-- 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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IL Democrats are a national disgrace.
I think it’s great that the parent in the room didn’t give into the tantrum throwing child. Of course, enablers see that as being mean, hurtful and an example of bad parenting. No wonder their kids grow up to be entitled , useless nobodies.
President Trump could find a cure for cancer, all cancers, and give it away free saving the lives of tens of thousands and the democrats would still attack, criticize, defame and slander him. It’s what they do. Being a failed political party supporting criminals, illegal aliens, mentally ill gender confused people, men playing in women sports and wasting billions of tax dollars on ridiculous programs that do not help American citizens is all they are good for.
Elon Musk, Feb 19, 2025 via ‘X’ “A significant percentage of the money ‘sent to Ukraine’ actually ended up benefiting US politicians, the DNC and some Republicans. That’s why Zelensky says he only received half the money”
Zelensky met with Democrats right before meeting with PDJT in Oval Office and arrived with an attitude. Democrat Senator Chris Murphy today confirms Democrats talked Zelensky out of deal. The Democrats would rather millions more people die, rather than Trump get credit for ending conflict.
Throw in the fact there are people across the country repeatedly on political donor lists that have no idea how their names got there.
The WH debscle was planned by the PUTRID dems, go here, from the NY POST: https://nypost.com/2025/03/01/opinion/dems-lead-zelensky-ukraine-off-a-cliff-with-pressure-to-reject-mineral-deal/ Disaster in the Oval Office: Dems lead Zelensky, Ukraine off a cliff with pressure to reject mineral deal ‘ “Before meeting Trump, Zelensky met with anti-Trump Democrats who advised him to reject the terms of the mineral deal the president was offering, according to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “Just finished a meeting with President Zelensky here in Washington. He confirmed that the Ukrainian people will not support a fake peace agreement where Putin gets everything he wants and there are no security arrangements for… Read more »
Yep, he appeared to have been coached on what to say. He pushed back on every part of the Trump negotiation/settlement angles. Zelensky is a grifter and was advised by the Dems to fight with Trump. The moron. Zelensky either just wants the cash to continue or he is as stupid as he looks. Taking the advice from the opposing party is stupid. Also, what in the hell is going on in our Government when our own elected officials cause a world class problem and position this country in this way? These people have forgotten that they are to do… Read more »
Liked the way military historian and political commentator Victor Davis Hanson summed up the situation. Zelensky should listen to him too.
VDH is most excellent on this issue. Here is a fine analysis of the whole sordid mess:
Victor Davis Hanson has posted the following 10 observations across several social media platforms: Ten bad takeaways from the Zelenskyy blow-up
“Zelenskyy is no longer the international heartthrob with the glamorous entourage. He has postponed elections, outlawed opposition media and parties, suspended habeas corpus and walked out of negotiations when he had an even hand in Spring 2022 and apparently even now when he does not in Spring 2025. Quo vadis, Volodymyr…”
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/03/hanson-goldman-on-the-oval-office-showdown.php
Thank you for that link. Good article.
I am a big fan of VDH. He explains things so well.
(I support Trump and Vance. It is outrageous that crazy protesters would harass Vance and his family over this.)
Biden and Democrats provoked a war with Russia for a number of reasons, none of which involved any vital interest of America. Many, many Democrats have taken kickbacks. Zelensky even admitted he doesn’t know where HALF of the U.S. taxpayers money went to. Zelensky could easily threaten Biden since he had all the dirt on them stealing money via Hunter. Zelensky has no leverage like that now with PDJT. The good news is that hopefully America is out now.
I believe that when VP Harris affirmed that Ukraine would become part of NATO the invasion was assured. That may not have triggered the invasion, but it may have been the straw on the camel’s back.
That’s what I keep saying. Zelensky knows where the bodies are buried, he gets desperate, he could blow the whistle.
The only “national disgrace” is the constant ridiculous suck-up by Democratic globalists, idiot Woke folks, and EU sycophants.
Ukraine conflict is a war crime; Victoria Nuland and Tony Blinken are war criminals, and Zelenskyy is an embezzler, a murderer and a despot.
Where was their “outrage” when, during Obammy’s tenure, Putin annexed Crimea…???
Dems were in control.
It absolutely was a national disgrace. For Ukraine. Even the most low grade chumbolone knows you don’t insult and make demands of someone you’re begging money from.
I totally agree. Dems are making a horrible mistake criticizing Trump and Vance on this. The U.S. had a peace plan. Zelensky showed up to destroy it, criticizing even the notion of diplomacy, which is what triggered Vance’s initial, harsh response. Zelensky want’s the war to continue at least for now.
The dems are hopelessly flailing, so they are resurrecting the tired old “Russia collusion” hoax, saying *again* that “Trump loves Putin” and that the White House presser was an “ambush” and “set – up” by Trump and Vance against Z…
We will see how US public opinion plays out on this, but I think Dems are making a huge mistake going all-in on Zelensky’s side here. Especially given UK’s announcement today about their war “coalition of the willing.” This may shape up being properly framed as US pursuing peace and Zelensky/Europe supporting continued war without us. Good luck with that.
The reality is Ukraine doesn’t have much of a military left – forced conscripts on the streets to be used for fodder.
Well, this looks like the answer on public opinion. Overwhelmingly against Zelensky. https://www.thefp.com/p/what-average-americans-think-of-trump-zelensky-showdown?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
President Trump had a peace plan and a plan for an orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan and then along comes SloJoe biden and his failed administration. The results, as expected, total,disaster.
Horrible mistake yes, but how many Dem voters actually pay attention?
Orchestrated and planned from the time Vance uttered the words “there’s a new Sheriff in town”. Europe has disdain for Trump and not having someone stroke their collective ego’s while patting them on their back for being blowhards. You can’t have it both ways and they have just stepped in it now.
The embarrassment to the United States was SloJoe biden who was an incompetent fool but supported by the likes of Pritzger. COVID dictator while allowing his family to be restriction free as he moved them to Florida. Attempted to buy, bribe a Senate appointment, used racial slurs, cheated on his property taxes and got caught. Yet he, Pritzger, thinks he is not an embarrassment? What a disgusting pile of crap.
Well it would be true if the politicians from Illinois were not the ones who were actually the disgrace. Allowing this great state to sink into oblivion of Leftist insanity. With a delusional approach to the states finances led by an over entitled egomaniac with presidential aspirations, it is the height of hypocrisy for them to comment on anything from the Federal or international stage. Get your own house in order before you talk about anyone else!
It’s about time someone sticks up for this country and we the people, since when did it become the responsibility of the American taxpayers to pay for the rest of the world’s woes, Ukrainian government is so corrupt you think there is a second Washington D.C Zelenskyy was so used to the Biden administration and Democrats just writing a blank check he figured Trumps administration would do the same, wrong Zelenskyy totally wrong. The rest of the world better get used to expecting no more freebies game over Democratic demons.