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* Today’s must-listen is from the Illinois Radio Network’s John Gregory…
“Government is failing,” by going this far into the fiscal year without a budget, former Gov. Jim Edgar was quoted as saying during a lecture to political science students at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
* Edgar continued…
“We can’t hold the budget hostage for other issues. The governor talks about economic turnaround, I think some of his proposals are good. But I think we have to set priorities, and the priority, I believe, is the budget.”
Edgar also said he was worried about widespread rumors that the budget won’t be worked out until the Fiscal Year 2017 budget is about to be introduced. That, Edgar said, would be “a disaster.”
* The written story is a quite a bit more tame…
“One of the things I’ve learned as governor, you can’t do everything you want to do at one time,” Edgar said. “You’ve got to set priorities and you’ve got to wait for the ripe opportunity, and I think the priority right now has to be to get a budget.”
Edgar labeled the current stalemate as perhaps worst “mess” he’s seen in his years following state government, and he guessed that if there was ever trust between Rauner and Democratic lawmakers, it “pretty well got wiped out” by the TV ads run by Rauner’s campaign committee in June.
When asked if he had any specific recommendations for Rauner, Edgar said he’s advised the governor to focus on the budget several times, but to no avail.
Former governors rarely criticize current governors, particularly those in their same party. This is not your usual story.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:23 pm
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The frat boys said, “Jim Edgar, who”
Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Drip, drip, drip, … the Republican dam is starting to break up.
Comment by Pelonski Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Wow, Edgar sounds pretty ramped - err, I mean amped - about this.
Comment by nixit71 Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:27 pm
===Edgar labeled the current stalemate as perhaps worst “mess” he’s seen in his years following state government, and he guessed that if there was ever trust between Rauner and Democratic lawmakers, it “pretty well got wiped out” by the TV ads run by Rauner’s campaign committee in June.===
Wonder how Edgar felt about those Ads?
Governor Edgar, “horse-barn”
You’re too late, but thanks.
Edgar stumped for Rauner, final push too. Edgar has “talked” to Rauner. Ok.
Not seeing much “Edgar” in Rauner. Then again, what was Edgar saying was a good strategy?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:28 pm
If a business is wishing to relocate to Illinois - what does not having a state budget say to that business? Welcome?
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:30 pm
I have been hearing for a while that Rauner is listening to senate and house republican members the same way he has listened to Edgar. He has his agenda and don’t confuse him with common sense.
Comment by illinifan Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:31 pm
Look for this line from Democrats:
‘Bruce Rauner is the one holding the budget hostage, not Democrats. Don’t take our word for it, take Jim Edgar’s word for it.’
OW: I think it is more significant than you recognize. Others have called for the governor to adopt a new approach. Edgar has gone much further and assigned blame.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:32 pm
Rauner had no intention of listenin’ to Edgar, no way, no how. Brucie is the KING of Illinois, and nobody can tell him what to do. GOP, sit and watch your empire crumble right in front of your eyes.
Comment by Big Joe Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:32 pm
Rauner, “What do these ivory tower academics know about governing anyway? Can’t they see I am making Illinois great again?”
Comment by Vole Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:34 pm
“GOP, sit and watch your empire crumble right in front of your eyes.”
What empire? Their tiny handful of seats, most in safely gerrymandered districts? The one that Jim Edgar helped deliver with all his sway with the voters?
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Sure sounds to me Jim Edgar thinks Rauner own this…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:38 pm
When you are obsessed with something you’ll listen to nobody…
Captain Ahab vs The Great White Whale, commonly called Rauner’s obsession with killing unions..
Comment by Mouthy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Unless Governor Edgar is actively creating a Republican revolt, this is just hot air.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:41 pm
===OW: I think it is more significant than you recognize. Others have called for the governor to adopt a new approach. Edgar has gone much further and assigned blame.===
It’s only significant if Rauner and his Crew take it to heart.
Quincy yesterday, says… well, it speaks for itself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:42 pm
Rauner has no interest in advice from elder statesmen or anyone else.
Comment by Aldyth Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:45 pm
Edgar has been saying it privately for months. So glad he’s finally coming out to publicly wrap Rauner on this. Maybe our friends at the Trib edit board will pay attention? Nahhh.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:48 pm
One can only hope that after the filings that the GOP Legislative members will have the courage to validate Edgar’s statements by demanding the “BOSS” governor work on priorities and let the ideology (ego) garbage find a path another day.
Comment by Just saying... Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Truth?
Republican Jim Edgar tells Raunerite Bruce Rauner to stop holding Illinois hostage for a Raunerite Agenda.
There’s the truth.
The Raunerite will laugh. That’s probably true too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Edgar is trying to provide cover for GA Republicans, but none have been willing to cowboy up yet.
By his actions, the governor’s agenda is clearly not fiscal responsibility, fulfilling core responsibilities or the economic well being of state vendors and those who work for them.
He wants that shiny He-Man Union Buster trophy so the boys on the WSJ edit page will say sweet things about him. It’s a personal agenda.
The thing is, he went weak in the knees on implementing his hostage strategy by signing the K-12 bill. And the superstars didn’t count on that the courts would step in and force the state to continue most operations, even though that was obvious to anyone with a brain stem.
The result is a fatally flawed political strategy that is still doing great near- and long-term damage for no good reason the governor can intelligently articulate.
What a sham.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Our Governor listens to no one, except possible Ken Griffin. Big mistake-he should listen closely to Gov. Edgar, but since Edgar spent his life in public service, he’s no “superstar” and evidently not worthy of Rauner’s attention, except at election time. Rauner needs to acknowledge that his pathetic attempts at governin’ are rapidly degenerating into pish-tosh. Heaven help Illinois.
Comment by Democrat Grrrl Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:56 pm
So my question: are the five or six clauses in the pension bill that gut public employee unions the essential hold up?
In other words, are five paragraphs in a bill preventing a budget?
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:57 pm
I find myself agreeing with O.W. here- Edgar represents the moribund Illinois Republican Party and Rauner represents the Rauner Party.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 12:59 pm
The rich seem to think they know everything because they made a lot of money. They generally don’t think opportunity and luck had a much greater part to play in their success. I doubt Rauner thinks much of Edgar.
Comment by Liberty Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Well, this is encouraging. A well known Illinois Republican who still commands a fair bit of respect (even if I’m pretty harsh on him over his sowing the pension seed) calls a spade a spade. This is helpful to the process of finding a rational solution to our problems, no doubt about it.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Define disaster. If you think govt is too big and wastes money, nothing here is going wrong. There are a lot of people who support Rauner’s choices. I would take the “disaster” bit more seriously when middle/upper class people who don’t rely on govt ( in their opinion and actual practice) start complaining. Have they? If not, then this is a bunch CapFax complainers and woe is me politicians. Now while I believe this is hurting IL, there are simply too many who don’t.
Comment by Dr X Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:05 pm
I don’t think the voters would appreciate a tax hike without any reform of state government. It takes at least two to tango.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:09 pm
== If you think govt is too big and wastes money, nothing here is going wrong.==
Except for the fact that 90+% of the FY2015 budget is being spent, at FY2015 levels, without FY2015 revenues (which still weren’t enough to cover it).
To the post:
If you put this together with the earlier reporting that Edgar was urging Rauner to take a hardline (and you assume that Edgar isn’t being disingenuous in public), I think you’re left with Edgar envisioning a Rauner hardline as a bluff, and now that the bluff has been called, they need to fold.
I don’t think Rauner looked at it as a bluff, though.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:17 pm
- Dr X -,
Jim Edgar is a Cap Fax commenter? Who knew.
Don’t worry - Dr X -, you’ll bechapoy people are suffering. Yeah you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:17 pm
So Madigan controls Edger too?
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:18 pm
*Edgar… sorry about that.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Former Governor Edgar has a professional government management background. Current Governor Rauner doesn’t. So naturally, when it comes to how a government should be managed, Jim is going to find Bruce lacking.
ILGOP needs to know that supporting Rauner is a dead end for them. Any hope that he could be enlightened and managed by the brighter bulbs within the Party, should have ended around the time Rauner’s callous disrespect towards the organization he leads became openly apparent.
The Rauner Experiment is over. He is not a suitable individual to lead Illinois. It is time to stop holding your breath and hope this guy figures out his job. It is time to admit that he is a mistake. The sooner ILGOP rebels against the crazed government mismanagement style of Bruce Rauner, the sooner he could perhaps learn an important lesson for his $50,000,000 spent last year.
The only Turnaround Agenda needed in Illinois right now is turning around this millionaire, nuttier than an Autumn squirrel’s nest.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:19 pm
=Edgar is trying to provide cover for GA Republicans, but none have been willing to cowboy up yet.=
I think this is exactly the case. He is worried that the actual GOP will get blamed for the damage done by Raunerism.
How much money does Edgar have in his PAC/Election?Campaign fund? If it isn’t in the ballpark of $29 million plus, he isn’t evening a whisper. The money is what shouts and gets people’s attention. Until he comes up with some $$$, nobody can hear him especially Rauner and the party he owns.
Being an “elder statesman” ain’t what it used to be.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Dear Jim
Thank you for your comments. Now go down the hall and see if someone else really give a ….
Warmest personal regards,
Goldberg
Comment by Huh? Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:22 pm
I agree with - Wordslinger -, but…
Rauner owns the GOP GA, and Rauner owns the ILGOP.
It’s over…
Right(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Jim’s ego needs stroking again…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:27 pm
===Jim’s ego needs stroking again…===
Or…
Edgar is trying to save the state and/or the “GOP GA” or the non-Owls…
Your choice, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:29 pm
nixit71
Gotta love the ramp……..
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:43 pm
Rauner “Fans”,
Jim Edgar says governors own.
Please factor that into your victimhood…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:44 pm
The casual conversational disrespect the Frat Boys show for Edgar, and basically any other former Republican standardbearer (other than Kirk, from whence a lot of them matriculated) surprised me from Transition Day 1 of this administration.
Edgar was walled out from any important input on anything, even the subjects he’s best on.
Rauner’s crew thinks the world was created Nov. 4, 2014.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Willy:
He’s only renting them.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:47 pm
The Republicans in the IL General Assembly have the power to join with the Democrats to pass a budget. They only need to find the courage to do so. They must all see the damage this impasse is doing to the state but they can’t find the courage to act.
So sad.
Comment by Enviro Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:48 pm
===Willy:
He’s only renting them.===
- Juvenal -, well, you got me there…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:57 pm
“Edgar is trying to save the state.” lol So that’s why he eventually endorsed Rauner? And now he shows up every couple of months to tell the media how he thinks Rauner should do the job? Rauner disagrees with his advice, so he does a few interviews (again)? That is how he is trying to “save the state”?
It is ridiculous to think he is a martyr. This is Jim’s ego, again.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 1:59 pm
” - Anonymous - ” (ugh)
===It is ridiculous to think he is a martyr. This is Jim’s ego, again.===
Edgar isn’t being a martyr, Edgar is being a statesman, please, read or listen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:02 pm
@ Anonymous
It can be two things.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:03 pm
Every two months. Interviews and then crickets. All part of his plan to save the state https://capitolfax.com/2015/08/07/edgars-advice-to-rauner-focus-on-the-budget/
Or…
Indulge his nostalgia and spite those who do not heed his advice.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:11 pm
@360 Degree, that is a good point. The Governor pretends that he’s all about attracting more businesses to come here and creating more jobs. His actions are having the opposite effect. Businesses like states that are financially stable. The Governor is intentionally destabilizing this state so that he can use his self created crisis as leverage over the legislature to get his agenda passed. What makes it worse is that the major sticking points in his agenda aren’t even important to the majority of citizens. Even if some leaders in his own party show some courage and try to persuade him to pursue a more thoughtful course of action, I don’t know if he’d listen but they should try.
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:14 pm
I guess Mr. Edgar has been crossed off the jelly-of-the-month club gift list this Christmas.
Comment by thunderspirit Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Arsenal,
Could be. That was a brief, thoughtful comment. Unlike some others who know not to go off script between 9 to 5 every day.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:17 pm
” - Anonymous - ”
No one… No one plans to “save” something.
You save something that needs… saving.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:18 pm
OW:
It was bound to happen sooner or later
We shall see how loyal GA Republicans are after the filing deadline.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:23 pm
=== He’s only renting them. ===
It would be interesting to ride the time machine into the future when Rauner retires and the newly orphaned Rauner legislative caucuses, now reverting back to their old names - House and Senate caucuses - loses their sugar daddy. Never successful in gaining a majority, the caucuses become totally irrelevant again and back in the fundraising cellar.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Steve Baer showing up in the Kevin McCarthy saga probably reminded him how much he hates ideologues.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:32 pm
There is no GOP to “save”. Rauner owns it now, while Madigan owns the Democrats. The time to save it was before the purchase closed Novem 2014.
Edgar helped him buy it, and interviews can’t “save” the GOP or Illinois now.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Dr. X said: “I would take the “disaster” bit more seriously when middle/upper class people who don’t rely on govt ( in their opinion and actual practice) start complaining.”
By your definition, all middle and upper class people will plow their own snow each day eh? Those same will drill their own wells for water, and manage their waste too…and of course, take part of their vast estates to create their own garbage dump - sure, they don’t need no stinking government!
The facts are - regardless of party - civil society works together between private individuals and governments of all kind. This fiasco is hurting everyone…some more right now, but others without much limelight.
Of course, if it makes you happy, please put your right foot in, then your left foot followed by your right and left hands - shake yourself about and do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around - NOW you’re a Raunerite!
Comment by Captain Illini Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:41 pm
It occurs to me why people use “Anonymous” or variations thereof on this blog, perhaps it makes them harder to block. In any case, feckless users of such lame, non-creative nicknames — “man” up with a real made-up moniker or quit the broadsides from the shadows!!
Comment by Gobsmacked Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:42 pm
It’s a shame Illinois doesn’t have a super rich boy scout (like Gates-rich) that would be willing to put up matching millions to counter the Raunerite agenda. I’d say with as much damage as is being done to Illinois and those least able to recover from what Rauner’s doing, it would truly be considered a humanitarian issue. Heck, at the end of the day, the money may never even need to be spent.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:47 pm
- illini -, respectfully, the “search key” is your friend. Respectfully.
To all the ” - Anonymous -s ”
Please, help us all out, pick a name, y’all are contradicting each other, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:50 pm
If only our Governor 20 years ago didn’t play loose with pension obligations, our hole would be a lot shallower and our problems today a lot easier to solve.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:54 pm
Actions should speak louder than some words every two months if you are trying to “save” something.
Action “saves”. Words fade.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:56 pm
LP, what reforms of state government are you talking about?
It’s ridiculous to inflict all this damage in the service of vague “reforms” that you can’t demonstrate a return on investment for.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:56 pm
This is just more of Mike Madigan and the ex-GOP governors that he controls whining because they don’t understand the greatness at work.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 2:56 pm
2:54,
Edgar “owns” the pension ramp. Maybe he can suggest a fix for those massive payments the next time he does an interview? He “owns” it, so he should be able to help with an idea or two.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:03 pm
Willy - thank you, and I do know how to use the “search key” - just thought that the gurus on this site could save me the time and set me straight!
And to the “anonymous-s” - I could not agree any more.
I’ll use my ’search key” a little later when I have a chance. Thanks for the reminder.
Comment by illini Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:03 pm
” - Anonymous - ”
They don’t call it the Edgar Ramp for nuttin’…
Now Rauner owns his term… That’s how it goes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:11 pm
July 1 1994: No state services, benefits or paychecks are in jeopardy, although Edgar said that the prospect of a payless payday for state employees in mid-July might be needed to leverage a final session-ending budget deal.
“I think it’s obvious today that (Democrats) are doing this for political reasons,” Edgar said. “I don’t know how long the speaker’s going to figure there’s some political reason to draw this out.”
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:12 pm
” - Anonymous - ”
When did that “stalemate” end, how did it end?
You brought it up
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:14 pm
===July 1 1994===
Session went to June 30th in those days.
Today is October 16th.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:15 pm
we have a Governor that doesnt really care about being a good govenor, so these things dont matter.
[Rauners] love is vengeance. That’s never free. No one knows what it’s like. To feel [union hatred]. Like [Rauner] do[es].And [he] blames [Madigan]….
Everyone is assuming that Rauner has a goal of governing and a desire to be a good govenor. I think he could care less about being govenor or governing. he wants to lay out unions and get rid of minium wage for highly trained and skilled workers. since thats all he cares about, the State of the State will have no impact on him.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Aug 6 1991: A Cook County judge Monday temporarily barred the state from transferring $21 million out of a fund that benefits the state`s five pension systems in an attempt to help balance the new budget.
Circuit Judge Lester Foreman ordered the three-week delay after state pensioners, who earlier this year sued to force the state to put more money into their underfunded retirement plans, objected to Gov. Jim Edgar`s budget-balancing tactic.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:27 pm
===Aug 6 1991===
How did it get resolved?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:29 pm
Negotiations sometimes require unpleasant tactics. Edgar would not have welcomed such interference by others who were unhappy he didn’t do as they said. He was left to do his job and it turned out well in the end. He should give Rauner the same chance he was given.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:31 pm
” - Anonymous - ”
How did it finally get resolved?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:32 pm
Its like an early morning fog is lifting and we can start to see the line where Grassroots Republicans end and Raunerites begin. I believe the Grassroots line will grow as the damage mounts and the purchased-party’s reputation tanks.
What’s missing: a real, prominent, respected Republican to lead the charge to take back the party. It would be a tough gig. He/she would have a king’s bounty on their head, and until success, would have all the king’s men, and every opportunistic Raunerite sycophant, gunning for them.
But what a hero they would be in the end.
Comment by Sangamo Sam Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:33 pm
- Sangamo Sam -,
If you see him, let me know.
Thank you.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:35 pm
Oh, I’m not happy with this at all, but there is no mass movement to force Rauner to change anything. He and his party don’t care about the poor people -they don’t vote. So whateve Edgar has to say falls on deaf ears. It would be better if Edgar was specifc in what he means by disaster. It would be better if unions and other groups went for the throat on this guy and connected the budget to everyday life. But they haven’t. While lots of cap fax commenters (those who post everyday) talk about Rauner “owning it”. I assert that fewer people in IL see it that way.
Comment by Dr. X Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:36 pm
Apologies…
Him… Or Her….
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:36 pm
In the eyes of Rauner, Edgar is probably part of the problem that got us to this mess, albeit a much smaller part than the three governors in between. Edgar was a “go along to get along” kind of a guy who was able to pick his battles, but who also had the help of majorities in the Senate for four years and the House for two. Being an government outsider has its pluses, but navigating this type of fight hasn’t looked like one so far.
Comment by Anon Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:37 pm
‘91, ‘94, and every other budget were resolved the same way this will be resolved. But you already know that. Not that it will stop you from answering your own question, which you are obviously begging to do.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:37 pm
- Dr X -
Polling downstate?
Rauner owns it. Rauner knows he owns it.
Don’t worry…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:38 pm
===Aug 6 1991===
Again. Today is October 16th.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:39 pm
@1:05 p.m. “I would take the “disaster” bit more seriously when middle/upper class people who don’t rely on govt ( in their opinion and actual practice) start complaining. Have they?”
Yes.
https://capitolfax.com/2015/10/16/ive-got-400-million-at-risk-in-our-city/
Comment by Nick Name Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:39 pm
Sangamo Sam,
May the Republican and Democratic versions of those liberators appear simultaneously. They both will face a struggle, against their own parties and against the opposition simultaneously.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:41 pm
To Sangamo Sam - Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
You stole my handle!!! What gives???
Comment by Sangamo Sam Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:45 pm
===‘91, ‘94, and every other budget were resolved the same way this will be resolved. But you already know that. Not that it will stop you from answering your own question, which you are obviously begging to do.===
Was there a point to your “exercise”, that was my point.
Rich is making the major point; it’s October 16.
You’ve walked it around the barn, brushed it, gave it hay, cleaned the stall, turned off the kerosine lamp, what was the point of the exercise, because October 16 isn’t helping your point.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:46 pm
===We can’t hold the budget hostage for other issues.===
Hello…! Hello McFly…! Mainstream media?! Are you there?!?!?! Ready to do your job yet? Hostage. Hostage. Hostage. Jim Edgar said that Rauner is holding the state budget HOSTAGE. He didn’t say there was a “budget impasse.” It’s a flippin’ hostage situation. Try reporting it as one. I can’t believe it is going to take Jim bleeping Edgar to make people understand what is going on!!! AAHHHH! Rant over.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:51 pm
October 16 is irrelevant to the point. The point is to conclude negotiations in a manner where the positives outweigh the negatives, and the state is in a better place after negotiations than it was before.
Sometimes those negotiations can be frightening, but you cannot judge them until they conclude, and you certainly cannot judge them by the date they conclude.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:53 pm
===Sometimes those negotiations can be frightening, but you cannot judge them until they conclude, and you certainly cannot judge them by the date they conclude.===
Oh my flippin lord. What negotiations?! One party won’t negotiate?! AAHHH!
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:57 pm
===October 16 is irrelevant to the point.===
You are irrelevant to the discussion ” - Anonymous - ”
You’re a troll now, but already knew that…
It’s thd hostages, it’s October 16. Your point is lacking, at best.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:58 pm
We could raise taxes every year and settle every budget early. Those would not be successful negotiations by most standards.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:58 pm
Ducky’s on fire today. Hat tip!
Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 3:59 pm
Willy,
The irony of your comment appears lost on you. Resorting to ridicule means you have nothing left to offer in the discussion, and you realize your point was nonexistent, at best.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:01 pm
“Sometimes those negotiations can be frightening, but you cannot judge them until they conclude, and you certainly cannot judge them by the date they conclude.”
Gov. Rauner, is that you?
Comment by Nick Name Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:03 pm
Ducky,
Where has Madigan compromised in these negotiations? Both Rauner and Madigan want total victory, and it will destroy our state.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:05 pm
Willy, my friend, regrettably I’m going to have to chastise you for feeding the trolls.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:06 pm
” - Anonymous - ”
You have no point.
There are NO negotiations going on, let along Budget negotiations. It’s not like ‘91 or ‘94 and where you lack, is that you think this is a bargaing session. It’s not even at the bargaining point.
Are you paying attention? This isn’t about the budget. It’s the hostages. Rauner can’t get 71 or 36. It’s not gonna happen. It’s over. Rauner, by instilling pain, refuses to see.
So do you.
Rauner owns this. How long this goes is on Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:08 pm
- Norseman -, my friend;
I’ll be the first to tell you; had I won, I would’ve needed you.
You can see why.
I did it, I was wrong. I am sorry. Honest.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:10 pm
…sorry, real Sangamo Sam…was unaware. My other handle was making things a little “hot” around work. Apologies, I’ll change.
Comment by Sangamo Sam Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:10 pm
Anonymous, just answer one question. Does Governor Rauner have the votes for any of his turnaround agenda? If the answer is no, then what is the point? To govern and pass legislation, you simply must have the votes.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:12 pm
And that is where you undermine your own point.
Rauner does not have 71 any more than Madigan does. They both need to give, yet neither will settle for anything less than cowering the other.
Yet you focus only on Rauner “giving in” while ignoring Madigan’s role in the budget process. If this were a unilateral process, the budget would have been done long ago.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Do. Not. Feed. Trolls.
(Hat tip to - Norseman -)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:15 pm
==you certainly cannot judge them by the date they conclude==
Of course you can. If the conclude past their deadline, something went wrong. See? I judged them.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Way too many Anonymous commenters on this site, and apparently Sangamo Sam had someone appropriate his handle earlier today.
Please get a more identifiable handle so we actually know ( which anonymous ), or who we are responding to.
And for what any of us might know there could be a dozen of you!!!!!
Comment by illini Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:17 pm
==Where has Madigan compromised in these negotiations?==
What negotiations?
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:17 pm
“Sometimes those negotiations can be frightening, but you cannot judge them until they conclude”
You are literally asking citizens to suspend judgment on the current state of the state. That’s not how citizenship works.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:23 pm
And, if there is really only one Anonymous - I apologize. But it just seems that that is an easy handle to use, and an easy way for other commenters to post on this site without being creative when it comes to being an identifiable poster.
Granted, my handle is not that unique, but I have used it here for at least 4 years, and to my knowledge, no one else has tried to appropriate it.
Comment by illini Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:24 pm
If either Rauner or Madigan really cared about the ==hostages==, we would have had a temporary budget in place or a clean budget extension.
Some of you are working yourselves up taking ==sides==.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:27 pm
“I judged them” You did. But you did not judge them as a success or failure entirely by their duration or finish date.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:29 pm
@ Anonymous 4:01, Anonymous 4:05 and/or Anonymous (4:13) –
If you (or you guys) are going to get personal in your comments, “… please take a half second to (ital) come up with a nickname (end ital).” Better yet, read the ground rules and lurk a while before you start embarrassing yourself in public.
Comment by olddog Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:29 pm
Do not be like me and do something silly and feed the troll, especially an ” - Anonymous - ” one.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:31 pm
@ Anonymous 4:29 — please see my post to you (and/or your friends) above at 4:29 p.m.
Comment by olddog Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:32 pm
Rich: How ’bout a little script that auto-increments your Anonymous posters: Anonymous1, Anonymous2…
Comment by Cmputr Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:46 pm
Did we just hear Goldberg tell Edgar to go home and get his shine box?
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:52 pm
== I don’t think the voters would appreciate a tax hike without any reform of state government. ==
Then somebody better tell the voters there was a lot of reform under Quinn:
- legal pension reform in 2011 (Tier 2)
- cuts of about 10% per year his last 3 years
Comment by RNUG Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:53 pm
There is no “budget impasse.” That would require “budget negotiations” of which there are none, although the governor keeps saying that there are.
The governor has pre-conditions that he says must be met before he will discuss the budget.
The budget is hostage to those pre-conditions.
He’s very open about that and it’s not difficult to understand.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:58 pm
===Where has Madigan compromised in these negotiations? Both Rauner and Madigan want total victory, and it will destroy our state.===
What negotiations?! I am starting to feel like Dan Bernstein on 670am with ignorant callers. There are no negotiations. What could Madigan offer to give up other than total submission to the governor’s entire union-busting agenda?! The governor has said he will in no way deal with the budget until his entire agenda is passed. Oh yeah, but what could Madigan give up?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 4:58 pm
Do not be like me and so something silly and feed those who say they are a “Republican” but spend every workday defending Democrats and criticizing Republicans.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 5:00 pm
Do not be like me and do something silly and feed those who say they are a “Republican” but spend every workday defending Democrats and criticizing Republicans.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 5:01 pm
Can we choose a nickname already?! I want to know if I am yelling at five people or just one. Thank you.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 5:03 pm
” - Anonymous - “,
Please, keep up;
Rauner is NOT a Republican.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 16, 15 @ 5:07 pm