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* From Illinois Leaks…
With all the class warfare going in with the Governor’s race and millions being spent on attacking success (as if that’s a bad thing), I thought it would be interesting to see what kind of success the current governor has had in the private sector.
Turns out- Quinn’s private sector success is… ZERO! That’s pretty scary.
* The blogger took a look at the governor’s economic disclosure reports (which can be viewed here) and found…
* Governor Quinn claimed no business ownership in any entity doing business in the State of Illinois in excess of $5,000 or dividends in excess of $1,200
* Claimed he has no business ties to professional organizations in which he was an officer, director, associate, partner or proprietor or served in any advisory capacity which derived in excess of $1,200 during the previous year […]
* Claimed he had no capital gain of $5,000 or more in the past year […]
* Claimed he has no ties to any business entity that did business in Illinois that earned income in excess of $1,200 […]
Having absolutely no private sector experience, the contrast for governor is stark. From humble beginnings, Rauner is highly successful. Gov. Quinn has no concept of wealth creation, job creation or the fundamental principles of how capitalism has made America into the greatest nation in the history of the world.
It’s definitely an interesting twist on the current debate.
…Adding… Quinn does have some private sector business. He ran a property tax law firm for several years in between government stints.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:48 am
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===From humble beginnings===
A real rags to riches story. Horatio Alger would have loved Bruce Rauner. Why don’t they tell us more about how humble his beginnings were?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:52 am
Interesting. With his salary and his expenses being covered for so many years, one would think he might have some sort of investments generating some sort of additional income.
You can understand markets without participating in them, but it does not lend the same outlook as when you have risked your own capital and perhaps your own labor.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:52 am
The Governor was a practicing attorney for years. I believe he still maintains an ownership stake in the small law firm he founded. Doesn’t that count?
Comment by Empty Chair Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:53 am
If Empty Chair is correct - could the Governor alter his frequent references TO Lincoln and begin claiming to BE another Lincoln?
Heh
Comment by Linus Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:56 am
The Governor didn’t have any significant business holdings the last 5 years, and that’s supposed to be a bad thing?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:56 am
Empty Chair let’s ask him that . He could smile and say ” well I Don’t Know About That”
Comment by Leprechaun Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:57 am
=from humble beginnings (?) Rauner is highly successful=
If the sole definition of success is “rich”, then I guess that–at least the successful part– is accurate. I guess some Mafia bosses, drug kingpins, etc. have been very successful too.
Comment by Geronimo Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:58 am
An interesting twist - and one that will resonate with the voters. Quinn is 100% nothing but a career politician.
The class warfare battle Quinn keeps pushing may come back to bite him. His campaign is getting into deeper trouble every day.
But one thing he will definitely take away from this campaign is how to sit up straight.
Comment by Jechislo Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:59 am
I think the important thing to consider here is that neither man is running for CEO or Board Chairman. They are running for public office, and Pat Quinn has experience, while Bruce Rauner has proven on several occasions that he does not grasp the basic roles and duties of the job. (public budgeting - education funding, tax structure - income generated on services, constitutional limitations - pension restructuring, etc.)I like that Pat Quinn has been in the public sector for so long because his experience qualifies him for the job he is applying for.
Comment by Illinoise Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:59 am
This would be big news if Quinn was applying to be the CEO of some company. Not sure how not having worked in the private sector makes him too out of touch to run the government ( not that he has been successful in that endeavor ) . Too bad there isn’t one person running for governor the non-political creatures (that would be the vast majority of the citizens of Illinois) could feel good about voting for this time.
Comment by Roadiepig Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:59 am
Sounds to me like someone with no conflicts of interest. And look at the other side of the coin, let’s take a look at all the experience Rauner has in the Public sector. Don’t worry, we’ll wait. It all depends on which side of the coin you want to look at.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 10:59 am
And all the while Pat Quinn brags about how his fridge is empty while his grass grows a foot tall in his yard. Sounds more like a college sophomore than an adult competent enough to run the government of a large state like Illinois.
Comment by Paul Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:01 am
Hmm.
===“I am a very different person from Mitt Romney,” Rauner said. “I drink beer. I smoke a cigar. I use a gun. I ride a Harley. My grandparents lived in a double-wide trailer….===
Parents?
===Rauner grew up in Illinois. His late father, Vincent Rauner, was an attorney who retired from Motorola in 1992 as senior vice president of patents, trademarks and licensing.===
Why not mention your Pop? Growing up in Deerfield?
=== From humble beginnings,…===
…in Deerfield Illinois, son of a Senior VP of the Motorola Company…
lol.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:03 am
Geronimo-
From the looks of the lobbying disclosure reports mentioned in a previous posts, those druglords are mostly comprised of Illinois politicians and their lawyers.
Comment by rebuttal Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:04 am
So now Quinn gets attacked for being personally clean, on a questionnaire designed to uncover corruption and conflicts of interest?
Wow. Would they like it more if he answered differently?
Comment by walker Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:04 am
A different sort of “unclear on the concept.”
Comment by walker Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:05 am
That is scary to think about, Quinn makes a really nice salary every year and has a paid for pension. What is he doing with all his cash if he doesn’t even have $5,000 in capital gains?
Comment by Frankie L Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:06 am
I know lots say that government is easy because you don’t have to raise money for a payroll. But private sector has so many fewer rules and no one expects you to keep a building open if it is not producing or would be more efficient if located elsewhere. Close a Wendy’s, sure? Close a library or a police station and let the marches begin. I’ve been on both sides. Government is very very hard.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:06 am
Red herring. This is government, not business.
Anyone who think government is like a business — or hopes to run government like a business — is crazy. Anyone who works in government will tell that the worst — absolute worst — folks to deal with on a daily basis are folks who manage government — or attempt to operate government — like a business.
The two are not alike — and it’s yet another lie Rauner continues to exploit.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:06 am
Laughable nonsense. Quinn had a private law practice from 1987 until 1991.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:08 am
If Rauner’s private sector success is being attacked as a liability, I think Quinn’s lifetime of being in public office or desperately trying to get back into public office is fair game as well.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:09 am
@Frankie L
If he owned his own business, maybe its in a SEP or 401k, perhaps other money is in IRAs or conservative CDs, money market, tax free gov bonds etc
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:09 am
The only real work PQ has done is as grocery stock boy in high school.
Comment by anon. Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:10 am
The monogrammed rags to riches story if Bruce Rauner is inspiring. Having a father who needed to Jobs to make ends meat (lawyer and senior vice-president of Motorola) taught Bruce the work ethic that has taken him so far in life.
Comment by Carhart Representative Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:11 am
The governor’s economic disclosure report reveals no conflicts of interest. So, how is that a bad thing? Just how many conflicts of interest would Mr. Rauner have to reveal?
Comment by Say It Ain't So! Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:12 am
===The only real work PQ has done is as grocery stock boy in high school.===
Hmm. High school.
We all know Pat Quinn went to Fenwick, a private/parochial Catholic high school. Quinn’s proud of it.
Where did Rauner go? Just curious…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:13 am
“Gov. Quinn has no concept of wealth creation, job creation or the fundamental principles of how capitalism has made America into the greatest nation in the history of the world.”
Neither does this blogger, who spits out the same tired IPI-style tripe.
True prosperity in capitalism only happens when income is distributed in a way that benefits the most people possible. Rauner’s policies do not support this kind of distribution. He was and probably still is against unions and a minimum wage increase.
Rauner says he wants to create jobs but hasn’t shown how even larger state budget deficits (the likely result of his budget plans) will create more jobs.
This blogger doesn’t acknowledge that Rauner and his firms made lots of public money, from the guv’mint and the hallowed taxpayers.
I won’t even begin talking about business success and the nursing homes and long-term care homes…
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:13 am
He was a tax attorney for a brief period, but the bulk of his adult life has been in politics. He has no more of a clue into the lives of real people than B. Rauner.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:13 am
That’s a form every state employee that makes over a certain amount has to fill out every year. It’s used to determine if there are any conflicts of interest. Quinn had none, which is exactly what you want to see. The spin is ridiculous.
Comment by Sangamo Sam Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:13 am
== The Governor was a practicing attorney for years. ==
He graduated Northwestern in 1980, then served on the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals beginning in 1982.
It’s been nearly all public sector employment since then during the past 30 years, so it seems unlikely there is a “gotcha” moment in there relating to his brief firtations with private law practice.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:13 am
Jim Edgar was a career public servant. Jim Thompson was a federal prosecutor before becoming governor. George Ryan ran a pharmacy. Dan Walker was a corporate executive at Montgomery Ward. The latter two ended up in jail where , if there were justice, Rauner would be for the numerous times he has violated the law
Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:14 am
Well said, Cook County Commoner.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:16 am
Quinn’s lifetime work in government is a liability for seeking re election? Is extensive experience as, say a high level manager in the private sector a liability when seeking a higher position? Experience is a negative in the private sector? Really? Only public sector jobs get such disdain and disrespect! Sick of it. Quinn, whatever you may think of him, has experience at this job and knows what public operations entail. What could Rauner know, other than how to enrich his own bank accounts? What does he know about serving the public? Does he care a thing about the public?
Comment by Geronimo Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:17 am
–From humble beginnings, –
Yeah, Rauner’s come a long way from the mean streets of Lake Forest, Scottsdale and Hanover.
Is an Illinois governor supposed to have business interests in the private sector?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:19 am
Quinn couldn’t make it in the real world so he hid in a state government job. That isn’t so unusual. Many do it. Decent pay and great perks.
Rauner really wasn’t born in a log cabin before he landed in the White House (at least that is where he is heading for, anyway). Rauner’s father was a fairly well-off Vice-President at Motorola. That doesn’t put Bruce’s old man in the same lofty financial tier as Bruce himself has managed to place himself in but, then again, it wasn’t like Bruce and his family were on food stamps or anything.
Pat Quinn (and many other starving attorneys) often seek out political positions as judges or state political representatives because this way they always know that they will have a paycheck waiting for them at the end of the week. Several friends of mine who are judges were once young attorneys who struggled (especially in this last recession) to make a living prior to being elected or appointed as judges. Several lobbyists who are friends of mine (and who happen to like Pat) said that he is a decent guy who is best described as “a survivor”. They say that Pat maybe isn’t the sharpest tack in the drawer but he is sharp enough to know that he doesn’t want to ever have to go back to trying to earn a living as a lawyer. He and Rauner aren’t even in the same league when it comes to business or knowledge of the state economy. Pat is simply a decent guy who knows that he is in over his head with his state position but he has seen many of the other elected politicians from Chicago go down to Springfield that are also in way over their abilities so he figures that he is just as qualified or maybe more so than many of them. So he stays and survives by playing the populist card. It has worked very well for him in prior years. I am not so sure that it is going to work again this time for him, though.
Comment by Coffee Cup Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:19 am
==the numerous times he has violated the law==
Which laws were those? You make such an allegation, surely you can cit specific examples…
Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:19 am
“if he doesn’t even have $5,000 in capital gains?” Bonds? Tax-deferred accounts? Precious metals? Investments that return dividends instead of capital gains? Money market accounts?
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:20 am
From his statements during the nursing home investigation, it doesn’t sound like Rauner has much business experience either being so far removed from all company operations and all.
Comment by Carhart Representative Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:22 am
“he doesn’t want to ever have to go back to trying to earn a living as a lawyer” So you’re insinuating that he wants to keep his cushy gig and avoid doing “real” work? Maybe it’s that he enjoys politics more that the day-to-day grunt of the legal profession. I used to do data entry in private industry. I sure don’t want to leave my State job and go back to that. Is that so horrible?
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:25 am
I think a bigger takeaway is that those Economic Disclosure Forms are woefully inadequate.
The Federal ones aren’t perfect, but compared to these they are sterling examples of transparency. Sheesh.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:25 am
Bruce Rauner will, like George Ryan and Dan Walker before him, take a “business-like” approach to governing.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:26 am
“$5,000 in capital gains” and I’m no financial expert, but IIRC, you don’t count capital gains until you sell the instrument.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:27 am
== I sure don’t want to leave my State job and go back to that. ==
Taking an early lunch to post here on personal time?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:27 am
Wealth creation? For himself, sure. Definitely not for anyone else. Yes let’s have wealth creation that benefits everyone, not the predatory type practiced by Bruce.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:28 am
This is exactly what I have been advocating for months while everyone dumps on me- Illinois is in a bad place financially and we need to give someone with a different perspective and skill set a chance to see what can be done to improve the economy and fiscal situation- Complain all you want about Rauner being a rich capitalist but when compared to Quinn- it is exactly those Rauner credentials Illinois needs
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:31 am
The impetuousness of those jealous of not being able to get a state job shows greatly.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:31 am
Carhart Representative FTW
Comment by Roadiepig Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:33 am
This makes me feel physically ill. So, a public servant who’s savings is in a public pension and salary savings plan that is devoid of conflicts of interest with the State is at a disadvantage. And the advantage goes to the man who has made his fortune by skimming off the top of those same pension funds by taking his cut of the profits (and even taking his cut when there are no profits) when he chooses which of his cronies to invest the public servants hard earned savings with.
Comment by Bibe Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:34 am
Skeptic @11:27 is correct. Capital gains are not typically booked or reported until the underlying instrument has been sold.
Dividends and so on are a different case, but that is the general rule for capital gains.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:34 am
Nice look Rich. If we can get passed the Rauner bashing it is the reality of the current trend in republican vs. Democrat executive debate. The Democrats are almost always guys who have lived their entire lives off the government, never accomplishing anything in the private sector.
The republicans on the other hand, tend to be wealthy private sector guys, but often have few if any Government accomplishments.
One leaves you open to accusations about ties to other corrupt government officials, the other leaves you open to being too rich and making money off of shady deals. Pro’s and con’s of both sides.
The election is simple for me. What does our state need, someone who has never done anything really well and proven in 6 years he can’t turn the state around.
Or a guy who has proven he can work finances, make tough decisions, and yes, sometimes use questionable methods.
There are times we need a steady level headed guy to just stay the course, Quinn is that guy, staying the course is not an option at this point in my opinion.
If you have kids in Jr. High, think about the fact that re-electing Quinn will guarantee they graduate high school behind the rest of the nation and with no economic recovery. Maybe Rauner can’t fix it, maybe he can. We know Quinn can’t. Facts are facts.
Vallas is the x factor for me. If Quinn looks like he may get forced to resign due to scandal, I think Vallas has the financial background, the willingness to take unions to task, and the public sector experience to do it.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:39 am
=== Governor Quinn claimed no business ownership in any entity doing business in the State of Illinois in excess of $5,000 or dividends in excess of $1,200 ===
But I thought those guys didn’t like class warfare.
Comment by olddog Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:40 am
The political line of work is full of NRJ’s - “No Real Jobbers.” Prominent examples include Barack Obama and Dick Durbin. People in the privated sector hold this in distain; those in the public sector, not so much. But, successful private sector people are viewed with suspicion by nearly everyone. It may be a primal instinct. So, there’s really nothing new here.
Comment by Keyser Soze Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:41 am
I wasnt aware that success in private industry had any correlation with success in the public sphere.
For instance, the last President who had an MBA from Yale and at least he thought he was a success in bussiness.
If you think of the Afghanistan War, the Iraq War, and Medicare Part 3 as “lines of business”…all 3 were expanded without sufficient capital to support them.
So does McDonalds expand its business without sufficient capital? Wal-Mart? The Texas Rangers?
No, private industry acumen is not correlated to success in the public sphere.
Thats not to say that there are some things that could be learned from each other.
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:41 am
Bruce has made his money off the public sector.
Where do you think the vast majority of Nursing Homes get their income from?
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:43 am
===So does McDonalds expand its business without sufficient capital? ===
Oh, please. Every day, undercapitalized business owners risk EVERYTHING to expand.
That comment really just shows how clueless you are about this topic.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:43 am
I think they raise a good point.
I’ve seen over and over elected officials who do not understand the real impact of their decisions.
Take Rauner’s new sales tax. It is one thing to say “we need a new sales tax.” To understand the impact, you need to have run a company that must hire accountants, etc. to deal with new tax. It is simple to say “add a new tax” and not think about the implications.
Oh wait, that might not be the best Rauner argument right there. Let me think up a better example of how elected officials with lack of private sector experience take action with realizing the impact.
In any case, yes I do believe it matters. Lack of business experience would be something I would consider with regard to my vote.
Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:45 am
OK - here is another way of looking at this…
Quinn is a government animal.
Rauner is a business animal.
Which one is better at what they do?
We already have Quinn as governor. How is he doing? He has been governor for 5+ years, and before that, he was Rod Blagojevich’s Lt. Governor - how did that work out? Before that, he was our Treasurer - AND…how did that work out? He worked for Chicago Mayor Washington before that - how did that work out? I think I remember Mayor Washington on tape telling us what he thought about Pat Quinn. Then before he worked for Mayor Washington, Pat Quinn was the Patronage Chief for that great governor, Dan Walker. NOW - there does appear to be some evidence that as Dan Walker’s patronage chief, Pat Quinn picked up a few helpful job tricks which he still uses, (I was going to say “employed”).
If Pat Quinn was a really great governor, then his utter lack of real world experience commonly found among Illinoisans would be SWELL. The guy is obviously a poster boy for government work.
Yet after decades at the top of our state, is this the BEST he can do? I mean, besides that whole IDOT situation, which suggests that he’s got that down pat - just how great did this NON-Business career angle work out for, you know, US?
Rauner, on the other hand, has learned a thing or two in business. That freaks out a lot of folks who see greed in every shop shingle, every cash register ka-ching, and every business person. What has Rauner’s government experience shows us?
It shows us that the guy with the money is viewed by both political parties as a Sugar Daddy. He and his millions was seen for over a decade as a Fountain of Political Mother’s Milk. After giving the houseflies who have circled him for years, feasting on his largess - old Bruce Rauner had come to the conclusion that he hadn’t met anyone as awesome as the guy he saw everyday in one of his home’s bathroom mirror.
So after watching the likes of Jim Ryan, Judy Barr Topinka and Bill Brady LOSE to the likes of Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn - well, old Bruce Rauner got a little tired of coughing up money from his personal fortune to give to the GOP version of the Donner Party’s trip to California, and decided to support for governor - Voile! Himself!
The only reason Rauner has a chance is because the guy with the job has done such a bang-up job at it, a majority of voters polled are indicating they’d prefer the guy who used to be the Fount of Eternal Political Funding, over the Fount of Eternal Political Patronage.
At least for now…
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:45 am
Maybe PQ donates to his re-election campaign, or to the campaigns of “those willing to make tough votes”.
Comment by Johnnie F. Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:49 am
I’ve monitored this post for an hour before typing anything. This post shows the hyperpartisanship that has often crept into this site and this race.
Dem friends: there are people in Illinois who think business experience is important.
GOP friends: a lifetime of no private business experience is not a disqualifier.
Good grief!
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:52 am
He probably has a 403b like other State employees.
Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:56 am
Just for clarity sake, he served as tax appeal commissioner 82 -86. 86 - 90 he was back at the firm. 90 - 94 as state treasurer and then back in at the firm until elected Lt. Guv. with the exception of temporary and failed bids for SOS and senate.
Comment by Niles Township Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:56 am
Or is that just for educators?
Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:56 am
Skeptic says: ====Sounds to me like someone with no conflicts of interest.====
Sounds to me like another piece of evidence why Quinn doesn’t have the ability to grow jobs in Illinois. Maybe he really WANTS to, but when Pat looks down at his tool belt, he’s got nothing but stale, ineffective ideas. Worse yet, he uses tools that actually repel employment.
Comment by Jerry Hubbard Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 11:59 am
PolPal56 - 403b is just for educators. It would be a 457 for other government employees.
Comment by Katiedid Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:01 pm
I’m all for success & I’m a 4-D voter.
If Rauner is a job creator, as is suggested, please tell me how many jobs he has created?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:05 pm
== 86 - 90 he was back at the firm ==
Pretty sure he got fired by Harold Washington somewhere in that time frame as well.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:05 pm
I find the whole wealth issue maddening and, to some extent from both sides. The greater hypocrisy absolutely lies with Rauner though. He has gone to incredible expense and effort to package himself as an everyman type, which he is not. He grew up in wealth, (a Motorola Senior VP does very well) went to Dartmouth (not exactly College of Lake County) and there is nothing wrong with any of that. But, you cannot be so sensitive and manipulative about wealth and then attack/criticize those making 1/175th or 1/212th of what you made last year and not be absolutely hypocritical and dishonest (don’t know what I am talking about? See his education plan and comments about administrators). Especially given the fact that Bruce is proud to claim his success in investing public employee money. I am guessing he has made more than a little money off of the public sector.
The private sector v. public sector argument is one I know well, I have been employed in both and been able to make a living as well as advance in both. Public sector governance is far more challenging than the private sector. The economics of the private sector are, in my experience, much less stable and therefore challenging because no one is there to catch you if you fall (unless you are too big to fail). The concept that public sector employees are a drain on society is a tired old tale. There are lousy employees and leadership in the public and private sector.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:08 pm
Or has Rauner’s success come at the expense of other’s well being?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:10 pm
Patriot don’t go there. I know many Republicans who have been feeding at the government trough for sometime. Conservative scions Scott Walker and Paul Ryan come to mind.
Comment by Jorge Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:11 pm
If Rauner is a job creator, as is suggested, please tell me how many jobs he has created?
Well, how many people would the Federal Mint need to employ if Bruce Rauner asked that his entire wealth was printed into one dollar bills?
OK - how about - Created by hand?
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:11 pm
Or has Rauner’s success come at the expense of other’s well being?
LOL!
Yeah - lets start believing that our economic pies doesn’t grow, so we all have to fight one another for the same piece.
Personal disclaimer: I was supposed to be the Billionaire, but Bruce Rauner denied me!
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:14 pm
Maybe he should ask Rauner to invest a few dollars for himself, then he could buy a new lawn mower.
After Nov 5th he will have plenty of time to mow the lawn and shovel some snow.
Comment by Leprechaun Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:18 pm
JS - that is a good point. No reason to run away from a successful past and a good education. Plenty of successful political types grew up in solid, higher-income homes and went to good schools.
Low - have you ever worked on a campaign or on a Congressional, Senate or Executive Officer staff?! The candidate or official gets all the glory and credit. Business types are no different.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:20 pm
Good God! Pat Quinn was a tax lawyer? Sure glad he never did my taxes.
Comment by OLK 73 Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:21 pm
–Sounds to me like another piece of evidence why Quinn doesn’t have the ability to grow jobs in Illinois–
Governors and government “grow jobs” (whatever that means).
What are you, some kind of commie?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:24 pm
I just read this in an article in the National Review by the Washington editor Eliana Johnson.
“Shortly before his death in 1987, Quinn’s old boss, former Chicago mayor Harold Washington, said his decision to appoint Quinn revenue director at city hall had been “nuts.” He went on to describe Quinn as a “totally and completely undisciplined individual who thinks this government is nothing but a large easel by which he can do his PR work.””
I, along with many others, are agreeing whole-heartedly with Harold Washington.
Mr. ‘I Can’t Sit Up Straight’ is going to be retired come November.
Comment by Jechislo Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:32 pm
== the ability to grow jobs in Illinois ==
Government and politicians may not “grow” jobs directly as investors and business people do.
But they certainly have the ability to hinder and impede that growth.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:33 pm
As for that ‘86-’90 period for the Governor, he ran unsuccessfully for State Treasurer in ‘86, so that accounts for part of ‘85 and ‘86. After his short stint with the Chicago Dept. of Revenue when Harold Washington canned him, that take us through ‘86 to maybe part of ‘87, I forget. By late 1989 he was running again. In between he was practicing property tax appeals, trading off his old board of tax appeals post.
To sum up, yes private sector success is important for a governor, in my opinion, because you have a large effect on the Illinois economy, job creation, etc. I don’t think it is absolutely required, but helpful. I think a general lack of private sector success can be indicative of a lack of public sector success. Public sector experience and success is also important, to know the lay of the land and how to get things done within the bureaucracy and how to deal with other strong-minded elected officials. I am critical of the Governor for his career of feeding off the public trough without (in my opinion) much to show for it, but am likewise critical of Mr. Rauner for thinking being a rich guy entitles him to start at the top in Illinois government.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:39 pm
As oppose to Bruce, who has no public sector, Govt experience… except at being the ultimate insider, clouting big time fees from pension funds.
I’ll take someone who has created jobs - Donald Trump even! , his business experience over a guy that got wealthy by his multiple insider deals and job losses.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 12:58 pm
– Donald Trump even! , his business experience over a guy that got wealthy by his multiple insider deals and job losses.–
Meh, Trump had the good fortune to be born to a father who wisely bought up every inch of undervalued Manhattan real estate he could in down times. Trump’s going bankrupt in AC - again.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:02 pm
Almost VM. I have no issue with his becoming wealthier than the almighty himself. However, he is claiming his great private sector experience and wealth will make him a great governor.
Except that doesn’t quite hold up when you look at his actual record. Either his ” wealth creation” will help him in Govt or he will follow what we have seen and target the most vulnerable.
If it’s the latter, hey, I’d rather he not become Governor and he’ll be free to continue making money on bad nursing homes.
and insider deals!
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:07 pm
I don’t think it’s good that our Governor doesn’t understand the private sector, specifically business. I think people have spent their entire career in government can have an understanding of how the private sector and businesses work, but Quinn does not. It doesn’t necessarily matter that most of his career is in government or not, he just doesn’t understand how the private sector works and why and how jobs are created.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:14 pm
–how the private sector works and why and how jobs are created.–
People spend money to buy goods and services. That’s a bridge too far for anyone?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:17 pm
The next time I fill out that form (which I do every year)I will do it realizing what a loser I am for I, too, have no significant income outside what I am paid for my government job. Too bad there isn’t some form Private Citizen Rauner could provide to tell us the details of his income earning activities.
Comment by girllawyer Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:18 pm
Ahoy - the same case can be made for Mr. Rauner’s “understanding” of the state budget, funding…overall lack of knowledge of the difficulties inherent in government. At any level. Even worse, he nonchalantly states he’ll shut down state govt, increase education funding with zero credible specifics, etc.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:22 pm
Girl lawyer - LOL - love it!
Maybe Bruce will outsource CMS and Dept of Transportation to India or someplace? That’s why specifics haven’t been forthcoming?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:27 pm
“humble beginnings”?
As the son of a Motorola executive living on the north shore? Really? with a straight face?
That’s like W being an up by the bootstraps kinda guy or Hillary and Bill struggling leaving the Whitehouse. If Rauner actually BELIEVES that crap (which I do not think he does) then he is delusional and Illinois Leaks, is definitely a comic!
Comment by in the know Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 1:51 pm
– the same case can be made for Mr. Rauner’s “understanding” of the state budget, funding…overall lack of knowledge of the difficulties inherent in government–
I’m sure Rauner does understand it, or can if he wants to. It’s not really a heavy lift.
But reality does not jibe with what he’s selling, which is easy, painless solutions to messy, difficult problems.
He can’t possibly believe in his tax and spending “plans.” Ten seconds ciphering on the back of an envelope and a sixth grader could tell you that they’re crazy.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Wordslinger - We must both be a couple of old guys. You talking about a kid “ciphering on the back of an envelope” and me understanding what you meant. It would really be 10 seconds on the calculator on the iphone. As far as the Illinois Leaks article itself, do they really want a gov. who is doing business with the state. They don’t see any conflict of interest in that?
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 2:52 pm
== Turns out- Quinn’s private sector success is… ZERO! That’s pretty scary. ==
Scary? Scary to whom?
Quinn sounds like an average schlub; like about 90% or more of Americans and Illinoisans.
Do I relate to his lack of investments? Lack of wealth? Lack of a full retirement plan where he has millions stocked away? You bet I do.
Just like most of the other working schlubs in IL.
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 7:20 pm
A couple thoughts-
1) the Illinois disclosure form is really inadequate compared to the Federal equivalent or even other States.
2) I’m a well-known critic of PQ, but iirc, didn’t he just recently get his sons through college? If so, no wonder he, like a number of us around here, doesn’t have Rauneresque assets to report.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 10, 14 @ 8:29 pm