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Putting Ken Griffin’s wealth into perspective

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Illinois

Citadel chief Ken Griffin remained in first place in Illinois on Forbes’ new list of the 400 wealthiest people in the U.S.

Griffin has a net worth of $7.5 billion, ranking him 57th on the list, Forbes said today.

Read the full list here.

Twelve other Illinoisans made the list, four of them from the Pritzker family:

• Sam Zell, 117th, $4.7 billion, founder of Equity Group Investments
• J.B. Pritzker, 190th, $3.4 billion, co-founder and managing partner of Pritzer Group, a private investment firm
• Neil Bluhm, 204th, $3.2 billion, real estate and casino investor and a co-founder and chairman of Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming
• Thomas Pritzker, 214th, $3.1 billion, executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels
• Ty Warner, 274th, $2.5 billion, founder and CEO of Ty, a Westmont-based company that produces and distributes Beanie Babies and other plush toys
• Gigi Pritzker, 290th, $2.4 billion, co-founder and CEO of OddLot Entertainment, a film production and financing company
• Patrick Ryan, 290th, $2.4 billion, chairman and CEO of Ryan Specialty Group, a wholesale brokerage and specialty insurance firm in Chicago
• Mark Walter, 290th, $2.4 billion, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, a global investment and advisory financial services firm headquartered in Chicago and New York
• Joe Mansueto, 321st, $2.2 billion, chairman and CEO of Morningstar, a Chicago-based investment research and management firm
• Joseph Grendys, 335th, $2.1 billion, CEO of Koch Foods, a poultry processing company headquartered in Park Ridge

So, Griffin’s $3 million contribution to Comptroller Leslie Munger’s campaign last week is equal to 0.04 percent of his net worth.

To put that into perspective, if your net worth (what is owned minus what is owed) is $100,000, your equivalent contribution to Munger would be $40.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 1:50 pm

Comments

Politics is a very inexpensive hobby for these people.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Ken is a great guy, good for him.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 1:54 pm
It puts Rauner’s wealth into perspective, as well. Griffin and Zell are playing with dimes to his dollars.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 1:55 pm
If I were to donate a proportionate amount of my net worth, the candidate would be paying me.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:03 pm
Kind of makes me want to send $40 to Mendoza.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:09 pm
=Ken is a great guy, good for him.=

For what it’s worth, he thinks you are a peasant like the rest of us.

Good for him?

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:09 pm
Dear AFSCME, SEIU, CTU and Speaker Madigan,
Still think you can win the money game?
Regards,
BarronVonCarhartt

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:11 pm
So, Griffin’s $3 million contribution to Comptroller Leslie Munger’s campaign last week is equal to 0.04 percent of his net worth.

To put that into perspective, if your net worth (what is owned minus what is owed) is $100,000, your equivalent contribution to Munger would be $40.

I’d like to hang out with Ken Griffin and suggest we run up a 0.04 percent of our net worth bar tab.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:12 pm
Toss in the house, and I guess I should send Leslie a hundred bucks. Was a time not so long ago where I might have been able to send her 200 using this model. lol.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:13 pm
How many on that list will not be Illinois residents in 2 years? 5 years? 10 years?

You can “tax the rich” all you want, but when they have the ability to move, to say Florida or Texas…who are you going to get to pay the bill?

Comment by Doug Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:14 pm
Hmm, let’s see if I understand.

$ 50,000 Owned
$ 200,000 Owed
$ -150,000 Net Worth

So that is the equivalent of Munger’s campaign giving me $60. Haha

Comment by Get a Job!!! Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:15 pm
- Big Muddy -

You’re… cheering ONE man… taking on thousands… based on his wealth.

Warped.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:16 pm
Nah, he’s pretty down to earth. A bit awkward as most geniuses are, but grounded.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:20 pm
I also come at this remembering George Soros and my fellow Republicans bemoaning the “one man denying so many” drum beat.

My take is this, as it’s been since the beginning…

Absolutely, 100%, unlimited money.

Absolutely, 100% transparency.

No more dark money, or PACs denying anyone looking at donors, no more having 3 year old kids donating thousands to hide what their parents are trying to do.

You want to play, write the check, then let everyone know where you’re at.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:21 pm
===…but grounded.===

Griffin had a wedding reception at the Palace in Versailles.

#Grounded

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:23 pm
When’s the last time you voted for a Republican Willy?

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:25 pm
All the wealth of the Illinois residents on that list does not come close to matching the State’s unfunded liabilities.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:25 pm
- Robert the 1st -

Let’s see, pulled a GOP ballot in March, voted for Gov. Kasich…

Voted for Kirk last time, voted for Judy Baar Topinka two yeas ago, Tom Cross too.

I’m a Republican, not a Raunerite.

Huge difference.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:27 pm
I’m sure he and Munger have the best interests of the little guy at heart. Or at least all the people on the billionaire list.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:31 pm
===I guess I should send Leslie a hundred bucks===

Maybe you should send it to Kirk instead. Did you see the Paul Simon Institute poll showing him down 20 points in the suburbs? Yikes. I’m sure he’s winning your precinct though.

How bad is out there Guy? What inspiring things are you hearing on the doorsteps?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:32 pm
-47th ward- Maybe your $40 can go to them buying Microsoft Word for the menDOH!za campaign?

Comment by menDOH!za Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:35 pm
Good grief OW. Good. Grief.

Money has played a vital role in unions in Illinois becoming very powerful. So much so that the political table has been and remains tilted in their favor by propping up those that “support” their collective agenda over decades.

Now the other side is fighting back, in the same arena, only better and bigger. Madigan et al: have been outspending R’s forever and I love that they have lost what was their biggest advantage.

What’s warped is those that don’t see turnabout as fair play.

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:35 pm
LOL Oswego Willy is about as republican as Bernie Sanders. The whole Colbert inspired liberal pretending to be a conservative schtick wore off many years ago. It wasn’t original and OW never really did it well.

Comment by Hill Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:35 pm
Fair enough. I won’t be voting for Trump. I’m a Republican, not a realty TV deplorable.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:35 pm
===I won’t be voting for Trump. I’m a Republican, not a realty TV deplorable.===

Never thought you were, bud.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:36 pm
- Big Muddy -

You seem to miss my exact writing.

I brought up Soros. You neglected to see the hypocrisy, yet you’re excited that Democrat Diana Rauner, Raunerite Bruce Rauner, “Wisconsinite” Richard Uihlein and Versailles Palsce renting Ken Griffin are single-handedly usurping the ideals of the Republican Party.

That’s warped.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:39 pm
So, what does Griffin have to gain with such a contribution?

Comment by Winnin' Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:39 pm
OW, have you ever met Ken Griffin?

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:42 pm
I’m generally a Democrat at the national level, especially when so many Republicans main goal is to instill ancient Jewish and Christian mythology on the general populace.

I am most definitely a Raunerite in our economic basket case of a state.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Grounded is having a wedding reception at a Mom and Pop banquet hall with keg beer

Deciding to have a wedding reception in an 11th Century French Palace… grounded?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:46 pm
Gee, I feel slightly less significant. Wonder why that is.

Comment by Touré's Latte Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:46 pm
Unions donate money on behalf of their members who contribute. They vote amongst their ranks as to who they want to spend that money on.

No different than the Chamber of Commerce on behalf of their membership.

That’s democracy with a small d.

That’s not the same thing as money coming from ONE PERSON.

That’s not fair play.

Comment by sideline watcher Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:52 pm
=No different than the Chamber of Commerce=

If only there were forced contributions or “fair share” fees for businesses. Same for gun owners to the NRA.

You bet Abood v. Detroit Board of Education would be overturned immediately.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 2:57 pm
If the arbitrary amount of $60,000 a year is decent retirement money, Griffin could retire 125,000 times over with his net worth. It’s very wrong that the people who can retire tens- and hundreds of thousands of times over are attacking middle class workers while paying next to nothing in state income tax.

Nobody in his or her right mind should believe that the super-rich alone can fix our fiscal problems through higher taxation, but it’s a critical matter of fairness that they either pay a higher income tax, which is basically impossible in flat-tax Illinois, or not be so harsh toward those who rely on tax dollars to have decent wages and benefits.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:00 pm
===You bet Abood v. Detroit Board of Education would be overturned immediately.===

But it’s not.

Also, keep in mind Labor Leadership face their members for election. There’s accountability.

That’s how representing a Labor Organization works.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:02 pm
And yet a whole lot of people in the $40 to Munger categoty cheer when candidates talk about abolishing the estate tax.

Will never understand it.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:05 pm
==If only there were forced contributions or “fair share” fees ==

Nothing is “forced.” Don’t want to be part of a union? Don’t take a union job. Enough with this forced nonsense.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:05 pm
CoC and NRA don’t face their members for election?

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Don’t want to pay CoC fees, don’t start your own business. Nothing is forced.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:08 pm
=single-handedly usurping the ideals of the Republican Party.=

If pushing back effectively on the Madigan machine, not kowtowing to every union whim and demand and having a strong desire to rid state government of horrible business practices that only remain in place because removing them would result in a loss of union jobs is usurping Republican ideals then yes, I’m with them.

Can it be “single-handed” when you list four people?

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:09 pm
All the way back, and I mean WAY back, back… think way back… to 2014.

Republicans wanted Police and Fire labor support.

Republicans welcomed unionized teachers supporting them.

Republicans collected labor money, from Local 150 to name the easiest.

Then, after hundreds and hundreds of minutes passed, Raunerites, the 4 Tops of Bruce, Diana, Ken, and Richard made it clear “No $&@#% problems”, and labor is dead to the GOP.

I know, it’s way back, but if you take “.006 seconds” according to the Google, you can find Labor support to the Illinois Republicans back then… in as far back as 2014.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:09 pm
==Did you see the Paul Simon Institute poll showing him down 20 points in the suburbs? Yikes. I’m sure he’s winning your precinct though.===

I did see it 47. He’s not a guy who polls well. That might come as a surprise to you. I’m not, and never been a big Kirk guy…but I have voted for him and I will again.

Since you asked…I’m not hearing, nor doing a lot of discussion on Kirk in my precinct or others I’m working. Our focus is further down the ballot.
Kirk/Duckworth will tighten up plenty. Just watch. As I’ve said before, you can only poll this one on Election Day. Same with Dold/Schneider.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:11 pm
===Can it be “single-handed” when you list four people? ===

Honestly, I thought about it and changed it, but then referring to them as one unit of 4, I went with my gut.

“Because Madigan” isn’t a party ideal, it’s a weak rallying cry that morphed into what loosely is the Raunerite Manefesto of the ILGOP takeover.

Also, my comment above about the Republicans in Illinois and the marriage of Labor is there for you peruse.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:12 pm
The GOP will still gladly welcome support from Labor. But they are rightfully drawing a line in the sand with Rauner. The suffering of many for the benefit of the few needs to stop.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:13 pm
=have you ever met Ken Griffin? +

I have. I stand by my earlier statement.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:15 pm
==The suffering of many for the benefit of the few needs to stop.==

Forever a victim.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:17 pm
===I’m not hearing, nor doing a lot of discussion on Kirk in my precinct or others I’m working.===

Lol, that explains it.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:18 pm
==not kowtowing to every union whim==

I’m guessing the unions didn’t think it was kowtowing when they passed the Tier II pension “reform,” when they refused to provide funding for contractually negotiated wage increases, and when they shorted the funding of group insurance by hundreds of millions of dollars.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:19 pm
I chose that wording just so you could use your favorite word.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:21 pm
==“Because Madigan” isn’t a party ideal==

It is when you have nothing else to run on. They already used “Shaking up Springfield.”

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:28 pm
So….
My 0.004% = $40, which translates into the postage for about 100 direct mail pieces to targeted voters…Ken G’s 0.004% translates into 3 weeks of complete commercial and cable TV saturation of some 10+ million voters across the State of IL in 10+ major media markets.
Hmmmmm……
Seems that Ken G’s 0.004% contribution is simply equal in effectivness to my $40. /s

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:36 pm
I love it when you poke at the unions and they all collectively jump at the same time. Fun.

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:45 pm
- Big Muddy -

Ever see 25 Labor members show up to do yard signs for a Republican, after just a phone call. I have.

Ever hear a Police or Fire labor official say to a Republican, “whatever you need, we’re with you?” I have.

How about teachers, ever see where the IEA sent out to their members GOP members name? I have.

It’s like the last “decades” never existed with Republicans and Labor here in Illinois and that’s just not true.

I know I react as I do because somewhere, hopefully, labor leaders honestly see “Raunerism” and Repuicans aren’t the same.

Geez Louise, get a Republican in the collars rubbing for the GA with teachers, the trades, police and fire labor you got a heck of s head start at winning.

That’s gone now. All gone.

Gone, and it’s wrong.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Pretty sad when most of the big money in illinois is from investment and financial service firms. I wonder how many people they employ and how there investors did?

Comment by pool boy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 3:54 pm
Pool boy, why is that sad? What would you expect their wealth to come from? Manufacturing in a state controlled by labor unions?

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:09 pm
>Politics is a very inexpensive hobby for these people.

Profitable, even.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:14 pm
Lenin had his ‘useful idiots’ and Griffin has his ‘useful peasants’: both exhibiting a baseless faith that after their man gains complete political power, he will then begin acting in their best interests, despite never — ever — doing so previously.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:18 pm
“Gone, and it’s wrong.”

It is wrong. In Missouri, some brave Republican legislators stood up for their constituents against RTW legislation. I believe now they are being attacked by their own super-rich.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:22 pm
Money is to free speech as an M1A1 is to a slingshot.

Comment by Delimma Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:22 pm
OW,
Until IEANEA, AFSCME and SEIU want to help provide a sustainable financial solution to the mess we are in they will remain part of the problem. Compromise is not in their vocabulary. A response saying this is all on Rauner isn’t required as I have read your comments since the man took office. Spare us the rehash. May I suggest you take a breath, try to look at this from a different perspective and maybe open your mind just a bit to the fact that the pendulum has swung too far in their favor?
Respectfully,
Big Muddy

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:24 pm
==Compromise is not in their vocabulary. ==

Compromise isn’t in anyone’s vocabulary. You can’t expect them to agree to wage freezes, doubling of healthcare costs and easier ways to privatize services. You also can’t expect the Governor to agree to wage increases and static healthcare costs. This isn’t a refusal to compromise by one side or the other. It’s both.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:27 pm
===Compromise is not in their vocabulary===

Since each one of those groups have signed contracts, they must have had to compromise to get agreements.

Take a breath, don’t let your hyperbole make you hyperventilate.

Also, saying someone makes too much money, why don’t Raunerites just say that like Rauner did in Decatur?

Why won’t they in Illinois?

===…pendulum has swung too far in their favor?===

Ending prevailing wage and eliminating collective bargaining isn’t compromise, it’s to destroy unions.

Look at things honestly, get back to us.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:28 pm
- Big Muddy -

Thanks for ignoring the fact that labor all the way bank to 2014 supported Republicans.

I guess you didn’t ignore it, you dismissed it. That’s just blindly taking on labor due to your own distain, and ignoring truth.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:31 pm
Why would these guys leave IL because of taxes? The IL tax system is regressive. This is the placce to be for these guys.

Comment by Dr X Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Zatoichi, 389,485,734th, $125, CEO of Zat Industries, a minimally retired enterprise headquartered in Corn Country.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:39 pm
Illinois has as many billionaires as Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin combined. But the real money is in California and New York in spite of their high taxes, a higher minimum wage than Illinois, and more powerful unions.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:41 pm
Dear Mr. Miller,

This is a cease and desist letter, demanding that you remove the confidential and privileged information about the only special interest group that really matters in the State of Illinois. The list of people value their unique and instant access to 1.4%. Revealing this confidential information is a violation of their privacy

Failure to comply with this order will result in severe penalties.

Sincerely yours,

Dewey, Cheatum and Howe
Attorneys at Law

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:44 pm
==I love it when you poke at the unions and they all collectively jump at the same time. Fun.==

You noticed? Apparently, the intentions of 3% of the state population that is public sector unions are somehow altruistic and void of any agenda. What they don’t realize is that they have more in common with Griffin than they think…a very small yet politically wealthy segment of the population attempting to dictate how everyone else lives.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:46 pm
Oh - City Zen -

You’re forgetting.

Griffin would like nothing to destroy labor, public sector labor especially, Constitution or not.

Labor, public sector unions, are protected from Griffin.

So, there’s that too.

Keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Dr. X, too bad Illinois has the 5th highest state and local tax burden in the nation.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:50 pm
We can thank our coddled public sector for our tax burden.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:51 pm
- Ron -

It’s 23rd.

“No, don’t thank me, you’re welcome”

https://capitolfax.com/2016/10/03/todays-number-23rd-place/

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:55 pm
National Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed Trump and generally lean Republican.

When it comes down to who do they support Police or BLM, Hillary and many Dems are on the protestors side

It is not so cut and dried who is on the middle classes side.

The self described party of the middle class -Democrats get unions and trial lawyers but openly reject many labor friendly initiatives like Keystone pipeline and their open borders depress wages for unskilled workers. One reason why Trump is doing so well with the disaffected. They advocate for growing government to help the poor and their union interests but send the bill to the middle class.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 4:55 pm
Learn to read OW, state and local tax burden is what I said.

You’re most definitely welcome.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:01 pm
===our coddled public sector===

Yep, all those damn teachers, cops and firemen are bankrupting us.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:04 pm
@OW - So the .00001% vs the 3% with the 97% running for cover. Got it.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:05 pm
47th Ward Chicago Public Schools and the retirement funds for Police and Fire are effectively bankrupt.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:12 pm
The .01% don’t make me pay for their retirement and guarantee their investment returns.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:14 pm
- Ron -

===The way some business interests describe Illinois’ tax climate, one might think it’s about the worst in the nation.

Not so, according to the Tax Foundation, a tax policy research organization. The group’s annual State Business Tax Climate Index ranked Illinois 23rd.

That’s well above California, New York and New Jersey, deemed the nation’s three worst. All of our neighboring states also fared worse, with the exception of Indiana, which was ranked eighth in the nation.===

It’s 23rd. Not 5th. Your point is rebuked. By the Tribune

- City Zen -

You must’ve forgot all that Constitutionality thingy doing all that math, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:14 pm
===don’t make me pay for their retirement and guarantee their investment returns.===

The Illinois Constitution does. You already know that.

“See you next year, Ronald”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:16 pm
Willy, reading comprehension. I never mentioned business tax climate. Illinois has the 5th highest state and local tax burden. It’s on the Tax Foundation website.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:21 pm
But - Ron - “businesses are leaving”, Griffin represents business, and your concern for Labor is a business issue. You might have the fluffy clouds you’re yelling at wrong, lol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:27 pm
OW,
I responded but I don’t see it in the timeline. It was brilliant I assure you!
Work issues, I’m out for the remainder.
Respectfully,
Big Muddy

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:31 pm
My concern is paying me taxes in order to support a coddled public workforce that has rights no one in the private sector has. Illinois is losing population faster than all states but West Virginia. And terrible job growth likely due to our horrendous tax burden.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:34 pm
(Tips cap to - Big Muddy -, respectfully)

To bring this all back,

Griffin donation in my world is like deciding to take a pass on a dozen “premium” golf balls for 3 weeks of saturation Ads statewide.

Goodness gracious, that’s one odd way for me to see how little Griffin “has in the game” in his own wealth perspective.

One man. Like George Soros for Democrats, framing a personal agenda beyond what a party is really all about.

12 golf balls. Wow.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:37 pm
===47th Ward Chicago Public Schools and the retirement funds for Police and Fire are effectively bankrupt.===

No teacher, cop or fire fighter ever missed a payment LP. Why do you want to punish them?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 5:41 pm
On the one hand we have Oswego Willie arguing with facts and from experiences which many of us remember on the other we have Ron.

Comment by Matt Vernau Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 6:10 pm
OW - It is a couple cases of average beer. A bottle of very decent bourbon. A dinner for 2 or 3 at a chain restaurant. A few pizzas for a birthday party. A bar tab for a couple of friends.

The point of the post is to show that for the uber wealthy like 1.4%’s special interest group, writing multi-million dollar checks to aid in the battle for the soul of the State has minuscule impact on their pocket books.

I write a $40 check to a campaign, it is wishing them well. But there isn’t anything that I can expect in return for the donation. Because of their wealth and perceived influence, somebody like Griffin writing a $5 million check is going to expect something in return for the donation and most likely receive it.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 6:15 pm
- Huh? -

I’d like to think I understood that… with the 4 Tops thingy and bringing it back to golf balls. If I missed it, my bad.

(Tips cap to - Matt Vernau -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 6:26 pm
OW my misunderstanding about the golf balls. Didn’t understand or know about the reference. Thought it was a reference to something inexpensive but useful to many people.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 6:50 pm
- Huh? -

In ===my world=== golf balls are useful to me, lol.

All good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 6:52 pm
Omg the great friend of labor rinOW speaks history, way back to 2014? Be still my heart the history of his knowledge so far back ! He should teach labor history at U if I , Labor leaders face mambership for elections ? Really I’m still waiting for you to divulge you labor backround ! You think labor leaders aren’t once elected going to do everything to stay elected ? And they have leverage of employment and family welfare to garuantee elections ! Thanks for ingnoring labor supporting republicans back to 2014 ? Really who was that ? Your remembering the old IUOE 150 ? Better do some new D2s ! Labor members doing yard signs ? You one of them ? And my guess is since you have the pulse of conservative tradesmen and women you can predict the percentage HC vs. Trump ? Last question rinOW call out your union pals to disclose personal donations from the leaders and family members vs. hiding behind PAC funds ! I’ll sit down and wait for your and there disclosure!

Comment by Railrat Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 6:54 pm
- Railrat -

Paragraphs are your friends, lol

===Omg the great friend of labor rinOW speaks history, way back to 2014? Be still my heart the history of his knowledge so far back ===

Aw, shucks, I think you’re missing the mocking that Labor and this Raunerite rift is just that, not a Republican thing. You missed that. That’s ok.

===Labor leaders face mambership for elections ? Really I’m still waiting for you to divulge you labor backround===

They do face election. Look up any local or national, there are slates and national slates, and actually labor elections, you may find political operatives running or even involved in organizing for slates.

I am not, or never been in a union. That’s my background.

===Thanks for ingnoring labor supporting republicans back to 2014 ? Really who was that ? Your remembering the old IUOE 150 ? Better do some new D2s ! Labor members doing yard signs ? You one of them ?===

I think, no, I know I brought up labor supporting Republicans. Since I am not in a union, I wasn’t one of them helping.

===And my guess is since you have the pulse of conservative tradesmen and women you can predict the percentage HC vs. Trump===

Since I have been talking about the state and not the national,I dunno what you are trying to say here, but you said it. I hope you feel better.

===Last question rinOW call out your union pals to disclose personal donations from the leaders and family members vs. hiding behind PAC funds ! I’ll sit down and wait for your and there disclosure!===

Your respectul way of asking me things IS compelling.

If you’d like to join a union and ask the leaders of your local and national those questions, have at it … Also…

===And they have leverage of employment and family welfare to garuantee elections !===

… again… you may want to join a union then ask them their specific issues. Your anger is palpable(?)

===You think labor leaders aren’t once elected going to do everything to stay elected===

So they face election… Or not.

Pick a lane.

How’s that? lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 7:05 pm
rinOW your the supporter of labor vs GOP values , sorry to give you segues to national issues my bad, I gave you option to dodge question , I’m still curious since you have such strong conviction regarding labor support for GOP that’s been lost , prove your knowledge that labor LEADERS support GOP values vs them using members PAC donations ??? To preform the illusion of support . I’m sure even you a non union friend of labor can get 15 people to put up yard signs to say ” hey my union is behind you” .

Comment by Railrat Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 7:36 pm
- Railrat -

If you continue to be disrespectful, I won’t engage.

Plain enough for you?

===prove your knowledge that labor LEADERS support GOP values vs them using members PAC donations ???===

What. Does. This. Mean?

Leaders support GOP Values? Ok…

“vs”

===them using members PAC donations ???===

You have to use your words. What does this mean? Use how, to support Republicans? You are making no sense in the “vs”

Work on that.

===I’m sure even you a non union friend of labor can get 15 people to put up yard signs to say ” hey my union is behind you” .===

I guess you can say that about any group(s). I guess that same guy also had 20+ union coats with names that matched 20+ friends that answered to those 20+ names?

Your tin foil hat is… well, it’s working.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 7:46 pm
Railrat- unions are like any other special interest. They will support which ever party or candidate that will support and promote their interests.

Labor got sacked into the raunerite orbit thinking that 1.4% was better than Quinn. And unfortunately for the unions, AFSCME in particular, they were hoodwinked.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 4, 16 @ 8:10 pm
1.4% - .04% = 2:% tax savings

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Oct 6, 16 @ 11:47 am