Now, I know that the same tired old characters who are always so desperate to bad-mouth Illinois will falsely attribute our fiscal success to the federal American Rescue Plan Act. As usual, they’re wrong.
Let me set the record straight for you — our state budget surpluses would exist even without the money we received from the federal government. Painstaking work has been done in coordination with the General Assembly and Comptroller Susana Mendoza over the last 3 years to diligently and meticulously reverse the irresponsible decisions of the past and ensure that responsible budgeting would become the rule, not the exception.
What a self-indulgent position the cynics take, always opposing what’s in the best interest of the people of Illinois if they think it will advance their own political standing. It’s a curious position – but then again, there have long been people in Illinois state politics who have cared more about promoting their own propaganda than they do about what’s best for your pocketbooks. During this budget cycle especially, seats at the grown-up table will be off limits to those who aren’t working in the public’s best interests. […]
For longer than I can remember, the pension naysayers have told us we should ignore the constitution and the protections it provides and instead break our promises to retirees. I won’t do that. Instead we are tackling our pension problem with responsible pension investment decisions, solid investment returns, and expansion of the pension buyout program. As a result, pension liabilities are down, and pension assets are up. There’s more work to do, but pension payments as a percentage of our budget have finally flattened and are projected to decline. Great news for pensioners and taxpayers alike. […]
With the state and the nation experiencing a rise in violent crime, addressing public safety requires major investments. But too often those elected officials yelling the loudest about public safety concerns are also those voting to defund government budgets. Crime is a complex and multi-faceted problem to tackle, and it’s cynical and counter-productive to simply shout “Lock them up” while providing fewer resources to the people and programs that prevent crime in the first place.
A truly effective approach to tackling crime involves both short term and long-term investments and a commitment to see those investments through. […]
And at a time when politicians in some places have dipped their toes into the waters of sedition, or pulled chairs up for the ghosts of Jim Crow, or spurned the fires of educational curiosity in favor of book banning, or are telling women you have to take your reproductive health choices back to the 1950’s…at a time when some would question the very foundations of science and medicine…at a time when some would condemn simple acts of courtesy and kindness like wearing a mask so that fewer people die…
THIS government in THIS state said…Not Here.
In Illinois, our elections are protected because we’re not scared of more people voting.
In Illinois, we care about expanding the freedoms and opportunities for our Black and brown residents.
In Illinois, we built a firewall around the freedoms of every woman in this state, protecting the right to choose in our laws and prohibiting the Supreme Court from taking it away.
In Illinois, we believe all workers deserve a real living wage and the right to organize.
In Illinois, we are not afraid of our history…after all, this country’s past, some of its lowest and its highest moments, runs straight through this state Capitol. Abraham Lincoln, who once stood on this very spot under this dome, once said: “We cannot escape history. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.”
In Illinois, we believe that the best thing we can do in difficult times is look out for one another.
Leadership in times like these does not dance idly wherever the wind might blow. Leadership in times like these means having the courage to stand on deck while the waves crash around you and you keep the ship pointing toward home.
The din of a crisis is when a carnival barker’s shout becomes a whisper soft enough to find the ears of the sick or worried or grieving or scared…and the poison they worm into the hearts of the vulnerable is that it’s “those people” …the ones who live in that city, the ones who worship at that altar, the ones who were born in that place…who are responsible for the hard times.
It’s a playbook as old as the play. And it’s that kind of thinking I am asking you to reject in this moment.
- George - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
It was absolutely partisan. It was a campaign speech. He called those that don’t agree with him children. Pritzkers gonna Pritzker.
- Long year - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:45 pm:
If you think some of those paragraphs are partisan then that says more about your politics than the R and D next to your name.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:46 pm:
- Durkin said the governor gave one of the most “bitterly partisan” State of the State speeches he’s witnessed -
Translation: Durkin admits that he has zoned out during every State of the State speech he’s ever attended.
- Lurker - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:47 pm:
It seemed very anti-Trump. So I vote partisan, and deserved as that is a cancer that needs medicine.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:47 pm:
Sure there is a little tone - why not. For the first time in decades the state has a surplus and he’s first Governor in forever to actually pay more into the pension system. I’d have a little tone too. The tone for me is - the state’s in better economic shape - and I’m gonna take a little credit and throw shade at all those who would otherwise stand in the way.
I swear, a group of people just want to bad mouth Illinois, run it into the ground and then move away saying “I told you so”.
Anyone check Durkin’s tone lately? His “act” during press conferences on crime are a joke.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:49 pm:
I think Durkin just scored an own goal. By claiming it was partisan, he acknowledges that it’s his political party Pritzker was talking about. Instead of finding common ground on, for lack of a better phrase, Illinois patriotism, Durkin is embracing the dead-enders and nay sayers.
If he tried, just a little, he could have found one or two things to agree with the Governor on. Instead, knee-jerk response leads to a self-own.
- don the legend - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:49 pm:
No citation needed. JB didn’t once say Republicans. If Durkin’s offended then maybe he feels he uncomfortably fits the descriptions used by the Governor.
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:50 pm:
As a deputized officer of the Tone Police, I recognize that there are other issues at play here and Leader Durkin might need medical help for his apparent memory loss as opposed to a law enforcement response.
- Boomerang - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:53 pm:
Yes, partisan tone. But the Gov has the receipts to back up the rhetoric. So why not trot them out on full display. Lord knows there will be plenty of misinformation thrown in way during the campaign. Might as well get the facts out front.
- WestBurbs - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:56 pm:
Not even close to a tone violation. JB calls them self-indulgent cynics, naysayers who don’t deserve a seat at the grown-ups table. Rauner called almost all D’s, including JB, “corrupt,” a label that Durkin also tosses around with abandon. Immature and selfish — or a criminal. Easy to say which is worse…
- Jibba - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:00 pm:
“the pension naysayers”
“same tired old characters”
Bitter partisan burns? Hardly. But I agree that the setting, the Lincoln quote, and the “Not Here” rhetoric sound just a little like a guy with national ambitions. Too early for me, but if the trend continues…
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:01 pm:
Many of those issues have become partisan recently, but don’t have to be and probably shouldn’t be. So, it was partisan, but a lot of it is the choice of some Republicans and many others in the party have decided to accept that move.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:02 pm:
Partisan? Yeah. It’s partisan.
Here’s the rub.
No citation, but if Durkin would like to cite where he disagrees on points and why the governor is wrong calling out, let’s say, “carnival barkers” or others spreading doom… I can wait on that, no problem… but here… right “here”… where is this something Durkin wants to be for as Pritzker is against it?
=== And at a time when politicians in some places have dipped their toes into the waters of sedition, or pulled chairs up for the ghosts of Jim Crow, or spurned the fires of educational curiosity in favor of book banning, or are telling women you have to take your reproductive health choices back to the 1950’s…at a time when some would question the very foundations of science and medicine…at a time when some would condemn simple acts of courtesy and kindness like wearing a mask so that fewer people die…
THIS government in THIS state said…Not Here.
In Illinois, our elections are protected because we’re not scared of more people voting.===
Now, abortion, there is that difference, roll calls show that…
… but what about the above graf.
What part of the partisan is Durkin saying the Pritzker should be in favor of, and isn’t because of partisanship?
That’s why no citations… I’d like Durkin to cite in that graf above what he sees as “good”.
- Anon again - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:02 pm:
Partisan, yes. Standard Democratic fare. Bitterly partisan, no. And agree with Cool Papa Bell, Durkin himself is often guilty of over-the-top rhetoric, and gets more strident all the time.
- Jocko - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
By ‘bitterly partisan’, Durkin is complaining to the refs that JB’s end zone dance rises to excessive celebration.
Durkin conveniently forgets when Rauner ‘knee-capped’ Christine Radogno while “working together on a grand bargain”.
- vern - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
It was definitely partisan, but I see the language as less inflammatory than the average statement in the “Republicans Angry” post from yesterday. Durkin himself called the Governor dishonest. Irvin called him the Tax-Hiker-in-Chief. Rabine didn’t even wait for the speech to happen before popping off some word salad about mansions and private jets.
The other problem is that Pritzker doesn’t have total control over what language is partisan or not. When Republicans spend 10 years insisting that Illinois is an awful place on the verge of a deserved collapse, any optimism is by definition “partisan” because Republicans don’t agree with it. It’s a mug’s game.
- Bruce Rauner - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:04 pm:
As a deputized officer of the Tone Police, I will issue a citation to Jim Durkin. Jim Durkin over the past few years has increase his partisanship. The nerve of that guy. This is the same guy when Speaker Welch was sworn in as Speech made that awful speech. The gull of that man, so I would issue that man a citation.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:07 pm:
Not sure Durkin has the right to call anything partisan after the complete lack of class he showed off when Madigan had resigned. He could have applauded a worth opponent who had left the ring, instead he went right to the gutter and showed his caucus is made up Trump worshipers.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:07 pm:
No citation, no warning. Truth is always a defense, and JB wasn’t lying. Neither did he name names. If someone is feeling triggered, they must believe they were the person referred to. And if so, they should show the receipts to refute the argument. But they can’t. because that speechwriter nailed them without naming them. You can tell who was being referenced if you read this blog or any newspaper.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:07 pm:
No violation. These are things that needed to be said, especially in the paragraphs following, “THIS government…”. Instead for anyone like Durkin who is crying partisan, I would hand them a mirror and ask them to check their own reflection.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:09 pm:
“And at a time when politicians in some places have dipped their toes into the waters of sedition…”
Those politicians who supported insurrection against The United States of America are neck deep and sinking…I’m here to tell them.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:10 pm:
== I hereby deputize ==
Ooohhh. Is this like when a coroner deputizes someone and they automatically get to carry a concealed weapon. That coroner in Kendall county was handing out deputy coroner spots to his friends like halloween candy years back for that reason, and only that reason.
But to the question. Tone was just fine. JB is an adult and he was talking like an adult to other adults. I greatly appreciated his specifically stated points, and that he backed them up with data and reality. Unfortunately, reality is uncomfortable for some and that then becomes equated with ‘partisan’.
In contrast, it’s hardly the problem or doing of the governor that the opposing party has chosen to take the route of talking to their constituents like children. I can see why Durkin didn’t like the governors address, but I’d say to Durkin that’s more of a ‘you problem’. I think some of his own constituents may even have a t-shirt that says what he can do with his feelings.
If it was the ‘most partisan address ever’ it is only due to the driving off the cliff of what the republican party has become.
The tone was one of responsibility and leadership, not cowering behind excuses and poor-me-isms.
- slow down - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:11 pm:
In the age of Trump, anti-science hysteria and authoritarianism, it’s imperative for our democracy and for decency to stand up and be counted. If the far right sees that as partisan, so be it.
- Soapbox Derby - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:11 pm:
If the State’s finances are so good, guess we didn’t need Pritzker’s graduated income tax amendment after all.
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
Politics is political. Donald Trump leads the party whining about partisanship. The guy who tried to overthrow the Republic to remain in power despite having lost the election. And he’s faced no repercussion and still holds good standing within his party. It’s wildly disorienting to even try to answer this question. It’s making me the footloose cop at Woodstock.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:15 pm:
=== If the State’s finances are so good, guess we didn’t need Pritzker’s graduated income tax amendment after all.===
The wealthiest 3% thank you, lol
- Roman - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:16 pm:
Yes, the tone was more partisan than normal. But I’m not sure I blame him. It’s not like Durkin and other Republicans would have pulled their punches if the tone was different. Heck, a GOP candidate for governor put out a statement specifically criticizing the speech before it was given.
- Norseman - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:17 pm:
Partisan yes, but not any more partisan than what you hear daily coming from Durkin’s mouth. As for “bitter,” I have to give Durkin a 4 out of 4 Snowflakes for whining.
- Banish Misfortune - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:20 pm:
“JB’s end zone dance rises to excessive celebration”
I’m trying to imagine that.
I guess it’s partisan, because it speaks to Democratic values which I support.
And Soapbox, the graduated tax amendment was to reallocate who pays, not to increase overall taxes.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:20 pm:
The citation is to Durkin for a false report. Nothing the governor said was wrong or partisan.
It says everything that Jim Durkin thinks criticizing the attempt to return to Jim Crow voting procedures is wrong. Just recently one of the legislative leaders of the Arizona fake audit said to move all voting procedures back to 1958. Why would you pick that date? Is that what Jim Durkin stands for? The answer to that is, apparently, yes.
- Strategy Geek - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:26 pm:
No citation. Governor Pritzker, without ever naming anyone or uttering the word “Republican,” appeals to the better angels of the Party of Lincoln to reject the cancer of Trumpism, nativism, sedition, vote suppression, racism; and rejection of science ravaging the national Republican Party. That’s not partisanship - it’s an olive branch. If they actually still believed the fiscal conservatism they preach, they’d have stood and cheered Pritzker’s proposal to put $800 million in the Rainy Day Fund and $500 million extra to reduce the pension shortfall. Their refusal to endorse those proposals show partisanship Trumps principle on their side of the aisle; not Pritzker’s.
- 33rd ward - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:26 pm:
- George - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
It was absolutely partisan. It was a campaign speech. He called those that don’t agree with him children. Pritzkers gonna Pritzker.
I didn’t see the part we he called them children. I ‘gas’ it was a figure of speech.
- New Day - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:27 pm:
Unless Durkin identifies closely with carnival barkers and Trumpists, the shots weren’t about him or generic GOPers. But if he views himself as the champion of the Eastern Bloc, then yea, I get why he would be offended. What’s ironic about his comments is that 2017 Jim Durkin would feel very comfortable with the shots and wouldn’t take them personally. 2022 Durkin? Not so much.
- MisterJayEm - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:32 pm:
If Durkin sees himself and the party he leads in this paragraph, that’s his shame not Pritzker’s.
– MrJM
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:32 pm:
Abraham Lincoln, the only Republican named, is cited favorably.
Jim Crowe, a policy created by Democrats, is criticized.
I’m swallowing my whistle.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:38 pm:
So, I went back in time and skimmed some Rauner and Quinn state of the state speeches. I’d generally say Jim Durkin is wrong in his assessment. If he thinks that the speech was somehow a slight against him, that speaks more to the state of his soul than anything else.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:42 pm:
JB never admits a mistake, never blames Democrats for any of the problems in Illinois over the past few decades and doesn’t just disagree with his political opponents, he clearly despises them
A truly effective approach to tackling crime involves both short term and long-term investments and a commitment to see those investments through. […]
How long do the millions of carnival barkers have to wait to see the results from his Reimagining public safety campaign?
- ESR - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:47 pm:
“Leadership in times like these means having the courage to stand on deck while the waves crash around you and you keep the ship pointing toward home.”
I hereby issue a disorderly conduct citation for delusions of grandeur. Seriously, waves crashing around you, ship pointing home? Dude has a serious god complex. He better not try to walk across Lake Michigan. He will sink. And another thing, would it kill him to expand his insult arsenal a bit? Carnival barker is getting tedious.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
I will not be issuing any Tone Violation Citations. Given the ton of many of the ILGOP candidates (I didn’t hear the Gov call anyone a tyrant or dictator) Pritzker was less than mild.
I will issue a Tone Violation for Durkiun and @George for a SWIS Violation (Snowflakey Whining with Intent to Sulk).
=If the State’s finances are so good, guess we didn’t need Pritzker’s graduated income tax amendment after all.=
Not sure what language works best for you since you clearly don’t understand English (which is funny since the right wing always wants laws establishing English as our official language) but let me know and I will use Google Translate to explain the question being asked by Rich.
- Soapbox Derby - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:49 pm:
@Banish Misfortune
The graduated income tax plan failed since most Illinoisans didn’t want to give the GA the power to “adjust” income tax rates in the future. They didn’t trust them.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:51 pm:
The Orange Coup Plotter set the bar when it comes to tone and JB isn’t even in the same league. No citation
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 2:53 pm:
=== The graduated income tax plan failed since most Illinoisans didn’t want to give the GA the power to “adjust” income tax rates in the future. They didn’t trust them.===
Narrator: the GA can raise taxes and the level of that income tax at *any* time.
Also, according to ads… it was about taxing retirement income, which wasn’t even on the ballot.
Again, the 3% thank you, lol
Back to the actual QOTD;
Has Durkin condemned any Eastern Bloc folks lately?
Here’s why it matters… can’t claim high ground blindly looking out one’s window.
- Predecessorage - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:02 pm:
Durkin should read the press releases issued yesterday by his members. Holy moly.
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:05 pm:
Spelunking for misery was great, tone was just right. The ILGOP should work more and whine less.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:08 pm:
If it’s partisan to speak the truth, then let’s award Pritzker the citation.
- Soapbox Derby - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
Oswego-
You surely know that the ability to adjust rates in the current Illinois Constitution applies equally to all income levels, and is linked to the corporate rate. at an 8 to 5 ratio.
Pritzker’s plan would’ve decoupled the corporate rate link and allowed the GA to adjust freely the income tax rate for any or all income rates separately.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:17 pm:
No way. The ILGOP opposed impeaching the democracy-hating insurrectionist president, and forever preventing him from running for that office. That sets the “tone” for future attacks on government and democracy.
The ILGOP and its voters are built on negativity and attacking opponents. They really don’t do much else. They could be out touting the infrastructure they helped enact, but they can’t help being constantly negative. If JB’s tone should change, it’s not to appease this party.
- ESR - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:19 pm:
=== The graduated income tax plan failed since most Illinoisans didn’t want to give the GA the power to “adjust” income tax rates in the future. They didn’t trust them.===
“Narrator: the GA can raise taxes and the level of that income tax at *any* time.”
But they can’t (at least directly) raise tax levels on only some people. You raise them on all or none, which makes it much more difficult, politically, to raise taxes. You also have to keep the ratio of individual to corporate at 5 to 8. The tax hike amendment would change that, allowing them to tinker with the rates on any number of groups in any way they want, in addition to defining the ind to corp ratio as applying to only the highest brackets for each such group. If they wanted to be genuine about their ultimate intentions, they would have enshrined the brackets into the amendment, ensuring no future finagling. But you knew all that already.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
=== You surely know that the ability to adjust rates in the current Illinois Constitution applies equally to all income levels, and is linked to the corporate rate. at an 8 to 5 ratio.===
Who did that benefit? The 3%
=== Pritzker’s plan would’ve decoupled the corporate rate link and allowed the GA to adjust freely the income tax rate for any or all income rates separately.===
How many times has the income tax been raised since inception?
Please stop. This has been asked and answered, being “played” by Griffin is NOT a badge of courage. Voting against yourself isn’t heroic.
Again, back to the QOTD;
===How long do the millions of carnival barkers have to wait to see the results from his Reimagining public safety campaign?===
A crime package going to be introduced this session, the GOP could very well likely vote against it.
Any other questions?
- filmmaker prof - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:21 pm:
This speech segment makes me want to vote for Pritzker twice.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:22 pm:
===How long do the millions of carnival barkers have to wait to see the results from his Reimagining public safety campaign?===
Maybe wait until the new law, you know, goes into effect?
- Gerald Mander - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:31 pm:
Partisan and poorly done
- JoanP - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:32 pm:
His tone was fine.
If Durkin sees himself and his party in anything the Governor said, that’s on him. As my high school French teacher liked to say, “Qui s’excuse, s’accuse” (He who excuses himself, accuses himself.)
- Phineas Gurley - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:37 pm:
Clearly inappropriately partisan to criticize racist Jim Crow laws and treasonous sedition. /s
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:39 pm:
“he clearly despises them” - Lucky Pierre
Are you sure who despises who…is it him…or could it really be you?
Turn off the projector?
- sal-says - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:41 pm:
Seems like poor baby Durkin had his feelings hurt.
But the actual dialog sounds like the usual Repub chatter.
Good for Prtizker, great tone,needed to be said.
- Early Illinoisan - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:47 pm:
Comptroller Mendoza did deserve more than a passing nod in the Governor’s speech. Her work to pay down the State’s bill backlog and efforts to undo 25 years of gimmicks and entanglements was long and tedious. And it was begun effectively before Pritzker even came on the scene. Hopefully history will remember who was responsible for much of the improvement in the state’s fiscal health. She deserved better yesterday from both of these gentlemen.
- Soapbox Derby - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 3:53 pm:
Oswego-
When I started working the income tax rate was 2.5 % and has been raised several times since then. Now at nearly 5 % the State still has a massive pension debt and is hardly “balanced “ as the fat guy says.
BTW, I’m no fan of Ken Griffin and you should look up the definition of income tax bracket.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:01 pm:
===several times===
It was raised 6 times since 1969, it was also lowered too.
If you were working in 1969 I bet you are close to retirement.
Taxing retirement income was never on the ballot yet was part of the narrative.
I know, Griffin didn’t fool you, lol
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:02 pm:
===as the fat guy says.===
Huh.
That derogatory tone. Very telling. Thank you for telling me who you are.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:04 pm:
My other thought on Durkin’s comments: “A hit dog will holler.”
- Captain Obvious - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:36 pm:
Overall I found the tone condescending and derisive, but that’s who and what this guy is. Only one paragraph of the remarks presented above was offensive and over the line, but it was consistent with national party and media narrative about Republicans in general and nobody but the most rabid and ignorant liberals would seriously believe such nonsense. So no ticket today, just JB being JB.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:44 pm:
===nobody but the most rabid and ignorant liberals would seriously believe such nonsense.===
It’s obvious you are clueless except for FoxNews talking points;
===And at a time when politicians in some places have dipped their toes into the waters of sedition, or pulled chairs up for the ghosts of Jim Crow, or spurned the fires of educational curiosity in favor of book banning, or are telling women you have to take your reproductive health choices back to the 1950’s… at a time when some would question the very foundations of science and medicine… at a time when some would condemn simple acts of courtesy and kindness like wearing a mask so that fewer people die…===
If you don’t see this happening in America, you need to get out more, read more, including more books, and pay attention to legislatures, courts, and governors.
It’s obvious you are not doing that.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:46 pm:
Partisan? Yes. Wrong? No.
- Levois J - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:47 pm:
Well I haven’t read the full post until reaching the deputizing part. So as part of the political police I get the feeling once I get started my citation book will be empty and it’ll be time to buy a new one.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 4:48 pm:
==nobody but the most rabid and ignorant liberals would seriously believe such nonsense. So no ticket today, just JB being JB. ==
“Overall, I found the tone condescending and derisive.”
- Perrid - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 5:06 pm:
It was partisan, but when Republicans are screaming bloody murder than Democrats are ruining everything, can you really blame him by saying that they are wrong? That they are lying to people? That the State is doing well? When a political party is so bent on painting our State as a dystopia, yeah it’s partisan to say we’re doing well. So be it.
- Joe Schmoe - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 5:13 pm:
Not only was it partisan, but JB packed the old state capitol with mostly his staffers who jumped up and gave rousing rounds of applause. Yes, I did see a few local Republican legislators in the audience, but JB would have criticized them for NOT being there since they lived in Springfield.
While those of us in the circle beat our breasts over what JB had to say, 99.995% of the state’s population were more worried about how much ice and snow we were going to get overnight. Besides, a lot of what he said were only words.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, Feb 3, 22 @ 5:27 pm:
As Truman said. “I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.”