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Divided we stand

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Illinois

* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…

Since civilization began, demagogues have used division to gain or keep power. It’s one of the ugliest aspects of human nature. And it’s why we collectively cherish historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, who spoke of the “better angels of our nature” and, almost exactly 158 years ago, said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

After George Wallace lost an Alabama election in 1958 because his opponent promised to be tougher than him on black people, Wallace vowed to never let that happen again and went on to become governor and the nation’s leading proponent of segregation.

As Donald Trump proved over and over during the Republican presidential primary, this division stuff works. The presumptive GOP nominee launched his presidential campaign by deriding Mexican immigrants as disease-carrying, violent rapists. He infamously wants to ban all Muslims from traveling here, insisting that allowing them in will result in the demise of America.

Divisiveness is a useful tool because it distracts those who are led from the mistakes or willful wantonness of their leaders. When the populace is angry over declining incomes, blame the immigrants. Worried about crime? Blame the blacks. Declining morality? Blame the gays. People would rather blame anyone other than themselves or their tribal bosses. They eat this stuff up.

But race, national origin and religion are far from the only things politicians use to divide us.

Go read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:19 am

Comments

Terrific. Eloquent.

Are you listening Bruce?

Comment by Chicago Taxpayer Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:30 am
I pity our nation, for we will get the government we deserve because we forget the lessons of history.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:30 am
Excellent article. I would add “Blame the lazy, overpaid big pensioned State Employee” to the divisive rhetoric.

It’s a world of perfidy we live in. I keep wondering about what it was like pre-civil war, pre-Nazi Germany, pre-fascist Italy. Was it like this? What did they feel? Were they plagued by fear and anger? It’s going to get nothing but more ugly once the Great Labor War begins. All efforts to avoid it have been spent. The civil pain of today will be amplified when we no longer have a viable workforce.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:31 am
Nice piece Rich. What Rauner is doing is highly divisive and misleading and at the very least, borders on exploiting racial and ethnic prejudices. The state deserves better.

Comment by slow down Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:33 am
this needed to be said, and it was

excellently crafted.

Comment by cdog Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:34 am
To be clear, I am not comparing Rauner to Wallace and Trump, I am just comparing him to Rauner and Trump.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:35 am
I found the comments after the article to be most interesting- Think that you didn’t convert many people there; in fact most of them missed the point completely.

Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:43 am
Of all Rauner’s missteps, the Chicago-bashing might be his biggest mistake. Maybe it will help the GOP tilt a few legislative districts, but to what end? It won’t flip enough seats to matter and it is permanently branding Rauner as a devisive figure. That’s okay for a legislative back-bencher, not a governor.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” That’s worth repeating again and again.

Comment by Freddy the K Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:50 am
I think you could write a similar piece on Madigan’s strategy to portray everything Rauner wants as pro-1% and devastating to the middle class.

What was their electoral strategy? Oh yeah, to paint Rauner as an out of touch greedy 15er. Because anyone with money must be evil.

This is Democracy rearing its ugly parts. Politics is about dividing people over an issue then attempting to unite as many people to one side of the issue as you can.

All the way back to the Loyalists and the Pro-revolution people, Federalists and the Anti-federalists, pro-slavery vs abolitionists, temperance vs drinkers, segregationists vs integration supporters, union vs right to work, big government vs little government, etc. etc. etc.

Comment by m Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:55 am
I don’t think it is unreasonable for Chicago and CPS to make some serious reforms before they get any more money from Springfield.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:56 am
I mostly agree, Rich. I’m not so sure that our Governor isn’t a racist. Please review GTCR’s staff and the Governor’s staff. The fact that the Governor employs dog whistles in his decisive rhetoric kind of belies him being non-racist. Also, I doubt the majority of the downstate electorate will catch on to the pandering. The Governor is legitimizing their long held mistaken belief that Chicago is draining their tax dollars rather than supplementing their taxes by subsedizing downstate projects:

Comment by Triple fat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:01 am
I agree with downstate commissioner - the comments were truly interesting. I should know better than to read the comments, yet I still catch myself doing it.

I think the most interesting, yet disappointing, is the Governor’s anti-Chicago rhetoric, which is coded with racist language. You know, I actually believe that he could actually get a good chunk of Chicago’s residents if he actually talked to them. Many of us are also tired of the “Chicago Machine.” But instead Rauner goes off and lumps us all together.

I was in a meeting no too long ago in DuPage County with some of the social service agencies, and they all mentioned how even though their county is progressively becoming “more poor,” it does not get the same type of support as Chicago. I really appreciated Rich’s point that Chicago basically pays for itself, it’s the collar counties that are paying for downstate. I’m curious where we can get more of that information, or if any of the organizations are drafting something. We need to fight Rauner’s words with facts.

Comment by here we go Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:02 am
Crain’s needs a read before commenting rule.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:02 am
Lucky:

The point went right over your head.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:03 am
Devisive… Darn you autocorrect… While you’re at it Get off my lawn!

Comment by Triple fat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:03 am
Lucky, like what?

The reforms the Governor likes to talk about with CPS typically involve more choice through privatization with the expansion of charter schools (check) and greater flexibility in contracting out services like janitorial services (check). All of the collective bargaining changes are just the Governor’s way of saying he thinks that teachers in CPS make too much money. And if that’s how he feels, he should just come out and say it instead of using buzzwords and dog whistles to pander to everyone outside Chicago.

Comment by Juice Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:04 am
By the way - us downstaters lump the collar communities in with Chicago as if they are all one in the same…

Comment by Triple fat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:08 am
IMHO this is your best peice ever. well worth the sub price

Comment by Ghost Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:12 am
I believe part of the divisiveness is due to people not being well informed on politics. Most voters do not read sites like capitolfax or other forums. They might only read forums that are strictly conservative or strictly liberal and they just pander to their own goals and never see the big picture. That’s why I like capitolfax. I dont always agree with the commentors but it’s good a good way to understand people and what their concerns are. If everyone became informed and didnt just blindly follow a political party we would all be better off.

Comment by Maximus Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:14 am
Rauner is a Chicago/Cook County guy slammin’ his own city, where he profited immensely, yet southern Illinoisans and others buy it up because he caters to their prejudices.

Southern Illinois union members should realize that Rauner and the IL GOP are not their friends. They shouldn’t be the patsies of the multimillionaires and billionaires who want to lower their wages and benefits so badly, and strip away their rights, that they are causing huge damage to the state via the impasse.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:14 am
Just a style comment: I’m just not a fan of using infamous people in history as “qualified examples” - I don’t think you can avoid invoking some of their horror to a certain extent no matter how strong the disclaimer.

As to the substance, I dunno - I didn’t like the “hard working” comment but the lack of comity is hardly all Rauner witness the cancelling of a Juneteenth event). And it overlaps a genuine divide: yes, Chicago is the driver of the state’s economy, but it’s been terribly missrun (mostly by Daley but with a big Combine assist). Bottom line: the red meat isn’t worth the cost, so I hope the Governor can control himself better. Hope springs eternal…

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:18 am
This was a great read to start off the day and spot on. As Rich stated this is an old tactic used by politicians for generations. I remember during the Bush vs Gore presidential campaign Bush using the slogan “I’m a uniter not a divider”. It is difficult to unite people when many have some deep seated prejudices but our leaders need to make better efforts to educate rather than exploit these long held prejudices.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:20 am
Fabulous, insightful column. However, I question the need for the following:

“Rauner’s policy goal is legitimate. The Republican governor is trying to beat back Democratic attempts to funnel lots more state money to Chicago, particularly to its school system.”

Rauner’s policy goals are not at all clear, and, thus far, his pronouncements of policy have been contradicted by his actions. I just don’t see the need for the repeated temperance of “Rauner’s policy goal is legitimate,” or certain pro-business “reforms are needed,” when taking the Governor to task. Some folks are entitled to having issues discussed from both sides; folks like Thompson and Edgar and Paul Simon. But Rauner has regularly said one thing and done another. Tempering these discrepancies with “Well, the goal is legit” gives Rauner something he hasn’t earned or demonstrated that is in fact, his goal in the first place.

In the instant case, Rauner’s policy goal is NOT to just prevent funneling more money to Chicago Schools — which, by the way is not a legitimate policy goal in the first place: Chicago schools both need and DESERVE more money from the state — his policy goal, legitimately gleaned from his actions, is to funnel LESS money to ALL public schools throughout Illinois.

Until he matches at least a minority of his deeds with his words, letting Rauner off the hook by tempering critiques is giving credit where it just isn’t due.

Comment by Springfieldish Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:22 am
===most of them missed the point completely===

That headline, which I did not write and did not love, most certainly fired people up beyond where I intended.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:23 am
Quick George Wallace story: while in office (I believe) he reached out to federal judge Frank Johnson, the man who introduced Wallace to his wife but was now under attack for his decisions striking segregation in Alabama. Johnson, a truly heroic figure in American history - check him out if you get the chance) sent word back if Wallace wanted forgiveness he’d have to get it from the Lord.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:25 am
Rich,
obviously apparent your leanings favor; Clinton and Dems…that’s ok,
but to be fair, the local and national D’s and CLINTON have used race baiting, social and economical divisiveness very effectively for many decades.
you are a fair guy a majority of the time, so truth should be afforded here.

Comment by mypoint2 Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:29 am
I think there is a tendency to conflate downstate with rural. Downstate is mostly urban. Rauner does this cconstantly.Icdont think he and the media grasp three are more state workers and university employees than farmers.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:33 am
Good on you, Miller.

Rauner’s anti-Chicago dog-whistling is conduct unbecoming a governor. Anybody who’s ever lived Downstate can pick up what he’s puttin’ down, immediately.

You can’t un-ring that bell. But you can stop ringin’ it.

Back in the day when he was at World Business Chicago and the then Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Rauner would go on and on about how Chicago was the greatest city in the world to do business.

Why wouldn’t he? He made a fortune in the city.

Of course, back in the day, he thought Quinn, Madigan and Cullerton were the bees-knees, too.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Bruce-Rauner-video-restaurant-association-show-chicago-quinn-272309081.html

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:34 am
Such a great article. I’m not sure what Rauner hopes to accomplish with the division that he is creating everywhere he looks. He will be known in history as the great divider apparently.That accomplished nothing other than fear, dread and alienation of ILlinois citizens.

Maximus at 10:14 is spot on. People get their head in the sand and surround themselves with people who agree with them so they believe that’s the position “everyone” has. Wow. CapFax has sure enlightened me on how the same situation can be viewed so differently. This should be required reading on a daily basis–a dose of reality, so badly needed in our escapist world.

Comment by AnonymousOne Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:36 am
@mypoint2

Ugh. Another victim. I get so tired of this “yeah, but” argument. It’s an opinion piece about a particular topic.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:43 am
Juice, after all of the tax increases on city residents are implemented to bail out the teachers and police and fire pensions (and an inevitable state income tax increase) it won’t be just the people outside of Chicago talking about reform.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:48 am
Rich, this is an excellent column!

Comment by Jimmy H Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:51 am
Rauner can’t distance himself from Trump when he’s using his playbook.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:20 am
So, rich, I guess you couldn’t find a SINGLE example of how Dems use divisive politics. Obama’s and Hillary’s attacks on “white privilege” and the “one percenters” aren’t worth a mention, huh? Going back all the way to George Wallace for an example? REALLY? So you give a pass to everyone who cries “racism” for not wanting him to raid their wallets like Rahm is proposing. Not a word about Bernie Sanders and the way he incites his and Hillary’s supporters to violence against Trump supporters while waving a Mexican flag? Tell me, Rich, which optometrist have you found who can create glasses to filter out all Dem faults?LOL

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:34 am
==I guess you couldn’t find a SINGLE example of how Dems use divisive politics==

Yay. Another victim heard from. Grow up.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:36 am
=Of course, back in the day, he thought Quinn, Madigan and Cullerton were the bees-knees, too.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Bruce-Rauner-video-restaurant-association-show-chicago-quinn-272309081.html =

Word,
Restaurant-Quality catch - figuratively & literally.
If this isn’t enough proof that the Gov. will say anything at any given time to serve his personal agenda, I don’t what is….

Comment by Qui Tam Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:45 am
@Dem

=Yay. Another victim heard from. Grow up.=

Already have, Dem. How about trying at least ONCE IN A WHILE to post something that infers intellect, knowledge AND A POINT on your part rather than just whining?

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Illinois Bob i am not sure what point you are going for with the whole dem thing? the article note a political history of using demagoguery, and then focused on a specific scenerio occuring in IL. are you complaining that it doesnt list every possible scenerio of demagoguery? that wasnt the focus.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 12:49 pm
Lucky Pierre==bail out the teachers, police and fire pensions==

Bail out is wrong. They are paying what they OWE these pensions funds because they spent that money on us, so we got a tax break. You can’t steal from people and then make them pay you when you’ve spent all their money!

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:01 pm
Ghost - I think that Bob is trying to find reasons to support the narrative that Rich is partisan and unwilling to give Dem’s equal treatment. And when he can’t find those reasons the next best thing is to make them up.

Comment by pundent Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:07 pm
==Already have, Dem.==

Then how about canning the “yeah, but” argument. This constant whining by people lamenting that one thing or another wasn’t pointed out is juvenile. Try and take half a second and can the partisan whining that, boo hoo, nothing bad was said about the Democrats. Grow the heck up.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:30 pm
==are you complaining that it doesnt list every possible scenerio of demagoguery? ==

Yes. When something doesn’t portray the partisan narrative someone wants they whine about it. You are never going to satisfy some people who cannot stand anything written unless it says something bad about [pick your party]. It’s pathetic.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:31 pm
People are complaining because it’s an article about Rauner doing something (divisive politics) that nearly every single race in this state is filled with. Some people are taking it to mean he’s attacking Rauner for doing what Madigan, Cullerton, the Chamber, the IEA, IFT, AFSCME, IMA, IRMA, NRA, etc everyone is doing. And then he compares Rauner to guys like Wallace.

I think it’s a fair complaint about the article. You want someone to compare Rauner’s divisive Chicago vs downstate rhetoric to, you don’t need to go back decades, you could just compare him to his contemporaries. Because they’re all doing it.

But the article makes it seem like Rauner is singly using this nasty tactic that is so rare today. It’s not. Might as well complain that he’s sending out mailers, or running commercials, or doing town halls and speeches. You know, the stuff everyone does all the time as well.

Comment by m Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:27 pm
–Juice, after all of the tax increases on city residents are implemented to bail out the teachers and police and fire pensions (and an inevitable state income tax increase) it won’t be just the people outside of Chicago talking about reform. –

Wow, LP, yet another comment that has nothing whatsoever to the subject at hand.

Dude, you aspire to sophistry.

You ain’t even close.

But don’t hesitate, ever, to give us the ROI on the Turnaround Agenda.

I mean the big-kid goods, not cult-like chanting.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 3:20 pm
Rauner is doing this stuff to break Madigan and his specific, well-oiled political machine. I find it interesting that your article/comments (which in my opinion are typically on-point) do not make mention of the King of Divisive politics, Michael Madigan. It horrible, but after 45 years, he is “fighting fire with fire”……

Comment by Pefidy Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 4:06 pm
LCD, thanks for bringing up Judge Johnson, an overlooked giant in American history.

An Alabama man, appointed by Ike, he applied the law, despite constant danger to himself, from the Klan and law enforcement (the same thing, often) to kill Jim Crow and didn’t take no stuff from n-e-ba-dee while he was doing it. Splendid behavior.

Another giant, Floyd Mann, Alabama director of Public Safety. From David Halberstram’s “The Children.”

–” One thrilling exception to the “no white heroes” rule comes during a 1961 march in Montgomery. As a white mob seemed about to beat (John) Lewis and a white demonstrator, Jim Zwerg, to death, a nondescript white man pulled a pistol from his holster, fired two shots into the air and warned, “There’ll be no killing here today.”

” This was Floyd Mann, head of the Alabama State Police, whose parents had reared him in a spirit of basic decency. There was no political or professional reward for Mann in saving black lives in that moment of confusion. He did it because he had to. Years later, Lewis, then a congressman, ran into the old trooper on a visit to Alabama. As they hugged, Mann said, “I’m right proud of your career.–

George Wallace fired Mann. Mann struggled in the years ahead to make a living.

Years later, the great, indispensable, Pres. Gerald Ford, straight out of Grand Rapids, MI, put Mann on the White House payroll to keep him out of penury.

Mann worked for the money. But it was a minimal reward from a grateful nation for bringing the light to the dark at a critical time in our history.

FWIW, George Wallace, years before he died, confessed to the world his sins and, in his final years, I believe, sincerely sought forgiveness and redemption.

Good enough for me.

But his Angry White Man onanism is alive and well, today, in the Republican Party.

And just like then, it needs to be stopped, now.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 4:16 pm
I want to point out just one thing. Income inequality is real. Southern Illinois tax dollars funding CPS is not.

Comment by Triple fat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 6:38 pm
remember wallace was a democrat

Comment by jw Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:18 pm