-- 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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It should be easy to get this up and running. No need for checkout staff or registers. The peeps won’t be paying.
Folks, America is the only place on earth where “poor” people are obese.
Yup, our “poor” would be solidly middle – class in most of the rest of the world… the majority of the “poor” in the US are homeowners, have vehicles, air conditioning, big – screen TV’s, computers, iPhones, leisure activities, plenty of clothes and natcherly plenty to eat. They also get free subsidized medical care and other nice benefits… a “poor” family of four can get over a thousand bucks per month in food stamp benefits alone, plus housing and education subsidies… they even get free Obama phones…
The Block Club article links to another reporting several small rural communities which have, or are contemplating, municipal groceries. They seem successful as long as the community is supportive. The situation in Chicago, of course, is completely different, as there are plenty of potential customers but for some mysterious unknown reason it’s difficult to operate profitably. Somebody should get a grant to ask the managers of recently-closed stores why they failed. I wonder whether some of the recent immigrants have experience and skills to run a store. Also, please note that the term “food desert” is no longer acceptable. There… Read more »
Don’t forget food pantries… the Chicago Food Depository which supplies area food pantries is IIRC a $300 million per year business. Most farmer’s markets will “double your money” if you pay with SNAP. Also, free meals/food at schools, churches, community centers. I’ve had a career in social services and I can state that even the street homeless eat very well, many spend their days going from place to place, eating multiple free meals. Here in Evanston Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s supply LARGE amounts of food to Connections for the Homeless and other agencies serving low – income groups –… Read more »
Can you imagine major food suppliers and distributors dealing with Chicago’s procurement system? They won’t as small disadvantaged business will step in as no value add cutouts. With no economies of scale in a low margin business, can you imagine the losses a store like this will generate? City union workers will work there – in a low margin businesses which requires hustle. And the City will have to get a tight grip on shoplifting and crime, something which the City isn’t the least bit inclined to do. Losing a gargantuan amount of money doesn’t typically bother the left but… Read more »
Where 100% of the items will be shoplifted. They will provide 2 wheelers and large carts and help you load your U-Haul.
Should be named FOOD PANTRY, as that is what it will become in time.
FAILED CITY ALERT: Chicago Bureaucrats Don’t Have The Management Skills To Manage A Lemonade Stand — And Now They Want To Operate A City Owned Grocery Store