Politics: March 2009 Archives

This is really rich. After eight years of Democratic rule in Illinois which has taken the state to the brink of bankruptcy, now Gov. Pat Quinn wants to hike the income tax rate 50 percent.

The Hound believes George Harrison had it right in "Taxman": "Should 5 percent appear too small/Be thankful I don't take it all." Yikes, in the midst of the Great Recession, the governor wants to increase taxes. Only in Illinois.

Who was minding the store all these years lawmakers were writing a blank check for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, D-Not Indicted Yet, and all the government agencies with their hands out? And, didn't Blago call this one when he got impeached. He said once he was out of the way, Quinn and lawmakers would be raising taxes. What a seer.

Quinn's proposal floated Friday and to be offered to the Legislature on Wednesday calls for the income tax on individual wage earners rising from 3 percent to 4.5 percent; on business from 4.8 percent to 7.2 percent. If that jump in the corporate rate isn't a job killer, The Hound doesn't know what is.

Hello, Wisconsin, The Hound can hear Lake County business leaders saying. Especially considering Lake County's jobless rate is hovering around 9 percent already. Hey, governor, ever thought of cutting spending for a change? Like, lawmakers' salaries?

The reason Quinn, formerly Blago's lieutentant governor, is calling for this massive tax hike and infusion of money is the state owes $11.5 billion. So, the governor figures a tax hike is the way to go. Whoa, these guys daily increase the target-rich-environment for Republicans next year.

The Hound has two words for Pat Quinn: Richard Ogilvie. And for those who don't know who that is, Google it.

Like early Christmas presents, here comes the rollout of candidates for 2010 to bump U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, D-Lameduck, from office. First to launch an "exploratory committee" is one-term state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, while Burris has www.supportburris.com is a legitimate site that could be used if
the Democrat decides to seek a full term. The Giannoulias Web site is www.alexiforillinois.com, or at least according to his press release. And so it begins.

Despite numerous calls to resign because of revelations about how he was appointed to the seat by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Burris has hunkered down in the bunker and even Gov. Pat "The Unmighty" Quinn has backed off calls from black ministers and lawmakers to leave Roland alone. This after he has changed his story
multiple times. And probably will again.

Another possible Democratic candidate is William Daley, brudder of Da Mare of Chicago, who was a Clintonista cabinet member. And, there's more out there, trust The Hound on this one.

If the GOP doesn't mess it up, the next junior senator from Illinois could be a Republican. Lake County's own Congressman Mark Kirk of Highland Park is one of those eyeing a run for the seat next year.

Recall that The Hound in the above paragraph said GOP won't mess it up. Remember that the party in the Land of Lincoln has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory numerous times, so there is always that possibility. This even with a plethora of scandals foisted on voters by the state's Democratic pols.

By all rights, 2010 should be a Republican year in Illinois. But then, The Hound remembers GOP leaders putting up Alan Keyes to run against Barack Obama in 2004. Uh, is Keyes available?

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