January 27, 2016
SPRINGFIELD NEEDS TO BE A "NO LOITERING" ZONE
One way to solve Springfield's gridlock is to declare the state capitol a "No Loitering" zone. 175 of Illinois' 177 state senators and state representatives are inconsequential and/or irrelevant. Every legislative decision is made by the "Two Tops," Speaker Madigan (D) and Senate pres. Cullerton (D), always with an eye to protecting their super-majorities, clinging to power, and heaping blame on Gov. Rauner (R). Legislators earn $67,836/year for less than 6 months' work, usually work 3 days/week through May, get a $111 per diem when in Springfield, and most grab an extra $6,500 if a committee chairman or ranking member. Get this: In Madigan's House, there are 60 committees, so 60 of 71 Democrats get the stipend, and all 47 Republicans. Legislators' job is simply to show up, shut up, waste time, get free drinks/meals from lobbyists, and go home. Occasionally, there is a "done deal" roll-call vote, where Democrats vote as told, and Republicans are ignored. Madigan is giving Mike McAuliffe (R-20) another free pass in the 20th Dist., but all hell is breaking loose in the 15th Dist., where Jac Charlier is attacking the 39th Ward's Laurino-D'Amico machine as a "public disgrace," bellowing that "52 years are enough." Incumbent state rep John D'Amico (D) is campaigning 7 hours a day, Madigan has dispatched staff, and will spent $300,000 to rescue D'Amico. In the northwest side Chicago 15th Dist., however, the natives are getting restless. Full Article...
January 20, 2016
RAHM-B-GONE? CHICAGO WILL HAVE NEW MAYOR IN 2016
Step up and place your bets. It's the Rahm-B-Gone derby. How soon will Emanuel be Chicago's ex-mayor? Measure it in hours, days, weeks and -- maybe -- months, but definitely not years. Rahm will never make it to the end of his term (2019). The mayor will be gone sometime in 2016. His career is unraveling at meteoric sped. Such a phenomenon has 4 stages: (1) Rodney Dangerfield; he gets no respect. That's where he's at right now. (2) Watergate. The cover-up is uncovered, and the media is like a bunch of hyenas devouring the carcass. What did Rahm know about the police shootings, and when did he know it? (3) Richard Nixon; his friends become ex-friend. Hillary and Barack will take a hike. Toxicity will be pandemic. And (4) King Lear is last, where delusion and denial pre-dominate. Were Rahm a Republican, every liberal and minority Democrat in America (not just Bernie Sanders) would be sputtering with outrage and demanding his resignation. The police shootings and fatalities have already doomed State's Atty. Anita Alvarez. Black votes matter to the Democrats. Rahm-B-Gone? He'll he history by Oct. 2016. Either Pat O'Connor or Brendan Reilly, both white aldermen, will be his successor. Full Article...
January 13, 2016
TRUMP SEEKS TO DUPLICATE PEROT'S 1992 APPEAL TO NON-VOTERS
Look at Ross Perot. In 1992, the billionaire ran for president, and got 19.7 million votes, of which 7 million were non-voters in 1988. Donald Trump understands this reality. The Obama Nation (soon to be Hillary Nation) got 65.9 million votes, in a 2012 turnout of 129 million. Political pundits believe the voter pool is static, and Trump can't win. But what if the 15 million 2012 white non-voters (or a portion thereof) suddenly materialize? Obama brought out 7 million more voters in 2008 than 2004. The message matters. Non-voting, like voting, is a choice. In the 10th judicial subcircuit, Ald. John Arena's (45th) choice has withdrawn. Full Article...
January 6, 2016
"NO MAN'S LAND" IN 2016 COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Back in that bygone era of political incorrectness, recruiting ads for the U.S. Marines boomed that they "were looking for a few good men." Cook County's Democrats don't even want a few; one is about right. The 2016 Democratic primary field is overflowing with women, and half are black women. But too many women could nominate the random white male. The one best-positioned is Jacob Meister, who faces 3 South Side black females in the Clerk of Court race. "Law-and-disorder" is fueling Kim Foxx's bid for state's attorney, against incumbent Anita Alvarez; but a brutal primary with anti-police and racial overtones creates a path for Donna More. In the ever-unpredictable Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) primary, where four commissioners will be nominated, such factors as gender, race and ballot position are harbingers, but so are Irish-surnames. Kevin McDevitt drew the top line, following by the slate (3 females); he'll win. For the 2-year term, the Democrats actually slated a man. Full Article...
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