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* When somebody butters you up like this…
Our very own Springfielder, Rich Miller, who has done for state house reporting what Franklin did for electricity, and in so doing has sharpened the pens and reporting of his colleagues to everyone’s benefit
You know a hit is coming.
Chris Robling continues…
[Miller] quite sadly goes way off the beam in [yesterday] morning’s Capitol Fax. As in:
“The problem this year, though, is the Republican legislative leaders have yet to show any real signal that they are ready to do a deal that will wrap this thing up.”
How’s that again?
Lest it go unsaid, the problem with Illinois government this year is that the Democrats have so far failed miserably at finding a way to clean up the mess in the making of which they happily participated from November 2002 until approximately 8 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, December 9, 2008, when their Governor’s arrest was first reported.
Robling’s absolutely right. What I wrote was not accurate and I was surprised when I read Robling’s piece that I had let that mistake get by me. I shouldn’t have written “this year.” I should’ve written “this week.” That’s what I meant, but I can’t expect people to read my mind. Call it a stupid typo. So, I retract that word. But I also wrote this, which wasn’t mentioned in the piece…
The real point is, [the Republicans] want their ideas heard, respected and considered on an equal footing with the Democrats. One can’t blame them.
And I stand by that.
* The Question: Who is most to blame for the current [as in “this week”] inability to come to a final budget agreement? Explain thoroughly. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 11:50 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Running around pointing the finger at who to blame is simply circus-side show behavior to avoid fixing the problem.
Who to blame? The people who run around looking to assign blame before acting. (Think Tom Cross tax increase).
Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 11:55 am
the whole lot of them share the blame, but lack of true leadership on all sides is the bigger problem. I’m sick of all of them and would like to see the entire general assembly let go! we elect them to do a job, they elect their leadership, and they have failed us over and over and over again. this week, I point my finger at the 4 “leaders” and the governor, but mostly the 4 so called leaders in the general assembly.
Comment by susie Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Blame the Dream.
Blame the Dream that we can have a government that will be all things to all people at all times; that will keep so many thousands on the payroll and so many millions more afloat, dependent on benefits, not jobs; that can provide health care to all; that can provide pensions to all state workers; that can build every piece of infrastructure we need; and make sure that those with clout get there juicy pieces of the pie out the back door, and do it all without bankrupting the state, or imposing huge taxes.
But also blame those who perpetuate the Dream through campaign promises to get elected, and those who will simply put pieces of it in place to clear their own conscience, without regard to the financial consequences to the people.
Comment by Bubs Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:10 pm
We, the voters, are to blame.
We return these clowns again and again and again. This week, this session, this year; it’s nothing new. We’ve seen this episode before.
We tolerate this nonsense because we want it all and someone else to pay for it. We stick our metaphoric fingers in our metaphoric ears at the first hint of serious, and seriously sobering news — and the TV stations and newspapers play along by spoon-feeding us heaping portions of “Patti in the Jungle!” “Jon & Kate!”
Our state’s “leadership” have spent many a year driving us straight for the edge of this cliff while we sat in the back, distracted by baubles, bangles and bright, shiny beads.
Our sloth and inattention has caught up to us, and now the bill is due. Pay it now, or matters get much, much worse.
Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:12 pm
Quinn and the Four Tops*…
I give Cullerton and Radogno minor credit for having not quite gone at each other as much Cross and Madigan with all the goofy out-of-order esoteric parliamentary moves. …And Quinn has to learn to get way out in front of things, outside his comfort zone, and lead.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:13 pm
Leadership, leadership, leadership. Few dems in the house will buck MJM. He wants to spread the blame around (read GOP) when the “inevitable” tax increase gets approved. The senate had produced a budget bill that, while not perfect, was a starting place. The house did not respond to that at all. Quinn is trying with his pension scheme (I am not qualified to opine - is there anyone out there who is?). MJM is silent. Nuff said.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:13 pm
Northsider is correct. The voters do it over and over. They persistently listen to candidate during election cycles, but ignore the process for which they were elected. It’s only the soundbite that gets the voter’s attention and when we govern by soundbite, we really don’t govern. Voters really need to wisen up (for a lack of better expression.)
Comment by Out There Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:15 pm
Mile Madigan and Tom Cross, the Democratic and Republicn House leaders, are the primary culprits in this latest fiscal fiasco. For all practical purposes the State House of Representatives did nothing to effectively address and resolve the fiscal train wreck.
Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:16 pm
Mike Madigan
Comment by Niles Township Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:17 pm
Northsider,
I generally agree with the whole “we the voters are to blame” statement. The problem with the GA leadership - mostly MJM, tho, is that I am not a constituent of his - I do not live in his district. I live in DuPage county and my reps are all GOP. My reps can not vote to remove the speaker. There is too much power concentrated in too few people in Springfield. People who are not accountable to the entire state.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:18 pm
PS Pat Quinn also deserves an honorable mention for screwing things up., but he inherited a terrible situation, and I give him some credit for trying to get something positive done.
Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:20 pm
Based on the above, I’d say you are Rich Miller.
For shame!
Comment by Frank Booth Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:21 pm
I blame the big money interests that fuel the election of the totally inept. Once they are elected all they can think about is how to stay in office. Their whole thought process is tied to staying in office. When you are consumed by these thoughts and of course all around them are consumed by the same, it becomes impossible to function for the people that elected you. The only solution is term limits that keep these folks from becoming our worst nightmare!
Comment by NIEVA Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:24 pm
Who is to blame. We are. We accept this train wreck, we call Illlinois government, and elect the
same officials time after time, who do only their own bidding.
No reform, no budget, just the same old mess, and my folks just want to blame it on the other party.
God what a mess.
Comment by downstate dem Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:24 pm
The inability to make tough choices in a shrinking economy is only exemplified by the behavior of the top elected leaders, but it’s a reflection of our society at large.
I think back to my depression-era grandparents, long deceased, who went through every sort of adversity one could imagine, without the social safety-net that exists today. How could they have survived? But they did.
Today’s folks (admittedly including me when I don’t reflect on this) don’t want to believe the gravy train is about to run out. Greed has been intertangled by fear, and the collective “we” wants to sweep it all under the rug to the extent possible.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:25 pm
I agree with Bubs; the Dream is to blame.
I cannot and will not blame Cross or Rodogno, and why anyone would makes me agree with Bubs all the more. They were irrevelant to the process before May 31, and were treated as such by the Big Three. If social services, the suffering, the people, the this, the that, really meant so much to the Big Three and that side of the aisle, then a budget should have been passed on may 31st.
Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:26 pm
NIEVA,
At least term limits on leadership positions - house, sentate and Gov. That way, people can’t hold sway over citizens who have no ability to “vote the bum out”. Getting that passed will be easy…NOT.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:28 pm
The D’s - they are in control by a considerable majority.
But its nice to try and give them some cover.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:32 pm
The calendar and Newton’s First Law of Motion. This week contained no deadlines to force any action.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:33 pm
George W Bush is to blame. Everyone blames “W” for everything.
Comment by Deeda Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:35 pm
The problem with Bubs’ “blame the dream” statement is that there is no entry point to put a solution to work. Many here know that gov’t can’t/shouldn’t be the place for all problems to be laid. Where do you start? What is the first step - here & now? Blame it on “the dream” is a slogan. Howsabout giving us a place to start to unravel the web? I suppose you can go cold turkey. How would that effect unemployment and lowered tax revenue with all those displaced workers hitting the streets? Shock treatment at this time is ill advised by many more knowledgeable than I am. Give us step one, Bubs.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:36 pm
Who is the most powerful man in Springfield? He can get something done if he wants to? Can’t he?
Comment by The Court Jester Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:36 pm
Quinn, Filan, Ostrow… for their continued inability to negotiate a budget on time… and Jerry Stermer for letting Quinn threaten the human service agencies. We’ve seen all this before. The dems passed a budget for 6 mos. Quinn refused to accept it. Nuff said.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:41 pm
dupage dan @12:18,
I agree there is too much power concentrated in too few hands, and I understand what you’re saying about DuPage County’s contribution to the mess. Of course, Lee Daniels and Pate Philip behaved no better when they were in charge.
So it’s up to us to either demand better, or find better alternatives. Are the Greens still a major party, in terms of ballot access? If they run serious candidates, I’m ready to give them a serious look. Hell, we can’t do any worse than the current crop of Democrats or Republicans.
Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:41 pm
=== Leadership, leadership, leadership. ===
Um, you can delegate Authority, but not Responsibility.
If you have to pin blame somewhere, the buck stops at the Governor’s office:
1) Quinn should not have brought lawmakers back to Springfield without enough votes to pass a budget.
2) Quinn needs to stop talking about “sacrifice” and start reminding people how much spending his proposed budget cut. And remind folks over and over that Republicans STILL haven’t produced a list of things they’d like cut from the budget.
3) Quinn needs to spend more time in Republican districts talking about the cuts coming to education, and less time in Democratic districts campaigning for the Primary.
Comment by Shared Responsibility Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:43 pm
The Democrats….
Why, well they could have done this without the Republicans up until this month and were unable to do so. They made the Republican’s relevant in this process.
It’s like grabbing a kid to play football with you because you need to have even teams and getting upset with him when he doesn’t want to be the guy who always rushes the passer or block.
The Republicans are going to have to get something out of this if they are going to put any votes on any sort of tax increase. It seems so far the Democrats have been unwilling to move very much on what the GOP is asking for.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:44 pm
Northsider,
Your comments re Daniels and Philip are well taken. It really proves my point that we need term limits on GA leadership positions and the GOVs’ office.
Fringe parties will not be accepted by a majority of the electorate regardless of the reasonableness (or lack, thereof) of their positions. We are stuck with the parties we have. Only we can reform them. No small feat, that.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:46 pm
and speaking of “Shared Responsibility”, when Robling writes this:
Back in reality land, Republicans have zero responsibility for the disaster Democrats have visted on this state for six years. Possessed of the power needed to fulfill their promises to right the ship after George Ryan’s corruption and failures — they squandered the opportunity in a Blago-enabling spending orgy.
Let me just remind him that an awful lot of Republicans voted for those big-spending budgets, and Tom Cross was gleefully - GLEEFULLY - part of Rod’s triangulation efforts in the Illinois House.
Comment by Shared Responsibility Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:47 pm
Anon @12:41:
1. Please learn to spell the names of the people you refer to correctly - the name is Ostro
2. The budget passed was not a 6 month budget. It was a 50% budget for human services agencies and a budget cut for most other agencies with a requested 25% reserve for all agencies. Please listen to the debate. The budget passed was assumed to be a full year budget. To operate otherwise would be foolish.
3. Quinn hasn’t refused to do anything with the budget as passed. It hasn’t been sent to him yet.
Comment by RJW Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:50 pm
Shared Responsibility,
Quinn can’t force MJM to craft another budget proposal, he can only sign what has been sent to his office. I agree that he squandered much time/influence early on and he has to accept that blame.
But the question is who is to blame NOW (”as in this week”). The budget impasse lies squarely in the GA at this time. MJM has all the power at this point in the process
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:51 pm
The Mushrooms. No one in any of the four caucuses is willing to stand up to leadership and demand a resolution (except perhaps for Rev. Meeks.) The follow-the-leader strategy has stifled creativity and bipartisanship, thus pre-empting opportunities for crafting solutions to the vexing problems we have.
It’s easy to blame one or more of the leaders. But their ability to stifle progress on important issues is fed by the members.
Comment by ilrino Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:53 pm
Last time I checked the Dems hold the Governors office and nearly a supermajority in each chamber. End of story…end of debate. If they had the policy that made sense, it would pass. The problem is that nobody wants a tax hike and Dems won’t even their members on the bill - speaks volumes.
On that note, it’s kind of tough to talk about how great MJM is - the best speaker in generations - then lay the blame at Cross. Can’t have it both ways guys….
Comment by A View from the Cheap Seats Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 12:55 pm
Cardinal George! If some of the leaders claim they are Irish Catholics, why can’t he explain making the most vulnerable citizens suffer is immoral. “What you do to the least of my brothers…” he needs to use his bully pulpit since no one else is bothered by the layoffs at non-profits and cuts to services.
Comment by Not me! Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Who’s to blame? The Democrats have enough votes in both chambers to make some compromises to attract more Democratic votes in the House and possibly some Republican votes. Mike Madigan could put together a package, he’s got that kind of power.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:01 pm
Ilrino,
I love it - the mushrooms - should be used anytime we want to identify the great masses of unwashed GA toadies/wimps.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:05 pm
Thanks, Rich — Like everyone else I rely on you and am happy to do so.
Senator Meeks came out with some extraordinary quotes in Phil Kadner’s column today, btw.
Best, cr
Comment by Chris Robling Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:06 pm
Voters of courese shoudl share some blame fro reelecting their current office holders who continue to fail.
However, Not a single republican vote was needed to craft a budget or to pass a single bill. There has been plenty of time to pass budgets & bills over the last three or four GA’s fully controlled by D’s. It has not happened they have failed again and again.
But we are blaming republicans? pplleeeeeezzzzzzzz
Comment by Larry Mullholland Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:07 pm
It clearly was MJM’s doing that Quinn’s budget didn’t have a prayer, but in the current hear and now it is the repubs who are in the “go for no” sales drive.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:07 pm
I think blame can only be shared equally.
I’m starting to think EVERYONE needs to go at this point. In 20 years, we’ve seen hypocrisy as the minority party always complains, then they become the majority party and do the same things against the others.
With no one willing to take the high road and bring integrity back to Springfield, maybe it’s time for new people on both sides of the aisle.
Comment by New Blood Needed Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:09 pm
dupage dan @ 12:46,
I agree with you that third parties aren’t generally accepted by voters, which reinforces my point about us being the ones to bear ultimate blame for this mess — both this week and this session. Maybe we should start paying attention to them and separate the serious from the fringe.
What scares the hell out of me is how bad things are now, and how bad they’ll have to become before we hold both parties (and ourselves) accountable. As you said, no small feat, that.
Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:09 pm
===Senator Meeks came out with some extraordinary quotes in Phil Kadner’s column today, btw.===
Scroll down, Chris.
Always remember to look at the blue box.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:09 pm
Every damn one of them in the House, Senate and Governors office.
Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:12 pm
You really can’t necessarily blame all the voters, but you sure can blame both Parties leadership.
I live in a state rep and state senate district that trends about 45 to 50% Republican after the 2002 gerrymandering.
The local GOP hasn’t even had a name on the ballot for State Rep or Senator in 6 years.
There’s nothing voters can do when both parties are part of the combine and protect each other from competition and debate.
One person I know was so fed up he sought the GOP nomination for state senator twice after the primary, if for no other reason than to give voters a choice.
The first time he was kicked off the ballot because one GOP township committeeperson objected to his nomination because she had a
“deal” with the Dems to protect her seat if she killed off competition for Madigan’s candidates.
The second time the nominee was kicked off the ballot because the Cook County GOP chairmen neglected to file one of the two papers required by law. When he did file it, he messed up the names of the committee chairmen and secretary, givng even more reason to kill the nomination.
Either the chairman’s the most incompetent person ever to hold the office (and that’s saying a lot) or he didn’t want to give voters an alternative to Chicago Madigan Dems.
Nope. You can’t blame this one on the voters if they’re not given solid, practical, problem-solving candidates for whom they can vote!
Until we level the playing field by having the same petition requirements for independents as the parties, the blame for having lousy elected officials has to rest on both Party’s leadership.
Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:12 pm
Nieva makes a good point above about the amount of moneyed interests involved.
The Springfield Journal Register has a story about Michael Athmer running for the 116th Assembly District seat currently held by Dan Reitz. Reitz had no opponent last time around but that sure didn’t stop him from collecting donations, nor did it keep PACs and other interest groups from chipping in to his warchest.
Atmer starts about a quarter of a million dollars behind in funding for his campaign!!
Who would want to challenge that immense amount of money arrayed against you? I wouldn’t–I have a job and a family and the last thing I want to do is hit up everybody I know for a donation–
I am not singling out Assemblyman Reitz, because the same applies to many other incumbent legislators in Illinois. They collect thousands in donations which scares off any potential challengers. Tobacco giant Altria Group has contributed at least $1,000 to almost every incumbent legislator in Illinois. How can the average citizen compete against that kind of outlay? Lets see 59 Senators and 118 Assemblymen at $1,000 a pop–thats $177,000. There’s no way that the average citizen is going to have any sway when it comes to money and incumbent legislators running for reelection. Wish I has $177,000 to spend–it would considerably help out the train111 family budget!!
If you are an incumbent legislator, whose interests are you going to listen to–Altria, ADM, IBEW, the teachers union or any other organization that can make massive cash outlays to either you or your opponent or “Joe Citizen” who can only pony up $20 or so in contributions.
All that being said, I still think the chief blame lays on us the citizens of Illinois. I hear a whole lot of carping about tax increases and a whole lot of statements like ‘cut the waste’ but those particular people have not done any homework to realize that their positions are totally unrealistic. We the citizens rely on our own ‘30 second’ opinions the same as politicians feed us their ‘30 second’ soundbytes.
train111
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Along with ILRino, it is the ’shrooms. Every member below the Four Tops has long allowed themselves to be led around by the nose on every issue and on every vote. As a group, they are all too lazy to raise their own money for their campaigns in order to stand on their own two feet.
Had the ’shrooms ever decided to walk upright, they could’ve formed caucuses that meant something and achieved real reform. There is simply no reason, for example, why CPD legislators and small, rural district legislators don’t get together and tell the collar counties to suck it when it comes to education funding.
The members of the IL GA are L-Whipped as in ‘leader’ whipped and they can’t break out of the hypnotic trance.
Comment by SangamoGOP Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:17 pm
To blame is a fundamentally corrupt process and political culture wherein elected officials do policy to do politics and not the other way around. All is seen as part of some grand game, with reëlection being the only important objective. Some cloak this is a kind of pseudo-populist mantle, but it amounts to self-serving cowardice.
Only Quinn and Cullerton have shown any willingness to face-up to the magnitude of the problem, and take the political risks needed to address it. The others have either buried their heads, waited for some “magic bullet” or this year’s “smoke & mirrors” device, or played some egomaniacal brinksmanship game with the entire State government in the balance.
Comment by David Starrett Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:18 pm
Madigan as he controls everything and Quinn as he needs to sign something reasonable and be willing to negotiate.
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:33 pm
we got rid of Blago, Emil, and Watson the only two standing are Cross and Madigan. Since Cross has no say so in the budget being the minority the only real person could only be Mike Madigan.
Otherwise you can blame the Democratic Party for not being able to lead as necessary.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:37 pm
Also, Chris, now that I’ve retracted, you might want to do the same about this comment…
===an utterly phony story about a prominent Republican governor breathlessly reported on the network as though a new Watergate was uncovered===
lol
Things just hit the fan on that one.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:45 pm
Who’s to blame this week?
Quinn. There is no reason for them to be down there while there is no deal in place and the two sides are still so far apart in the negotiating process. His grandstanding in Democratic districts about raising revenue (read: preaching to the choir; campaigning), Blago-esque doomsday cries and inexplicable emphasis on the recall were misguided and transparent.
As tempted as I am to read Robling’s entire post, IR doesn’t deserve the web hit.
Comment by Obamarama Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:53 pm
I agree that the major fault lies with legislators with 6 - 12 years invested in their political careers, and they now want everyone else to take the responsibility for statesmanship and managing state government without political resk to themselves.
You ran for office to make the tough decisions. Make them. Your caucus leaders are just that - leaders of a caucus. Get your peers to pressure the leaders to end this incredibly damaging episode.
Programs are closing all around the state. Staff are being laid off. Day care centers are shutting down, due to having to give termination notices to staff and lease terminations to landlords. I’m waiting to hear that banks are demanding immediate payment on bridge loans for outstanding state reimbursements, because so many human services providers are going belly up and the banks would lose their money and becmoe just another creditor to a closed business.
Frail in-home seniors won’t go into nursing homes at much more cost to the state and federal government, only because there is acapped limit on Medicaid eligible beds. So the seniors rot at home. And the kids in group homes get sent out the door. And the domestic violence shelters, with 30% contracts for FY 10, have no option but to suspend services and close their doors. And all the employment and training programs for everyone but young mothers with small children end.
It is unethical for state officials to accept federal Economic Stimulus dollars and then lay off tens of thousands of state employees and community based human services workers. State government is the worst thing happening to the Illinois economy.
Even if this crisis is resolved by June 30th, the damages to the human services sector are deep and long lasting. State officials have severely shot themselves in the foot, as if political wars and gamesmanship have no impact on the real world.
There used to be something called the Public Sector -Private Sector Partnership, where government chose to utilize the existing community based non-profit providers rather than duplicate them in serving state agency clients, the vulnerable children and families among us. Over the past ten years, human services providers have been termed “vendors”, as if their role was dispensing cigarettes or candy.
This budgetary crisis is a symptom of that lack of respect for human services providers as the direct service arm of state government. Good luck patching it back together again, after the political games are over this summer. Why should any provider ever trust state government again? Why contract with a payer (sic) who knowingly pays too little and then pays compensation outrageously late?
Let state government figure out how to provide services required by constitutional intent, state statute, and numerous court orders by itself.
The state government officials issue here is not “if you cannot stand the pollitical heat, get out of the kitchen”. The issue here, is “grow a pair and do your expected job.” Remember your idealism when first elected, and the responsibilities that come with your job as an elected official. Act like a man/woman, and confront your caucus leaders and then your voters with what has to be done. Earn respect for doing what is right, not trying to politically survive by demonstrating your political cowardice and not facing your responsibilities. Your inactions today have real world consequences. Get it done. The voters will respect you, the leaders will respect you, and you’ll be able to look at yourself in the mirror again and sleep better at night. And I as a State House regular will be able to look you in the eye again.
Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 1:54 pm
**Give us step one, Bubs.**
Regrettably, Step One is also existential, that is to understand, and teach voters, that government has aspects of a zero sum game, since you can’t have it all. There are few actions by government that don’t hurt someone in the end. For example, do lots of new spending and some will benefit, but others will have to suffer increased taxes to pay for it. So it is a question of balance, and the careful selection of priorities.
2. Cut spending to meet our revenues in the new era, After The Meltdown. Now, this year. If service providers are reduced, so be it. If benefits are reduced, so be it. Increased spending creates more and more dependency on the state dollar, if only by service providers whose entire corporate revenue consists of state grants. So of course, you get 5,000 angry service provider employees flooding the capitol screaming. That is what happens when you make them all financial dependents of the State, then even raise a peep about cutting back. Lower spending levels should allow the best programs survive, and the fluffy to be cut (hopefully, but don’t always count on it given the Illinois Legislature).
3. Come up with a sound 20 to 30 year financial plan to address the state pension deficit, so we know where we stand on what is left for other spending. The “Pension Obligation Note” currently being discussed is a complete dodge if not coupled with a plan, essentially borrowing money to put off the Day of Reckoning by five years, to make it Someone Else’s Problem (and add in interest charges as the price for the dodge!)
4. Come up with an ethics bill - a REAL one this time, without campaign contribution loopholes you could drive a fleet of trucks through. At least put some breaks on the money in politics, though it certainly is not right to eliminate it. Give legislators a chance to make a decision without thinking solely about future campaign donations, and their own dependency on those who provide them.
That is a start. The deeper elements, such as ballooning medical care spending, will have to wait.
Comment by Bubs Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 2:03 pm
How about Alan Greenspan?
Comment by disillusioned Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 2:29 pm
RJW…. I’m back:
1. Even Hynes says Quinn et al. are at fault
2. The 6 month budget was rescinded only after Quinn mocked it
3.Last year you survived on a 1 month budget. 6 mos. is way ahead of that, like I said, where’s the rub? Oh yeah, at GOMB.
4. Don’t forget the definition of insanity? Same actions, same outcomes????
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 2:30 pm
Gee-When others start correcting your analysis of events,Rich, you know you are doing this right.
Thanks!
Comment by long time state worker Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 2:31 pm
Rich if everyone was allowed to go back and make corrections after an error was pointed out Mike Madigan wouldnt have to help his not so bright friends into the U of I. The only reason the GOP wants their ideas given equal consideration is that the DEMS failure to pass a budget on time made them important.
Comment by fed up Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 2:58 pm
Blame?
Quinn — his “cutback” amendment helped leaders consolidate power.
Wall Street/Predatory Lending Regulators — their greed led to the firestorm that destroyed the economy, led to the state-by-state deficits.
Lazy Media — when focus more space/time on Ameican Idol tryouts and Mrs. Blagoof eating the hairy toad - again; you can expect a misinformed public.
CircularFiringSquad aka GOP for being so dopey that Dems still look good.
BTW Madigan and Cullerton still are the only ones who make common sense decisions.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Regardless of the (D) or the (R) - it is the party in power that is to blame. When a party in power has been empowered to the extent as the current Illinois Democratic Party has been empowered, there is simply no excuse valid enough not to hold them accountable. Budgets are annual, typical government stuff. The current party in power seems to act as though they have never had to make a decision regarding budgetary issues.
Look at their record, and it is very clear that Illinois has had bad government from the Party in Power for a few years. There was a budget crisis in Illinois during boom years when the economy was growing. There was paralyzed government in Illinois during the boom years when the economy was growing. What is wrong here, and what we have been witnessing this week - is what we have been witnessing in the recent past. Illinois Democrats can’t govern. If Illinois Democrats were firemen, the great Chicago fire would still be raging. If Illinois Democrats were astronauts, they would still be trying to figure out hot air balloons. If Illinois Democrats were Old Testament figures, the Garden of Eden’s Forbidden Fruit would have been consumed before the snake had a chance to slither up to Eve.
In my lifetime I have usually witnessed bipartisan Illinois governments running Illinois government. Since 2002, we have seen one party running Illinois into the ground. I have witnessed the last three former Democratic governor in handcuffs. Three in a row! If you are a Democratic partisan, and I have many friends who are, you gotta be pretty disappointed at how badly the Democrats have done over the past seven years of being the Party in Power.
They are a total disaster. We need to bring back bipartisaship government in Illinois. This one-party-rule didn’t work in the Soviet Union, it doesn’t work in Chicago, and it isn’t working in Illinois.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 3:12 pm
Lisa Madigan! If she announced for the US Senate, it would eliminate the need for her father to hinder the Gov and possibly lead to a budget solution in the best interests of the state.
Comment by Evanston Dm Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 3:25 pm
Circular is starting to sound like Baghdad Bob.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 3:45 pm
Mike Madigan. He knows what he’s willing to pass, so why not inform everyone else?
Comment by ahoy Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 4:02 pm
Bubs,
I asked for step one and you gave some good stuff. It is better than “blame the dream”. You have basically reiterated what has been said by many - cut the budget and reform the gov’t.
Teaching people that gov’t can’t be all to all is a never ending proposition. Unfortunately, frequently a losing proposition. Many people come to see the gov’t as the place to go to fill up whatever is empty. When times are fearful, that urge grows even stronger. Who is going to teach us that gov’t isn’t the answer? Public schools?
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 4:21 pm
They all are….leaders have a separate agenda for self preservation and the members are incapable of standing up for their distrcts. Pleaaase. throw them all out and start over.Leaders are saying they have to bring back something to their caucus that the members can vote for, and members are telling their constituients that they are awaiting direction from their leaders. Hmmmmm….I wonder why we even have members. Just let the five rule everything….they do now anyway.
Comment by getmeoutofhere Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 4:22 pm
I don’t know if they are soley the ones to blame, but Dems from safe seats in the House that couldn’t even vote for the temporary tax increase to assist the needy are, well, just unbelievable in my book. These are Democrats?!
There is at least one of these safe Dems in the House who surely will not be getting a contribution from me this year and will find themselves short one host committee member. Their vote truly made me sick.
Comment by this old hack Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 5:17 pm
Six, “Circular” is the Baghdad Bob of Springfield, no doubt about it.
To the question-Democratic Party Control. They have had the whole enchilada and the State hasn’t been this FUBARed since, since ok, the last time they had control. I told friends that Blago would make Dan Walker look like FDR-Quinn is making Blago look like JFK at this point. At least Blago’s posse had one or two people on staff that could kinda maybe rein him in on occasion-this guy looks like he is making everything up as he goes along. I’m stunned that Filan’s farewell ****off to the GA, the Pension Obligation Notes, or PONs, as in PONzi scheme, are sailing right along-off topic, but read the fine print, people!
Meanwhile, Madigan and Mini-Me Cullerton (who must be really ticked at his barber about now-he should try Radogno’s salon-her new ‘do came off much better than his Barber College special) think everyone is dumber than they are and try to pass off half-baked “pension reform,” “ethics reform” and a small fleet of Trojan Horses full of empty rhetoric designed to get themselves (and Princess Lisa) safely out of Dodge without really “rockin’ the system” or threatening their incumbency. (I’m no Collins fan, but did anyone think that maybe he knew something the rest of us didn’t when he decided to take a swing at the GA?) Back-benchers Hynes and Giannoulias have failed to impress, one by doing too little, the other by doing too much. (BTW, Alexi, picked up that $85 million check from Oppenheimer yet, or is it true that your big yapper fouled up the whole deal? Please advise.) That leaves the perennial class act of the Party, Jesse White, who knows trouble and how to avoid it.
Lisa? who? Have to chuckle that the Madigan family PR Dept (who apparently thinks that “predatory lenders” caused the market crash) isn’t commenting on why the Feds have to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud in Illinois.
The saddest part is that the Repubs can’t do squat with this opportunity.
Comment by One-Time Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 7:05 pm
Not trying to be flippant… but how about…
Lisa Madigan
Jesse White
Dan Hynes
Alexi Giannoulias
They refuse to be a sound voice of reason and watch the madness all around, thinking they can remain untainted. Well… it’s time to speak up for whatever you believe. SPEAK UP, IT’S YOUR STATE TOO!!!
And I was just watchin’ Festival Express and thought this was very fitting….
I’m gonna make you worry none about your income tax
No there’s no need to worry I’ll teach you how to relax
It’s a lazy day I’m down with nothing else to do
Comment by Heartless Libertarian Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 7:32 pm
Yeah, I should read from the bottom up… Hynes has now said Quinn should start over… So, scratch him from my list….
Comment by Heartless Libertarian Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 7:37 pm
Northsider and Circular have it right - we voters are to blame, and I have very much regretted my vote in favor of the cutback amendment. (In my defense, I was young, and the lure of efficient government was too strong for my naivete’ to withstand.) Little did I know then that you want the efficient part of government to be the delivery of services part, not the policy making part. Where are the Crazy 8 when you need them? (Answer: they’re unable to win office because geniuses like me unwittingly made the party leaders too strong to defy by supporting the Cutback.)
Also, thumbs up to Anon - we’re seeing the same show, with the same cast of characters, and just throwing more money at it will make it all the problems go away, never to return again? I’m not that naive anymore …..
Comment by Treeboy Wednesday, Jun 24, 09 @ 10:55 pm
i thoroughly retract my dismissal of the abc story. yes, rich, the spaghetti has hit the fan on that career, i am afraid.
Comment by Chris Robling Thursday, Jun 25, 09 @ 3:20 pm