-- 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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The CPS and CTU must be tired of hearing that their students aren’t meeting math and reading standards. Looks like it’s time to lower the standards again. Keep lowering them until the students meet the standards. There, problem solved.
What good is a “standard” that only a few can meet anyway? Don’t most people take that word to mean the usual expectation? In this case it means the almost-never, unrealistic expectation. Of what practical, then, is it?
What good is a standard that only a few can meet? Probably the same excuse Boeing uses as the doors fall off their planes.
A standard for literacy and numeracy is essential in our information-based economy. Nobody is asking them to read Shakespeare or demonstrate proficiency in calculus.
Okay, have it your way. We still have crime all over the United States. Let’s fire ALL cops since they obviously are worthless and a waste of tax money!
Policing would be much more effective if the police didn’t have to follow all of the ridiculous mandates it takes to actually take a criminal into custody. Add in those that refuse to keep habitual offenders in jail, and therein lies the problem with increasing crime. A list available on the CWB website, the only one truly reporting the amount of crime in CHI/Cook County, will show you how many have been released only to injure and murder more innocent people.
So you admit the effectiveness of the police is hindered by policy set above their pay grade. Good thing teachers aren’t required to follow state and district mandates, curriculum and policies like passing along failing students.
Once again a cash grab by the “ usual gang of idiots “. Thank God it failed. What don’t these people understand that is so simple.
You need more money raise your own taxes not mine, if you cannot raise your own taxes
Then you can’t have more money.
End of story, idiots.
What country are you from? People always want to raise taxes and have the other guy pay. Chicago has been quite successful getting the rest of Illinois to give them money. I don’t see that stopping any time soon.
Here’s a perfect example of having the other guy pay – Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?
Agreed. It’s a perfect example.
What country are you from OH NASTY ONE??????
The great United States of America. It has many great qualities but it does create selfish taxpayers that want all the benefits of government but want the other guy to pay. Telling the truth isn’t NASTY sue. You and others are just so used to living in a bubble that you don’t like it when others point out where you’re wrong. Not to worry, I can help you with that problem.
Wrong….. you are the one that needs the help with being so RUDE to everyone……….have never lived in a bubble and pay my own taxes and fight my own fights……and you are a bully I AM NOT SCARED OF!!! SO SUCK IT UP!!!
How does a differing opinion equal bullying? You do realize that I’m in the minority on this site? In what world is the person that presents a view different from the majority the “bully”? No, sue, I just respond with the similar tone that others provide. I’m not the one complaining sue so no need to “suck it up”. No need to be “scared” of a differing opinion either. You’ll be ok.
You really don’t get it….no one is saying you can’t voice your opinion……..you are just very rude in the way you do it. other people on this site are really not that rude…..and of course i’ll be ok……will you???
Where was I rude sue? Billy butler called the mayor and his supporters “the usual gang of idiots” (how is that not rude) and then stated that if you want more taxes that you should raise your own and “not mine”. I asked him what country he is from because he was acting like this was never done before. Voters typically want more government services and want the other guy to pay for it. My tone and demeanor matched Billy boys. I’m fine sue. I’m just trying to follow your logic where I’m rude and others on this site aren’t.… Read more »
You call individual people names…….re-read your posts plus no one likes this mayor so that doesn’t count……to me you sound like a typical Biden voter that is angry about what this guy has done to the country….you talk like most Biden supporters……being a minority on this site as per your words.
I called him the exact same name that he has called others. I’m rude and he is not? Thanks for confirming your bias. It’s ok to call others names and be rude if you think most people don’t like someone. Not very logical sue but at least you were honest. Also, you haven’t answered my question about whether you find Trump rude? I’m a Biden supporter now? I see we are getting to the root problem. You are making assumptions without the facts. That’s very typical of many commenters on this site. I’m a minority on this site because I… Read more »
At least you got one thing right……in answer to the Trump question….he is usually rude when dealing with MSM…..who like to lie about what is going on and don’t like to listen to his answers and do not report accurately……..as far as what they are putting him thru now with the gag order….he deserves a medal!!
Calling out your bias. Agreed.
So you are ok with Trump being rude to people. You are also ok with other commenters being rude if they are doing so to people you don’t like. Thanks again for your honesty. However, you can see why I might take your opinion about rudeness with a grain of salt.
I don’t care how you take my opinion……I did not say I was ok with rudeness…….i said he responds the way he is treated! YOU are rude to people when they just make a comment you don’t like……Trump does not do that until they are rude to him……..Now that being said ….as MARK LEVIN would say i’m done……good luck to you on this site and GOD BLESS!!
Yup, I feel the same way. I am totally for my side doing something, and your side not being able to do the same thing. I could care less if I’m hypocritical. I know that I must do whatever needs to be done to win.
Are you winning debtsor? lol
Also, how much less could you care?
Stop whining about PPF. I disagree with most everything that he says – except for the primacy of freedom of speech – but I listen to and ponder his opinions and statements. Yes, in my opinion, they are often deluded, narcissistic and sometimes just plain dumb opinions. But is is useful to know what the other side thinks and it helps when it is well articulated. If it is a bit mean that’s OK too. Grow a thicker hide. Politics ain’t beanbag.
OK……gotta agree
The time is rapidly coming PPF. The gravy train will stop. Hello Detroit West.
All Aboard.
West Detroit? You mean where pensioners received 95.5 percent of their pension. That gravy train is still rolling, it’s just 5 percent slower. Until such time, pensioners will continue to receive a 3 percent increase each and every year. So in 10 years, that 120k a year pensioner will be receiving over 161k. If they receive a Detroit style hair cut, their pension would be reduced to 154k per year.
ALL ABOARD!!! Well not all, just pensioners.
Detroit retirees lost da COLA which you always seem to forget dude.
Plus da 13th Christmas bonus payment was also ended.
No, I realize it. I’m pointing out that by the time you get to bankruptcy, those pensions will have increased even more. Sure that 154k pension won’t grow any more but hardly an ending to their pension.
Also, that only applies to municipal pensions and IF you can get to bankruptcy court. The state is on the hook for the majority of the pensions and those aren’t going to be cut any time soon.
The current crew of leftists has been conditioned to believe that they only need to scream “but we NEED the money” as loud as they can, and the money will be given to them. Clearly that was the intention behind sending 600 CTU members to “lobby” in Springfield. No more subtlety, just strong arm and temper tantrum tactics. It’s time they are exposed to a strong dose of reality.
The Mayor’s Springfield sojourn was roundly viewed as amateurish, unfocused and totally tone deaf as to what the financial realities of the world are. Lori’s crew was awful, but this guy’s is even worse. Chicago got nothing for schools, crime, Bears, infrastructure or pension help. Sad to see what has become of a once powerful lobbying force.