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Pot, meet kettle

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* Pat Quinn has been the king of distractions. The governor is infamous for bouncing around all over the place during negotiations. So this is more than a little ironic…

Rebuffing talk of new legislation that would expand gambling in Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn urged the legislature Monday to pass bills to restructure the state’s Medicaid and pension programs, two of the largest drains on Illinois’ budget.

“I’m not going to get distracted by that subject. Sometimes, down here, shiny objects can distract people,” Quinn said. “We don’t want any of that this week.”

Look, I understand why he wants to get Medicaid and pensions done first. And it’s laudable that he now wants everyone to stay focused on those goals. It’s just kinda funny to hear him talk about bright, shiny objects when he’s constantly chased squirrels all his life.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:19 am

Comments

To me, Medicaid and gambling expansion are linked.

Expand gambling to help balance the budget = Fewer Medicaid cuts that are needed.

Comment by Robert Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:25 am
If the expansion of gambling can help the state budget then it should be on the table at the same time as pensions and medicaid.

Quinn’s problem with gambling is that he doesn’t understand that its something that a lot of people do for fun and that he doesn’t understand doing things for fun. He is personally one of the most boring people in the world.

When Quinn goes on an overseas trip the reason that he usually only has one staff person with him is because people find excuses not to travel with him. He is the unlife of any party.

Comment by Cassiopeia Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:35 am
So now we know he’s a loyal reader, at least since he became lt. gov!

Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:36 am
Walk. Chew gum. Oh, he is an Illinois governor.

Comment by wishbone Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:36 am
Multitasking to Quinn is say the word “task” twice in a row.

Comment by OurMagician Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:37 am
I get the irony too, but I will take this over continued squirrel chasing.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:39 am
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

Comment by WazUp Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:51 am
Quinn gets points from me for not getting rolled by the gambling pushers.

He’s in the midst of having to do some nasty cutting, real governing, in which regular folks are going to get stung.

Yet some “leaders” want to link this tough, sad business into expanding gambling to make a few rich hustlers even richer.

Where, do we live, Pottersville? I prefer Bedford Falls.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:57 am
When are they going to look at the other sacred cows - the BILLIONS of dollars spent on grants that the state can no longer afford - to just give away often to questionable causes?
http://granttracker.ildceo.net/

Comment by SacredCow? Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:59 am
==When Quinn goes on an overseas trip the reason that he usually only has one staff person with him is because people find excuses not to travel with him. He is the unlife of any party.==

Quinn is Buzz Killington?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68VXKMZT1Q&feature=related

Comment by phocion Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 9:59 am
==When Quinn goes on an overseas trip the reason that he usually only has one staff person with him is because people find excuses not to travel with him. He is the unlife of any party.==

Gee, that’s sad. Because the first duty of any governor is to be the guy you want to party with on a road trip.

I think it’s in the Constitution.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 10:02 am
Good catch Capt Fax.
PQ is right because even if he does desert the Pritzkers and goes for gaming expansion the foot draggers at the gaming board will prevent the state from collecting any cash in the near term.

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 10:10 am
==Sometimes, down here, shiny objects can distract people.==

And I thought it was a kitty!

I understand where Quinn is coming from, to a point. But, fixing the budget is a big picture thing, and one person’s “shiny object” is another person’s important revenue source. If anything, gambling seems to be the shiny object that distracts the governor. First, it was video poker machines, then additional casinos, then slots at tracks. All of these options are legitimate revenue sources in a state that crossed the gambling Rubicon many years ago. It is silly not to let the industry move forward while helping the state with some needed revenue.

Governor, don’t let the shiny object of your righteous objection to gambling distract you from taking the steps needed to get the state’s fiscal train on track and headed in the right direction.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 10:31 am
Typical split-personality behavior Quinn seems to delight in.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 10:36 am
I am a conservative. I believe that we need to cut spending and pay down our debts. Right now the biggest debt to the State of Illinois is the employee pension system. So let’s cut spending and pay it off! If the politicians want to cut pensions then the place to start is with their own. They are not under contract like the average state worker and they get 85% of their wages after only 20 years. The average state employee only gets 33.4% after 20 years and can’t get more than 80% no matter how long they work. If you can add to the revenue by expanding gambling then do that too. No one who loses money gambling is having their arms twisted.

Comment by Ronbo Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 10:37 am
–Right now the biggest debt to the State of Illinois is the employee pension system. So let’s cut spending and pay it off!–

What do you mean by that? Cut all spending now to 100% fund future liabilities?

I’m guessing you have a pension coming.

Yeah, you’re a conservative.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:26 am
Gee an idea that boosts the state revenue by only taking money from those that choose to participate, it’s a good idea Pat. I know the Gov can say he is against it then sign the bill

Comment by Fed up Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 12:41 pm
Short sighted ideas are often mistaken for the solution to a self-induced problem. That is what we have with our state debt crisis and expecting something that has NEVER fixed any financial problem to know come to the rescue. I think insanity is typically the word used when one expects new results from doing the same wrong things over and over and over again. Lottery didn’t fix school funding and gambling won’t fix that state’s financial problems.

Comment by Fed up Too Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 1:21 pm
Cuts+Added revenue (gambling) = Balanced budget

Governor, please do not get distracted from this formula!

Comment by average citizen Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 1:53 pm
I’m with sacred cow…. get rid of commerce and economic opportunity. The Chicago businessmen want their tax breaks, sports stadiums, high speed rail and don’t want to pay for it.

Comment by Liberty_First Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 3:07 pm
I realized late yesterday that there really isn’t enough praise for the job Gary Hannig is doing.

Quinn’s fate rests largely on the shoulders of Mike Madigan’s former Budgeteer.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 4:18 pm