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Things are tense all over

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* Yesterday’s Speaker Madigan press release, with emphasis added…

“As I have stated since January, the number one issue facing the state is the budget deficit. The governor, however, has refused to focus on solving our budget deficit, instead focusing on other issues. That decision has led to dangerous consequences by forcing the defunding of breast and cervical cancer screenings, child care assistance for struggling families, meals for homebound elderly residents and services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

“I’ve stated all year that I will work with the governor cooperatively and professionally, but we will not devastate Illinois’ middle class and struggling families by furthering an agenda aimed at driving down their wages and their standard of living.

“I have repeatedly urged the governor to focus on the budget deficit through a balanced approach of reductions in state spending and new revenue. The budget passed by the House included reductions in state spending, and we passed a bill that included $400 million in savings through the Medicaid program. However, a wide range of human service providers, education advocates, and even business groups like the Civic Federation have stated that Illinois cannot cut its way to prosperity.

“The governor can end the damage he has done to women who rely on life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings, children with autism and other developmental disabilities, elderly residents, struggling families and other vulnerable populations in need of crucial state support by turning his focus away from issues that would result in lower wages and a lower standard of living for middle-class families and instead work with the Legislature to pass and implement a state budget with a balanced approach that protects the middle class.”

* Also from yesterday, with emphasis added…

A top Illinois Republican on Wednesday accused Democrats who control the state’s two legislative chambers of using the state’s most vulnerable citizens as “human shields” and “props” to mask the politicians’ financial failures.

“They are using these poor souls as human shields, to deflect the blame from their historical gross mismanagement of state finances,” Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin told POLITICO. “These hearings are nothing more than putting them up, bringing one group up after another that rely on state funding, to say what happens to them when they don’t have a state budget.” […]

The Republican governor earlier Wednesday gave a speech in suburban Chicago calling on Democrats to end the budget stalemate by using their supermajorities. Afterward, Rauner quickly exited without facing the media and Durkin instead addressed reporters’ questions.

“Sounds like Durkin was a human shield when Rauner went running out the door like a scared second grader,” Steve Brown, spokesman to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, told POLITICO.

I understand that things are tense and that the stakes are truly high, but, sheesh, man.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:07 am

Comments

https://www.facebook.com/100008886164781/videos/1462361584070033/?pnref=story

Comment by nobody Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:13 am
If the Speaker were to throw labor/the middle class under the bus to get a budget/tax increased this year what would the Governor demand next year to get a budget passed? I don’t know where this is going to end up but I don’t reckon it’s gonna be a good place..

Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:20 am
There is such a lack of plain trust by all sides, it’s difficult for all sides not to fall into such hyperbole that turns into a hardened perception of your “adversary”.

You want to know where Goldberg is “hurting”, it’s here. Hard feelings begin with showing a lack of respect for your adversary.

It doesn’t help spending 7-figures on TV ads, during session, after a campaign is over, singling out someone you need to work with to get something, anything, done.

It never helped saying your co-equal partner is corrupt, and 1/3 of your actual teammates as corrupt too.

It’s only been 9 months, it feels like 9 years.

You go in claiming shaking and brining back and taking on, and publicly going out of your way to be adversarial, even super-secret negotiations will have an undercurrent until trust is given by both parties when it matters most.

Thompson, Edgar, Ryan… They all got “things”, working together with Madigan, based on a trust.

Trust is never overrated in governing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:21 am
And why didn’t the Governor take questions? I would be curious to see his date book to see what he had to run off to do. It obviously wasn’t to a meeting with the GA leaders.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:23 am
I read this morning in an editorial that businesses prefer stability and predictability. They’d rather know what taxes are, long-term. This is a problem that I believe needs to be solved very quickly.

As far as who contributed to what, politicians can be accused of irresponsible spending, but they must also be blamed for having too low of a state income tax rate for decades. I did a quick check and saw recently that some or most of our neighbor states historically had higher income tax rates than us (take Wisconsin and Iowa, for instance).

Who is responsible for that? Many of us, including Democratic voters.

I read recently also that Albion, IL is expecting some important job growth due to MMJ. I’m tired of the opinion that only the right wing approach will bring economic growth. There are different ways to skin the economic growth cat. Legalizing adult-use marijuana and expanding MMH are also ways to increase economic growth.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:23 am
Empty words on both sides, and Brown following a script that could have been written by Goldberg. Are there any adults in the room?

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:23 am
No compromise, someone is going to win, someone is going to lose.

Comment by Rufus Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:24 am
I guess there is no love for Steve Brown.

No, it isn’t helping when Brown says those things, but Goldberg and the snark tank came out pretty hard, early and often. None of it helps and it isn’t governing. Maybe everyone feels better after getting a couple of shots in and can get down to real business now, but I am not hopeful.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:26 am
Rauner is losing.
You can’t be governor, then refuse to govern until everyone agrees with you.

This is not a job for someone who thinks he owns us. This is not a job for someone who disrespects everyone he needs to work with, by spouting out useless campaign-style partisan rhetoric in public. This is not a job for a greedy control freak. This is not a job for a dictatorial Scrooge.

Rauner is in the minority party. He has to compromise. As governor, he has to present a balanced budget. He needs to respect opposing opinion. He needs to respect the decision of the voters.

His RTW fiasco should have signaled that he doesn’t have the political support to gut wages. In even the staunchest GOP parts of Illinois, RTW was not supported. We even repeatedly saw that when a local council passed it - there was a voter reprimand which forced it to be reconsidered, debated and then overturned.

Rauner’s policies are unpopular. This is why he is forcing them through blackmail and hostage taking. You do not hear Rauner telling Illinoisans how awesome it will be when they take home less money for their families because it will signal to corporations that Illinois has pimped them out to bring in jobs.

Rauner is losing because he is just flatly - not doing his job.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:26 am
Does it occur to anyone we should take the Governor at his word? He ran on shutting down the government and he won. Shouldn’t the expectation be the government will be shut down? He has a vision. He wants to see it through.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:26 am
2015 is not 1999, 1991 or 1981. Why would any savvy person put trust in the dem leaders?

Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:28 am
===Why would any savvy person put trust in the dem leaders?===

This has to be one of the saddest comments I’ve read in a while.

Life itself is based on trust. You only say what you said when you believe that any party in governing isn’t YOUR party, and you require only your beliefs to be implemented.

I trust people every day. I also trust that when it does come to the game ending, that all parties will know they have a partner and pass what needs to be passed.

I’d call this trolling but it gives a bad face to trolling…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:32 am
I don’t know, I might have added “like a second grade bully whose secretly afraid someone might stand up to him.”

I think we should avoid a “false balance” here. Rauner’s team engage here in the “big lie” tactic of blaming the Dems for what they themselves are doing. And the press seems to be letting that stick. So even though it may contribute to the perception that we have a childish slugfest here ala Nobody’s post above, in fact the Dems have been measured and mature here Brown’s comment above notwithstanding.

Unless you are willing to name a single credible economist who says that Rauner’s agenda would “turn around” the Illinois economy, Steve Brown’s comment above gets pretty close to the truth here. We are dealing with a cowardly bully. Am I wrong? Was the Great Recession caused by excessive wages in government? Seriously? No, it was caused by Rauner and his friends gaming the system. And now they blame workers who have not seen real wage growth in a generation.

Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
The cracks are getting bigger.

Comment by Thunder Fred Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:35 am
Forcing a crisis by using hostages ain’t working. Rauner can run, but he can’t hide.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
So, what’s to come in future years? Obviously, Rauner is pushing so hard this year because he knows that once the income tax rate goes back up to where it should be, he’ll have less (if any) leverage. Is this the worst that it’ll get?

Comment by CharlieKratos Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:37 am
Maurice - while I get the angst, that is a drive-by comment at best. Rauner isn’t exactly a shrinking violet, and I think that both Rauner and MJM will try to wait each other out (both in the legislative and political realms). Just a hunch, but I’m pretty sure that Governor Rauner will put up one hell of a fight in 2018 regardless of where his poll numbers sit.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:37 am
What is this illusive “middle class” Madigan always talks about? I really am sincerely curious. I always thought of myself as growing up in a pretty typical middle class environment but I never once qualified for any state assistence and my parents are not union members. Either I’m wrong or the dems are wrong. Please define the middle class for me.

Comment by Jangus Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:38 am
“Thompson, Edgar, Ryan… They all got “things”, working together with Madigan, based on a trust.”

So Willy - what “things” exactly did they get done in those years, other than digging a huge hole that we now are having trouble digging out of, and passing it off to the public as, hey, no problem, we have it covered? Is it not reasonable to take the point of view that what politicians got “done” by working together as they have in the past several decades is to get “things” for themselves to get reelected versus doing what is financially best for the future of their state? Like, I don’t know, being willing to tell the public that if they want the services they seem to want, and that these politicians keep promising, taxes have to be raised, instead of hiding the ball and kicking the can down the road. I have said it before, for I and many, many other people I know, we want SOMETHING to change about how these “things” work in IL politics, NOT to have things work as they did with Madigan, Thompson, Edgar, Ryan and Blago.

Comment by Kodachrome Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:39 am
Well said Willy!

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
Why would anyone trust the democratic leaders of the general assembly? So true, they resist all attempts at reforming anything in Illinois and defend the status quo at all costs. Senator Cullerton refused to acknowledge on Chicago Tonight that our state faces any problems with our businesses being competitive. He said the Republicans say they are all moving to Florida ????

He refuses to acknowledge the businesses moving across state lines because of workers comp.

Just because Chicago is attracting corporate headquarters does not mean everything is going great in the rest of the State.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
Call it what you wish OW, people EARN trust, it is not automatically granted. Given the dismal performance and leadership and the current state of financial affairs, why should anyone trust your party when negotiating?

Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
Tne running from questions is unacceptable. Answering for your actions - or inactions — is part of tne gig. Running is a Blago play.

We’re months into this fiasco and the governor has yet to lay out, beyond buzz words, the ROI for his agenda that’s worth a massive FY16 deficit and the willful sabotage of core responsibilities.

I came up with Big Jim and he never ducked a question or got rattled. He’d stand and answer questions from anyone, not just reporters.

Never held a grudge for tough questions or coverage, either, that I’m aware of.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:41 am
Willy - you’re right to question the “why would you trust?!” part, but something Anon 9:28 said resonated with me.

The linear timeline is crucial. Ronald Reagan worked with Tip O’Neill. Bill Clinton worked with Newt Gingrich (albeit begrudgingly) and Trent Lott (at least before the impeachment).

But look at the last decade. George W. Bush and his Dem counterparts, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, had a toxic relationship. Any time John Boehner has tried to work with Barack Obama, people froth at the mouth and bring out their pitchforks. It’s likely not going to get better if/when Kevin McCarthy becomes Speaker.

I get Anon 9:28’s point. We’re in a different time and both sides are constantly at each other’s throats. It’s toxic.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:42 am
“Predictability … stability … trust”

This is what happens when those things go missing:

==Either I’m wrong or the dems are wrong.==

We are in some real fight or flight times in this state right now.

Comment by Anderson Villy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:45 am
anon: You do realize that OW is a Republican, don’t you?

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:46 am
== Trust is never overrated in governing.==
Rauner is not currently governing IL, & he has no plans to do so. Rauner thinks of himself as the CEO of IL, and CEOs dictate. The new Republican (Reform) party does not believe in negotiating or compromising, and that is why we are in the mess we are in.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:51 am
Nobody’s video is a clear demonstration of why a cooling off period is needed on this board. It would be a frightful thing to see a video of folks on this board trying to thrash each other. /s

Comment by Niblets Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:51 am
- Skeptic -,

I usually try to see if - anon - can try to articulate anything, the usual retort is ignoring I’m a Republican so then I know, trolls are gonna troll.

Thanks for trying.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:52 am
Governor Bruce Esmiraldo Rauner wants to decimate the middle class.

Honrable Speaker Michael Madigan is protecting the Middle Class.

Who wins?

Comment by Jack Stephens Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:52 am
Anon, since OW has stated many, many times that he is Republican, you may actually have a valid point as to why anyone would trust OW’s party. Certainly I lost trust in the ILGOP many years ago.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:53 am
Koda - interesting point. “Compromise for the sake of compromise” doesn’t necessarily mean that good legislation is passed and doesn’t guarantee sound public policy.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:53 am
==Rauner is losing. You can’t be governor, then refuse to govern until everyone agrees with you.==

VM: Madigan is losing, Rauner is losing and IL taxpayers are losing.

Comment by Soccertease Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 9:55 am
===So Willy - what “things” exactly did they get done in those years, other than digging a huge hole that we now are having trouble digging out of, and passing it off to the public as, hey, no problem, we have it covered?===

So when was Illinois prosperous according to you, Frank O. Lowden, 1917-1921?

Nothing good happened during the 26 years of Thompson, Edgar, Ryan?

Hmm. How did you get through?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:00 am
Of course Governor Rauner couldn’t stick around to answer questions. According the alternate reality machine known as the Chicago Tribune editorial board he’s too busy governing:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-rauner-madigan-cullerton-edit-1004-20151002-story.html

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:07 am
==why should anyone trust your party when negotiating?==

Ok. That’s nice. Now what? They all continue to pout and hold their breath until they get their way? We see how well that’s worked out.

You can continue to come on here and do your little drive by comments. That’s fine if it makes you feel better. Problem is your comments continue to leave out one little fact. There’s a guy named Bruce Rauner and he’s the Governor. He’s got skin in the game now too.

Go ahead. Continue to whine and stomp your feet and tell us all how bad the Democrats are. That’ll solve a lot of problems. It’s worked well so far.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:08 am
===but I never once qualified for any state assistence and my parents are not union members. ===
Jangus, you may have never needed it but if you or your parents ever needed to file a work comp claim you would appreciate what Madigan is saying. Even if you work in an office you can get hurt. Our receptionist fell off a broken chair and was out 6 months.

Comment by Been There Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:13 am
So now we call the snarky public statements “Goldberg-Brownisms?” Or “Brown-Goldbergisms?”

And all this time there were a bunch of commentators here who ignored the Democrat snarkiness over the budget and ending the status quo in Illinois and only blamed Goldberg’s tactics and language.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:13 am
I’m not ignoring all these “calls” placed upon me.

If your premise to respond to me is “Why would anyone trust… “, so you know, I’m reading it.

No reason to respond to comments that start their responses as “I don’t trust”. You are missing the whole point of working in divided government to get things done.

They are all going to have to trust one another at some point. That’s the governing. If your comment refuses to see that aspect of the trust, I can’t help you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:17 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

You still want the Democrats to pass a budget to dictate to Rauner his agency’s worth and monetary priorities because Gov. Rauner can’t? Asking for a friend.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:18 am
So it’s ok for Rauner to drop bombs on Madigan and Cullerton but it’s not OK to portray Rauner as chicken little?
Even though a governor should be addressed as Honorable,
This governor has yet to earn any right to be addressed as honorable.
He bought an election. Now his actions are hurting the most vulnerable among us.
The truth hurts.
Atta boy, Brownie.

Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:21 am
Trust and good faith only apply when a negotiation takes place. There are NO negotiations taking place! This is two sides, dug in, waiting for the other to blink. I don’t believe either side will blink, so wait for the next phase of warfare to emerge. Not sure what that will be, but the current scenario will not change without some other variable coming into play.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:21 am
Louis:

You’re slipping into victimhood.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:22 am
The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way you can make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him.

Comment by Henry Stimson Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:31 am
Most of you probably haven’t heard of the band Ghost - and probably wouldn’t like their music if you did - but the chorus to their song “Deus in Absentia” is pretty chilling given this post:

The world is on fire
And you are here to stay and burn with me
A funeral pyre
And we are here to revel forever more

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:34 am
Rep durkin, if passage of the agenda is worth the pain of operating w no budget, and its passage will bring growth and prosperity, do two things:

1. Make the public case for it. Roll out experts, supporting studies, with examples from other states, so we know what we are doing and why.

2. Introduce actual bills, not bullet points, or summaries. Your bills. Have every repub co-sponsor them. Provide a list of witnesses and supporters. Negotiate. Half a sandwich is better than none. Take a run at it, then pass a flippin budget.

winner take all wont work

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:37 am
- Team Sleep -,

I wasn’t lumping you in with the others,

To your Comment,

Good point, I understand it, but while the degree of O’Neill and Reagan understood trust, and Rauner and Madigan are “far” from trust, publicly, the reality has to be seen by both that we may not agree, I trust you that on what we can pass is done with cooperation.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:37 am
Time for the House and Senate GOP to turn in their free pass and offer something up.

Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:48 am
“Sounds like Durkin was a human shield when Rauner went running out the door like a scared second grader”

I think someone owes a bunch of second graders an apology. What they ever did to be compared to the feckless gov, I’ll never know.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:53 am
===”You still want the Democrats to pass a budget to dictate to Rauner his agency’s worth and monetary priorities because Gov. Rauner can’t? Asking for a friend.”===

Can you translate this for me please?

Let’s follow the procedural hot potato here: Governor proposes a budget, the legislature rejects it and proposes their own version of it, and Governor vetoes that version of the budget and sends the veto back to the legislature (with the exception of certain education matters). Since then? Whose move is it at this moment?

You will notice that I am only sticking to procedure in government, and not the substance of any budget proposals at this time.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 10:56 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

Soooooo…

You can’t answer my question, or won’t answer my question?

The budget is reflective of how agencies are seen, ranked and then measured with monetary values given.

If it’s back in the GA’s hands, Gov. Rauner thibjs that the GA should dictate to the Governor the Governor’s priorities and and Agenda, or Rauner, personally, can’t get a budget passed that is indicative of what Rauner wants his Administration is and defined by the measuring stick, a budget?

- Louis G Atsaves -, if Bruce Rauner is up to being governir and needs the Democrats to take over the Executive too, just say so, it’s not too hard. Of course, Bruce Rauner never failed before, so this is a “first” for him…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 11:05 am
“…if Bruce Rauner isn’t up to being governir and needs the Democrats to take over the Executive too, just say so, it’s not too hard. Of course, Bruce Rauner never failed before, so this is a “first” for him…”

Apologies

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 11:07 am
OW - the point is, be honest with the public about finances, and when a problem is identified, move on it and nip it in the bud. Instead, IL politicos for the last two decades have deceived the public about our financial circumstances, in the name of three things: 1) getting reelected, 2) not wanting to be “blamed” for raising taxes, even if needed, and 3) making budgetary plans based on projections of the “best case scenario”. We got through by pretending we were more prosperous than we were as a state. Many like me do not want the status quo anymore, period.

To your point, whatever “good” was going on doesn’t appear to have been all that good in reality, does it? We have a huge monetary hole because the IL way is to kick the can, and make things “look” good. I want leaders who plan for the worst case scenario - it tends to require a lot less borrowing and interest payments.

Comment by Kodachrome Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 11:18 am
- Kodachrome -

I read your comment.

===To your point, whatever “good” was going on doesn’t appear to have been all that good in reality, does it?===

… like I said, I read your comment.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 11:26 am
Ironic.

If Rauner is a ==second grader== but still adult enough not to be calling names and insulting in public, this makes Madigan and Brown ==first graders==? ==Pre-K==?

At least Brownie is after his comments.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 11:27 am
==We’re in a different time and both sides are constantly at each other’s throats. It’s toxic.==

Expect more retirements from the GA to be coming.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 11:34 am
YDD, you have not been as frequent a contributor as in the past. Perhaps your shell-shocked by the disaster on the 2nd floor of the Capitol. Hope all is well.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:02 pm
“We got through by pretending we were more prosperous than we were as a state.”

And one of the most common ways “we” as a state government — over several decades and under administrations of BOTH parties — did that was by shorting or skipping pension system contributions, applying the money that “should have” gone toward pensions to other purposes, and relying on pension fund investment returns to make up the difference. It worked, for a while, when the stock market was bullish and the economy was doing great, but after 2008 the jig was up.

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:19 pm
- Secret Square -,

The McKinney article in Crain’s, that’s the primer that’s been needed for quite some time. Blame for all the ills of the pension crisis, and really spreading the blame, with the players who were involved commenting.

It was a “We” thing for sure.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:25 pm
===”You can’t answer my question, or won’t answer my question?”===

I don’t understand your question. I thought I was being clear about that.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:26 pm
OW, clearly posting here is your hobby. Just curious how many posts you average per day. No snark, really wondering. Thanks!

Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:29 pm
===You… still want… the Democrats… to pass… a budget… to dictate… to Rauner… his agencies’ worth…and monetary priorities… because… Gov. Rauner…can’t?”===

That’s me going slow for you.

If Rauner doesn’t feels the need to tell the Democrats to pass a budget, that’s what a budget does.

You do know that, right? lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Jangus,

You never drove on a road? Never went to a school? Never sold something to someone who drove on a road or went to a school? Never call the police? Never relied on the police to keep order? Never benefited from companies that rely on roads, bridges,and airports? Never benefited from the active or even passive protection of your rights by the courts? And even if you were not in a Union, you never benefited from increased economic activity due to a high wage economy generally?

Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:31 pm
“If Rauner feels the need to tell the Democrats to pass a budget, that’s what a budget does.”

LOL, that’s what I get for trying so hard to go slow for you - Louis G Atsaves -. My bad

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:34 pm
To secret square’s point, that’s why the proper way to govern is to plan for the worst, not the best. I fully agree both parties are to blame. You would never know that reading the comments on this site these days. Plus, of the current players in this current impasse, there is one main character that has been there throughout, as noted by McKinney. Since the Gov got elected, there are 50 Rauner attacks here to every one DemGA attack, maybe even 100-1. It’s a microcosm of politics in the country and in this state - bias towards one party, as opposed to the issues themselves. You can trot out the constitution in terms of budget responsibility, and it will never change the reality that the Exec and the GA are ultimately both responsible for it. I mean, if its a “we” thing, why aren’t “we” blaming all of them in CF comments instead of just one person?

Comment by Kodachrome Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:59 pm
History Prof—–Not sure what point you are making but we pay for those services with fuel taxes, sales taxes, real estate taxes, use taxes, and so on.

We pay for the bus system and I haven’t used it in decades. Should I get a refund and someone who rides it every day pay more?

Where I live, 62-63% of my real estate bill goes to the school system. Yeah, I went to school, decades ago. So I am subsidizing someones kids and grand kids.

Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:01 pm
== Rauner is losing. ==

Yes, he is. You don’t run and hide from reporters when you are winning. And you don’t run and hide when you are trying to sell something.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:04 pm
===there is one main character that has been there throughout, as noted by McKinney.===

“Fire Madigan!”

===Since the Gov got elected, there are 50 Rauner attacks here to every one DemGA attack, maybe even 100-1. It’s a microcosm of politics in the country and in this state - bias towards one party, as opposed to the issues themselves. ===

Rauner is a victim of Capitol Fax? Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:18 pm
– I fully agree both parties are to blame. You would never know that by reading the comments on the site these days.–

I find that fascinating.

Every day, in my reading and recollection, many commenters put the blame on both parties. The other two general categories are Blame Rauner, Blame Madigan.

Yet, every day, at least one commenter, usually more, writes some variation of the “you wouldnt know that by reading this site….” comment above.

How is that possible? The comments are in writing and remain on the blog for all to see, but invariably someone claims a particular category of comments does not exist.

What is the point that is trying to be made from this inexplicable willful blindess, anyway? That your viewpoint is unique? Is it a victim thing?

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:21 pm
@- Kodachrome - Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 12:59 pm:

“Since the Gov got elected, there are 50 Rauner attacks here to every one DemGA attack, maybe even 100-1.”

And if the shoe fits….

Quinn, Blago, they all were savaged on the blog for boneheaded moves. Rauner is proving just as good a target, if not better than they were.

He’s earning each one Kodachrome. Taking kids out of daycare, because ‘we are out of money’ while shoveling an extra few million to FREE motorcycle training classes? Yeah…that’s a real profile in courage for Rauner.

Wait till the old folks start freezing (literally) because he hacked away LIHEAP. Then you’ll really be seeing some attacks.

All earned I might add.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:23 pm
- How Ironic -

Good point. Governors own. Edgar got hammered here, so did Geo. Ryan. Blagojevich? Yeah, he got a good drubbing. Quinn? Oh boy, Quinn got it good…

When they deserved it, they got it real good then too.

It’s part and parcel of the Big Chair; the heat. Sometimes the heat is more intense given the choices those Governors made.

It’s truly fascinating, the premise Rauner is a victim, Quinn owned everything, “Fire Madigan” should be embraced, and… Comments should be more even, no matter the topic. Wow.

Question;

If both parties are to blame, why the vitriol that “Fire Madigan” is the “must”?

I mean, both sides are to blame… Right? Exactly right.

Then again, Rauner feels 1/3 of the GOP GA is corrupt, so there’s that I guess.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:29 pm
The state is an economic basket case, job losses three months in a row. And before that, among the slowest in the nation. Population loss for the first time in years. And people think the status quo is just fine.

Comment by Tone Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:37 pm
I thought Rauner was the great job creator!

Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 1:56 pm
Tone: Who here is arguing for the status quo?

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Tone, crushing unions worked wonders for the Wisconsin economy. Everyone hates each other there. Every public employee got what was a 12%-15% paycut. So people cut back, and sold the boat in Rhinelander or whatever. Instead of exploring in growth, the economy contracted which lead to more big cuts.

You may not directly benefit from unions, but imperfect as they are, they keep floor under wages. Be glad you don’t qualify for benefits, it’s no picnic even when the state isn’t melting down.

Chicago is still a major transit hub. Go ride the METRA get off at Bensonville and watch the planes take off every 60 seconds. Go ride the South Shore Electric to Hammond and watch the huge freight trains go by two at a time. These trains aren’t going to Gary.

Comment by James Knell Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 2:07 pm
And go take a river taxi in Chicago’s Loop. There are about four more massive high rises going up, and three more were just announced to be in planning. The State government is broke by design. There is plenty of money in Illinois.

Comment by James Knell Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 2:11 pm
=== I thought Rauner was the great job creator! ===

I don’t know about that, but he’s been a godsend to lawyers.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 2:17 pm
Tone, the status quo is not acceptable.

These massive FY16 deficits, the layoffs and program shutdowns in social services, the devastating shortfunding of univesities, the stiffing of small-business state vendors, etc., are all a disaster.

Something can be done about those problems in relatively short order.

Perhaps you could give us your data-driven projections on economic growth if the governor’s union-busting agenda is passed.

Not bong-hitting, dorm-room buzz words, but big-boy analysis, like they do in the business world before embarking on a serious course of action.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 2:29 pm
==So now we call the snarky public statements “Goldberg-Brownisms?” Or “Brown-Goldbergisms?”==

Brownie sounds like the original ==frat boy==.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 3:25 pm
- Governor proposes a budget -

You forgot unbalanced by billions, and bereft of the zillions of dollars of savings he and his superstars assured everyone they could find.

But it did include the salary for the WCC chair, so I can see why you defend it.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 3:33 pm
Anon,

I’m not sure which post you were responding to. But I think the point you allude to is this: I am suggesting that you are constantly subsidized in many many ways. And if, by the Grace of God you DO end up giving more than you get, isn’t that a good epitaph in the end? Count your blessings. But seriously, I doubt any of us would amount to much, but for fostering hand of government. The failure to recognize that is ingratitude, which used to be a sin before the “Christan” right came along.

Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 3:45 pm
Tone,

“Population loss for the first time in years. And people think the status quo is just fine.”

That’s a sim-characterization. Madigan is now playing for a BIPARTISAN tax increase. That ain’t the status quo: it’s what we have needed for decades and have not gotten.

Comment by History Prof Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Tone:

Arguing against the Governor’s “reform” ideas does not equate to being for the status quo. You’re welcome

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 4:12 pm
===You… still want… the Democrats… to pass… a budget… to dictate… to Rauner… his agencies’ worth…and monetary priorities… because… Gov. Rauner…can’t?”===

The above is called wasting time and being snarky about it.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 4:26 pm
- Louis G Atsaves -

You can’t answer or won’t answer?

It’s a pretty straightforward question…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 4:29 pm
==The above is called wasting time and being snarky about it.==

Louis and Oswego Willy: Please pardon me, but after too much time spent glaring at each other, you both can fall into the tar pit described.

With great respect to you both. You are two of the best commenters here, when you stay focused on the topic of the threads.

Comment by walker Thursday, Oct 8, 15 @ 5:04 pm