It seems Rod Blagojevich wasn't the real stumbling block to get anything accomplished in Springfield after all. Even with his hairness out of the picture, lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn, Blago's successor and one-time running mate, couldn't agree on how to bail out Illinois government from the billions in dollars we're in the hole.
Surprisingly, it was the same people who put us in this mess, the Democratic leadership who followed Blago down the yellow brick road to wrack and ruin, that continued to look toward tax increases without looking at cutting spending. Hello, Illinois Senate. They still don't get it.
Amidst people being asked to take furloughs and give back pay hikes, a statewide unemployment rate licking at the 10 percent range, along with some of the largest companies in the state and nation going into bankruptcy, aka General Motors, our lawmakers want to raise taxes and fees. If Illinois voters don't punish these ladies and gents at the polls next year, it's time to think about moving to America's Dairyland.
It's interesting to compare how Illinois pols tackle a budget crisis compared to Wisconsin. Up north, Gov. Jim Doyle has issued an executive order forcing all state employees to take 16 days off over the next two years. The order applies to 69,000 state workers. In addition, Doyle has rescinded a 2 percent pay raise for non-union workers and asked union workers to give up the raise or face the layoff of 400 state workers.
That is expected to save $121 millon over the two years the furlough is in effect. Not much considering Wisconsin has a $6.6 billion budget shortfall. But it is something.
Matter of fact, Lake County government and forest preserve officials could take a lesson from Gov. Doyle, who, like Pat Quinn, is a Democrat. You didn't hear Quinn talking about state worker layoffs as a first resort, now did you? This guy is so over his head he's beginning to make Blago look like a statesman.
Gov. Quinn wants to expand video poker and raise taxes. That's a good start for a re-election campaign, eh, governor?
If they were REALLY interested in doing more than just blowing smoke, they might want to start with how THEY waste money.....
Tons of irresponsible spending every time you turn around, and when they run out of money, their answer????? RAISE TAXES.........
Time to MAN UP, and start practicing some fiscal responsibility instead of all this carefree spending...
I wonder how many of you run your own homes like you run the state??
Not many, I'd guess....Otherwise, you'd be living on the street with all the other homeless unemployed people you seem so "worried" about...GROW UP & START DOING WHAT YOU'RE PAID TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE HOUND SEZ: Most Democratic lawmakers never met a tax hike they didn't like.
Tradition, Hound...Tradition! Every pol who sat on his/her father's knee and was prepped to take over the family seat in Springfield, has adhered to the traditions of Tax/Spend and Favor/Campaign Contribution. To 'fight corruption' was to find another way of taking money under the table and proclaiming how virtuous you were in doing it. Cut Spending! How dare you suggest that Hound! Not while Cousin Bill is trying to make ends meet as a six figure NEA lobbyist, or Aunty Mae is trying to supplement her income by letting herself be called the owner of a construction company in order to get 'minority' or 'women-owned' business contracts. Wisconsin politicians are fortunate that they don't have the huge patronage armies to support, or numerous sons, daughters, nephews, etc that are entitled to State jobs. Hey! Blood is thicker than water, ya know!
THE HOUND SAYS: So true, so sadly true, Hermie.
What about Gov. Quinn's wanting the legislature to take off 10 furlough days and Senator Kimberly Lightford complaining on the floor that would create hardship for her. What about the hardship she caused by voting for by raising income taxes on middle class families.
Last time I checked, being a legislator is a part time job, perhaps she should get in the real world and get a real job
THE HOUND SAYS: Sure, Dave, and being a Lake County Board member is part time and being a township supervisor is part time. Funny how all these part-time jobs get full-time salaries --- and benefits!