October 26, 2011
WHY BLACKS DON'T -- AND WON'T -- VOTE REPUBLICAN
Blacks are 12.2% of the U.S. population, and vote over 95% Democratic. Why are they so wedded to the Democrats? Why won't at least 20-25% of blacks vote Republican? After all, many blacks are socially conservative -- anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, pro-marriage, pro-gun -- and have a great incentive to demand toughness on crime, handguns for self-defense, change in schools, and less taxes. The reasons are the Hate Principle and the Fear Principle. People hate authority. For blacks, "authority" is the "racist" white establishment, now embodied by the Republicans; it's not the benevolent government. And "fear" is change. When Obama spouts his "change we need" mantra, blacks envisualize more black faces in power, not a change in the status quo. Black society is heavily dependent on government handouts, subsidies, set-asides and preferences, and there is monumental fear that Republicans will change that equation. Racial solidarity trumps economic reality. The Republicans are the enemy. Full Article...
October 19, 2011
"HOWIE CARROLL" SYNDROME WORRIES DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATORS
The dreaded "Howie Carroll Syndrome," an affliction indigenous to and borne by many of Illinois' 59 state senators, will persist for another decade. Springfield Democrats controlled the 2011 remap, and designed at least 38 safe Democratic seats. But that does not necessarily insure their majority. Howie Carroll, a 26-year senator, proved himself a paper tiger when he lost a 1998 Democratic congressional primary for a Chicago seat. State senators are largely unknown, run only three times per decade, and most have "packed" districts. Democrats packed as many Republican voters as possible into as few districts as possible. Thus, there's always the possibility of an upset in the Democratic districts. Democrats are under the thumb of Senate President John Cullerton, who can raise and dispense $5 million per cycle. The income tax hike vote will have an impact. Attached to this article is a 2010-2011 senate VOTE CHART, with roll-calls from area senators. Ira Silverstein voted against the tax hike; John Mulroe voted against death penalty abolition. But Dan Kotowski, pro-tax and anti-death penalty, in his remapped Park Ridge-to-Streamwood district, is in trouble. Democrats will control the senate after 2012, but time will winnow that majority. Full Article...
October 12, 2011
X-CHROMOSOMES APLENTY ON DEMOCRAT'S 2012 COUNTY SLATE
The Cook County Democrats, unlike the U.S. Marines, weren't looking for a few good men at their slate making session in early October. X-chromosomes were dominant, and the only Y-chromosomed man on the slate is the charmed Patrick Daley Thompson, whose DNA matches that of two former Mayors Daley; young Daley got one of 3 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District posts, Cook Country State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, whose popularity among party insiders is minimal, was slated, as was Clerk of Court Dorothy Brown, a chronic loser whose shelf life has expired. Brown faces a tough primary against Ald. Ric Munoz. In the Recorder's race, clout-heavy Karen Yarbrough was slated. For the MWRD, incumbent Debra Shore and Kari Steele, backed by South Side female committeemen, were picked. Incumbent MWRD president Terry O'Brien retired, and black West Sider Pat Horton was dumped. 2102 is the Year of the X-chromosome. Full Article...
October 5, 2011
"HAVE-NOTS" SURRENDER TO MADIGAN IN SPRINGFIELD FOLLIES
Where's the accountability? Illinois is a fiscal shambles, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D) grows ever more powerful, and he controls the Democrats who will control the Illinois House for the next decade. There is "class warfare" in Madigan's House: There are 117 "have-nots" -- 63 of 64 Democrats, and all 54 Republicans...who have no power -- and one "have," Madigan, who has all the power. He rammed through a remap which protected his majority, and Republicans will likely have only 45-48 members in the post-2012 House. Occasionally, Madigan gives special dispensation to members to vote as their district feels; an example was the income tax hike, which passed 60-57 -- the bare majority. Madigan let John D'Amico and Deb Mell vote no, but Joe Lyons, in the leadership, voted yes, and is retiring. Every Republican voted against the hike. The death penalty abolition (60-54) and civil unions (61-52) were also close votes. In the future, Republicans will be inconsequential. Attached to this column is a 2010-2011 VOTE CHART detailing the key votes of area representatives. Full Article...
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