So Goes the Millionaire Amendment.

I guess my question is what is the big deal with the millionaire amendment going good-bye. As we have seen in Illinois in general is that the millionaires generally don't end up winning. Look at Hull look at Oberweis up until the last primary (keeping in mind he ran against another millionaire in the general).

I guess my argument would be just raise the limits in general on the federal side, improve the reporting.

OneMan

Some Say This is The Democrats Year to Lose

And here is how they just might do it...

The host committee for the Democratic National Convention wanted 15,000 fanny packs for volunteers. But they had to be made of organic cotton. By unionized labor. In the USA.

Yeah spend your time trying to find organic cotton fanny packs. Also I think it will be great to show how utterly out of touch you guys are with the American mainstream.

Follow the link to find out about the ban of fried foods, the need to locally source the food that is served at the convention and the food color requirements...

My favorite is the volunteers who will go through the garbage to make sure nothing that is recyclable goes into the wrong trash steam.

Thank you DNC, sometimes you make it to easy.


As for the comments...

Wow a little touchy folks.

If you can explain to me how the food color requirements help the environment or get your guy elected I am all ears. Also the "carbon-footprint" of getting the folks who are going to be searching the trash for recyclables has to be more than any reduction from finding stuff...

I get the union label thing on the fanny packs (that makes sense) and that helps you with labor voters but the additional organic cotton requirement just screams out of touch to me, sorry you may see it as earth friendly it just strikes me as a bit silly.

OneMan

Technology and The Aurora's Mayors Race

I have to give Stephanie Kifowit some props for how she seems to be using Facebook and e-mail. I think it is an easy way for her to keep in touch with folks and share info with the folks who are actually engaged in the process at this point.

OneMan

So We are Now Giving Folks Gifts to Participate in State Programs...

The Sun Times is reporting that the state is offering families $50 gas cards for enrolling for All Kids...

The cost of the cards is being covered by the Illinois Healthcare and Family Services Department.

Any bets on if the cards have Rod's name on them? Looking forward to what other state programs will give you incentives for participating.

If nothing else what does this say about us as a society when we have to offer a gas card to get people to sign their kids up for a state child health program or what does this say about our governor?


OneMan

Just A Reminder

I will be a guest tonight at 8 central on Blog Talk Radio with the Illinois GOP Network, tune in at www.blogtalkradio.com/ilgopnetwork

OneMan

Keeping the Bridge Down May Cause an Issue For A Town on The River.

You stay classy Norfolk-Southern.

Suffice to say, I think they will end up talking to at least a congressional hearing about this.

Oneman

Wonder where they got the idea to have a guy sing Nessun Dorma from?

If you liked the guy who sang opera on America's got talent, you will love this guy who did it first (and sang the song better) on the British version of the show.

The British guy got huge play on the news and on You Tube, did they think people wouldn't know?

The lamer American version...

This Is How Tough Aurora Is

From The Beacon News

Police say Joel Barrios of the 300 block of Oakwood Avenue stabbed a 35-year-old Aurora man after they argued while leaving a tavern in the 200 block of Hill Avenue around 2 a.m. Barrios fled after the stabbing, while the victim -- who police did not identify -- drove home and fell asleep, police said.

In Aurora when we get stabbed in the chest, we go home and try to sleep it off.

OneMan

Well it Looks Like Mayor Weisner Will Have His Own Campaign Finance Proposal.

Looking forward to seeing it. 

From the Beacon News

"By the next Government Operations Committee, I will put forward a proposal that makes certain not just the wealthy business owners, but also factory workers, school teachers and public servants have equal opportunity to run for public office, regardless of how much money they make," Weisner stated.

'Wealthy Business Owners'? I never knew that Rick was wealthy, I am guessing that is a swipe at Rick.  The only person who has run for mayor in the last few years who would have been a wealthy business owner would have been Jack Cunningham (that would depend on your definition of wealthy), at least that I can think of?

Will the mayor's plan have any restrictions on loans? How about donations from those folks who do business with the city?  Looking forward to seeing what the mayor comes up with. 

Anyone want guess how much impact it will have on his current fundraising?

OneMan

To My Pals at The Beacon Blog.

I don't know if it is a function of the Mac, Safari or both. But a big chunk of the time when I try to add a comment to your blog it tells me I got the capcha wrong and clears out my entry.

Thats a pain.

The FTC Offers It's Thoughts On Illinois' Proposed Retail Clinic Rules

I got this via a medical newsletter but the Trib had a story on the 14th about the FTC response to a question from someone in the state house about the states proposed regulations on Retail Clinics.

"Certain interpretations [of the bill] could excessively restrict retail clinics to the detriment of Illinois consumers," the FTC wrote in a letter to a legislator that requested the agency's input. "Because several of the bill's requirements would pertain only to retail clinics—and not other health-care facilities offering the same services or staffing—those requirements could put retail clinics at a competitive disadvantage without offering countervailing consumer benefits."

The effort, pushed by the politically powerful Illinois State Medical Society, comes in the wake of hundreds of retail clinics opening across the country, clinics typically staffed by advanced-degree nurses known as practitioners. Most clinics are open seven days a week, with no appointment needed.

Seems to me if the state passed it, the law would run afoul of the feds. It will be interesting if the bill comes back to life during the veto session and if so what it will look like.  The Trib states the regulation effort is being pushed by the Illinois Medical Society. I am sure their concern is all altruistic and none of it is based off of the risk of losing revenue.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the bill in the Fall.

Full Disclosure: Mrs. OneMan is a Nurse with an advanced-degree, she however does not work for a clinic like this.

OneMan

A Few Random Non-Political Things

First:

When you are at the driving range and the grass tees are in use, do not tee it up 12 yards behind everyone else because you want better grass to hit off of. You just make the rest of us nervous, regardless of the fact you have an Illinois Wesleyan golf bag.

Secondly:

If you are driving on a busy road (like Butterfield in Downers Grove) and are slow and nervous, you should still try to keep the hands at 10 and 2, not 11:59 and 12:01.  You are just a risk to yourself and others that way.

Third:

Just picked up some additional external drives (one for our Mac for Time Machine and one so I can backup my iTunes stuff I have at work).  The fact I purchased over a 1TB of storage for less than $250 blows me away.  Cheep storage changes everything.

Finally:

It looks like I will be on the IlGop Network's blog talk radio on Thursday night at 8:25 PM central.  Here is the link and I will likely have more on this later www.blogtalkradio.com/ilgopnetwork

The Clock is Ticking on This

Crains 40 Under 40.

Not saying you would want to nominate a blogger but I am eligible. So if you feel the urge here is the link.

OneMan

My Daughter Sort of Makes Madigan's Impeachment Talking Points

Rich has the full talking points here.

But I want to focus on this section

Addendum 1: Blagojevich's Misdeeds and Malfeasance from High to Low (A Far from Complete List)

And in particular point #22

22. As a reflection of character: at a Springfield press conference, hiding behind school children to keep from answering reporters questions about his involvement in criminal
activities

Why because it was in large part my daughter who was responsible for getting him away from the media that day....

I hope whomever writes their masters thesis on this whole thing some day is taking notes.

OneMan

The Illinois State Republican Convention...

I was originally going to go, but then it turned out to be the same weekend as a family camping thing with church. Since I had to pass on stuff with the family during the primary and special season, I figured it was more important to hang with them.

So if you went how did it go?

The Impact of an Blagojevich Indicted on the 2016 Bid

I think if the governor gets indicted it will seriously damage Chicago's chances of getting the 2016 games. Because of all of the past issues with Olympics in the US, the IOC will want to avoid and taint of anything and assuming he gets indicted between now and the end of the year, it is likely if he decides to fight the trial will be going on during the bid process.

Any sort of trial would make it harder to convince the IOC that the political will exists to fund parts of the games (or the infrastructure improvements needed) or if that political will exists that it will be able to be turned into political reality. Even the current capital plan challenges will cause pause for the IOC.

OneMan

Some Change We Can Belive In

I am looking forward to getting one of these myself.

To Get yours for $20 send an e-mail to info@cookrepublicanparty

The Rezko Verdict...

Anyone else have a problem getting to the Tribune Web Site during the verdict announcement?

Rezko Guilty on Most Counts

No way is he going to jail for Governor Blagojevich...

Hello Governor Pat Quinn.

So Senator Obama is the nominee

As someone who has seen the Illinois Senate in action and realizes he only has 4 years elected experience outside of that realm I am asking my democratic readers one question.

How is that enough experience to be leader of the free world?

OneMan

If you were Sen Obama

Do you try to push big news out when the Rezko verdict comes out or do you go quiet for the day?

Just Asking

OneMan

How John McCain Spent Part of His Weekend...

Visiting Walter Reed without the TV cameras around.

Wow, commentors bringing the cynical....

Even if she did get the most popular votes...

That is not the way you figure out who wins the nomination.

Ask Al Gore how useful getting the most popular votes is...

OneMan