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* An Illinois News Network story from earlier this month…
Kristen Wiley, who is organizing a “Middle Class March” outside of Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker’s inauguration in Springfield next week said the ad is out of touch.
“Making Madigan the last shot in this ad is completely tone deaf to people who believe in term limits, and would like to see him out of office,” Wiley said. “That was completely off-putting. Democrats know that 45,000 residents left Illinois last year, and that number will grow this year if they can’t keep their hands out of our pockets.”
She said Democrats are trying to rehab their image.
“They’ve been trying to sell taxing the upper-middle class and the rich in order to pay down the debts in this state and they’ve failed miserably at it for decades,” Wiley said.
* The “march” totaled just six people…
Outside an entrance to the convention center as the crowd of about 5,000 filed out, six demonstrators carried signs with messages included “Read my lips; No new taxes,” and “Enough is enough.”
Kristen Wiley, 33, of St. Jacob in Madison County, said the message the “middle class march” was bringing was “no new or increased taxes” and “stop the overspending.”
She said the messages are in response to Pritzker’s call for a progressive income tax and funding for an infrastructure program. Wiley said wasteful programs can be cut to pay for the state’s needs.
Ah, a firm believer in magic beans.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’ll work with minority Republicans, but warned that partisan opponents to the idea of a progressive tax will be met with “considerable political will.”
After taking the oath of office, the Democratic billionaire governor took direct aim at opponents of taxing higher earners a higher percentage of their income. He said anyone who joins the tax conversation in good faith has a seat at the table.
“But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics, you will be met with considerable political will,” Pritzker said. […]
Standing with a handful of protesters wearing yellow vests outside the inauguration, Kristin Wiley said Pritzker’s rhetoric was “terrifying.”
“Anything different from what he thinks is going to be smacked down and that is not working together at all, that’s ‘my way or the highway,’ that’s what he said,” Wiley said.
OK.
* By the way, these “yellow vest” copycats may or may not know that many of the “real” yellow-vesters are a bunch of hooligans. From the Columbia Journalism Review…
In late November, as the Gilets Jaunes—or Yellow Vests—protest movement took hold in France, Martin Goillandeau and Makana Eyre wrote for CJR that participants were harassing, and even assaulting, journalists. Since then, the protests have become a weekly occurrence. So, too, have threats against reporters. “The harassment and violence have got worse,” Eyre told me this morning. “I went to the Saturday protests in Paris to shoot photos and see how big it would get. This was the first time that I really felt nervous with my camera… I saw people interfering with broadcasts, shouting at media teams, and getting in their faces. For much of it, I had my camera in my coat.”
This past weekend, a group of Yellow Vests in the northern city of Rouen set upon two journalists working for LCI, a French TV news broadcaster; they were spared by two bodyguards, one of whom ended up in hospital with a broken nose. Protesters aggressed another LCI team in Paris. In Toulon, two Agence France-Presse reporters were chased by about 10 people, while in nearby Marseille, photographers were hassled and blocked from taking pictures. In Toulouse, a group of protesters trapped a 31-year-old local journalist in her car and threatened her with rape. “They wanted me to open my window. I told them it wasn’t possible, that I had to go and pick up my son,” she recalled. “A man threatened me that I had two seconds to get out.” Organized groups have hampered newspapers’ core operations, too: overnight on Friday, for example, about 30 Yellow Vests blocked regional newspaper La Voix du Nord’s distribution depot and threatened to burn a truck, stopping 20,000 copies of the paper from being delivered. On Sunday, trash cans were set on fire outside the same paper’s offices. While no motive was immediately established, its director doesn’t think it was an accident.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 11:57 am
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“The “march” totaled just six people…”
Lol, how embarrassing.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:03 pm
“Anything different from what he thinks is going to be smacked down and that is not working together at all, that’s ‘my way or the highway,’ that’s what he said,” Wiley said.
Wow…..Rauner was the very definition of my way or the highway.
Still, I guess I should just ignore the six people who came out.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:03 pm
Yes but each protester held proxies for two or three others
I saw them they looked really really cold
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:06 pm
=== Kristin Wiley said Pritzker’s rhetoric was “terrifying.” ===
Evidently, she’s been asleep for the last four years.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:07 pm
Can we just call them Skilly-Corns from now on? Please.
Comment by Flat Bed Ford Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:11 pm
The IPI/INN are still desparately trying to instigate a revolution conceived of by entitled rich guys to turn everyone against each other.
They come off as pathetic fringe gripers with no real plan.
Comment by El Conquistador Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:13 pm
“Anything different from what he thinks is going to be smacked down and that is not working together at all, that’s ‘my way or the highway,’ that’s what he said”
Uh, let’s look at whole paragraph of the line quoted:”I’m not naïve about what it will take to do this. All who enter a discussion about our state’s budget and a fair tax system in good faith will be welcomed to the table. But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics you will be met with considerable political will.”
Now I read that as he’ll listen to everybody, but if you are an ideologue who has little to no reasoning behind your talking points, you’ll be shown the door.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:13 pm
—“Read my lips; No new taxes”—
My darlings. The man who said that promptly raised taxes.
Comment by lakeside Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:14 pm
I wonder if Kristen Wiley knows the French yellow jackets are also protesting tax cuts for business and the rich and the French president is trying to placate them by offering an increase in the minimum wage.
Comment by a drop in Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:16 pm
With only 6 participants, wouldn’t that be more of a ‘traipse’ than a ‘march’?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:17 pm
===The “march” totaled just six people…===
After several attempts to mock this, I give up. It’s not funny. It’s just sad.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:21 pm
===Democrats know that 45,000 residents left Illinois last year===
Bruce Rauner was governor last year.
Six people? Yikes. That’s not a protest, that’s a coffee clutch looking for special setting at a restaurant. They aren’t even required to pay the automatic 15% tip on the bill.
To the vests,
A little knowledge is sometimes far worse than no knowledge.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:27 pm
Hey middle class people, take a vacation day on 25 degree January Monday and drive to Springfield for a meaningless protest.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:27 pm
== that participants were harassing, and even assaulting, journalists. ==
Not the way to get favorable media coverage.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:30 pm
Suppose those six are all that’s left of Illinois’ middle class? I’m thinking that’s exactly what that means. The rest have either moved away or were too busy packing to spend a day protesting the rich political elite in Springfield and those existing on government checks. Paid for by the shrinking middle class.
Comment by IL's disappearing middle class Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:31 pm
===Suppose those six are all that’s left of Illinois’ middle class? I’m thinking that’s exactly what that means.===
Narrator: It doesn’t.
The protest is a success because no one showed up?
Is that it? That’s the takeaway?
“Hey, everyone, let’s have a protest where no one shows, then we’ll say we as a group don’t exist”
For the love of Pete… stop.
===The rest have either moved away or were too busy packing to spend a day protesting the rich political elite in Springfield and those existing on government checks.===
Oh, let’s break this one down, lol
“The rest have either moved away or were too busy packing to spend a day protesting”
So, the shot is that a protest failed, by being a success by… saying people are “too busy” to protest because they are packing. Yeah, it does sound embarrassingly ridiculous, it’s not just you.
The chaser?
“…the rich political elite in Springfield and those existing on government checks.”
Ah… it’s the state workers fault the “taxpayers” did t show. “Why waste time protesting non-taxpayers”? Is that the take?
You’re not helping. Honest.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:38 pm
Flat Bed Ford: SKILLY-CORNS !!!! had your thinking hat on today>>>
Comment by NotRich Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:38 pm
Couldn’t even get all the people who approached Rauner at the grocery store to tell him to keep up the fight?
Comment by Nacho Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:42 pm
I’m strongly in favor of switching to progressive taxation, but I’m not -entirely- dismissive of “magic beans” because there’s a precedent for them working: the federal sequestration of 2013. Pretty much none of the doom and gloom the opponents predicted came to pass. Also, we live in an age of tech disruption where many government jobs can be replaced. Yes, I know it’s more complicated and the devil is in the details, but until I see a McKinsey study or somesuch saying it can’t be done, I’m not knee-jerk dismissing it either.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:55 pm
==She said Democrats are trying to rehab their image.==
Hmmm, the Democrats control all state wide elected offices and super majorities in both the house and senate. I don’t think they are the ones who need to rehab their image.
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 12:56 pm
I strongly favor switching to progressive taxation, but the 2013 federal sequestration taught me not to dismiss the magic beans entirely. All sorts of doom and gloom that never came to pass and played a role in significantly cutting the deficit. “Magic” might be another name for “AI” or “Tech Disruption.” I’d exempt education for certain and I’m not necessarily endorsing the idea, but sequestration should at least be on the table.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:01 pm
(Sorry for the double post - I post on one browser and when it refreshes it doesn’t show up, doesn’t show up on the second browser, and when I post again…there it is - ugh)
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:01 pm
===Kristen Wiley, 33, of St. Jacob in Madison County, said the message the “middle class march” was bringing was “no new or increased taxes” and “stop the overspending.”===
These are the people electing Prenzler to run Madison County. They’re not very realistic.
Comment by Highland, IL Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:02 pm
They could have all fit in two Prius cars.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:09 pm
Rich,
For heaven’s sake, stop being so partisan. It’s evident. I would love to debate you but your age won’t make u go anywhere. Such shame Rich! A Democratic Pawn! When is the last time u challenged a Democrat? I’ll wait…
Comment by Matt Butcher Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:15 pm
–* The “march” totaled just six people…–
Terrifying.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:20 pm
OW 12:27 ; “Coffee Shop Quality”
Comment by PlayK8 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:22 pm
Uhhh I know many of you live in your self perpetuating political feedback loop, but Republicans know what is coming. Republicans generally have jobs and don’t attend protests or any other events during work hours. Republican’s also are practical and know protesting won’t change Pritzker’s mind. So what’s the point? Either BOHICA or get out of the state.
Comment by DemlandResident Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:26 pm
===Republicans generally have jobs and don’t attend protests or any other events during work hours===
Whatever. I’m not the one who scheduled the “march.” I’m not the one who hyped the “march.” I’m not the one who claims they represent the “people.” They jumped into the fray of their own free will. You can make excuses for them, I’ll just point out the facts.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:30 pm
When Illinois voters get to see the new proposed state income tax rates: it will probably get the attention of more than 6 people. Many people who got clipped on the federal SALT cap will eventually be “asked” to pay more than a 4.95% state income tax. Also, the new higher rates might take place in the middle of a national recession.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:31 pm
Good news rich you will be getting a raise to $15 hr. You go blog boy
Comment by Rm Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:46 pm
Seems that you’re a hack that did nothing except take from INN articles instead of actually taking time to do an actual interview. Was it too cold for you?
Comment by Julia Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:48 pm
Looks like the right-wing tough guys (aka snowflakes) got their fee-fees hurt.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:48 pm
–Suppose those six are all that’s left of Illinois’ middle class? I’m thinking that’s exactly what that means. –
“Thinking” isn’t the word you’re looking for.
Geez, maybe less for meth for lunch?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:48 pm
There are more INN/IPI/Proft acolytes in this comment section, posting during work hours mind you, than showed up at the protest.
Comment by Anon324 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:53 pm
Rich,keep providing the facts on things like the “yellow vest” copycats.
Hopefully to get decent jobs it is not required that one be a republican.
Comment by lost in the weeds Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:53 pm
(Tips cap to - PlayK8 -)
If you are defending a protest of enough people to field a hockey team… but only enough to be on the ice… you may not have the argument you think you have.
Blaming others for pointing out an embarrassing failure is just as ridiculous as the 6-person turnout.
You wanted media coverage, you got it. Congratulations.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:58 pm
I doubt that anyone will ever write a ballad to chronicle the brave and principled stand of the Springfield 6… but if they do it could be used as the theme music for one of those goofy doomsday prepper shows featuring equally ill-informed reactionaries.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:25 pm
I live by a roundabout that has been commandeered by gilets jaunes for nearly two months. Starting off as a protest against new taxes on diesel (in a continent that for years had encouraged diesel) and a reduced speed limit, the gilets jaunes have morphed into a wishful fantasy assembly that throttles traffic at will and now wants to overturn democratic elections and wants to keep all of its generous government benefits but not pay for them. Oh yeah kinda like all those astro turf tea partiers who wanted to get government’s hands off their medicare.
Comment by IllinoisExile Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:31 pm
===Can we just call them Skilly-Corns from now on? ===
Flat Bed Ford FTW
I’m adopting this
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:37 pm
==There are more INN/IPI/Proft acolytes in this comment section, posting during work hours mind you, ==
This comment presumes that these munchkins are not being paid specifically to post about their hurt feelings during their work hours. The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive for these IPI/Proft employed Skilly-Corns (Flat Bed Ford wins the Internet, btw). Thanks to Bruce Rauner, literally the only chance of these people now have of affecting public policy is to artificially inflate the number of these complaints where someone may actually see it - on Cap fax.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:39 pm
“Republicans generally have jobs and don’t attend protests or any other events during work hours.”
Republicans got their fannies kicked in Illinois in the last election, so keep up the stale boilerplate bigotry. I mean it, it really helps.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:01 pm
OW 12:38 is Daily Show (the Jon Stewart years) quality analysis. Bitingly accurate and amusing.
Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:05 pm
- Original Rambler -
Appreciate the very high praise. This group and the defenders make things easier than they think. More on them, so thanks.
Such hurt feelings for such upset protesters? The comedy writes itself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:10 pm
These yellow vest folks are doing it all wrong. If you’re trying to get the attention of Springfield aristocracy, tell them you’re from Dover Strategy Group.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:54 pm
The old “we will leave Illinois” foot stomping.
Leave then. No one is stopping you.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:35 pm
Besides journalists being attacked in France….
https://amp.businessinsider.com/william-barr-amy-klobuchar-khashoggi-would-he-jail-reporters-2019-1
Comment by lost in the weeds Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 5:25 pm
These folks think millionaires are “middle class” so I see why they might not have attracted as many as they might have thought.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 5:32 pm
==This comment presumes that these munchkins are not being paid specifically to post about their hurt feelings during their work hours.==
Only Soros does that. These are concerned, civic-minded citizens. /s
Comment by Anon324 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 5:47 pm
Anon324,
Skating awfully close to anti-Semitism there. Care to clarify what you mean?
Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 1:12 am
Lynn S.– did you miss the sarcasm tag?
Comment by Anon324 Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 8:21 am
===Republicans generally have jobs and don’t attend protests or any other events during work hours===
Thanks for the informed insight, professor.
I guess that means that big annual Illinois Gun Owners rally in Springfield every year is comprised of a bunch of unemployed lefty layabouts, just killing time as they wait on their welfare checks.
I mean, that’s during the work week, every year, when real Republicans are working, and wouldn’t think of doing anything else.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 8:29 am
“I would love to debate you but your age won’t make u go anywhere.”
Yes, incoherent boobs are notoriously great debaters.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 8:43 am