CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[marothisu]

Yes but to hope that a city falls to pieces basically is crazy — to hope for any city in your own country. I don't care if it's Chicago, NYC, Nashville, Dallas, etc etc - crazy talk.

And while I didn't vote for the guy myself, I hope he succeeds but not while — off so many (like Lightfoot). Indications so far at least are that he will be a bit more pragmatic and maybe not as stupid as some would like to believe. Time will tell, but like someone just said - the guy has barely had a cup of coffee while being mayor and people are already thinking he's the devil.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yes but to hope that a city falls to pieces basically is crazy — to hope for any city in your own country.

Please quote the posts in this thread from those hoping for Chicago to fall to pieces.

You do understand the difference between a fear and a hope, don't you?



And I desperately want BJ to succeed too.

I just have zero optimism that he will.

And I don't think he's evil, just stupid.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Please quote the posts in this thread from those hoping for Chicago to fall to pieces.

You do understand the difference between a fear and a hope, right?



And I desperately want BJ to succeed too.

I just have zero optimism that he will.

To hope that a place goes bankrupt to me is hoping it falls to pieces, sorry. Everyone knows exactly what response/post that's being talked about here. If the word "fear" would have been used instead, the discussion would be different.

[Steely Dan]

^ reread his post.

"Zero hope" does not have the same meaning as "hope".

Saying "I have zero hope in X happening" is just another way of saying "I'm afraid".

[marothisu]

Fair enough. I may have misread or misinterpreted. Apologies.

[BrinChi]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

The super regional malls are doing remarkably well. To the point of being overwhelmed at times.

My best guess is the rents are still too high in the loop.

I've been hoping for tax-policy change that incentivizes these retail spaces to lower their rent instead of waiting for the ideal national brand tenant. There's not too much retail space downtown. There's too much retail space downtown at current rent prices.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

There are no doubt racist pieces of — in Chicago who'd hate BJ, or any other black/brown person in the mayor's office, simply for having the audacity of being born with a different complexion.

But vlajos' referencing of his kids in CPS leads me to believe that's not behind his fear and ire. As a fellow CPS parent, I can completely relate to his outright hatred and complete distrust of the CTU. The pandemic was the last straw for me. CTU leadership certainly didn't cause covid, but their utterly absurd overreaction to it proved once and for all in my mind that they do not give one single flying — — about chicago's school children.

And while everyone has ties, BJ's ties to the CTU are more than just "ties". He is 100% of, by, and for the CTU. And his stances on things like defunding the police or the head tax prove that he's not just "tied" to the CTU, but a true-blue koolaid-drinking believer of that organization's universe of leftist lunacy.






Gross mismanagement of city finances is as old as the city itself. That's obviously nothing new.

But I don't think we've ever had a mayor so naively and misguidedly anti-business, posing an existential threat to things like chicago's trading industry, one of the foundational underpinnings of the city's very existence, remaining in the city.

The retort from some is, "well, he won't actually be able to do much of the truly batshit crazy stuff because JB."

Let's all hope that's the case, but I for one would rather have a non-—-for-brains mayor of the city in the first place, as opposed to one who needs to be babysat by the governor to prevent the entire — economy of Chicago from moving down to Texas and the rest of the sunbelt.

We're in an economic war with those other cities who roll out the red carpet for business development and economic growth, and now Chicago has a mayor who's too clouded by his own counterproductive and extremist ideology to understand that fact, and the ramifications of what will happen if we lose.

—.

The same could not be said for Lori, Rahm, or Richard II.

THIS.

Johnson had poor policy positions during the campaign, and when Vallas pointed this out, Johnson leaned heavily into the woke, anti-racist attitude and tried to paint Vallas as a conservative racist.

It was a disgusting tactic that probably helped get him enough votes from dumb young voters who focus on the trendy woke talking points instead of having the years of knowledge and experience to see past Johnson's —.

Calling out Johnson in the way Steely has is not suggesting there's something more to the attitudes some of us have towards him - It's a crafted breakdown of what he actually represents on a policy level.

[ChiMIchael]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

There are no doubt racist pieces of — in Chicago who'd hate BJ, or any other black/brown person in the mayor's office, simply for having the audacity of being born with a different complexion.

But vlajos' referencing of his kids in CPS leads me to believe that's not behind his fear and ire. As a fellow CPS parent, I can completely relate to his outright hatred and complete distrust of the CTU. The pandemic was the last straw for me. CTU leadership certainly didn't cause covid, but their utterly absurd overreaction to it proved once and for all in my mind that they do not give one single flying — — about chicago's school children.

And while everyone has ties, BJ's ties to the CTU are more than just "ties". He is 100% of, by, and for the CTU. And his stances on things like defunding the police or the head tax prove that he's not just "tied" to the CTU, but a true-blue koolaid-drinking believer of that organization's universe of leftist lunacy.






Gross mismanagement of city finances is as old as the city itself. That's obviously nothing new.

But I don't think we've ever had a mayor so naively and misguidedly anti-business, posing an existential threat to things like chicago's trading industry, one of the foundational underpinnings of the city's very existence, remaining in the city.

The retort from some is, "well, he won't actually be able to do much of the truly batshit crazy stuff because JB."

Let's all hope that's the case, but I for one would rather have a non-—-for-brains mayor of the city in the first place, as opposed to one who needs to be babysat by the governor to prevent the entire — economy of Chicago from moving down to Texas and the rest of the sunbelt.

We're in an economic war with those other cities who roll out the red carpet for business development and economic growth, and now Chicago has a mayor who's too clouded by his own counterproductive and extremist ideology to understand that fact, and the ramifications of what will happen if we lose.

—.

The same could not be said for Lori, Rahm, or Richard II.

As much as I don't really like many of his policies, I've never heard any of his critics present any comprehensive alternatives. A major reason why his platform resonate with voters is because they haven't felt a part of the city's success in a long time and that feeds into the nihilism among the youth. If his critics were stating how job growth and economic expansion can solve those issues better than the program, programs, and more programs route, maybe I can resonate with some people's anger towards Johnson.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by ChiMIchael

As much as I don't really like many of his policies, I've never heard any of his critics present any comprehensive alternatives. A major reason why his platform resonate with voters is because they haven't felt a part of the city's success in a long time and that feeds into the nihilism among the youth. If his critics were stating how job growth and economic expansion can solve those issues better than the program, programs, and more programs route, maybe I can resonate with some people's anger towards Johnson.

Except we did hear alternatives - From Vallas.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by ChiMIchael

A major reason why his platform resonate with voters is because they haven't felt a part of the city's success in a long time and that feeds into the nihilism among the youth.

Like it or not, capitalism is a game of winners and losers.

Brandon and his CTU cronies would like to stop, or at the very least retard, capitalism.

The issue is that they only have the power to act locally, which, if they are successful, will only serve to make everyone in Chicago a "loser", instead of just some of the people.

And chicago's loss will be the sunbelt's win.

Chicago doesn't exist in vacuum.

But Brandon doesn't seem to be aware of that fact.

And CME already has one foot out the — door!



I do legitimately fear that our city is a bit fucked because "justice".

"Justice" ain't gonna work at the local level when you're engaged in a nationwide battle.

You'd think that the — for brains morons of our Rustbelt region would wake up and realize this after 7 — decades in a row of losing.

But nope, apparently money does grow on trees, as long as you just wish hard enough for it.

Or maybe it's because so many of the people who get hip to the reality of our situation do in fact get the — outta dodge.

For better or worse, I don't have that option.

[ChiMIchael]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Like it or not, capitalism is a game of winners and losers.

Brandon and his CTU cronies would like to stop, or at the very least retard, capitalism.

The issue is that they only have the power to act locally, which, if they are successful, will only serve to make everyone in Chicago a "loser", instead of just some of the people.

And chicago's loss will be the sunbelt's win.

Chicago doesn't exist in vacuum.

But Brandon doesn't seem to be aware of that fact.

And CME already has one foot out the — door!



I do legitimately fear that our city is a bit fucked because "justice".

"Justice" ain't gonna work at the local level when you're engaged in a nationwide battle.

You'd think that the — for brains morons of our Rustbelt region would wake up and realize this after 7 — decades in a row of losing.

But nope, apparently money does grow on trees, as long as you just wish hard enough for it.

Or maybe it's because so many of the people who get hip to the reality of our situation do in fact get the — outta dodge.

For better or worse, I don't have that option.

Well his critics need(ed) to articulate why capitalism is better from those people. Having a "I got mines, too bad" will not get support. I wasn't really big on any of the candidates because I didn't hear anyone really speak about economic policy. I would have voted for someone who said he/she knew how to sell the city economically, especially in a way that is felt throughout most of the city.. But no, there was just a bunch of low-hanging fruit.

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

And chicago's loss will be the sunbelt's win.

This already happened with Mayors whose policies you supported (Rahm). I don't want them to enact a bunch of new taxes, but I also know that Mayors can't do that unilaterally. Vallas was literally selling a return to the past. The era where we borrowed from the future to balance budgets and loads of people left Chicago for Sunbelt cities. Johnson is at least presenting a new idea, Vallas was telling us the exact same strategy will somehow work out differently this time. I can't believe how many people are still buying it 2 months later.

Rahm laid down for businesses and the 2020 census showed us people still left for the Sunbelt. Same thing happened in NYC, Philly, and other northern cities. I care about making quality-of-life better in Chicago, where I live. The Sunbelt can do whatever they want.

Vallas did not present a plan to show me how my life would be better with him in charge. His only plan was to hire 2,000 new cops. Anyone who bothered to research knows this was an impossible promise. If he had other ideas maybe he could have combated BJ's claims of racism, but there is a reason he's a perennial candidate with zero election wins.

[Tom In Chicago]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

I do legitimately fear that our city is a bit fucked because "justice".

Yeah. . . "a bit" fucked I would agree with. . . on the one hand, us pragmatic folk in the city are all just shaking our heads while the clowns on the far left and right are filling up the talk space with garbage so that any meaningful dialog on these very real problems can't happen. . .

The priorities should be the high optics issues to mute the clowns so the real work can get done. . . otherwise it will be a distraction that keeps the cycle of dysfunction spinning. . .

1 - Don't allow bad behavior in the Loop by actively arresting people committing crimes - juvenile, nuisance or otherwise. . .

2 - Handle the problem with the migrants camped out at the police stations - this is LL's '— you' parting gift to the incoming regime - she could have handled it. . .

3 - Finally, clean up the CTA Blue Line so that people who actually use the trains to get to and from the largest gateway to our "great" city aren't met with vagrants using the trains as a god damned toilet!

It's literally that simple. . . why we tolerate this is so dumbfounding I can't even begin to explain. . .

. . .

[Tom In Chicago]

Originally Posted by moorhosj1

Johnson is at least presenting a new idea. . .

Not all ideas are "good" ideas simply because they're "new" ideas. . .

I'm still waiting to hear what he's planning on doing - today's City Council meeting might shed some light on it. . .

Originally Posted by moorhosj1

Rahm laid down for businesses and the 2020 census showed us people still left for the Sunbelt.

I think this narrative is not going to change until people get tired of the heat, but you are aware that Chicago gained population in many census tracts. . .

Growth in those tracts is something that can be nurtured, but being outwardly anti-capitalist is not going to help. . .

. . .

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by Tom In Chicago

Not all ideas are "good" ideas simply because they're "new" ideas. .

And nobody claimed they were. The alternative was doubling down on ideas that we know don't work from the experience of trying them over-and-over again.

Originally Posted by Tom In Chicago

Growth in those tracts is something that can be nurtured, but being outwardly anti-capitalist is not going to help.

Please name the "outwardly anti-capitalist" thing that Brandon Johnson has done as mayor. He just made outdoor dining permanent, which is explicitly pro-business. It's also worth noting that Rahm raised property taxes over $500 million and had tax increases in 7 of 8 budgets. Yet, we gained residents.

Actual things he has done (and comments from people who actually work with him) make him seem relatively pragmatic. He gave Alderman Burnett, the most pro developer alderman in the council a role with new powers and a staff. Alderman Reilly, the most pro-business Alderman in the city praised Johnson's leadership and collaboration on expanding the outdoor dining ordinance.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes downtown, embraced the compromise because it “eliminates annual renewals and now requires aldermanic approval.” In an email to the Sun-Times, Reilly said he “appreciates the mayor’s leadership” and willingness to collaborate.

I'm not a huge fan of him elevating Ramirez-Rosa, but let's see something actually happen before clutching all available pearls.

[tjp]

Originally Posted by moorhosj1

Please name the "outwardly anti-capitalist" thing that Brandon Johnson has done as mayor.

....he's been mayor for a week.

[jtown,man]

Originally Posted by Halsted & Villagio

The man is still moving his furnishings into the Mayor's Office and one would think he has already bankrupted the city. All of this pearl clutching and the man has barely had a cup of coffee in the office. For some posters here not named Steely, the irrational (almost unhinged) dislike of Johnson has got to be driven by more than just his ties to the CTU. No mayor anywhere ever, has come into office without ties, and yet, we have never seen this level of hue and cry/vitriol/sky is falling/wishing bad/failure on a Mayor and city they supposedly love.

This is being driven by something.... something more


.

Yes, it must be racism. It can't be that people are terrified that his plans on tax raises and crime policies will help degrade the city by a lot.

No, its racism. Whenever someone doesn't like a black politician that can be the only answer.

Wokism destroys critical thinking.

This man will most likely be horrible for the city but we can't say anything without the activists calling us the worst thing possible.

But in the end, people like you rule Chicago. So you win. You can enjoy your degraded tax base that can no longer support the massive social programs you activists demand every second of the day.

[Klippenstein]

Hmmm…

Chicago wealth flight? One banking giant that ought to know says no.
https://t.co/wYP9i3yWtf

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by jtown,man

But in the end, people like you rule Chicago. So you win. You can enjoy your degraded tax base that can no longer support the massive social programs you activists demand every second of the day.

The budget is more structurally balanced today than at any point in the past 25 years.

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by tjp

....he's been mayor for a week.

And I named a pro-business action he took. I think this is part of the disconnect. Let the guy propose some bad ideas before roasting him for destroying the city with his bad ideas. It's hyperbolic at this point.