Illinois is broke:) (Davis: spring break, insurance, how much)

[60-minutes-II]

According to this article our state is in real bad shape. I didn't know that our state for the PAST FOUR YEARS has had the worse state deficit in the nation. More than california or New York or Florida or Texas. That is just horrible news and things don't seem to be getting any better.

The grim fact is this state is flat-out broke

As Illinois lawmakers return from spring break for what everyone fervently hopes will be the last two months of the legislative session, one grim fact overshadows all others: The state is flat-out broke. No, even worse, it’s plunged deep in debt, the result of years of living beyond its means. [mod cut]

The grim fact is this state is flat-out broke (broken link)

[Steve-o]

You just now found out that our state is broke? Its been a running joke here for years.

[60-minutes-II]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

You just now found out that our state is broke? Its been a running joke here for years.

I thought it was just a joke not a fact

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by 60-minutes-II

I thought it was just a joke not a fact

No, no, no, its a sad, pathetic joke that happens to be true. Deep in debt and wasting money as always.

[sgresident]

i say, let's give some more "free stuff away"...free rides on trains, free medical insurance to illegal immigrants etc. I can't wait to be able to vote for the recall amendment!!

[gardener34]

Yep. "And the state continues to rely too heavily on local property taxes" This is a pet peeve of mine how this state funds the schools. You have some areas that have their own radio stations and have marble floors, and some that can barely afford text books and are using 5 year old ones.

They need to overhaul the system. I don't know what's gonna happen... a new gov. would be nice.

[Havasu]

So what is the answer to this problem? Besides getting rid of the Governer thats not going to happen anytime soon its a long process.But can be done.
The worst in the Nation? You people HAVE to do something or it will be a very ugly scene. Here are a few ideas.
1 Find someone who wants to help and can help.
2 Get as much exposure as you can for this person.
3 Get a large radio station to expose whats going on ( Alot of people dont know)
California went thru this a few years back with Gray Davis and now he is gone and a better place. I lived in Ca during this time.
It can be done but it takes alot of work from the people who live there.
Visit my Home

[sgresident]

the trouble is, the person who would be the "right" person, won't have enough money of their own to launch a campaign. We just went through the special election with foster and oberweis and they spent 9 million dollars!!!! I think that there should be a cap placed on how much money can be spent campaigning, not just on how much you can accept in donations. Just look at the presidential race, if all of the money that was spent for advertising, was spent to help people, all of the people who don't have food or insurance would be fine.

[60-minutes-II]

It still wouldn't work because I believe there are too many special interest groups that work really hard to corrupt. And too many times the public servant is happy to accept a bribe.

[Havasu]

Originally Posted by 60-minutes-II

It still wouldn't work because I believe there are too many special interest groups that work really hard to corrupt. And too many times the public servant is happy to accept a bribe.

I guess you are stuck then. Sorry to see this.