-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Summary and audio linked here.
Chicago’s political leadership is floating a pension buyout program as evidence it is seriously addressing the city’s thirty-six-billion-dollar unfunded pension liability, but Mark Glennon, founder of the Illinois policy research organization Wirepoints, said that the proposal moves debt from one column to another rather than reducing it, and that the broader fiscal picture facing the city continues to deteriorate across every measurable dimension. Audio here.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Full interview and summary linked here.
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He’s got the votes
The progressive caucus, which is the primary force behind the Can Madigan movement, is ideological to a fault. These are the same kinds of people, who look at the failed history of socialism and communism around the world, and tell themselves that it could work here only if it was done right or in its purest form…. If they say that they aren’t voting for Madigan, I’ll take them at their word. They aren’t practical people, they aren’t driven by the same petty and soft corruption that drives Springfield. They’re driven by an ideology of pure hatred and anger, and… Read more »
Those politicians that have voted for Madigan to keep him speaker all these years most likely received something in return for their loyalty. Campaign money to keep from having any opposition considering at least 50% run unopposed some elections 60%+ is more than likely. I’m sure some regret voting for him but keep voting for fear of opening Pandora’s Box to what may seem to be under the table dealings that they made. Remember they receive clocks for their loyalty (Except Drury Not sure). The clock is mostly symbolic on the outside but what’s inside the clock? Get out of… Read more »
Rich miller is Madigan biggest cheerleader and a pro-machine loser.
The Democrats are cowards. Everyone of them who votes for Madigan. The public hates the man, the state needs him in jail, but these spineless power hungry reps would rather make a deal with the devil than do the right thing.
Wheelin’ and dealin’ is the way its ever been in American politics even nationally. Sometimes and some places its simply more obvious than it is elsewhere. That’s a feature of representative governments since time began, and its naive to think otherwise. Now, would you prefer a true dictatorship?
I don’t even know where to begin unpacking your mess of a comment that starts with cheerleading corruption and ends with calling me a fascist. God help your students if you really were a teacher. You surely gave them a miseducation.
I’m not cheering anything of the sort—just trying to recognize reality rather than dealing in the fantasy of failing to recognize its a pervasive part of American politics and as ever been so. I’m not name calling you at all. If that’s your take on my remarks its on you. As I’ve said here a few times already if you want to change politics you have to change the incentives of those who directly engage in it at the bill making/voting levels. Barring that its going to be forever the same set of priorities and personal agendas even though the… Read more »
I’d be interested to hear your views on why corruption flourishes in some states and cities and not in others. 50 years ago a client in Michigan had a tax problem in Chicago. As a young Michigan lawyer I asked my mentors whether I could try to handle it. They advised against it, offering a variety of reasons but my take-away was that this sort of thing in Illinois was best handled by Illinois lawyers with appropriate expertise. Translation:you need an Illinois lawyer to bribe an Illinois public official or judge. I also learned that in some matters of public… Read more »
There are many different weapons in a clever person’s quiver that can be tools for persuasion. Money is the most obvious, but its also the most common way to get into big-time trouble legally and all the more so when it comes to enticing public officials to do what you want. There are other quivers available for persuasion as well, and I’m sure you and others could enumerate them well enough if you give some thought to it. Conversations and actions involving any form of quid pro quo can be very persuasive, and people of power know the levers to… Read more »
My personal experience does not stretch to eons but it’s geographically diverse. Asia and Eastern Europe could teach the public employee unions a thing or two. When having beers with MBAs from large international corporations or consulting firms, bribes are openly acknowledged. In some countries, when the matter is small then a police officer can take care of it. But if the matter is large, and one has to bribe a judge, one must hire a lawyer. I met a cabinet official who had four kids at Stanford (not on scholarship) whose official salary was c. $US 500 per month.… Read more »
Chicago and Illinois are particularly corrupt because it’s a one-party rule state (like most third world countries) and the only oversight is the federal government. The local prosecuting authorities (County & AG’s offices) totally protect their own, no matter how corrupt. A couple of City of Chicago alderman said, upon discovering that Alderman Solis wore a wire, that they don’t like rats and snitches. this was the wrong answer. The ‘correct’ answer should have been that city council must remain corruption free, and transparent, and they encourage the prosecution of those bad apples that spoil it for everyone. But Illinois… Read more »
Oh yea, because expecting your politicians to not be criminals means dictatorship. Typical democrap
Apparently denial isn’t really a river, after all.
Lol. Yea, sure.