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4-H and the Illinois disaster

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* My Sun-Times column this week is about state politics and the 4-H pledge…

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

I was a loyal 4-H member for years, back when I was living on a farm in Iroquois County. I raised animals, did some photography projects, small engine repair and a bunch of other stuff during my membership in the Milks Grove Challengers club. (Milks Grove was the name of our township.) So I recited that pledge a kabillion times.

* Anyway, to the column…

The pledge came back to me this week when we learned Gov. Blagojevich was withholding $18 million from the agency that oversees 4-H programs in Illinois. […]

The three most powerful Democrats in Springfield, Gov. Blagojevich, Speaker Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, are from Chicago and they don’t have a 4-H background. The program does serve city kids, but not those three city natives.

If they had taken that pledge, and thought about what it meant, perhaps we wouldn’t be in this mess today.

Clearer thinking? That behavior does not spring immediately to mind when Springfield is mentioned these days. Just the opposite. Umpteen special sessions which resolved nothing, crisis after crisis, intraparty bickering, all while the state slips into recession.

Greater loyalty? The only thing those three guys are loyal to is their long-standing grudges against one another. Blagojevich has plotted against Madigan since his days in the Illinois House. Jones has grumbled for years that Madigan refuses to give him the respect he deserves. Madigan believes that Jones and Blagojevich are out to destroy him. They have their reasons, some of them pretty solid, but if they were loyal to the state they’d all find a way to get past their disdain for one another and get something done.

Larger service? The three men generally serve only their own interests. They’re either trying to protect or expand their respective power bases, often at the expense of the other guy. Also, the Tony Rezko corruption trial has shown that the governor has had his “hands” out to campaign contributors — palms up — in return for alleged “pledges” of state business. Not exactly the same thing.

Better living? The endless legislative sessions have just about killed the mental health of rank-and-file legislators who are caught in the middle of this war, Statehouse reporters and newspaper editorial writers who have to write about this insanity and, as polling has clearly shown, the vast majority of voters. The only people making out like bandits are the big-money insiders and me. I’ve sold a lot of newsletter subscriptions and blog ads since Rod Blagojevich was first elected. My wife thinks he’s the greatest thing ever.

Then again, Gov. Blagojevich is so fond of bald-faced spin I can already guess which loophole he’d find to get out of that 4-H pledge.

“It says ‘my club, community, country and world,’ ” he’d claim. “There’s nothing in there about my state.”

Jones would agree with Blagojevich, because that’s what he always does. Madigan, who rarely talks to the press, would simply refuse to answer the question.

* More Statehouse news…

* Auditor general faults SIU in release of student information

* Fissures

* Tax raises, breaks on the agenda

* Democrats fail in attempt to raise income tax for wealthy

* House defeats $3 billion tax hike that targets rich

* Cayman Islands-style economic development by tax haven

* Hastert pushes massive state public works program

* Springfield stalemate jeopardizes programs and jobs

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 9:45 am

Comments

The shame of this is that it is farm and/or downstate related so none of the power politicains care, even the Governor’s mouth piece from the metro east area. If this were happening to the educational establishment there would be a great uproar. Every program has flaws but the good 4H clubs go a long way in helping their members to start succeeding in life. Members learn responsibility. Maybe that is the problem in Springfield. Is it to late to make the political class become members?
Rich, you could start a whole thread on what animals or projects we think different politicians would show. This could be comical, especially for those of us familiar with 4H.

Comment by little nobody Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:14 am
Mr. Miller — thank you so much for your support of the 4-H program. Because you are a 4-H alum, I’m not surprised that your article is well written and hits the nail on the head! The 4-H program happens statewide and even in northeastern Illinois. It brings a lot of good to the kids participating up here. We just have different avenues of reaching those kids — community clubs, school enrichment and after school. Again, thank you for your support!

Comment by Deanna Roby Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:33 am
Perhaps Governor Jet-Fuel subscribes to a different meaning of “4-H”, namely, hard-heartedness, hedonism, hate and hysteria.

Comment by Jake from Elwood Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:36 am
Hey Rich, the link to the column isn’t working for me (tried multiple browsers) it is coming back page not found.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:45 am
The Gov. and leaders simply want to coerce the 4H backers into supporting the proposed fund sweep. This is happening all over. The Community Colleges are looking at a $25M recision, unless they support the sweep. The legislators are getting lots of calls on this.

Extortion works.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:45 am
===the link to the column isn’t working for me===

After failing to post the column this morning they overcompensated by posting it twice, then deleted one of the duplicates. I initially linked to the one they deleted. It’s fixed now. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:48 am
The 4-H building at my high school was converted to a track and field storage building in 1936. So, I didn’t know what 4-H was until I was attending college and saw their way-cool jackets. Since then, I associate 4-H with rural communities. Today, I am a big fan and hope we continue to fund it.

But, I can’t fault the Three Tops for their ignorance as children, regarding 4-H. Or for their lack of passion over it. However, as leaders of our state, however, their disinterest in 4-H could be interpreted as a disinterest in anything outside Chicagoland. And it should be interpreted in that manner because each man controls his public image.

There is a reason to support political diversity and expect each political party to nominate candidates with diverse backgrounds. Right now we have a 100% Chicago state government. Arguments can be made that since the majority of Illinoians live in Cook County, and that the majority of wealth and taxes come from Chicagoland, then having a 100% Chicago government running Illinois isn’t necessarily bad.

But being not necessarily bad, doesn’t mean good, does it? It would be better if Illinois’ governmental leadership included individuals from any one of the other 100 Illinois counties. We need diversity within our political parties in the real meaning of the word. Currently, as seen in Illinois, political diversity means different looking people agreeing on the same thing. This doesn’t meet the spirit behind the phrase, does it? If it isn’t bad enough that Illinois is a one-party state, it is a one-party, single-city ruled state.

The 4-H situation is frustrating. Even as a 4-H ignorami, I know enough to respect it and want to see rural students enjoying 4-H activities over crystal meth labs. It wouldn’t surprise me if the men who lead our state would find the money to support after-school activities in Chicago, right? Then what is their excuse?

I believe it is because they have no exposure to it and the Illinois Democratic Party has no leadership exposed to it. This is one of the problems with 100% one-party, single-city state government.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:02 am
Well said VM.

Comment by Leave a light on George Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:12 am
Just a point of correction. The cool (blue) jackets belong to FFA, not 4H. 4H gets into much more than just production agriculture issues and has chapters in many non-farm communities. It (along with the other, widely-varied services provided by Extension) is a valuable resource for farm and non-farm families alike across the state. More people need to realize the resource they have available to them locally for gardening information, diet and foot safety tips, pest management (for homes and farms) even radon testing…in addition to 4H and agriculture assistance.

Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:25 am
After the election I went back to work with University of Illinois Extension - Cook County, which oversees the 4-H program. Our work is often unsung, as we are frequently the tertiary partners to a program. We are inside the public schools every day. Our more than 400 trained Master Gardener volunteers work countless public and community gardens (from tours to maintenance). Our Science on the Go mobile lab travels all over the county delivering science and technology programs to poorer school districts.

The work we are doing in urban communities is essential to helping ‘level the playing field’ through education. There are traditional 4-H clubs throughout Cook County. In fact, we just added 5 additional clubs in the South Suburbs (Robbins, Harvey, etc.). Our most requested youth program seems to be Conflict Resolution and Character Building.

In a year where violence continues to erupt in our schools and our economy tickles recession, Extension’s role can continue to go unsung, as long as it doesn’t go unfunded.

I hope your attention-grabbing piece enlightens our legislators and awakens our 4-H alums into action.

Comment by AmySue Mertens Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:27 am
===Just a point of correction. The cool (blue) jackets belong to FFA, not 4H. ===

Who made that mistake?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:28 am
VanillaMan made a reference to the “way-cool” jackets. That and the reference to the high school building lead me to believe he was referencing FFA and not 4H. Not a huge deal and an easy mistake to make for many not familiar with the two organizations.

Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:31 am
Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:32 am
Oh yes Richard, I remember those days so well. There you were being dragged through the manure by the young steer named Seneca, after it’s hometown. It didn’t lack any “testicular virility” but it did lack horse sense and testicals. Maybe we should’ve named it Springfield. Dad

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:37 am
I chose to live in a community that invests heavily in their schools and extra-curricular activities. I personally spend a lot of time and money supporting them and am glad I can. Sports, theater, clubs, 4-H — all of these programs do everything everone has said as far as teaching values. But just as importantly, they help these kids through the danger years.

It’s confusing to be a kid. You have all the hormonal stuff going on and a popular culture that often celebrates and glorifies irresponsibility, narcissism and nihilism. I sound like my old man, but it’s true. These programs give an them an alternative to those values.

That important, more-bang-for-your-buck programs are threatened because we have a governor who can’t figure out how to make a face-saving deal to save his life is galling.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:39 am
Rich,

“My community” encompasses “my state.” Check and mate!

Aside: After and extended discussion on cattle showmanship, my wife mocked my years of 4-H membership. My brother, mother-in-law leaped to my defense and then we all recited the 4-H pledge together as a sign of our hillbilly unity.

My mom-in-law was shocked to find out that the phrase, “and my world” had been added to the pledge since her days showing cattle in the early 60s.

After we assured her that was the current pledge, my brother-in-law quipped, “Well, I guess the Commies won mom.”

– SCAM
so-called “Austin Mayor”
http://austinmayor.blogspot.com

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 12:15 pm
Is 4H fully funded by the government though? I think I’ve seen fund raisers from time to time. Is there any reason the program can’t be privately funded like the girl scouts are? I am, despite being reared in Central IL, completely ignorant of what the scope of 4H is. I didn’t, for instance, know that it had a presence in Cook County.

As for geographic diversity, we do have Sen Durbin, who if memory serves is not from Cook County and during the primary and general election in 2006, the voters had a variety of choices in regional areas, what with Mangieri (Knox) and the fellow from Tazewell. Blame the voters if you find their regional choices inadequate.

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 12:21 pm
His self serving actions speak for themselves. He could care less about anyone or anything outside of the Chicago MSA. We have a governor who know no low.
Cermak - Girl and Boy Scouts are funded through the United Way. Also, it’s not that our choices downstate are any more inadequate than update, it’s that there are fewer of them and their voices and votes are drowned by the cries from Chicago.

Comment by So. Il citizen Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 1:04 pm
Some argue that without Chicago, Illinois would be Iowa — i.e. a sparsely populated, mostly rural state with little cultural or economic diversity and even less national influence.
Well, couldn’t we also argue that without downstate, Illinois (reduced to Cook County or the Chicago metro area only) would be nothing but a dysfunctional, corrupt urban jungle (more so than it is already)? Comparable to, maybe, New Jersey (although NJ does have rural areas and is called the Garden State)?
My point is that both Chicago and downstate are inextricably linked and either one would be reduced without a connection to the other. Our elected leaders ought to recognize this.
On 4-H, I was never in it myself but I know youth and adults who were, and it is a wonderful program that is definitely NOT just for farm kids. (For that matter, FFA isn’t just for farm kids anymore either. That’s part of the reason they stopped calling themselves “Future Farmers of America” and just go by the initials now.)

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 1:23 pm
Try similarly applying Rotary’s 4-Way Test.

Comment by Cal Skinner Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 2:00 pm
Right! The FFA wears the way-cool blue jackets. But I also know the 4-H should be funded and is a great organization.

Even as a 4-H and FFA ignorami, I recognize the need to see the state of Illinois in it’s entirety. For the political party claiming support of diversity, it would be nice to see them recognize diversity within our state.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 2:28 pm
If Cook County has 4-H, do they have a 4-H Fair? I must admit that the notion of a “Cook County 4-H Fair” sounds like a comedy sketch
All kidding aside, 4-H members and clubs have many different focuses. Some raise animals, (not just farm animals but dogs, cats and other house pets too) some do cooking, sewing or clothing design, others do science and art projects, model building, rocketry, etc. Almost any kind of skill or hobby can be incorporated into 4-H. Which makes it all the more sad that Blago has chosen to hold it hostage to get his way.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 2:43 pm
As a former 4-H club member and a parent of 4-H members, I feel this must also be added to the discussion. 4-H is not only about young people learning to care and raise livestock, build rockets, sew or design clothing or any of the multitude of other projects which are avialable, but it is also about public speaking, personal and community responsibility and participation, respect for others and thier individuality. In short it has taught many young people to become worthwhile citizens of the community and world. I’m proud to have been a member and I hope that its funding is restored.

Comment by Just a Citizen Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 3:21 pm
=== but it is also about public speaking,===

I forgot about that. I won my county 4-H emcee contest for Share the Fun (skits by clubs) and went to the State Fair when I was a kid.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 3:26 pm
Anonymous - I don’t think Cook County has a 4-H Fair or county fair, but they are home to the Chicago High School for Ag Sciences. It’s a good school and competition for entry is usually pretty tough. I talked to a number of kids there who said their mothers pushed them to go there because it was safer and promised career possibilities in biotech, turf management, landscaping, etc. in addition to traditional ag. It’s a pretty neat place to have in the middle of south Chicago.

Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 3:44 pm
There are three 4-H fairs in Cook County. One in the North Suburbs, one in the South Suburbs at a farm, and one in Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The public is welcome. (For more info call 708-449-4320 for the South Suburbs, 773-768-7779 for Chicago, and 847-437-6449 for the North Suburbs.) We send quite a few youth downstate each year.

Comment by AmySue Mertens Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 4:08 pm
Thanks, Amy, for the info!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 4:21 pm
Richard, don’t forget the next Miller son also won the county 4-H emcee contest for Share the Fun and from a different county, Carroll. The other three sons would’ve won or done well I’m sure, but they missed that life experiance when we moved from Illinois. Dad

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 4:39 pm
U of I Extensions doesn’t just deal with 4-H, they also have programs for diabetics, soldiers families where they hook up cams for them to talk to their soldier overseas, teen pregnancy programs in some area’s and I know of a program for the old homemakers, where they get together for cooking etc to keep the old ladies active.

I never got to join 4-H, my dad works for Extensions here in Jefferson County but when I have seen the kids faces and the different projects they get to do, I am happy that it is available.

Extensions is wonderful and for Blagojevich to do this and end up causing 450 or more people to lose their jobs just because the little child doesn’t get his way, it makes me sick.

Comment by Amanda Piacenza Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 4:49 pm
U of I Extension was much more valuable when we were a more agrarian society.

4-H is great for farm kids, but Extension itself has bloated into another pork-filled government program that needs shrinking with this state being in such a dire financial situation.

Comment by John Quincy Adams Saturday, Apr 12, 08 @ 11:53 am
It is ridiculous that our tax money state should fund 4-H. It should be funded privately or though outside groups like United Way or dues. Why do the tax and spenders think the are ENTITLED to this during a recssion or in any other time.

Comment by Diane Sunday, Apr 13, 08 @ 6:42 am
Spending money to help youth become responsible adults is a worthy investment.Especially considering some of the absolute innane spending allowed in this state. Over the weekend there were 30 youth shot in Chicago. At this point,I am all for mandatory curfew and 4H enrollment. Call it remedial head start…

Comment by dupage4h Monday, Apr 21, 08 @ 10:46 pm