragic legacy that will be… - Cathartic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:12 pm: Hmmmm. Well, let’s turn that around Louis… What makes Rauner think Democrats are simply going to give up, say “never mind” and quietly go along with Rauner for the remaining three years of his term? If OW is correct, Rauner will own this mess. Owning this mess will get costlier and costlier. Even hedge fund managers eventually reach a point where they seek to cut their losses. - RD55 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:12 pm: – Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno: “Otherwise, how does it get done?” – Wow, that’s an embarrassing admissions. The ILGOP hasn’t participated in governing for so long, they have no institutional knowledge of how it all works? No actually - Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:17 pm: === Next year’s budget fight … === Louis, you mean the budget fight that will last into next year. Rauner is determined to hold out until the state runs out of money next year. The Blago/Quinn/Rauner years of state government dysfunction continues into 2016. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:20 pm: Oh, and - Louis G Atsaves -, Next year is an election year, a Presidential election year in Illinois. If Rauner wants Illinois as a continual hostage, destroying social services, the state running out of monies, no K-12 budget this time to fend off parents, Ounce of Prevention groups recognizing after a 2nd or a continual impasse, Rauner really cares little about people. Comptroller Munger will be running too… The collateral damage may not be a failed Agenda. Threatening this in an election year? Not the brightest idea to seem like a Shaker or a Bringer Backer… Actually, that might rally all the Unions, Social Service and Advocates, it might even unify Democrats… So, next year, let’s ALL revist, until then, how about a Budget? - Cathartic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:43 pm: You make an important point, OW. If Rauner continues this shtick into Prez Year 2016, whatever it is that makes Illinois a Blue State will descend upon Rauner’s proxies at the polls. The celebrated “wing m[e]n” (e.g., Munger) and other proxies will be battling a roaring, cascading tsunami come November. The way he’s going, casting Rauner as The Great Satan is growing easier every day. Ironically, that’s a hopeful, powerful idea for his opponents…and a lightning rod to build unity among Democrats statewide. - Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:49 pm: =Skirmisher= Re:The relevancy of the Governor’s agenda. None of Rauner’s turn around agenda items have anything to do with improving the State’s economy or improving the State’s budget. All of the turn around agenda items are measures to restrict the rights of middle class workers and reduce their income. All to defund traditional Democratic candidates while villianizimg people who work for a living. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 2:51 pm: ++- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:58 am:++ What can people do who will be forced to continue working during the shut down? ++- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 12:10 pm:++ Willy, thanks for your response. I believe you. However, I have a hard time believing nothing can be done to stop Rauner from destroying Illinois & its people. I also have a hard time believing there are people whom still think Rauner is working to solve IL’s financial problems! - Joe M - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:02 pm: At least a number of newspaper articles lately (even some of the main Rauner supporter newspapers) have quit referring to the Governor’s turnaround agenda as “reforms” and are calling his agenda for what it is - “the Governor’s anti-union agenda” I guess that is some small progress. - sal-says - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:17 pm: == Rauner wants Illinois to be destroyed because he is confident that enough of his supporters won’t be impacted by its destruction. Rauner is confident that the right people will survive and rebuild Illinois in his image. == Suspect that when IL crashes because of The Governot’s policies & approach, a whole lot more people will be hurt than helped. We’ll see if he has enough $ to buy all their votes, too. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:28 pm: ===What can people do who will be forced to continue working during the shut down?=== Welp, for that, I’d defer to those who may ha e real options to offer. ===However, I have a hard time believing nothing can be done to stop Rauner from destroying Illinois & its people. I also have a hard time believing there are people .=== It will be the house of cards and funds and like letting a wound fester, nature will take its course because of a true lack of care from the Illinois Executive to his budget and agencies. Remember, it was Rauner himself that Vetoed every budget Approp but education; Rauner making a choice. A Veto. No budget, that’s on an Executive wanting a crash. - @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:34 pm: “Rauner wants Illinois to be destroyed because he is confident that enough of his supporters won’t be impacted by its destruction. Rauner is confident that the right people will survive and rebuild Illinois in his image.” Occam’s razor. – MrJM - anon - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:42 pm: Ya gotta chuckle that 80% of the posters here lean left. And that includes OW in spite of the “My Party” rhetoric. If I want a piece of property and the current owner has caused the value of said property to plummet in value and is nearing bankruptcy, who is in the position of power. The property owner can kick and scream and say they won’t meet with me all the while he slides off the cliff. Those actions don’t require me to give in to his demands. The dems have put this state on life support. Memo: Rauner aint the bad guy here!! - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:48 pm: - anon - I bet you rejoiced at Speaker Boehner stepping down too. Ugh. Rauner is a Raunerite, not a Republican. Please learn. Rauner is choosing to destroy the state now. Now. Governors own. “Pat Quinn failed… ” “Bruce Rauner destroyed… ” Governors own, always was, always will be. - Cathartic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 3:58 pm: Ha, that’s funny. Rauner is the bad guy alright. Apparently you’ve confused yourself. GOVERNOR Rauner is clearly THE property OWNER! And so…”If I want a piece of property and the current owner has caused the value of said property to plummet in value and is nearing bankruptcy, who is in the position of power. The property owner can kick and scream and say they won’t meet with me all the while he slides off the cliff. Those actions don’t require me to give in to his demands.” Exactly!! The Dems can (and should) wait him out. - Cathartic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 4:00 pm: Better: Apparently you’ve, [anon], confused yourself. - Skeptic - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 4:10 pm: “Ya gotta chuckle that 80% of the posters here lean left.” That’s news to me… Rich: I think that’d be an interesting QotD. Five choices, Hard Left, Mod Left, Neutrual, Mod Right, Hard Right and just count numbers. Well, *I* think it’d be interesting. - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 4:11 pm: I thought Rauner signed a legal agreement with AFSCME stating the governor will not shut down state government and the union will not strike. Sorry I don’t remember the exact words, but I’m sure someone here knows what the exact agreement between Rauner and the union. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 4:14 pm: Skeptic, I don’t think you will see many votes in the Mod and Hard Right categories. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 4:17 pm: - Mama -, If the state runs out of money and with no budget, Rauner may find that workers can’t/won’t come to work, triggering all kinds of things like - Louis G Atsaves - said “Martial Law” or something… At some point, money just runs out. The Executive of Illinois Government wants that to occur. Wants. Requires. Speaks volumes, don’t it? - Daniel Plainview - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 4:56 pm: - Message sent. Message not received? - You mean the one about how the Democrats won’t sell out the middle class for a crisis that Rauner is going to be blamed for? I don’t think the superstars have received that yet. Speaking of receipt, has your latest bi-monthly shilling fee arrived from the WCC? - Mama - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 5:07 pm: “Speaks volumes, don’t it?” Yes OW, it is loud and clear. These are very scary times. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 7:08 pm: Your example provides illumination for those of us believing the Rauner is out of his mind. The State of Illinois is not a property to be purchased. It is a democracy where the majority of voters choose how it operates. The State of Illinois has not plummeted in value. It is not on life support. Illinoisans are not kicking or screaming. It is simple. Rauner is a governor. Not an owner. He was elected to fix the situation the state government faces, working with the legislature in order to pass legislation to fix it. Neglect is not a plan. Bankruptcy is not a plan. Disunion is not a plan. Politics is not a plan. Demonizing those needed to craft necessary legislation is not a plan. After eight months in office, Bruce Rauner isn’t governing. He was not elected to show the majority of voters “tough love” as he sees it. He is not a dictator. There are plenty of Republicans who are displeased with a governor who is not governing, believing he can let the entire state and its 12 million citizens slide off a cliff. Governors do not let the states they govern fall into disrepair because they don’t like the politics. They govern. They consider all citizens. Not the ones they think “pull their load” or have justified their existence in some way. They govern everyone equally. Your example stinks as bad as the governor you defend. He, and you, do not understand the job he was elected to do. Step down and let someone who cares about all Illinoisans govern. - RNUG - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 7:22 pm: == However, I have a hard time believing nothing can be done to stop Rauner from destroying Illinois & its people. == - Mama -, At the risk of Rich’s wrath for using the ‘R’ word … There is always recall but, the way it works in Illinois, in order to start it, a whole bunch of GOP’ers would have to desert Rauner and his money. Short of citizens with pitchforks outside each GOP legislator’s house, I don’t see that happening. - AC - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 8:25 pm: I recall a far more realistic option outlined by Rich Miller in a recent article who suggested “Coleman, a no-nonsense judge, could threaten to toss the governor and the four legislative leaders into the hoosegow until they come up with a freaking solution.” - Soccertease - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 8:57 pm: I quickly scanned this thread and it seems to me that either (1) this blog is now clearlh a Dem blog or (2) even the conservatives (including our Dem disguised as a Repub-OW) are turning on the governor. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 9:03 pm: - Soccertease -, Rauner isn’t a Republican, I’m not a Democrat, and the state is still being held hostage. You’re welcome. - Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 10:30 pm: The Illinois constitution requires that the Governor present a balanced budget to the general assembly for approval. Rauner was elected on November 4, 2014. Rauner still has not presented a balanced budget to the general assembly and is not interested in doing his job. Illinois held hostage, day 329. - RNUG - Tuesday, Sep 29, 15 @ 11:49 pm: == even the conservatives (including our Dem disguised as a Repub-OW) are turning on the governor. == == Soccertease –, some of us never supported Rauner. I really wanted a reformer to come in and try to correct some the union’s failings such as protecting the totally incompetent few. I would like to have seen some competency requirement instead of strictly seniority for bidding on other job titles, including an easier way to send people back to their previous position if they can’t get up to speed during the probationary period (passing a test doesn’t ensure capability and too often the union grieves such a reduction). And change the union raise process to be either step or negotiated percentage / cost of living, not both. I also wanted a competent administrator who could enable improved services at a lower cost. I wanted to like Rauner, I really did. But after I listened to two different primary speeches by Rauner where he had vastly different messages tailored to the audiences, I didn’t trust him. And I think I’ve been pretty consistent on that from the primary through the election, including my prediction that Rauner will spend more in legal fees over his actions the first year than Quinn did during his entire administration. - Ela Observer - Wednesday, Sep 30, 15 @ 9:50 pm: Rauner has done more than anyone in YEARS to boost Democratic and union activism. Keep it up, Gov. It will turn out great for you in 2016 and 2018. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.