Cheers:
To ILSenateGOP , Melissahhahn, Rich CapitolFax, Dan Rutherford, Frichey for twittering what was going on in Springfield tonight.
Jeers:
To the Fail Whale who showed up way to often tonight.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
How Senator Sandoval Reminded Me Why I am really suspicious of this tax increase
Listening to Senator Sandoval talk about how everyone and the brother 'took it in the pants' due to George Bush and that is why we had to raise taxes....
The idea that past actions of the legislature had nothing to do with why we are in this situation is perhaps the biggest reason why I am suspicious of these tax increases.
You folks decided to go along with the Governor when he did all these stupid budget tricks to avoid saying no to anyone, to allow the expansion of programs without any increase in revenue. We all knew this 'we need to raise taxes' day was going to come. To blame a president who is out of office, is a bit of a stretch.
But the bigger issue is that I really think these folks don't see any of this as being any of their doing at all. The fact we have no real rainy day fund to tap to help deal with this, the fact we underfunded pensions because we didn't want to deal with the issues there is not the fault of George Bush, it isn't the fault of Joe Voter. It is at it's most basic the fault of the folks in Springfield in the legislature. Because it was easier to avoid reality than deal with it.
It's not so much I have a problem sending you more money (not a big fan of that btw) but that I don't really think I can trust you to spend it in a logical way. Yes, I understand that pure logic is not they way government works and you have to make deals to get things done. But over the last 6 years you basically would let Rod when on this budget BS because you either didn't want to or couldn't stand up to him. So when we could have done something about this earlier we didn't, making the problem that much worse now. The fact you don't seem to understand that worries me. It like you spent a bunch of money, had your salary cut and want some of your salary back because it was the cable company's fault for adding QVC and making you spend all of that money.
If you had even done something a little more real and a little less easy to game on the ethics/fund raising side would have given me a little more trust. Better still something about redistricting.
Bottom line: I understand the state needs more revenue, I just don't know if I can trust the folks in Springfield to allocate it.
OneMan
The idea that past actions of the legislature had nothing to do with why we are in this situation is perhaps the biggest reason why I am suspicious of these tax increases.
You folks decided to go along with the Governor when he did all these stupid budget tricks to avoid saying no to anyone, to allow the expansion of programs without any increase in revenue. We all knew this 'we need to raise taxes' day was going to come. To blame a president who is out of office, is a bit of a stretch.
But the bigger issue is that I really think these folks don't see any of this as being any of their doing at all. The fact we have no real rainy day fund to tap to help deal with this, the fact we underfunded pensions because we didn't want to deal with the issues there is not the fault of George Bush, it isn't the fault of Joe Voter. It is at it's most basic the fault of the folks in Springfield in the legislature. Because it was easier to avoid reality than deal with it.
It's not so much I have a problem sending you more money (not a big fan of that btw) but that I don't really think I can trust you to spend it in a logical way. Yes, I understand that pure logic is not they way government works and you have to make deals to get things done. But over the last 6 years you basically would let Rod when on this budget BS because you either didn't want to or couldn't stand up to him. So when we could have done something about this earlier we didn't, making the problem that much worse now. The fact you don't seem to understand that worries me. It like you spent a bunch of money, had your salary cut and want some of your salary back because it was the cable company's fault for adding QVC and making you spend all of that money.
If you had even done something a little more real and a little less easy to game on the ethics/fund raising side would have given me a little more trust. Better still something about redistricting.
Bottom line: I understand the state needs more revenue, I just don't know if I can trust the folks in Springfield to allocate it.
OneMan
How you could game Video Poker in Illinois
Well let me first start by saying flat out I haven't read the rules of implementation of video poker if it does happen because I can't really find them. So using the basic idea behind video poker I am going to explain how I think with the cooperation of the local officials in your town you can create a small video poker casino.
First some basic assumptions.
Your local government will cooperate with you.
The state will not necessarily require a licensed facility to serve alcohol (even if it is licensed to do so)
Just because you serve alcohol and sell alcohol doesn't mean anyone has to buy it
Option one (The City wide lodge)
You get every local fraternal group to open a joint facility (no need to close their current one), the facilities all share a common space but have 'serving' booths on the outside. Heck create some additional fraternal organizations (even a small town may have 5, a bigger one could end up with 10 easy)... So you have 40 or 50 machines and 10 'booths' that sell alcohol (perhaps only one sells it at a reasonable price) . BTW you give a cut to the organizations that are giving you cover.
Work on your own option
Monday, May 25, 2009
Just A Thought For Today...
I know I have written about this before but when Frank Buckles passes away (the last surviving US Veteran of WWI ), I hope our government responds the same way it would for the passing of a president.
Those of us who knew a veteran of that war have a responsibility to teach our children who did not have that opportunity.
OneMan
Well the Superintendant of the Indian Prairie is leaving
After only about 2 years on the job for less money to return to working in Ohio...
Wonder if all the issues the district ended up having on the new high school and quick take had anything to do with it?
Remeber the whole thing with Senator Holmes and Quick Take? I bet that didn't help keep the guy around.
So now Indian Prairie is going to be without a superintendant and getting ready to open a new High School. I bet that is going to be entertaining, as well as anyone looking to take the job is going to at least google a bit and see how various entities get themselves involved in the district. If you were a top notch superintendant would you want to deal with that?
OneMan
Why so few legislators have been convicted....
Well because it you think about it, under the way the system now works in Illinois trying to bribe a rank and file legislator is a really bad investment.
Why, because what can a single legislator really do to help you out? Not much really. It's not like they have control over things that go down in their district. I think history has born out that a Chicago Alderman is a much better investment.
OneMan
You know if I could just see one change in political fundraising in Illinois..
It would be that only carbon based life forms could give to campaigns.
Yes, the interest groups would still be involved as outside actors, but the one thing I never really understood is why we have business contributions in this state.
OneMan
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A little Help Guys..
Can anyone tell me what the bill number is for the Video Poker bill, I am working on some blog stuff related to that but can't figure out what the bill # is for sure.
Thanks
OneMan
Chris Kennedy and the Rich Guy challenge...
Been thinking about the Chris Kennedy thing some more and came to a realization....
He is a Democratic Andy McKenna...
A guy who has worked for a large extent running a family business. Was not that involved in local politics before he felt the urge to run himself, and his involvement was mostly writing checks. Just like Andy he is involved in local civic groups and such and that's about it.
Even if you go through the list of rich folks who have run for statewide office, the only winner I can recall from the last 20 years or so is Jack Ryan and we know how that turned out.
Blair Hull, Jim Oberweis, Andy McKenna all failed in their attempts to even win a primary statewide.
OneMan
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
So Chris Kennedy is going to run for Senate
Sneed says it's a go...
I guess my question is why, seriously?
Also the stuff about Vornado Realty trust and the United Food and Commercial Workers isn't going to play really well in some parts of the Democratic Party in Illinois.
Also interesting to see what has changed on his wikipedia entry over the last few weeks. Like
getting removed from the entry and lots of tweaks to his civic involvement in the last month from folks who seem to have never edited a wikipedia entry before.
I guess my question is why, seriously?
Also the stuff about Vornado Realty trust and the United Food and Commercial Workers isn't going to play really well in some parts of the Democratic Party in Illinois.
Also interesting to see what has changed on his wikipedia entry over the last few weeks. Like
Many attributed his rise in the company to his family's stake in the business
getting removed from the entry and lots of tweaks to his civic involvement in the last month from folks who seem to have never edited a wikipedia entry before.
Considering how popular the rich are right now, it shouldn't be that hard to beat a guy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Also I guess it is due to my age, but to me the Kennedy mystique is as much party time with Uncle Ted as well as the various drug and marrage issues of the members of the generation now wanting to run for stuff.
Not fair, but it is what it is.
OneMan
Monday, May 18, 2009
So we have a 'doomsday' budget..
Yes I know there is plenty of blame to go around....
But lets remember we all saw this coming and the folks in Springfield decided not to do anything about it but stupid budget and pension tricks. It has been one party that has had most of the budget power the last 7 years and beyond...
Just sayin...
OneMan
But lets remember we all saw this coming and the folks in Springfield decided not to do anything about it but stupid budget and pension tricks. It has been one party that has had most of the budget power the last 7 years and beyond...
Just sayin...
OneMan
interesting idea
The Conservative party in the UK is putting the expenses their leaders submit to the government up in real time using google spreadsheets and docs.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Couple of other observations...
The American Legion was at my train station today collecting money and giving out poppies. The vast majority of people walked by and I didn't see too many folks with poppies on my train.
Heck I see more folks interact with political candidates when they are at my station..
Come on folks, give them a dollar and wear your poppy.
Heck I see more folks interact with political candidates when they are at my station..
Come on folks, give them a dollar and wear your poppy.
Got some mail today
From the SEIU asking my wife and I (addressed to both of us) to call Senator Linda Holmes and Tell (not ask btw) to protect funding for home care.
Sent to a hard R household...
So it is obvious they are spending some serious bucks on this.
OneMan
Sent to a hard R household...
So it is obvious they are spending some serious bucks on this.
OneMan
Monday, May 04, 2009
So can Meeks do it?
There is talk again that Senator Meeks might run for Governor. I thought last time there was talk about this that Senator Meeks had a real shot. I still think he does.
How can he do it?
Education:
Make the argument about social justice and convince people the the suburbs and south of I-80 of two things.
In the short and long run poor urban education is going to cost them money.
That rural education suffers because of the current state funding model.
Convince virtually everyone that their kids and their communities are getting jerked over under the current funding model.
Build a full ticket:
Run an entire slate covering all statewide offices, even some leg races if he can pull it off. Show the rest of the state that you are not running a Chicago ticket, something that the Democrats will likely be unable to show. Get folks from downstate on your ticket.
Reach out to existing party members
People are sick of Republican and Democrats in this state. I think people are ready for an alternative, this is a unique window of opportunity that will likely never come again in the next 20 years. A chance to create a political movement if not even a political party.
Reach out to disaffected Republican and Democrat party activists. On the Republican side folks in the middle of party who are sick of the far right screaming they are not being listened to. On the Democratic side, there are a host of activists who feel there is no state party that is willing to listen to them.
Don't run from the minister thing
You are a minister, embrace that. It can work as a huge advantage. I think there is a host of voters who are looking for leadership that has a faith component that talks about what we can do for each other to lift each other up. Not one that nags...
OneMan
How can he do it?
Education:
Make the argument about social justice and convince people the the suburbs and south of I-80 of two things.
In the short and long run poor urban education is going to cost them money.
That rural education suffers because of the current state funding model.
Convince virtually everyone that their kids and their communities are getting jerked over under the current funding model.
Build a full ticket:
Run an entire slate covering all statewide offices, even some leg races if he can pull it off. Show the rest of the state that you are not running a Chicago ticket, something that the Democrats will likely be unable to show. Get folks from downstate on your ticket.
Reach out to existing party members
People are sick of Republican and Democrats in this state. I think people are ready for an alternative, this is a unique window of opportunity that will likely never come again in the next 20 years. A chance to create a political movement if not even a political party.
Reach out to disaffected Republican and Democrat party activists. On the Republican side folks in the middle of party who are sick of the far right screaming they are not being listened to. On the Democratic side, there are a host of activists who feel there is no state party that is willing to listen to them.
Don't run from the minister thing
You are a minister, embrace that. It can work as a huge advantage. I think there is a host of voters who are looking for leadership that has a faith component that talks about what we can do for each other to lift each other up. Not one that nags...
OneMan
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