How about going 80% suggestions for how to do things differently and 20% complaining about President Obama...
Just a thought.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Overall views on the trip to Springfield..
It was my third trip with the gifted education group and it is interesting every year to see how the parents and the kids react to different things. We have different kids and parents show up and we end up seeing different things each time.
For example we were watching the senate as they were voting on some joint resolutions and the adults and kids were surprised when the senators leaned over and voted for other members. I had a couple of parents ask me about it (how can there be 55 votes where there are not 55 people down there)...
Also how surprised people are about how easy it is to talk to a state rep or a state senator. They figure there are layers and layers of gatekeepers, etc. The fact that you can get a legislator to come off the floor and speak to a group of kids floors them (no pun intended).
Finally the response to the building is always a fun one to watch...
It can be easy to get cynical about politics and government in this state. Next time you feel that coming on really strong might I suggest taking a kid to Springfield during session. It's like a sorbet to clear the cynical pallet...
OneMan
For example we were watching the senate as they were voting on some joint resolutions and the adults and kids were surprised when the senators leaned over and voted for other members. I had a couple of parents ask me about it (how can there be 55 votes where there are not 55 people down there)...
Also how surprised people are about how easy it is to talk to a state rep or a state senator. They figure there are layers and layers of gatekeepers, etc. The fact that you can get a legislator to come off the floor and speak to a group of kids floors them (no pun intended).
Finally the response to the building is always a fun one to watch...
It can be easy to get cynical about politics and government in this state. Next time you feel that coming on really strong might I suggest taking a kid to Springfield during session. It's like a sorbet to clear the cynical pallet...
OneMan
The folks who spoke with our group
I would like to say thanks to the folks who spoke with our smaller group....
Rep. Chapa-LaVia (Offered a host of useful advice on moving our issue forward)
Rep. Durkin (Listed intently and offered suggestions as well)
Rep. Schmitz (Big hit with our group, sort of caught him in the hallway)
Rep. Cross (Got to go into his office, took questions from the kids gave some nice historical perspective on the legislature and what is going on)
Rep. Hatcher (Only caught a little bit of her time with the kids, she spoke with them for a while)
Also those folks who spoke to our larger group
Jerry Stermer (kids listened really well, talked about education and gave some flu advice)
Sen. Rutherford (talked to the kids before Jerry showed up, had to address a more spread out crowd and did it so everyone could hear him. Also reminded them about the Presidents who walked in the legislature here in Illinois and asked a bunch of questions of the kids)
So from OneMan thanks...
Rep. Chapa-LaVia (Offered a host of useful advice on moving our issue forward)
Rep. Durkin (Listed intently and offered suggestions as well)
Rep. Schmitz (Big hit with our group, sort of caught him in the hallway)
Rep. Cross (Got to go into his office, took questions from the kids gave some nice historical perspective on the legislature and what is going on)
Rep. Hatcher (Only caught a little bit of her time with the kids, she spoke with them for a while)
Also those folks who spoke to our larger group
Jerry Stermer (kids listened really well, talked about education and gave some flu advice)
Sen. Rutherford (talked to the kids before Jerry showed up, had to address a more spread out crowd and did it so everyone could hear him. Also reminded them about the Presidents who walked in the legislature here in Illinois and asked a bunch of questions of the kids)
So from OneMan thanks...
First Some Advice...
Well went down to Springfield with my kids and kids from our school district to talk about gifted education funding, I will blog about that later.
But first some solid political advice for a specific State Senator.
Senator Holmes,
When another state senator is using a point of personal privilege to introduce and acknowledge a school group that is in the gallery (both sides btw)that is from a school district that is almost exclusively in your district (not in his btw) the very least you should do is look up from your Blackberry....
Seriously, the parents noticed and a few commented to me on it.
OneMan
But first some solid political advice for a specific State Senator.
Senator Holmes,
When another state senator is using a point of personal privilege to introduce and acknowledge a school group that is in the gallery (both sides btw)that is from a school district that is almost exclusively in your district (not in his btw) the very least you should do is look up from your Blackberry....
Seriously, the parents noticed and a few commented to me on it.
OneMan
Sunday, April 26, 2009
It money that matters, but not just money...
With recent talk about changes to Illinois campaign finance laws (or the lack of them) have brought up all sort of suggestions and ideas. Thanks to Rod these ideas have gotten more traction than any other time in years...
To this discussion I am going to add my thoughts as well as set some ground rules I think need to be put out in order for this conversation to be successful.
First: The fear of the self-funder is vastly overstated, the last two successful self funders in Illinois were Jack Ryan (and we know how that turned out) and Bill Foster (who ran in a general election against another self funder and almost lost in a primary to a guy who had raised a lot less money). The one thing these two have in common (besides facing off against self funders in either the primary or general elections) is that they ran in federally regulated elections not state elections. The fear of the self funder may be real in the hearts of those who can not or will not self fund, but in real terms it is a false threat.
Secondly: As Rich Miller has pointed out much better than I can no set of laws and rules can really stop someone who decides they are going to break them. You are not going to eliminate wrongdoing, the best you can do is reduce it and make it easier to detect.
Third: Unless you limit intra-campaign donations you are not going to really limit big giving. All I would have to do to circumvent limits would be to give to other candidates who would then fund transfer to the candidate I had already maxed out to. All contributions need to be limited, otherwise none really are.
So OneMan's proposal.
The overarching themes:
Campaign donations to entities that spend money in campaigns (PACs, Committiees and Candidates) will come from humans, not companies or organizations. If a dollar is spent if came from a carbon based life form.
Canidates are responsible for raising their own funds and their campaigns loans. The days of fundraising primarily by reaching out to other entities that have campaign funds has come to an end. They can give, but there are limits.
First:
Eliminate direct corporate donations to campaigns, by regulated and unregulated businesses within and outside of the state. Casino companies, construction companies, health care providers, etc. Companies should be giving to candidates and campaigns for one simple reason, because that candidate will do something (promote a position, etc) that will improve the fortunes of that company. Because that is what companies do, take actions to improve their business, it's their very nature nothing wrong with that.
However, it doesn't add value to the process in a host of ways and if they want to influence the process they can hire a lobbyist and take other actions.
The feds keep companies directly out of campaign finance and I think we should do the same.
Secondly:
The era of BS loans has to end. If a campaign takes a loan from an individual (like Burris did when he ran for governor) or any other sort of entity the loan has to be real. That is a defined contract specifying repayment with interest rates and the like needs to be filed at the same time the money is made available. Also the loan contract has to be made to the candidate (not the campaign) and if the candidate can not down the road make payments or satisfy the loan, the state will have the option to take ownership of the note and put it up for action on the open market where anyone can become the owner of that debt and take legal means to collect it.
A loan is a loan, not a different way of making a campaign contribution.
Also some sort of maximum limit on loans that are not from lending institutions needs to be set. 100K sounds good to me.
Third:
Some sort of hard limit needs to be set, all sorts of numbers have been tossed around. But lets set a hard upper limit. How about 10K
Fourth:
A lifetime limit of giving by an individual to a candidate (reguardless of office they are running for) of 100K.
Fifth:
Instant reporting, you get more than $200 in one pop from someone it gets reported within 5 days. If you have hit more than $500 in total (across all campaigns) from someone it gets reported. Within 30 days of an election a candidate is involved in the limits are 24 hours.
Sixth:
A $10,000 direct limit on transfers between campaigns (lifetime) and all intra-campaign transfers get reported within 48 hours.
I know some of these are a stretch, but lets get started on something.
To this discussion I am going to add my thoughts as well as set some ground rules I think need to be put out in order for this conversation to be successful.
First: The fear of the self-funder is vastly overstated, the last two successful self funders in Illinois were Jack Ryan (and we know how that turned out) and Bill Foster (who ran in a general election against another self funder and almost lost in a primary to a guy who had raised a lot less money). The one thing these two have in common (besides facing off against self funders in either the primary or general elections) is that they ran in federally regulated elections not state elections. The fear of the self funder may be real in the hearts of those who can not or will not self fund, but in real terms it is a false threat.
Secondly: As Rich Miller has pointed out much better than I can no set of laws and rules can really stop someone who decides they are going to break them. You are not going to eliminate wrongdoing, the best you can do is reduce it and make it easier to detect.
Third: Unless you limit intra-campaign donations you are not going to really limit big giving. All I would have to do to circumvent limits would be to give to other candidates who would then fund transfer to the candidate I had already maxed out to. All contributions need to be limited, otherwise none really are.
So OneMan's proposal.
The overarching themes:
Campaign donations to entities that spend money in campaigns (PACs, Committiees and Candidates) will come from humans, not companies or organizations. If a dollar is spent if came from a carbon based life form.
Canidates are responsible for raising their own funds and their campaigns loans. The days of fundraising primarily by reaching out to other entities that have campaign funds has come to an end. They can give, but there are limits.
First:
Eliminate direct corporate donations to campaigns, by regulated and unregulated businesses within and outside of the state. Casino companies, construction companies, health care providers, etc. Companies should be giving to candidates and campaigns for one simple reason, because that candidate will do something (promote a position, etc) that will improve the fortunes of that company. Because that is what companies do, take actions to improve their business, it's their very nature nothing wrong with that.
However, it doesn't add value to the process in a host of ways and if they want to influence the process they can hire a lobbyist and take other actions.
The feds keep companies directly out of campaign finance and I think we should do the same.
Secondly:
The era of BS loans has to end. If a campaign takes a loan from an individual (like Burris did when he ran for governor) or any other sort of entity the loan has to be real. That is a defined contract specifying repayment with interest rates and the like needs to be filed at the same time the money is made available. Also the loan contract has to be made to the candidate (not the campaign) and if the candidate can not down the road make payments or satisfy the loan, the state will have the option to take ownership of the note and put it up for action on the open market where anyone can become the owner of that debt and take legal means to collect it.
A loan is a loan, not a different way of making a campaign contribution.
Also some sort of maximum limit on loans that are not from lending institutions needs to be set. 100K sounds good to me.
Third:
Some sort of hard limit needs to be set, all sorts of numbers have been tossed around. But lets set a hard upper limit. How about 10K
Fourth:
A lifetime limit of giving by an individual to a candidate (reguardless of office they are running for) of 100K.
Fifth:
Instant reporting, you get more than $200 in one pop from someone it gets reported within 5 days. If you have hit more than $500 in total (across all campaigns) from someone it gets reported. Within 30 days of an election a candidate is involved in the limits are 24 hours.
Sixth:
A $10,000 direct limit on transfers between campaigns (lifetime) and all intra-campaign transfers get reported within 48 hours.
I know some of these are a stretch, but lets get started on something.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Well since he can't do Costa Rica
How about we just put him and a film crew in a remote location in Starved Rock for two weeks and film. He can't leave the park and to get food and money he has to do things...
I would watch that...
OneMan
I would watch that...
OneMan
Monday, April 20, 2009
I didn't say anything when they came for the auto repair shops...
Aurora is again considering licensing auto repair shops..
What, the police can just go and ask to see if my car got repaired, no subpoena, no warrant, the police can just ask and find out what sort of work was done on my car?
Where is the public safety/public interest in keeping this information and sharing it with the police on demand? As someone pointed out they don't do this at grocery stores. I guess I don't see why a police officer should be able to walk in to a car repair shop and find out every car they worked on in the last 3 months. I don't see a need...
So if you want to get some sort of advantage by having a 24 hour shop, well too bad.
Does Aurora regulate the operating hours of any other business besides those that serve intoxicants? Why then why do we need to do it for auto repair shops. If some guy wants to work 18 hours a day in his shop fixing cars, why in the heck should the city stop that.
If you just say 'Hey it's only auto repair shops' then don't complain when the go after gas stations or food places next...
OneMan
There is a whole bunch in this law that worries me, lets start with this.And it would still require those owners to keep daily logs of the vehicles they take in, and their owners. Specific language has been added mandating those logs be turned over to the Aurora Police Department on request.
What, the police can just go and ask to see if my car got repaired, no subpoena, no warrant, the police can just ask and find out what sort of work was done on my car?
Where is the public safety/public interest in keeping this information and sharing it with the police on demand? As someone pointed out they don't do this at grocery stores. I guess I don't see why a police officer should be able to walk in to a car repair shop and find out every car they worked on in the last 3 months. I don't see a need...
Last year, when she first heard about the license plan, Lyle was upset over a provision that would restrict hours of operation -- no licensed shop could be open before 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m. The new ordinance limits that restriction to shops within 500 feet of a residence, which Lyle said wouldn't help her at all.
So if you want to get some sort of advantage by having a 24 hour shop, well too bad.
Does Aurora regulate the operating hours of any other business besides those that serve intoxicants? Why then why do we need to do it for auto repair shops. If some guy wants to work 18 hours a day in his shop fixing cars, why in the heck should the city stop that.
If you just say 'Hey it's only auto repair shops' then don't complain when the go after gas stations or food places next...
OneMan
Sunday, April 19, 2009
So we may have our first candidate against Foster...
At least Republican children are willing to take part in primaries when trying to get the parent's former seat...
Please tell me he will do that with a press conference...
Mayor Richard Daley set to announce "Talk Like Shakespeare Day"
Sometimes I suspect there is a small CO2 leak in my basement when I read this stuff....
You are a sitting US Senator
And you have your first fundraiser and only 30 people showed up (including family) you are screwed....
Run Rolland Run, please....
OneMan
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Also just announced...
Some other future gigs for former governor Rod Blagojevich
-- June 1 -5 Dunk Tank 'Dunkee' at 6-Flags Great America
-- June 6 Host of amateur night at a Gentlemen's Club
-- June 9 Opening of new CriKet store on Adams in Chicago
-- June 9 Grand re-Opening of Toys-R-Us along with Geoffry and Spider-Man
-- June 14-15 Guest DJ on B-96
-- June 16 Host of 'I am Hannah Montana' at the Huntley Outlet Mall
-- June 19 Filling in for Garth on Wayne's World (Aurora Public Access Cable)
-- June 20 -25 Hosting 10 minute long 'My Favorite things south of I-80' seminars
-- June 1 -5 Dunk Tank 'Dunkee' at 6-Flags Great America
-- June 6 Host of amateur night at a Gentlemen's Club
-- June 9 Opening of new CriKet store on Adams in Chicago
-- June 9 Grand re-Opening of Toys-R-Us along with Geoffry and Spider-Man
-- June 14-15 Guest DJ on B-96
-- June 16 Host of 'I am Hannah Montana' at the Huntley Outlet Mall
-- June 19 Filling in for Garth on Wayne's World (Aurora Public Access Cable)
-- June 20 -25 Hosting 10 minute long 'My Favorite things south of I-80' seminars
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I know I am going to watch
The following statement was released by NBC Entertainment.Is it me or do you think the Rod Blagojevich defense fund is not considered a legitimate charity. I have a suggestion to raise even more money for charity, how about you can call and make a donation for a given celebrity to get a blow to a given body part....
"Based on the hit U.K. reality show, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" is a groundbreaking live series event premiering June 1 and stripped over four weeks in June. Ten celebrities of various backgrounds will be dropped into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness and to raise money for their favorite charities. Rod Blagojevich will be a participant on the show pending the court's approval."
Also at this point do you think whomever is advising him to do some of this stuff before the trial (the book, the show, WLS) is now just treating this all as some sort of dare from their buddies...
"I bet I you can' get him to show up to his next court appearance and he will speak with an English accent"
" I can totally get him to do that"
As for the show here is part of the reason it is big in the UK, I bet Patty is going to be thrilled about that.
Here are some pics from the 2008 UK Version
Yeah, doing this is going to get you some dignity back....
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Perhaps one of the reasons we don't attract new people.
Is how we start all of our fundraisers at 6:00 (or even earlier) a lot of the younger folks who live out here either work downtown and/or have kids stuff going on at that hour. It makes it hard to make it to stuff on time.
You know...
When a candidate gets re-elected after having his law license suspended for a 'specified period of time' during his term, you start to wonder why you even bother running candidates.
If you all are going to vote just on party labels then you deserve the government you get.
If someone missing a host of township board meetings is not news, then perhaps at some level the local newspaper may not be worth having around any more.
You know guys, I get why you didn't report the Foster stuff, I understand why you didn't report stuff about that one aldermatic candidate a while back.
But seriously, why isn't a public official's attendance record at public meetings news?
OneMan
If you all are going to vote just on party labels then you deserve the government you get.
If someone missing a host of township board meetings is not news, then perhaps at some level the local newspaper may not be worth having around any more.
You know guys, I get why you didn't report the Foster stuff, I understand why you didn't report stuff about that one aldermatic candidate a while back.
But seriously, why isn't a public official's attendance record at public meetings news?
OneMan
Monday, April 06, 2009
The rest of the races...
I think we may pick up a trustee seat and there is a good chance we could pick up more. I can't take any credit for that. Depending on how one race in particular plays out, I have to admit it may really make it hard for me to really think there is any hope for the elective process in some ways...
OneMan
OneMan
Well Tom is going to get re-elected tomorrow.
I think that is inevitable, there are no two ways around it Tom is going to get a second term. As a someone who was often critical of Mayor Weisner I have to say he deserves it.
The murder rate is down significantly (it sort of matches Naperville now)... Downtown looks better than it did 4 years ago, it's easier dealing with the city, in general things are better. I still think not saving the drive-in was dumb but I have to admit Tom exceeded my expectations and I don't have a problem with him having a second term.
I think Stephanie and Richard would be fine mayors, but sort of like in boxing, if you want to win the championship you have to beat the champ, not just match the champ. I don't think Richard nor Stephanie has delivered the knockout punch.
Richard has been working the tax angle, got some mail on it as well as a phone call today but you know compared to what I am paying the school district the the property taxes I pay to the city is tip money. Also I have to admit besides gas and dining out, I don't really spend much in Aurora. So the sales tax increases hasn't really impacted me.
Stephanie has done really well in the forums and I have been impressed. But as my brother put it, when she argues the city manager think it seems like she is saying she isn't up to the job of mayor...
OneMan
The murder rate is down significantly (it sort of matches Naperville now)... Downtown looks better than it did 4 years ago, it's easier dealing with the city, in general things are better. I still think not saving the drive-in was dumb but I have to admit Tom exceeded my expectations and I don't have a problem with him having a second term.
I think Stephanie and Richard would be fine mayors, but sort of like in boxing, if you want to win the championship you have to beat the champ, not just match the champ. I don't think Richard nor Stephanie has delivered the knockout punch.
Richard has been working the tax angle, got some mail on it as well as a phone call today but you know compared to what I am paying the school district the the property taxes I pay to the city is tip money. Also I have to admit besides gas and dining out, I don't really spend much in Aurora. So the sales tax increases hasn't really impacted me.
Stephanie has done really well in the forums and I have been impressed. But as my brother put it, when she argues the city manager think it seems like she is saying she isn't up to the job of mayor...
OneMan
Saturday, April 04, 2009
There is no truth to the rumor that...
Former Governor Rod Blagojevich has had to resort to running this google search
Aurora Election Update
More mail yesterday...
A Women for Weisner piece for my wife, a piece from my alderman for time signed by 'leaders' in my ward (I don't know any of them but they were identified by sub-division I think). Also a police endorsement piece from Richard.
Also got a positivie economic piece from Richard a couple of day ago...
Was playing catch with my son today and realized how much nicer it was to be doing that then walking for this election....
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Doing the Rod Math...
20 -- Racketeering Conspiracy
200 -- Wire Fraud (10 Counts)
45 -- The rest...
So 265 years....
200 -- Wire Fraud (10 Counts)
45 -- The rest...
So 265 years....
What I think our campaign issue should be for 2010
Competence,
Use the audits, state crime lab, all kids, etc. Illustrate how the Democrats have failed a basic governance in Illinois, unable to successfully do the basics of what state government needs to do, what people expect their government to do.
At the end of the day, that needs to be our story. You let these guys run state government for the last 8 years, control all of Springfield. Lets be blunt, they screwed the pooch.
Every week for a year, we should have an illustration of how they screwed up. Missed grants, cases dropped, money wasted.
OneMan
Use the audits, state crime lab, all kids, etc. Illustrate how the Democrats have failed a basic governance in Illinois, unable to successfully do the basics of what state government needs to do, what people expect their government to do.
At the end of the day, that needs to be our story. You let these guys run state government for the last 8 years, control all of Springfield. Lets be blunt, they screwed the pooch.
Every week for a year, we should have an illustration of how they screwed up. Missed grants, cases dropped, money wasted.
OneMan
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