July 27, 2016
FOR MADIGAN, DEFEATING McAULIFFE IS "JUST BUSINESS"
A "free pass" is one-time entrée to a concert or sports event. It does not get you into the Illinois House. Yet State Rep. Mike McAuliffe (R-20) has had, courtesy of Speaker Mike Madigan (D), "free passes" in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. No longer. Madigan's 71-47 super-majority is in jeopardy, and Madigan wants and needs McAuliffe's far northwest Chicago 41st Ward/northwest suburban (Park Ridge, Rosemont, Harwood Heights) seat. He will deploy necessary manpower/staff and spend necessary money (at least $500,000) to elect Merry Marwig who, if elected, will be his toady in Springfield -- like almost every one of his other 70 Democrats. "I won't take any orders" from Madigan, insisted Marwig. But she will eagerly take that $500,000, as well as orders from Madigan's "staff," who are running her campaign. On her own, she's raised a paltry $7,900. She needs Madigan's intervention. "There will be lies, more lies, and fabrications," said McAuliife, a 20-year veteran. By the time Madigan's minions and mailers dump their disinformation and mis-information on McAuliffe, Jack the Ripper will look like a sweetheart. A 2015-16 Illinois House VOTE CHART is attached. Full Article...
July 20, 2016
MURPHY-THILLENS RACE IS KEY TO KEEPING CULLERTON'S SUPER-MAJORITY
Remember that old saying: Use it or lose it? That's definitely applicable to Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D) and his 39-20 Democratic super-majority. Cullerton disingenuously grouses that Springfield's gridlock is Gov. Rauner's (R) fault, but the fact is that Cullerton can pass a budget anytime he wants; he has the votes. But, of course, that budget would include a tax increase, thereby jeopardizing Cullerton's super-majority. So he does nothing. But he will do something in the northwest suburban 28th District, a top-tier contest between appointed St. Sen. Laura Murphy (D) and Mel Thillens (R). Cullerton will spend $1 million to keep the seat. Murphy mouths the usual gibberish: We must spend more money to "protect the vulnerable" and fund social services, but with "no tax increase on middle-class families" who populate her district. Her "solution": Pile more taxes on corporations. The contest is tight. Cullerton's super-majority is at risk. Full Article...
July 13, 2016
TRUMP, DEMOGRAPHICS AND DISGUST TWO-PARTY SYSTEM DOOMED SAYS SENATOR SASSE
Trump, demographics and disgust are dooming America's venerable two-party system, predicted obscure Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse ®, who also dis-endorsed Donald Trump (R) calling him a “New York liberal,” and not a Republican. People only vote Republican so as to reject the Democrats' liberal agenda, and people only vote Democratic to reject the Republicans' conservative agenda. Both parties are complicit in protecting the status quo, which includes a $19 trillion national debt and wars in seven countries. Staying in power, and blaming the opposition, is standard operating procedure. Younger voters reject both parties, and more and more voters reject voting in primaries – and then complaining about a “lack of choices.” If Sasse is right, there will be a slew of wealthy no independent presidential candidates in 2020 and beyond, Maybe it's time for a no-party president Full Article...
July 6, 2016
AQUINO'S VICTORY GIVES TEACHERS' UNIONS WIN OVER CHARTER SCHOOLS
Hell hath no fury like a union scorned, and the possibility of charter school advocate Angelica Alfaro winning an Illinois Senate seat made the CTU and IFT apoplectic. "Just Say No" to school choice is their mantra. They smeared her as a "Rauner Democrat." When St. Sen. Willie Delgado (D-2) bungled his petitions, the unions quickly coalesced behind "backup" Omar Aquino, and poured money and manpower into the north side Hispanic (mainly Puerto Rican) district. Aquino eked out a 21,459-19,068 (52.9%) win, even though all the area's "regular" Democratic ward bosses -- Arroyo, Berrios, Maldonado, Reboyras -- exerted themselves mightily for Aquino, who lost a 2015 aldermanic race in Arroyo's 36th Ward against Arroyo's candidate. Memory is fleeting. Union "clout" is not fleeting. Arroyo carried his ward this time for Aquino, succumbing to union pressure. Aquino has a 2-year term. Expect a 2018 rematrch. Full Article...
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