CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events - Page 131

moorhosj · #**2601** Posted **Sep 16, 2019, 2:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stockerzzz

^ Just a political memo to make it seem like the Blank Check Amendment is needed. These cuts won’t happen, post the actual cuts when they’re signed into the budget.

Can't please anybody around here. As a voter, I like the idea of having more data about the consequences of my vote on the tax amendment, regardless of the motives.

A quick reminder that our last governor literally blocked his agency heads from suggesting any budget cuts.

Quote:

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said Tuesday that Senate Democrats must make "real spending cuts" in their proposed budget compromise, just hours before his agency directors refused to offer suggestions for reductions when asked by Senate committees.

Quote:

Rauner's office would not comment on why the cabinet members were not allowed to speak.

Which is more fiscally responsible, proposing a tax increase and spelling out the cuts that will happen without it OR calling for "real spending cuts", while blocking people from actually proposing any cuts?

jtown,man · #**2602** Posted **Sep 16, 2019, 5:06 PM**

What do states that aren't in a financial mess do differently than Illinois?

I think we should look into that...

Vlajos · #**2603** Posted **Sep 16, 2019, 5:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtown,man

What do states that aren't in a financial mess do differently than Illinois?

I think we should look into that...

They likely don't have strange constitutional guarantees of pension and retirement benefits as of the date of hire. That's probably a big driver. Illinois can't change current employee benefits other than increase them.

moorhosj · #**2604** Posted **Sep 16, 2019, 8:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtown,man

What do states that aren't in a financial mess do differently than Illinois?

I think we should look into that...

Most of them tax their citizens appropriately to cover their costs. Others get significantly more back from the Federal Government than they pay in Federal taxes.

glowrock · #**2605** Posted **Sep 16, 2019, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlajos

They likely don't have strange constitutional guarantees of pension and retirement benefits as of the date of hire. That's probably a big driver. Illinois can't change current employee benefits other than increase them.

Essentially this. There are, of course, a few other reasons for the massive structural debt problem, but the constitutional guarantees for pensioner and retiree benefits is by far the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Aaron (Glowrock)

BorisMolotov · #**2606** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 1:02 AM**

I mean at this point the only real long term solution is a constitutional amendment but it will take a massive campaign and likely the political suicides of many congresspeople.

the urban politician · #**2607** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BorisMolotov

I mean at this point the only real long term solution is a constitutional amendment but it will take a massive campaign and likely the political suicides of many congresspeople.

Exactly why term limits are needed and people shouldn’t be allowed to make a career in politics.

It shouldn’t be hard to make hard decisions on behalf of the public. That was the initial idea of the founding fathers of this country. Losing an elected position in Government should never mean the end of one’s career—except in our present state of affairs when it exactly means that for many people.

moorhosj · #**2608** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 1:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Exactly why term limits are needed and people shouldn’t be allowed to make a career in politics.

It shouldn’t be hard to make hard decisions on behalf of the public. That was the initial idea of the founding fathers of this country. Losing an elected position in Government should never mean the end of one’s career—except in our present state of affairs when it exactly means that for many people.

It’s the only job I’ve ever seen where people think experience is a negative. Can anyone name another? I guess the view is politicians are only gaining experience in enriching themselves.

Handro · #**2609** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 3:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by moorhosj

It’s the only job I’ve ever seen where people think experience is a negative. Can anyone name another? I guess the view is politicians are only gaining experience in enriching themselves.

I'm in both camps. Create term limits that allow a long enough tenure to gain experience and make some changes, but keep it short enough that those running for office don't view it as a viable career and need to experience life as a regular citizen before and after leaving office. Something like:

IL Senate: 2-4-4-2
IL Houise: Six 2 year terms.

12 years (if you are good enough to be re-elected) is more than long enough in a position to get to know the processes, build relationships, and then use that knowledge ot affect change.

It also is short enough that you need to have some kind of career before and likely after. Of course as I type this I'm realizing a great way to ensure a career after office is to hand out a lot of favors, so maybe that's not a great idea, ha.

the urban politician · #**2610** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handro

I'm in both camps. Create term limits that allow a long enough tenure to gain experience and make some changes, but keep it short enough that those running for office don't view it as a viable career and need to experience life as a regular citizen before and after leaving office. Something like:

IL Senate: 2-4-4-2
IL Houise: Six 2 year terms.

12 years (if you are good enough to be re-elected) is more than long enough in a position to get to know the processes, build relationships, and then use that knowledge ot affect change.

It also is short enough that you need to have some kind of career before and likely after. Of course as I type this I'm realizing a great way to ensure a career after office is to hand out a lot of favors, so maybe that's not a great idea, ha.

I believe a better solution would be this:

Amend the US Constitution to simply say that nobody can hold the same elected office anywhere in the United States for more than 8 years.

End of story

the urban politician · #**2611** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 6:29 PM**

Another example of death by Government:

Quote:

City considering ordinance to protect homeowners in gentrification zones
Aimed at "predatory" tactics by real estate developers, the ordinance would require that a developer not contact homeowners for 180 days after they've said they're not interested in selling their home.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/resident...-protect-homeowners-gentrification-zones

An overly activist Government trying to solve Every. Single. Problem. With another law.

Do any of you expect this to end?

Chisouthside · #**2612** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Another example of death by Government:

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/resident...-protect-homeowners-gentrification-zones

An overly activist Government trying to solve Every. Single. Problem. With another law.

Do any of you expect this to end?

Nothing wrong with this law if the constituents are asking for help.

moorhosj · #**2613** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

An overly activist Government trying to solve Every. Single. Problem. With another law.

Do any of you expect this to end?

I don't think it will end any time soon. People have found a new windmill to tilt at, and politicians are all too ready to help them swing.

Similar to proposals for a border wall, it's a fake solution to an exaggerated problem.

the urban politician · #**2614** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 6:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chisouthside

Nothing wrong with this law if the constituents are asking for help.

I guess I just don't believe in a law always having to get passed to solve everything.

Why do so many people always go to the Government to solve problems? When we keep doing that, we lose something as a free individuals

the urban politician · #**2615** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 6:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by moorhosj

I don't think it will end any time soon. People have found a new windmill to tilt at, and politicians are all too ready to help them swing.

I agree

Quote:

Similar to proposals for a border wall, it's a fake solution to an exaggerated problem.

Disagree. But off topic

the urban politician · #**2616** Posted **Sep 17, 2019, 7:45 PM**

250,000,000,000 and counting

Quote:

That's a quarter-trillion dollars, which is how much Illinois pension debt now totals, according to Moody's—which also suggests that any improvement is fleeting.

Illinois pension debt.

What's the plan, JB? Still chewing gum while not walking, I see?

I have an idea JB, lets pass a new law making it illegal to do [insert activity that annoys a crucial voting bloc here] toward [insert name of said crucial voting block here] and then get a photo op with you sitting at a desk, holding a pen while smiling, surrounded by several smiling [again insert name of that same crucial voting bloc here].

That'll divert everyone's attention for a while

LouisVanDerWright · #**2617** Posted **Sep 19, 2019, 2:49 AM**

Apparently there was an ordinance floated at city council today that would ban developers or agents from contacting a property owner for six months after they get a "no" in response to prospecting...

the urban politician · #**2618** Posted **Sep 19, 2019, 2:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Apparently there was an ordinance floated at city council today that would ban developers or agents from contacting a property owner for six months after they get a "no" in response to prospecting...

Scroll up, we had just discussed that

LouisVanDerWright · #**2619** Posted **Sep 19, 2019, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chisouthside

Nothing wrong with this law if the constituents are asking for help.

Protect them from what? From receiving letters in the mail? Technically there's already a national law they can use, the do not call list, to stop brokers from cold calling them over and over. So really we are talking about stopping "predatory tactics" like sending people mail...

By that measure Redplum is a virtual velociraptor menacing the good people of Chicago...

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Scroll up, we had just discussed that

Oh didn't see it cause someone keeps posti g links without even the headline...

the urban politician · #**2620** Posted **Sep 19, 2019, 2:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Oh didn't see it cause someone keeps posti g links without even the headline...

^ Uhhhh.....I did post the headline, here's my post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Another example of death by Government:

Quote:

City considering ordinance to protect homeowners in gentrification zones
Aimed at "predatory" tactics by real estate developers, the ordinance would require that a developer not contact homeowners for 180 days after they've said they're not interested in selling their home.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/resident...-protect-homeowners-gentrification-zones

An overly activist Government trying to solve Every. Single. Problem. With another law.

Do any of you expect this to end?