Our governor is insane (Des Plaines, Prospect Heights: how much, house, tax)

[prairiestate]

So, we finally have a new budget, after a record breaking overtime session, in a state where the Democrats are firmly in charge. And here's a great bit of irony. Earlier this week, the moron posing as our governor was bragging about all the pork he cut out of the budget. What's wrong with that you ask? Well, his definition of pork is a bit different from other peoples. Much of what he cut was funding for police and fire departments, libraries, social service agencies, medicaid. You know, the kinds of things most people would consider to be essential services.

Now for the irony. He also cut a million dollars or so in funding that would have gone to flood control measures statewide. Including money to help build a new levee in Prospect Heights. This is a village that on Friday was furiously sandbagging the Des Plaines river to keep the swollen tributary from indunuating the town. Well, at least they can take comfort knowing that their tax dollars are safe from being spent on pork.

Interestingly, the budget never would have cleared the legislative branch without senate president Emil Jones pushing it through. Even more interestingly, a large amount of funding for groups friendly with Emil Jones were not cut as pork.

And finally, the governor would like to reallocate the funds he cut from the budget towards his own pet projects. Of course, this isn't legal or constitutional, but hey, why should that stop him.

I keep hoping the UN will be sending in troops to liberate us and install a democracy in Illinois.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

I keep hoping the UN will be sending in troops to liberate us and install a democracy in Illinois.

They'll have to find someone that's not already aligned with the Illinois Democrats, Illinois Republicans, or 'Illinois Nazis' (cheap Blues Brothers reference).

[CellarBelle]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

I keep hoping the UN will be sending in troops to liberate us and install a democracy in Illinois.

That's about the best line I've seen in a long time... Love it!

[KerrTown]

Is Blagojevich a Republican now? He cut social services? He should be called a DINO now.

[j33]

He needs to go. I applaud his desire to reform healthcare, it is a noble cause, but must he destroy the state to do it?

Personally, I'm furious with him (and have sent him more than one email stating so) that because of his obstinate behavior, I will be faced with severe difficulties simply getting to work and back home (cutting service and raising fares to an already bursting at the seams public transportation system).

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by j33

He needs to go. I applaud his desire to reform healthcare, it is a noble cause, but must he destroy the state to do it?

Personally, I'm furious with him (and have sent him more than one email stating so) that because of his obstinate behavior, I will be faced with severe difficulties simply getting to work and back home (cutting service and raising fares to an already bursting at the seams public transportation system).

It's a noble cause if done for the right reasons. Blago just wants to make his name known nationwide. That's hardly noble. Fact is, we can't afford any kind of universal health care right now. As important as health is, education, roads, transit and other issues are also critically important, and the state is, and has been, failing miserably to address these issues for some time. If the state can't take care of the mandates it already has, how can it possibly consider adding another one, like universal health care?

[j33]

I agree with you. I actually did not vote for him this time around and think that he's become the laughing stock of the state.

[Drover]

As much as a knob as Blago is, I have to wonder how much of his travails are being orchestrated by Michael Madigan to help position his daughter to take Blago's job come the next election. His obstinateness seems to be met blow-for-blow by the House Democrats.

[j33]

Regardless of the reasons, the residents of this state are getting screwed.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by j33

Regardless of the reasons, the residents of this state are getting screwed.

No, they are not. Now that I've got my I-Pass, every time I roll through Open Road Tolling, I think to myself, that George Ryan guy was a ******* for looking into disbanding the ISTHA! Open Road Tolling is great! I love paying to drive on the Tollway, and I love to see God Blagojevich's name on ALL the highway signs.