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Oppo dump!

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Last July, Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey took to Facebook to denounce both the extension of federally-enhanced state jobless benefits and Democratic President Joe Biden’s visit to Crystal Lake to promote his coronavirus relief agenda.

“Here’s the dangerous slope that we are on in America,” the state senator and farmer from downstate Xenia said, while discussing Biden’s visit. “That’s exactly what we heard: Free stuff. Handouts. Don’t worry about it, the government’s going to take care of you.”

“Friends,” he said, “that’s socialism.”

But only months before, on Feb. 26, Bailey received the latest of a series of payments from the federal government’s coronavirus business relief Paycheck Protection Program under the Small Business Administration — $231,475 to support 11 jobs at the family farm he owns with his sons.

Less than a month later, on March 22, Bailey reported a personal loan of $150,000 to his campaign for governor, listing “Self-Employed (Bailey Family Farms)” as his employer on the required state campaign finance disclosure form. […]

All told, records compiled in a database produced by investigative news agency ProPublica show Bailey’s family farm and two other entities he owns, Bailey Family Freight and the Virtue House Ministries Christian school run by his wife, received $569,045 in so-called PPP loans from April 2020 to February 2021.

Bailey’s campaign says they abided by all the rules.

…Adding… Maybe he should just embrace and celebrate it like Rickey Hendon did…

Friends, I need my rona money.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:19 pm

Comments

no shortage of hypocrisy in too many republicans like there is with commonsense and truth

Comment by truthteller Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:24 pm
As an expert on socialism, being a socialist himself, when Bailey says it’s socialism you should believe him.

He is also an expert on hypocrisy, in fact he is a mentor.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:25 pm
Let’s not overlook the forgiven PPP loans his wife’s Christian school, which boosts things up to $800,000. Oh, and there’s another quarter-million in COVID farm relief that Bailey sure had no problem taking when the government handed it out to him.

Bailey’s spokesman was able to blubber out “the elites and fake news media” as a response, so that’ll probably provide enough cover to satisfy the base.

Comment by Roadrager Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:26 pm
I think most CapFax folks already knew about this, but obviously it getting in the Trib is a slightly bigger deal.

For folks like Bailey, tho, “socialism” is only when free stuff goes to THOSE people.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:26 pm
Bailey has no shame. And the rest of the GOP; will anyone call out Bailey’s hypocrisy? Doubtful.

Comment by Tired Teacher Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:29 pm
Some politicians really do make money from the government !

Comment by Steve Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:29 pm
So many things to say, all inappropriate. So, I’ll stick to demonstrable fact to observe that he’s an unabashed hypocrite.

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:34 pm
I bet he has a good tax man.

Comment by Furtive Look Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:40 pm
Gonna argue being in a position to get that much in loans makes you an elite.

The commercials from ‘citizens against socialism or something like that are going to be fun to watch.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:40 pm
Capfaxers, that’s (evil) socialism!

Comment by Pius Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:42 pm
I want my government to take care of me…at least as well as they take care of The Baileys.

Friends, that’s Socialism… at it’s best.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:43 pm
Honestly, the snarky comments that I could put here practically wrote themselves. I’ll stay civil, though.

==they abided by all the rules==

No one is saying they didn’t. Let’s address the issue, shall we Bailey Campaign.

==Free stuff. Handouts==

An absolutely shameless attack, made all the more worse by his hypocrisy.

Comment by Bourbon Street Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:44 pm
So is Neimurg’s bill to prevent socialists from circulating petitions aimed at Bailey?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:44 pm
Bailey just seems to remind me more and more of Sam McCann.

Comment by Inverted Pyramid Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:45 pm
If only rural Republican voters cared that they’re being hustled. Socialism is a word to rile up the base. But they don’t, because apparently it’s worse to be someone they don’t like getting government help. So many who preach the ills of government benefit directly from it. St. Reagan was in government many years, telling people government is bad.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:48 pm
Bailey is dishonest to his own beliefs and practices, especially when it comes to the monetary aspects of governing and “who can get what”

It’s up to those willing to beat him to continue, not only oppo dumps like this, but keep it front and center to defeat him or keep him from gaining more momentum.

Bailey is a carnival barker with a statehouse title, as voters put him in his office and given him the ability to rail about things he himself loves to partake in… for his own monetary windfalls.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:48 pm
A classic pounding of chest in protest out front to then go in the side door for the complimentary “free stuff hand out” goodie bag before leaving.

Comment by Gonzo Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:49 pm
What is the cliff notes version of “Animal Farm”? Some pigs are better than others?

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:51 pm
Sounds like he is in favor of public financing of elections

Comment by Publius Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:55 pm
Regardless of party any elected official who spoke out against these loans and then took one should resign from office and not be running for higher office. The unreal hypocrisy by these elected officials is why people dislike and distrust politicians so much.
And make no doubt the voters who are trying to make ends meet won’t be happy or sympathetic to them.
Before even announcing Irwin just gained ground South of I 80

Comment by Long Time Independent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:56 pm
If this is what JB is up against , he can save his money in 2024 and not actively campaign.

Comment by Steve Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:57 pm
Well in Bailey’s defense, he’s not on that slope. He’s at the bottom of it.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:00 pm
When ‘socialism’ becomes ‘Merica’

Comment by Boomerang Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:11 pm
Sounds like fraud

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:11 pm
How did the pandemic closures stop operations at his farm with only 11 people?

Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:12 pm
==If only rural Republican voters cared that they’re being hustled. Socialism is a word to rile up the base. But they don’t, because apparently it’s worse to be someone they don’t like getting government help.==

The last decade has taught me that “I won’t help you, and I may hurt you, but I will hurt the people you don’t like even more” is an exceptionally alluring campaign message to a wide swath of this country.

Comment by Roadrager Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:18 pm
Using PPP money for personal expenses has gotten lots of folks in trouble lately. NFL players, Baltimore DA, business entrepreneurs etc etc. hope that accountant has all the receipts.

Comment by Frank talks Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:26 pm
Bank loans for machinery and farm operations that go to campaign expenses. Keep digging.

Comment by So of I-64 Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:27 pm
He abided by the rules. As did most of the people he’s throwing shade about. It is the classic ‘ok for me, but not for thee’. Many of his supporters also got subsidies. No matter how many times you call their attention to it, they just don’t get it.

Comment by thoughts matter Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:28 pm
At the end of the day, Bailey is exactly what he has accused other of being, dishonest.

He takes government handouts while while attacking those who do the very same thing and while trying to stop others, people who are actually needy, from getting them.

Oh, but he followed the rules. So what. He took government handouts. And lots of them. Millions.

Some farmers, like Bailey, know how to maximize government subsidies by creating a series of corporations and holding like his trucking business which is really part of his family (corporate) farm.

He knows the rules and works them to the max to maximize his tax breaks and his subsidies.

Bailey Farms, a USDA cooperative.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:32 pm
Perhaps Farmer Bailey should update his campaign song to “I just Wanna Love You” by Jay-Z. Quite fitting to see him walk out to rail against socialism while, in the background, you hear:

I’m a hustler baby
I just want you to know

Comment by MG85 Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:35 pm
In order for the loans to be forgiven wasn’t he supposed to show the money was spent on keeping the business alive?

Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:46 pm
This is why I’ll always be an independent. Hypocrisy.

Comment by Blue Dog Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:54 pm
– Bailey’s campaign says they abided by all the rules. –

The Dude abides.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:55 pm
Was Rabines forgiven the Tribune didn’t say if it was or not

Comment by Long Time Independent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:56 pm
Sadly, hypocrisy in a candidate never stopped a Republican voter from casting their ballot for him or her.

In fact, hypocrisy has become a requirement for Republican candidates.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:09 pm
I actually got a bit of a kick out of Hollywood’s musical video.
Here’s a hint on making it relevant to the blog post- - close your eyes and picture Darrell B. as the singer.
Great stuff.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:11 pm
==The Dude abides. ==

Please, please, please do not mention The Dude and Bailey in the same post.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:20 pm
Hopefully one day he will have to explain to his constituents how he took more in handouts from the big bad federal government than most of them have ever seen in their entire lives, yet thinks this is bad and un-American for others to do it.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:27 pm
He still hasn’t answered the outstanding question from the Trib. Why take a PPP loan if you had $150K available to give to your campaign?

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:31 pm
“Bailey’s campaign says they abided by all the rules.”

Agreed. But if abiding by the rules was all we expected from governors, Pat Quinn would still have the job.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:35 pm
You can bet not one person on Griffins ticket took a PPP loan and not pay it back. Z won’t let this be forgotten like this loans did.

Comment by Long Time Independent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:38 pm
Go Rickey go.

Very catchy and entertaining way to end a week filled with bad Rona news.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:45 pm
The hypocrisy doesn’t bother me so much because we all have blind spots when it comes to our own self interest.
But, dang. What kind of a doofus couldn’t see that coming?

Comment by Da big bad wolf Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:48 pm
== You can bet not one person on Griffins ticket took a PPP loan and not pay it back ==

Willing to put money on that?

So far in searching can’t find one Richard Irvin took.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:49 pm
My first car was a Buick just like the one in the video. Maybe I could find another one if I got some more rona money.

Comment by Dan Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:56 pm
Wouldn’t be surprised to see that Bailey also received a $81,475 bonus last year from his farm.

That guy is unbearable.

Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:57 pm
I’m against handouts as well; however, I didn’t turn down any money from the government….eventually I’m going to have to pay for it in taxes so I might as well benefit from it, too. Considering how large his farming operation alone is, that isn’t all that much.

Comment by Ugh Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:05 pm
One man - how much was it for and was it forgiven ?

Comment by Long Time Independent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:29 pm
I guess this is what it looks like when you go so far to the right that you’re on the left.

Comment by SAP Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:30 pm
Hypocrite is the kindest word I can think of to describe Mr. Bailey. Other words I can think of would get me banned from this site. I believe his motto must be “Different rules for thee than me”.

Comment by Manchester Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:34 pm
=Considering how large his farming operation alone is, that isn’t all that much.=

Beyond the hypocrisy of it all, I’d be careful in dismissing this as a bunch of nothing. This money had conditions attached to it including a certification the loan was necessary to continue their business operations. If it made a round trip into Bailey’s campaign account the feds might not be so forgiving. Others have already been prosecuted. So I can understand why Darren might be a bit mum right now.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:36 pm
===Considering===

… the rank hypocrisy, LOL

Bailey is everything *he* himself despises…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:38 pm
You can bet not one person on Griffins ticket took a PPP loan and not pay it back
—pretty sure if they did, they a.) weren’t railing against Federal bailouts and 2.) didn’t turn around and loan it to their campaign

Comment by Raising Kane Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:43 pm