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E-mail to a friendThe city announced today that it's facing a $217 million budget shortfall and might have to raise taxes in the coming year.
Big surprise.
As you may recall from last year's tutorial on taxes, budgets are projections. Each year Mayor Daley predicts how much money he expects to generate in taxes and fees and how much money he expects to spend. If the latter is greater than the former, he has to raise taxes to make up a deficit. If not, taxes remain flat.
Last year at about this time, Daley was gushing that his managerial expertise had left the city flush and there would be no need to raise taxes. On the campaign trail last fall he announced that the city was facing a $65 million shortfall, the lowest in five years. Now he's saying the economy was worse than expected, with the real estate market sagging--hence the huge deficit.
I don't think the economy's the big difference. The difference is that Daley was running for reelection last year and this year he's not. Think of the increases in taxes and fees as Daley's way of saying thanks for your vote, suckers.
And the city did hit you with tax increases last year--they just didn't tell you about it. I know, I know, in today's article about the looming deficit, the Trib claimed that "taxpayers escaped any increase a year ago."
I don't know why, but the big papers aren't telling you the whole story about your property taxes. Every time the city creates a tax increment financing district it effectively raise your property taxes, as the other taxing bodies raise their tax rates to compensate for the loss of revenue. There are now 153 TIFs in Chicago, diverting over $400 million a year in property taxes. And the city keeps creating new TIFs almost every month. TIFs feed the slush fund the city uses to line the pockets of the mayor's developer friends.
In a month or two the second-installment property tax bill will come out, and scores of home owners on the west and south sides will get clobbered with tax hikes approaching 100 percent. In addition, the soaring taxes will make communities like Washington Park, Woodlawn, Garfield Park, and Lawndale unaffordable for poor or working-class people who might want to live there.
The only mystery is who Daley will blame for the coming tax hike. I predict he'll blame an economic downturn, Cook County assessor Jim Houlihan for the high assessments, and the general assembly for not giving him more money for the schools. I guarantee he won't say a word about the TIFs.
$217,000,000 shortfall?
What would be 'saved' if EACH and EVERY city employee took a 10% cut in pay?
Take a guess.
"Last year at about this time, Daley was gushing that his managerial expertise had left the city flush and there would be no need to raise taxes."
HE LIED, 'cause he's a LIAR.
"And the city did hit you with tax increases last year--they just didn't tell you about it. I know, I know, in today's article about the looming deficit, the Trib claimed that 'taxpayers escaped any increase a year ago.'
I don't know why, but the big papers aren't telling you the whole story about your property taxes."
We know why.
Because they ALSO LIED, because they are ALSO LIARS.
".... the soaring taxes will make communities like Washington Park, Woodlawn, Garfield Park, and Lawndale unaffordable for poor or working-class people who might want to live there."
OF COURSE.
Because that's EXACTLY what they are intended to do.
And what percentage of those who live on the West and South sides of the city voted for Daley?
And supported Todd Stroger for County Board President?
Welcome to the world of the White Man / Oreo style politics.
I hate to say I told you so...
spoken like a true, "...profane, fringe weirdo...".
You spelled my last name wrong!I'm not a reformer either. I just think the Daley Administration is out of touch with the Working people! He is spending money we don't have. When he's dead and gone , we will be paying for his friends getting rich off the taxpayers of Chicago!
The only question is who in the hell are they making money FOR...
With the demise of the NCBG, is anyone keeping tabs on TIFs and how much they actually rake in?
that's RIGHT, Carter -
TIFs are ECONOMIC COLD FUSION!
FREE MONEY from a mayonnaise jar!
Cater did pose the question "The only question is who in the hell are they making money FOR... ".
Maybe if he posted in ALL CAPITOLS, you boys wouldn't have missed it, as in:
THE ONLY QUESTION IS, WHO IN THE HELL ARE THEY MAKING MONEY FOR....
There is a need to fill the vacuum left with the demise of the NCBG, not only because of the city's mismanagement, but because the County was left with a $500 million dollar budget shortfall after their last election, and have resorted to firing qaulified nurses and doctors, while continuing to allow Stroger to hire his relatives and cronies for six figure PR positions.
One of the first things anyone who wanted to join such a group to replace the NCBG could do is show up at the Chicago Development Corporation (CDC) council meetings were they approve these new TIF districts.
It might be mentioned that on the eve of an election, Daley got his budget passed by a city council vote of 46-0 - it was the seventh time out of 18 years that there was not a dissenting vote. I wouldn’t put a lot of hope that your local alderman is going to be honest with you on the fiscal crises this city is finding itself in. It was the third straight year that not a penny of the city's $713 million property tax levy could be used for operating expenses, as property taxes are primarily used for debt payments and obligations to the city employee pension funds, (the pension funds are just 60% funded, another future headache for this city compounded by the TIF misuse).
Who could have known that there was going to be a real estate slow down? Practically anyone who was paying attention.
Thank you Ben, once again, for your continued focus on how the gross misuse of Tax Incremental Financing is causing not only short term harm, but long term harm to this city and its misplaced priorities.
Does this mean that you'll be participating in the round-up and wholesale slaughter of most all incumbents?
As in
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
I did my best, my friend, and have spent well over $75,000 of my own money and loss income to try and at least have a debate and have my local representative live up to the democratic principles I ostensibly put my life on the line to defend. I lent what ever efforts I had left in me to help Scott Waugespeck beat that Hack Matlak.
Do I want a wholesale slaughter? No.
I will work toward better representatives at all levels of government. And I will continue to speak truth to power, regardless of the consequences.
I just wanted to point out that Ben is absolutely correct in that the misuse of creating so many TIF districts are compounding this cities fiscal outlook both in the short term, and over the next two to three decades. Under funded pensions should be part of a conversation when it comes to our governments budgets.
I will show up at the CDC, and would love to participate in the reactivation of the NCBG.
Any takers?
5) If there are 2 or more CHALLENGERS listed for a given office, cast your vote according to this formula:
a) If the INCUMBENT is listed FIRST, vote for the CHALLENGER who is listed LAST
or
b) If the INCUMBENT is NOT listed first, vote for the CHALLENGER who IS LISTED FIRST"
Now my perspective. With all due respect, it is difficult enough to get on the ballot when facing one of the ‘machine hacks’ who are truly vulnerable. What this city needs is a very organized opposition of independents who will compromise and settle on candidates who will run on a platform of ideas. That organization should not be funded by business or labor dollars; otherwise it will be as beholden to the special interests that are bankrupting our great city. Until this city has such an organized effort that is financially supported by the citizens in each of the wards who are sick and tired of getting a few million dollars of sweeteners thrown into their wards during election years (out of a $5.7 billion dollar budget) it doesn't make a lick of difference if you and I attempted a 'whole sale slaughter'.
Because it is so difficult to get onto the ballot, the machine will encourage others to circulate petitions and join the ballot, in order to prevent real opposition to coalesce behind one candidate, and hopefully divide the independent opposition that exist in this city. (This was done in both the 32nd and I believe in the 49th wards, were both of the incumbents nearly got through on the first round. I should clarify here that in my post above, the efforts I contributed toward Ald. Scott Waguespack’s campaign were extremely little. Scott, his campaign manager Pat Botterman, and the citizens of the 32nd ward are responsible for their success. It should also be stated that I support the incumbent alderman in the 49th, despite two challengers whom I respect, and one of those opponents I believe was on the ballot only to divide the opposition.)
To arbitrarily cast your vote based on the ballot placement would result in either the incumbent breezing to victory, or worse, getting someone who is not interested in serving the constituents. This strikes me as completely absurd. I would prefer that someone not even participate in our democratic process if they are going to vote on such an arbitrary matter as ballot placement. We desperately need decent people, who will vote with conviction, to both run for office, and support those who have the courage to tackle difficult issues; not only in this city, but in our county, state, and national offices as well.
Although I appreciate your repeated efforts to advance your proposal, I do not believe it is a responsible one, nor one that will ever gain favor with a majority of the readers of this blog, much less voters in this city.
I will say this, I fully support Alderman Waguespack, and I have a lot of confidence that once he gets his footing, he is going to be a great representative for the 32nd ward.
I wrote in a previous entry that I have no interest in running for office. I do not respect any of my representatives at any level of government and would not serve my neighbors well with so much resentment. Hopefully that will pass, but I have lost faith in our 'democratic' process and everything I have sacrificed for 12 years of service in the army by people who are so dismissive to me, fellow veterans, and my neighbors. They disgust me, and the last thing we need now is someone full of disgust and anger when we have such problems as the fiscal crises in our city, county, state, and national government.
If it was meant as an encouraging compliment, thank you.
So, if, as you say, the machine makes it extremely difficult to get on the ballot, how is it that the machine would be able to run several shill candidates to dilute the dissatisfied voters' votes?
Or are you saying that the machine practices include blatant election fraud, when concerned with any potential candidates who are not machine-chosen shills?
And don't you think that we, the dissatisfied voters, are capable of getting multiple candidates of 'our own' on the ballots, if, as this strategy describes, those candidates don't have to amass any money to personally run a campaign?
Are you truly thinking that even someone born today will live long enough to see any appreciable change in politics and political governing, by 'waiting' for 'the people' to 'unite' behind truly independent and honest candidates?
For every petition the machine 'circulates', for one of their shill candidates, we circulate three.
The more candidates seeking a given office, the better, because, if we keep up with the shills, the odds stay the same.
And, who do you think are going to be the 'people' who sign these petitions?
My understanding is that the same voter cannot be counted as a valid signature on more than one petition.
If we, the independents, focus on flooding a given contest with candidates, how long will it be before WE'RE getting THEIR shill candidates knocked off the ballot, for petition fraud?
While it seems that the clout monkey army is countless in number, that is far from the truth.
Believe me, there are WAY more of US than there are of THEM.
They just SEEM to outnumber us, because we've become so docile and discouraged, and are substantially suffering in silence.
The only voice THEY will evEr hear is when we VOTE THEIR ASSES OUT.
Worry about the right thing, which is, GET RID OF THESE LEECHES FIRST, then work on putting the fear of being voted out on the ones who replace them.
Break their rhythm, brother, just like you'd do in a hot fire-fight, but with votes, NOT bullets.
We're multi-tasking, we can run multiple threads all day and all night.
Do everything, but don't dismiss this strategy.
It can work.
This thread should stick to the misuse of TIF funds, the explosion of TIF districts, and its effects on our city's fiscal situation. It is inappropriate for me to continue discussing electoral strategy or ballot issues.
I will consider it, though this idea is best utilized as a free to all who find it intriguing.
I'm thinking that it may be just possible that those 'in power' actually believe enough citizens are fed up with their rascal activities to try this strategy.
If so, let's get it on.
ouch, that made my head hurt just doing it for a sentence.
the TIF issue is too depressing for words, I take heart in knowing that the more clever of the old guard can't last much longer - there are no more Ed Burkes, Dick Mells, etc. out there, their day is done.
the real question is what happens when Daley retires - realistically, he's in for life. also realistically, his job is going to get harder and harder as long as new aldermen/women come in the door.
who can be knocked out of the box in 2011?
"What would be 'saved' if EACH and EVERY city employee took a 10% cut in pay?"
Um, excuse me? Why should I take a cut in pay? I never voted for Mayor McCheese and his magical slush funds.
I know from my brief stint in the CPS teachers are ridiculously underpaid for what they deal with, I'd like to see city workers get preference for affordable housing options.
I'd certainly rather see them getting paid a fair wage instead of our tax dollars getting TIF'd for condo tomfoolery and to line the pockets of stockholders of massive corporations.
Ben is shooting for
Bob Greene/Baby Richard stories type records for beating a dead horse.
Surprise, Surprise, Fuck You.
And your dead horse.
I am surprised that the Reader allows for Coconutty (as Jesse Jr. calls him) to appropriate their message board in this manner.
Hopefully the new ownership will bring about some needed changes.
Poor little orio-ion. I am surprised that the Reader allows for orio-ion to appropriate their message board in this manner.
Hopefully the new ownership will bring about some needed changes.
what is next, "I know you are, but what am I?".
No.
Just Fuck You.
You and every other reader of this blog.
It is getting tiresome having ill in this City tied to TIFs.
The Mayor farts and does not say excuse me, blame it on the TIF,
It is too hot outside, blame it on the TIF,
geez.
Fuck You.
Orion STILL has no answer, albeit, he/she does have something to say:
"The Mayor farts."
"The Mayor does not say excuse me."
"geez."
"'Mayor Daley has said for the last three years that he does not know who appointed Torres to head the Hired Truck Program.'
Another fine example of why our own, wonderful mayor needs every citizen's help in ridding our city government of corrupt, dishonest people.
SOMEBODY is responsible for enabling and allowing all this corruption.
And, since we ALL know and trust our wonderful mayor, who would NEVER lie, it MUST be that OTHER PEOPLE are doing all these criminal activities.
Since the city council has the authority that controls and approves all the financial decisions that our taxes are spent on, it MUST BE the city council members who are doing all these criminal activities.
So, if we citizens really care about our wonderful mayor, we should ALL register to vote and, on the next election day, HELP RICHIE OUT, by VOTING OUT all these dishonest city councilmen and city councilwomen.
It only makes sense, don't you see?
SAVE OUR WONDERFUL MAYOR from these dishonest crooks who have infested our city council!!!!!"
"Here's a thought.
Since Richie seems so insistent that he doesn't know nuthin' about nuthin', maybe he needs our help in getting rid of all these 'other' guys who've been stinking up his Camelot.
Let's all help the mayor.
Let's ALL get ourselves registered to vote.
Let's ALL dedicate ourselves to helping Richie clean out all the corruption, by VOTING OUT all those long-term incumbents who are, according to the mayor, responsible for all the corruption and mismanagement of our city, county and state tax dollars.
Richie says the state government elected reps aren't doing the 'right' things, well, let's help Richie out, by VOTING OUT ALL long-term state elected officials.
Richie says he's powerless to stop the waste, mismanagement and corruption in our county government elected officials, well, let's help Richie out, by VOTING OUT ALL long-term county elected officials.
Richie says he's had nuthin' to do with, and knows nuthin' about, any corruption within our city governments, well, let's help Richie out, by VOTING OUT ALL long-term city elected officials.
Let's ALL dedicate ourselves to:
VOTING in EVERY ELECTION.
VOTING ONLY FOR CHALLENGERS (or, in rare cases, PROVEN INDEPENDENT incumbents).
VOTING AGAINST RETAINING long-term incumbent officials.
So Richie can be freed from all these corrupt people he's been overwhelmed by.
He's just a man, a simple fellow, he NEEDS all of our help, to clean out the garbage that's been stinking up our city, county and state, so,
LET'S ALL HELP RICHIE OUT."
"I like this idea, helping out the mayor is what everybody should dedicate their lives to.
Or at least their free time to.
It's too much too expect of one man, even such a wonderful one as Mayor Daley, to be able to prevent bad people from abusing their authority, so it's up to us to help.
C'mon, Chicagoans, let's all get busy and help our blessed mayor to end the abuses committed by these rotten apples."
"Don't ya' know a good idea when you see it?
If the voters aren't interested in uniting to vote out the corrupted, unresponsive, arrogant, smug, self-serving, self-promoting, pieces of human waste currently hogging our publicly elected offices,
then, MAYBE, since they seem to have great affection for little Richie,
they MIGHT be motivated to HELP RICHIE OUT,
help Richie to rid himself of all these corrupted guys and gals he claims he's surrounded by, but doesn't know nuthin' about, by uniting to vote out corrupted incumbents,
JUST TO HELP RICHIE OUT."
"It's all those evil aldermen, and all those evil Crook County commissioners, and all those evil State legislators, and that evil Governor, and his evil staff and advisers, yeah, that's the ticket.
It's time we all united and dedicated ourselves to SAVING RICHIE FROM THE EVIL ONES.
Richie hopes and prays that we, the voters, can help him to rid ALL our governments of EVERY SINGLE EVIL MAN and WOMAN, currently serving SATAN, in our City Council, County Board, State Legislature and Governor's Mansion.
Then, and only then, can Richie show his true colors and truly shine, with that inner brightness we all know he possesses.
HELP RICHIE OUT
VOTE OUT ALL EVIL INCUMBENTS"
It's rally funny, as in strange, that those who have jobs in government seem to have convinced most people in the media to believe that government employees are different from the rest of us private sector employees, as in:
1- city, county and state workers should NEVER have to worry about, nor plan ahead for, the possibility of being laid off, fired, forced to take pay cuts, increased work duties, late paychecks, etc.
2- city, county and state workers ALL live from check-to-check and, thus, missing ONE paycheck will, oh my God!, result in instant foreclosures, repossessions, and massive financial ruin.
3- city, county and state workers are ALL ENTITLED to live far above their means, thus resulting in the perils enumerated above.
4- city, county and state workers are ALL entitled to be free from EVER having to experience what tens of thousands of private sector workers experience every year, namely, FORECLOSURES, REPOSSESSIONS, EVICTIONS, BANKRUPTCIES, GARNISHMENTS, ETC..
5- city, county and state workers are naturally BLESSED BY GOD, therefor, we, the taxpayers, shouldn't EVER dare to question these workers ABSOLUTE right to be safe and free from ANY of the 'normal' financial concerns that we face every day of our lives.
After all, WHO THE FUCK DO WE THINK WE ARE, GOVERNMENT WORKERS?
Christopher Kozicki, for those of you who do not know, is a Buildings Department official who the inspector general recommended be fired for rigging the hiring of a 19 year old son of the Carpenters Union official as a building inspector. He was not fired by the Daley administration.
I strongly believe that Orion's post should be deleted, as they add nothing of value. Perhaps the reader can hold the comments to read prior to posting. Until something is done, all of these conversations are going to degenerate into a back and forth of the verbal equivalent of "Fuck you" - "NO! Fuck you"
That is not helpful to anyone.
Frank Coconut, in Pavlov Dog fashion, responds with an "F-Bomb" explitive.
However, only Orion's post should be deleted ?
The logic is missing.
We really are in the middle of an economic downturn. The collapse of the subprime market, and the change in accounting rules are afecting the access to the capital markets for all the states.
Not that the crackdown on the states budgeting is a bad thing, but there is every reason to believe that the crisis is legitimate.
A friend of mine in one of the rural states in the west told me yesterday that they are getting hit hard also.
Certainly, the precipitous drop in the stock market indexes over the past few days, indicates some sort of issues are being played out.
Why is it so surprising that a city that depends a great deal on real estate revenues is having budget problems when the real estate market is in a downturn?
P.S. Chris, I have to admit I am curious. You stated that you spent $75,000 of your own money on the election. As near as I can tell, you were a staff sergeant in charge of a warehouse in the army, at an e-6 pay grade ($2,500/month-taxable), discharged only two years ago. How exactly did you manage to earn enough to have $75K in disposable income?
As I get older, I find that a lifetime of charity has limited my retirement income. I have to admit, I could really use some tips on how you achieved such wealth.
I am so glad that my personnel finance peak your interest, but I think our public finances are so much more important. But I will clarify a few things for you. I was a staff sergeant in charge of a brigade level public facilities team, not a warehouse. Income earned by the enormous sacrifices of our soldiers and marines in Iraq is NOT taxable (they also are given immanent danger pay, family separation allotments, and other financial incentives for their sacrifices during their deployments). I don't know if I have $75K in disposable income (that was the whole point of my telling everyone, I am not independently wealthy and can not continue to try and participate in such an undemocratic system), but I am fortunate to live in a household that has allowed me to pursue public service at a personal income loss, such as working for the Edgewater Community Council as a community organizer focused on public safety issues when I returned from Iraq. As far as personnel financial advice, I worked hard my whole life, have learned that I can live out of a ruck sack, and invested all the money I earned while in the army during a time when your return on investments were quite large. It helps that you don't have to pay for housing or food while deployed.
As far as anyone getting a government job, I think our state/county/city could stream line their services and cut quite a few jobs, but veteran’s preference in hiring should be something that is enforced, and with our federal workforce getting increasing old, there are many skills that veterans have acquired that would serve the federal government well.
And although Orion doesn't use profanity, Orion's post don’t offer anything other than you dislike Ben and his coverage of Chicago political issues. The responses that use profanity should be removed as well.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/496790,CST...
Ben is correct by stating: "The only mystery is who Daley will blame for the coming tax hike. I predict he'll blame an economic downturn, Cook County assessor Jim Houlihan for the high assessments, and the general assembly for not giving him more money for the schools. I guarantee he won't say a word about the TIFs."
We elect, pay for, and should insist that our leaders do just that, lead. The mayor is not doing his job if he is not anticipating future problems facing this city that need to be addressed. The citizens of this city should not except raised fist and pointing figures, and have every right to expect candor, transparency, and public policy that address the fiscal management of their government.
randall, your clout monkey tail is showing.
For many months now, you've tried to present yourself as a 'voice of reason' type commenter.
Yet, with all your blather and appearance of intelligent content, you've merely managed to reinforce your machine-connected pedigree.
And now this, a slick little attack at one of the few honest citizens willing to bust his balls TRYING to do the right thing, the right thing being something you have, long ago, lost all respect for.
And this one little paragraph is particularly dishonest:
"As I get older, I find that a lifetime of charity has limited my retirement income. I have to admit, I could really use some tips on how you achieved such wealth."
So, randy, what's your definition of a 'limited retirement income'?
"Lets see, Orion makes a post (without profanity). ........ However, only Orion's post should be deleted?"
You forgot:
(without substance)
(without intelligence)
(without honesty)
(without truthfulness)
(without integrity)
(without wisdom)
(without meaningful content)
(without basic respectfulness)
and
(with retarded, moronically cynical and patently irrelevant comments which say next to nothing, mean next to nothing and are intended to accomplish next to nothing, other than to attempt to taunt, denigrate and mock, and to distract and deflect from ANY of the many issues at hand.)
I would much prefer that 'orion' post often, with or without the appropriate response of "Fuck You.", than to have a faceless, nameless, censor deleting at will, regardless of how fair and honest a person this might well be.
Let the orion's post, it only HELPS expose their common ignorances and agendas.
The slight inconvenience of having to scroll past their posts is not at all distracting to those who are focussed on the issues and is occasionally a source of amusement.
On the other hand, to maintain the open nature of this comment board requires open access, relatively uncensored, and the small gain in readability that would be achieved by regularly deleting feeble comments would not be worth the sacrifice in openness that this board provides.
As to the regular straying off the articles' topics, this is a political article/blog, specializing in Chicago, Crook County and State political activities, so, to restrict the comments to the subject article would deny the complex and interconnectivity of the political environment.
If the purposes of Ben and Mick and the Reader's existence is to do more than merely relate their observations of the political activities of our own political animals, if the freedom of the press is to achieve public awareness of those things that so affect all of our lives, than the
The city's budget problems, along with the county's and the state's, stem from the ABUSE and WASTE and THEFT BY FRAUD of our tax dollars, not the lack of same.
All hack touting lies to the contrary, at the present rate of taxation, there's plenty of money to pay for those government services that benefit the citizens, just not ever enough to feed the many hogs at the trough.
Randy being one of them.
What, and become a tax-sucking leech like you?
That's what all the 'soiled' folks always want, for everyone else to stink just like they do.
Some people actually do have higher standards than being liars, thieves and leeches.
You say
"Why should I take a cut in pay? I never voted for Mayor McCheese and his magical slush funds."
But you work for him, right?
You cash your paychecks, right?
Said paychecks ain't bouncing 'cause the taxpayers are footing the bills, right?
So, why do ya think you got any special protection from pay cuts, anymore than me and mine?
We're paying the taxes that cover your checks AND we're vulnerable to having our own paychecks cut, whenever those we work for figure they ain't made enough profit, so what makes YOU so fucking special?
Other than the sweet set-up the mayor and his cronies have got going?
Or are you just so sure of the invincibility of the machine that you figure you can feel free to walk around with two faces?
Here is what actually happened.
The problems occured in the subprime market.
What's that?
Well, occasionally the US invests in social goals. One of the most important of these was affordable housing, something that is not achievable for a significant percentage of disadvantaged groups, such as minorities and the elderly.
To achieve this, the US helped create a subprime market, for those that could not qualify for regular loans.
While well intentioned, there were some problems with predatory lenders, that used the loans to steal equity from those least able to afford it.
In an attempt to this practice, the GSE's (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) started purchasing the loans and therefore moderating the subprime market. It is part of their charter from Congress. There is a good article from 1995 on why at http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/80/fanny.html
Didn't work out too well. Because the GSE's insisted on not taking marginal mortgages, that segment of the market went to the private firms, which, deprived of the most profitable mortgages, pushed the envelope to the limit in an attempt to make money.
No one knew how badly until very recently, when several of the biggest essentially admitted they had no money left and all the mortgages on their books were worthless.
And that created the 800 point drop in the Dow Jones index in the past week.
Why, just in the past week? Well, up until very recently, although there were concerns about the about the "housing bubble", no one was concerned about the subprimes, because they were never meant to make money, and they were (supposedly) backed by the federal government. Everyone thought the GSE's were handling any issues.
The problem is, noone realized that the subprime lenders were so heavily invested. After all, this was basically a noble social goal, why would a non government backed firm get heavily invested in something so risky?
Turns out that these other firms needed the business just to keep money flowing through their accounts.
In addition, noone realized how strongly issues in the subprime market would affect the rest of the economy. It was supposed to be pretty well insulated from the other investments, but since the advent of hedge funds (which are allowed to maintain extreme secrecy) noone knew anything until it all collapsed.
In addition, the Grahm Leach Bliley act , which repealed the depression era laws about the mixing of financial institutions, such as banks and investment firms) had the unfortunate side effect of spreading the pain throughout the entire financial community.
I work a lot with the low income. A few moments though showed that you somehow generated $ $75,000 on an E-6 pay grade (which is taxable, see http://usmilitary.about.com/od/taxes/l/blstatetax.... for example) which amounted to essentially the sum total of several years salary. I know of very frugal people making ten times that salary that would have trouble coming up with $75K.
The thing is, there is always other expenses coming up. Thats really what keeps poor people poor.
You not only managed to come up with $75K, you also own a house. You don't do that on just frugality. Many of those I work with try everything they can to save money, and still end up making a choice between meals and shelter, even though they work two jobs that pay more than your E-6 pay grade you had for the past ten years.
It would really help them crawl out of the hole they are in if they knew how to achieve the same wealth you have.
randall, you always amaze.
$75,000 = wealth?
You know as well as I that anything under 7 figures doesn't even begin to approach being 'wealthy'.
So why lie about it?
Not only was your post an attack, it was an obvious attack.
Actually.
Why?
Because you're a liar and a tool.
So many lies in these 2 posts, where do I begin?
1- "the US helped create a subprime market" to ENABLE "predatory lenders ..... to steal equity from those least able to afford it."
and you know it.
2- ".... no one was concerned about the subprimes, because they were never meant to make money, and they were (supposedly) backed by the federal government."
Bullshit.
They were, and are, always meant to make SOMEONE a ton of money, whether through the repeated cycling of real property loans - foreclosures - resales - loans - foreclosures - etc., or through the underwriting / bailout by TAXPAYERS.
3- ".... the Grahm Leach Bliley act , which repealed the depression era laws about the mixing of financial institutions, such as banks and investment firms) had the unfortunate side effect of spreading the pain throughout the entire financial community."
You conveniently OMIT how much money has been 'made' as a result of this 'mixing', for all the obvious reasons.
4- As for your critique of journalistic standards, since your
'compositions' are consistently filled with lies, half-truths and blatant deceptions, all your objections to the contrary, your position to criticize is non-existent.
It's the ruthless and dishonest manipulations of finance that's ".... really what keeps poor people poor." .
What "...would really help them crawl out of the hole they are in" is "if they knew how to achieve the same wealth" YOU, RANDALL GORDON, have.
Or maybe they could ask Bernie to toss them each a few sheckels.
Regardless if you meant it as a personal attack, you have called me a liar and insinuated that in your post that I must be hiding something in order to be able to invest $75,000 in pursuit of a political campaign and a law suit. I have posted below what is essentially public information in regards to my military service, and the compensation every soldier receives. I can assure you that at no time have I ever defrauded or done anything for my own personal gain. If it were not for being disqualified from the ballot, (not because I did not file my economic disclosure, but because of a bureaucratic requirement that you file a receipt in a timely manner), and the wrong impression by my opponents that I have in some way acted unethically, I wouldn’t even waist my time on responding to you. I have nothing to hide, and I do not derive any income from any business dealings with any government. I attempted to run for alderman not because I wanted a job, (I had a good job in the private sector), but because I believed I was the best individual who was stepping forward and was not going to solicit either big business or the unions to financially support our campaign. I can only hope that you cease your interest in my personal business and look far more critically at this city’s mismanagement.
I served in the Reserves for just over 12 years, during which time I was activated on four occasions. First in 1996 as part of the Implementation Force in Bosnia, then in 1998/99 during the Kosovo conflict to assist with DC activity, and again in 2000/2001 for a KFOR rotation. Finally, I was activated in February of 2003 for operation Iraq Freedom. Except for approximately 5 months prior to being deployed to Iraq and after 9/11, I have worked in the private sector (and I am not going to divulge my personal compensation to you.)
The base pay for an E-6 with 12 years of service is around $36,000 – in addition you receive approximately $250 per month for Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and approximately $500 per month for Basic Allowance for Housing. While serving in a combat environment, every soldiers receives hazardous duty pay, and depending on other skills, may receive other stipends. For the 14 months that I served in Iraq, I was paid just over $55,000, insultingly low for individuals who go outside the wire nearly everyday to get shot at, have RPG and IED to deal with, and return their base camp to get mortared every night. And because you are calling me a liar, I have provided links, including your own that you apparently did not read, to sight that the 12 months I was in Iraq all income was tax free. I am sorry if you do not believe that I invested the money I earned, but you are going to have to take me at my word.
http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/pay/tax/10_...
“Being assigned to or working in a combat zone triggers another tax advantage. Earnings received while in the combat zone are excluded from taxable income. This exclusion is unlimited for enlisted members and warrant officers….”
It goes on to state “Bonuses and special pays are also excluded from taxable income if within the previously stated limitations and earned in the same month in which you served in a combat zone. For example, an enlisted reenlistment bonus is excluded from taxes if the member reenlists in the same month in which the member served in a combat zone.”
And if you had read your link above, or followed your own advice of actually researching prior to commenting, you would have read that in IL:
“General Information: Military income is not taxed. Nonresident military members who receive nonmilitary income from an in-state source must file. Military income is not used when computing tax on nonmilitary income.”
The state of IL wisely chose to follow the federal guidelines and not tax income earned in a combat zone.
Thank you for your concise, complete and honest response to randall gordon's BULL-SHIT.
You've taken the time, made the effort and extended to randall MUCH MORE courtesy and respect than he will EVER have for you or for ANYONE outside his preferred associates.
Randall has proven himself to not only be a liar, but a DAMNED LIAR.
I'm looking forward to see what BULLSHIT he'll come up with next.
And yes, I consider having $75K in disposable income considerable wealth. Perhaps not by your standards, but I strongly suspect we are not in the same income class. I was wealthy once, when I worked on Wall Street for a time, but I gave my money to those who needed it more.
There are lots of ways to earn extra income (legally,if not ethically) such as purchasing homes for back taxes, I was just wondering if you had come up with a way I had not heard of.
But no, I personally don't find it believable that you came up with 2 years salary that you could spend on an election. That doesn't mean anything beyond that. You may very well have done it that way, I simply don't think you have presented a convincing argument to that effect.
No reason you should have to, either; as you said, it is none of my business. My second post was just to explain my reasoning.
But since you bring up your disqualification from the election, so I would like to present an analysis of it's applicability to this discussion.
As you may have noticed from the current hearings in Congress, the Federal Government attorneys are under considerable pressure to prosecute local democrats or risk termination.
That being the case, I also find it hard to believe that the judge would have disqualified you solely on a clerical error, since the federal government would have reviewed the action for possible federal prosecution of the judge.
Assuming that, there must have been SOMETHING that convinced both sides that it was not in their best interests to allow you into the election.
Since you hardly represented a viable threat, I don't think it was directly related to the election.
It appears that it was nothing more than an automatic challenge that every political campaign files as a matter of routine.
I, personally, would guess ( I have no knowledge that this is what actually happened), that, like me, neither the federal or local officials believed that frugality was how you came up with the $75,000.
That is NOT saying that isn't how you did it, simply that you did not present a convincing case for it.
You may feel thats unfair, and, in a way, it is. But look at it from a judges point of view.
A judge is responsible for determining the truth, based on their judgement and experience. Its very difficult to do that, and their judgments are always based on imperfect knowledge.
I suspect the judge was influenced by suspicions that you must have had an undeclared source of income in order to have that much disposable income, and whoever reviewed this case at a federal level agreed.
What you should have done is document better exactly how you obtained that level of wealth. While that is not strictly necessary legally, it is up to you to anticipate the factors that go into making a decision, it is not the judges responsibility to inform you of how to prepare your case.
And yes, again, it was unfair, but our legal system isn't perfect, it just the best we can do.
In the case of an area of the city with such as high an incidence of illegal sources of income, judges have to be especially cautious; quite often, those on the wrong side of the law will seek office in order to protect themselves from prosecution or to further raid the commonwealth. One of the primary purposes of all election officials is to frustrate such individuals from reaching their goals; the fact that an occasional innocent gets eliminated is regrettable, but the need to protect the public is more important.
Anyone running for public office, where the publics safety is their prime responsibility, should understand that.
Chalk it all up to political inexperience; it is a much more likely possibility than a massive conspiracy to keep a fringe candidate from appearing on the ballot.
If the deputy mayor of Chicago and Daleys right hand man could not keep Salman, Naisy and Greg from the ballot in the 40th ward, it is hardly likely they would bother with you.
So many lies, so many not-so-subtle disparagements, so much bullshit, one is amazed and impressed that they spring from the 'mind' of a single, deceptive individual.
Or did randall have help on this one?
Like from his buddy Bernie's mudslinging squad?
A few of the more egregious lies and offensive innuendos:
1) "It was not an attack. I never deliberately attack anyone, as a matter of principle."
Liar.
There is no doubt it was, and is, an attack.
There is also no doubt that randall's version of 'principles' is a perverted and mutated one, due, no doubt, in part, to his long association with Bernie and his ilk.
2) "And yes, I consider having $75K in disposable income considerable wealth. Perhaps not by your standards, but I strongly suspect we are not in the same income class. I was wealthy once, when I worked on Wall Street for a time, but I gave my money to those who needed it more."
More bullshit.
Why the assumption that this was 'disposable income'?
Why the blatant pandering to class of 'we are not in the same class'?
Why the need to attempt to place yourself on a pedestal with "I was wealthy once ....... but I gave my money to those who needed it more."?
As if MAKING money on Wall Street doesn't include TAKING money from those who need it more in the first place?
3) "There are lots of ways to earn extra income (legally,if not ethically) such as purchasing homes for back taxes, I was just wondering if you had come up with a way I had not heard of."
Like there are ways of making money that you haven't heard of.
And haven't used to make money all your life.
As have your pals and associates.
Pull the nails out of your hands and feet and the crown of thorns off of your head, they don't belong there.
As for the rest of your long and bullshit packed post, I suspect you've come very close to the legal definition of slander, though you've likely run this post past that 'lawyer friend' of yours, just to be 'safe'.
And your parting shot of "...it is hardly likely they would bother with you." is typical of the contempt and disdain you and your ilk hold everyone, other than yourselves, in.
Maybe it would be better if you refrained from spreading your concentrated form of bullshit on this board, we already have more than enough hack shit here already.
Randall, a 'journalist'?
Not so much.
It sounds like this randy gordon has the inside track on how the corruption works at the board of elections.
Being an associate of Bernie Stone must have taught him a lot about how it's done.
Randy's being deceptive when he wonders how "... Salman, Naisy and Greg ...." managed to remain on the ballot in the 50th ward aldermanic race this year.
Bernie WANTED them on the ballot, to split the ethnic votes of the ward.
Bernie was really sweating balls when Dolar forced him into a one-on-one run-off, that's why he and his minions pulled out all the stops on the dirty tricks they used.
They sure ran through the 'dirty tricks playbook' on that one.
Randy being an active and enthusiastic participant.
Randy Gordon, life long Insider.
Shit, Randy, $75k must be pocket change to you.
You are obviously confused as to the reason I was disqualified from ballot. I was disqualified from the ballot because I did not include with my petitions a receipt from the Cook County Clerks office demonstrating that I had filed a statement of economic interest. Neither the law suit in the state courts (we filed for equal treatment under statutory law) nor in Federal courts (we challenged the constitutionality of the state law that requires the removal of any candidates name from the ballot for the failure to submit a receipt when they substantially complied with the law and filed their statement of economic interest in a timely manner), had anything what so ever to do with my ability to contribute any sum of money to my campaign.
To be truthful and as completely candid as I am willing to be, I certainly live in a household with a measure of wealth greater than most. My wealth, and that of my partner, was accumulated legally. I have never – NEVER- done anything illegal or unethical in order to gain any level of personal financial gain.
My personal finances had absolutely nothing to with any law suit or reasoning for my dismissal from the ballot. I am one of the most decent, ethical, and law abiding people you will ever come across. Any insinuations you are making in regards to my finances are without any merit or knowledge.
This is the last time I will ever discuss my personal finances at even the most rudimentary level with you. If anyone wants to know why decent people don’t step forward and run for public office, it has much to with these kinds of sleazy, unfounded insinuations that they somehow are less than ethical.
As far as my being a fringe candidate and the dismissive nature of your tone, I am confident that we would have been competitive, and that the incumbent believed we would have been competitive as well. You can’t win or lose a race you’re not allowed to compete in, and the cowardly actions the incumbent alderman and her allies used to prevent a decorated veteran who put his life on line to defend our democratic process from participating in that democratic process is a legacy she is going to have to live with and defend. The voters, not just you or anyone sympathetic to the ‘Chicago machine’, will have an opportunity in the future to render their approval or disapproval of a practice that I believe is rigged. I personally think my and several others dismissal from the ballot was a disgraceful means of avoiding the democratic process, and you should be ashamed of further trying to disgrace me with unfounded speculations and baseless accusations regarding my personal finances. I am proud of the service I have given to my country and community and will not be discouraged or belittled by shills like you.
While laudable, you are giving way too much respect to randy gordon.
Randy knows all too well that his posted comments are chocked full of lies and cheap innuendo, he wrote it that way, and for very obvious reasons.
Randy is a Bernie Stone trained political hack apologist, highly skilled in slinging mud without appearing, to the uninformed, to be doing so.
The word sleazy applied to the likes of randy is being too kind.
As for randy ever being ashamed of himself, don't hold your breath.
He's incapable of shame, while being fully capable of shameless behavior.
They can't.
And that's a FACT.
Thought they DO say it all the time.
It's just that when they say it, they're LYING.
As far as your getting knocked off the ballot, randy gordon's observation that:
"It appears that it was nothing more than an automatic challenge that every political campaign files as a matter of routine."
reveals the contempt we voters are held in, by those politicians, primarily machine incumbents, who find arbitrarily filing challenges, to challengers attempts to get on the ballot, a matter of routine practice.
The only reason you and the other challenger were not 'allowed' to be made available for the voters to consider was because one or both of you WERE viable enough candidates to make the incumbent machine hack nervous.
Unlike Bernie Stone's contest, where he had several ethnic groups to play off against each other, so he wanted multiple challengers, in your contest, the incumbent had no such advantage.
She would have had to compete with two intelligent, informed and clearly capable challengers, who would have exposed her as the corrupted hack she is.
Any honest person, who respects the principles of democracy, and is confident that he or she has been competently representing their constituency, would welcome challengers in every election.
Only political incompetent hacks fear facing opponents.
"DARK LIGHT
August 1st - 7:15 a.m.
HERE YOU GUYS GO ROUND AND ROUND ON ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE --TERM LIMITS.
WHY PRAY FROM HONEST POLITICIANS.
THE BEST PERSON AROUND COULD BECOME CORRUPT,IF GIVEN TOO MUCH POWER"
Term Limits, as a legal matter, would require that the very people who enjoy a lifetime of political power, and the wealth gained therefrom, are the people who would have to write and pass the law.
Never gonna happen.
But, it doesn't have to.
The voters have the inherent power to accomplish the same thing.
They just have to exercise that power, by using it.
"It's easy:
1) REGISTER TO VOTE
2) Determine who the INCUMBENTS are and make a list of same before every election.
3) Bring this list with you when you GO TO VOTE on election day
4) With FEW exceptions, DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY INCUMBENT
5) If there are 2 or more CHALLENGERS listed for a given office, cast your vote according to this formula:
a) If the INCUMBENT is listed FIRST, vote for the CHALLENGER who is listed LAST
or
b) If the INCUMBENT is NOT listed first, vote for the CHALLENGER who IS LISTED FIRST
Whenever you are presented with the choice of RETAINING an elected official, vote to NOT RETAIN.
When citizens choose to use the power inherent in their RIGHT TO VOTE, the, and ONLY then, will those with wealth and power, (gained by exploiting the work of the many), be rendered impotent in their ability to oppress the many.
Change your focus from voting FOR worthy candidates, to voting OUT unworthy incumbents.
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
And here's the beauty of this voting strategy:
No challenger needs to do anything but get on the ballot.
No challenger needs to raise a shitload of money, as the voters who apply this strategy will not be paying any attention to the specific names of who they ARE voting for, only to the specific names of who they ARE NOT voting for, namely, the INCUMBENTS.
Every challenger will have a shot at getting elected, their odds being based on both the RANDOM placement of their name on the ballot and the number of challengers in any given contest.
Should there be a suspiciously high percentage of shill candidates being placed either first or last on the ballot, this opens the door, (should the proper authorities refuse to investigate election fraud manipulation of the ballot order by the election board), for a class action lawsuit by the voters.
Now, if only enough citizens appreciate and apply this strategy"
But I think I should make another point. Chris, we need to cultivate the next generation of politicians, and ordinarily, you would probably have been a great candidate for being one of them.
But if you think that having your personal finances discussed is NOT part of politics, you can't have been reading this blog very long. You gave up any right to make that complaint the instant you filed for candidacy. (What did you think the statement of economic interest was about?)
But there is more to it than just that. You gave up after one try. You are going to fail in politics, everyone does. Real politicians don't let it stop them, however.
Look at Harold Ford, for example. He got trounced, in one of the dirtiest election campaigns ever. He is still at it, plugging away, and he will run again. Thats a real politician. If you let one defeat stop you, you weren't ready to be a politician anyways.
More importantly, you started whining, repeatedly, on this board, about how unfair the system is.
I expected better of an SSG. Unfair or not, you should not spend any time dwelling on it, you should have immediately started preparing for your next campaign. I mean, I was always under he impression that if the first charge fails to take a hill, the military doesn't just go back to its home base and whine about how difficult the hill was to assault and how unfair it was that the other side had bullets.
And thats why I said you were a fringe candidate. You did not have it in you to win.
Wanna prove me wrong? Only one way to do that. Run again, and win this time.
Y'know, in another post, I commented that Jesse Jackson (sr.) wasn't in the same class as MLK.
True enough, Jesse always struck me as an ordinary shlub, not a larger than life figure like King.
But back when Abernathy kicked him out of Breadbasket and the SCLC, he didn't just go back to preaching, he immediately formed Push, and started organizing again.
There is an important lesson there. You don't need to be extraordinary to be a great man, and a leader. you just have to have pride, guts and determination.
There are many areas of this city that need leaders, that need someone to pick up the torch and light the way. You could have been one of them.
You still could be.
Randall states:
"I said it influenced the judge, nothing more."
Once again, randall LIES.
You said much more than that.
It's becoming boring, randall, the frequency and redundancy of your lies.
And, for you to ignore and deny the essential dishonesty of your posts is, while quite typical of a Stone-trained shill, still disappointing, coming from a self-proclaimed disciple of Socrates.
"More importantly, you started whining, repeatedly, on this board, about how unfair the system is."
One man's 'whining' is another man's clearly stating the TRUTH.
You know, randall, the TRUTH, something you seem to have no authentic memory of.
The FACT that the system IS unfair, has been designed to BE UNFAIR, by the very manipulative folks who benefit so dependably from it's UNFAIRNESS, is something you find not only acceptable, but supportable.
As one would expect from a Stone-trained shill.
"And thats why I said you were a fringe candidate. You did not have it in you to win."
We don't know if either of the two individuals who honestly tried to challenge the incumbent had it in them to win, as the machine hack incumbent used the UNFAIR system to prevent the voters from having the opportunity to decide.
"There is an important lesson..." to be learned, alright, it's that machine hack shills will do anything and say anything to impede, discourage and obstruct everyone who tries to do anything to alter the present, heavily leveraged UNFAIR and DISHONEST system that they have perverted our Democracy into.
Of course randall's gonna defend the system as it is, of course he's gonna speak as if the way the system is, is exactly the way the system should be, was intended to be, has been forever and should remain forevermore.
Randall likes it that way.
And so do all of his 'friends and associates'.
CPS warns of $55 million tax hike
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=...
Actually, I don't believe little richie has ever said thank you to the taxpayers / citizens of our city.
That would mean he'd have to acknowledge what he was thanking us for, namely:
Being so consistently well-conditioned sheeple, that we go where we are herded, sit still while we are sheared and take whatever offal is tossed into our pens.
Being so bereft of rational, intelligent, logical and critical thinking skills, courtesy of our CPS educations, that we couldn't figure our way out of a straight line maze.
Being the rabbits and mice that we've been, so frightened of change, or retaliation, or loud noises, or things that go bump in the night, that we won't even dare to register to vote, let alone actually vote, let alone vote for anyone we weren't told to vote for.
Being so dependably the gutless, clueless and brainless lumps of clay, (that are so easily molded by those who love to get filthy rich using their skills at manipulation, deception and intimidation), for so very long.
Finally, for being just like those three monkeys, the ones who see no corruption, hear nothing that troubles them and speak no truth.
But, that doesn't mean the mayor, and his co-horts, aren't grateful.
They're just lovin' it.
I have thought about exactly how I should respond to your last post, mostly because of your stated expectations and I how I have not lived up to them. But I do appreciate your civility and encouragements, however misguided I believe your intentions to be. So I will clear up a few things.
1. My personal finance had nothing to do with my case before the federal or state courts, and it never came up during the entire process until you cast aspersions in this thread. At issue was the removal of a name from the ballot when said individual had substantially complied with the State Ethics laws and filed their Statement of Economic Interest in the correct place prior to the filing deadline (which I did) but did not file a receipt with their petitions with the Board of Elections by the filing deadline (which, unfortunately, I did not).
In federal court we challenged the constitutional validity, under the 1st and 14th amendments, of the state election code that requires the removal of a name if challenged for not submitting the receipt. In State court, we filed for equal treatment under statuary rulings that an incomplete receipt, or a false filing of the Statement of Economic Interest, is not justification for the removal of a name. The state supreme court refused to hear our case, and the federal court held that there is a public interest to expedite election cases through administrative hearings, and therefore could not rule that the state law was unconstitutional.
If I had to do it all over again, besides making sure that the receipt was included with my petitions, I would still challenge these in court. I’m a fighter, and as soon as the inadvertent receipt filing was pointed out to me, I went down to the Board of Elections and attempted to submit the receipt. I do think it is unfair and undemocratic to dismiss myself or anyone else for such a bureaucratic misstep, and although the consequences aren’t nearly as aggressive those suffered under the bureaucratic nightmare at Walter Reed, it is the same process that discourages every American citizen from getting fair treatment under our laws. (It should be mentioned that had the incumbent had the confidence in her own standing with her constituents, and the courage to participate in a truly democratic process, she could have withdrawn her objections and avoided all of this.)
2. My original post was solely focused on property taxes and the effects of TIF districts on our City. Only after several post (a few of which have been removed due to the VOTE THE INCUMBENT OUT misuse of redundantly posting his comments over and over again) did I respond to my perception of how manipulated our political system is. You may see this as whining, and fair enough if that is your interpretation. I had no intention of delving into myself or my past political efforts, but much of this thread is now a conversation between three people. (I will understand if the Reader deletes this post due to its length and how of topic it is.) None the less, when you challenged my ethics based on an unfounded and misguided notion of my finances, I felt I needed to defend myself. I am a very ethical person, and I can not stress enough that I have never done anything illegal or unethical to acquire any financial reward.
3. Finally, you seem to have the impression that I am withdrawing entirely from participating in politics, and I want to assure you that I am not. I have stated before that I will be heading up a public policy forum focused on Ballot Access issues, both in an attempt to get reforms so that those who have modicum of support have access to the ballot, and to educate the novice citizen so that they do not fall victim to the bureaucratic pitfalls that aborted my own campaign. I will also continue to support a new generation of leaders like Alderman Scott Waguespack, Congressional candidate Mark Para, State Representative candidate Daniel Biss, and others who show the courage and merit support.
When I returned from Iraq, I let my state rep. know that he was sitting in the seat that I felt I could best serve my community. I personally like him, and in order to win in a primary, I would be forced run a negative campaign. I am not interested in participating in politics if I have to tear down decent people, and I think it is unfortunate that our political process requires any candidate to ridicule their opponents if they have a chance to win. I was confident that in the last Aldermanic election, the residences were ready for an honest debate that focused on issues and which candidate could best address those issues. I knew Mr. Persons and Alderman Smith and thought, obviously naively, that they would live up the 48th Wards history of vigorous and inclusive politics. (I have obviously reassessed my opinion of how inclusive politics in the 48th Ward are given the current political situation in this ward.)
If in the future the position of state representative were to be vacated, I would make a concerted effort to fill that position. If four years from now Alderman Smith were to seek reelection and I felt no other alternative was presented to the voters, I would likely run. I do not believe that the record or abilities of Alderman Smith serves the 48th Ward well. I am fortunate to live in a community with several people who would make outstanding representatives to their city government, the least of whom is the current state representative, and having made such sacrifices as I have in the past, would hope to support one of many capable people who would better serve the 48th Ward at City Hall rather than running myself.
Ultimately, the issues that I care most about can not be addressed in the city council. The least of these are the abuse of TIF laws that so loosely define what a “blighted” area is so that we can declare our entire financial district such a blighted area. There are many more issues that can only be addressed at the Federal level, but having spent some time in Washington, and with so little respect for our Congresswoman’s and Senator’s stand on several positions, I do not have the fight in me to attempt to address those. I will fight for those who step forward and offer better leadership.
A few things to keep in mind:
"a little caution is advised
August 11th - 6:50 p.m.
You might want to be careful about pissing off Kate Schmidt, she's one of the editors of the Reader.
We wouldn't want to do anything to get Ben or Mick fired, or to give anyone the excuse to heavily moderate this comment board."
followed by
"Kate Schmidt
August 13th - 11:45 a.m.
I wouldn't worry about pissing me off, but please refrain from racist and homophobic remarks--that's what gets posts deleted, if it wasn't obvious to begin with."
and
"...(a few of which have been removed due to the VOTE THE INCUMBENT OUT misuse of redundantly posting his comments over and over again)...."
It's HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT and one person's redundancy is another person's attempts to communicate to those who are new to this board, however boring it may seem to the veteran visitors.
Also, since this board is about Chicago and Crook County politics, and since all politics seems to have the same, essential flavor, the taste of unfairness, deceit, manipulation, dishonesty, arrogance, egoism and greed, for wealth and power to control people, I find it highly appropriate to expand the conversation about any given article's subject into the many related subjects connected thereto.
Open is as Open does.
For as long as the Chicago Reader, Mick and Ben will allow, permit and, hopefully, encourage.
Since politics is such a pervasive force in our lives, has such an all-encompassing effect on all areas of our lives, it seems to me to be the perfect arena to engage in conversations containing thoughts, ideas and concepts 'outside of the box' of traditional, conditioned 'thinking'.
Every journey begins with the first step and consists of single steps, one following the other, until one reaches one's destination.
Keep on truckin'.
As for randay gordon's patented bullshit, courtesy, honor and respect may be the order of your day, but, for the likes of randall, it's the perversion of same that they use to give the appearance that they give a shit about anything other than gaining power and the wealth that power allows them to skim off the top.
It is said that only the cream rises to the top, however, in the cesspool that our governments have become, it's the scum that you'll find floating there.
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT is designed to clean out the entire pool, and refill it with fresh, clean, honest, fair, intelligent and honorable people.
I have already given my assessment of your vote the incumbents out strategy, and I don't think it is clean, honest, fair, or intelligent to vote based solely on ballot placement.
Have a good night.
Thanks for your response, however much I disagree with certain parts of it.
To wit:
How well do you think your form of honesty, fairness and intelligence is going to serve the people, if, as you have so recently experienced, those who are definitely NOT honest, fair or honorably intelligent continue to define and control the election processes?
As far as your opinion of my voting strategy, I can well understand your basic objections to it; it runs contrary to the widely held perception that we, as a people, are intelligently exercising our right to vote, when the reality proves quite the opposite.
I hope you are keeping in mind that this voting strategy is not, nor has it ever been, meant to be a permanent way for citizens to cast their votes.
It is a temporary means to clean our political and governmental houses, the most effective way anyone, I believe, has come up with, and, while I appreciate your giving it some thought, I humbly suggest you think about it some more.
The alternative to a massive ousting of incumbents is to settle for clawing away at what is akin to a giant mountain of clay, a task that is destined to be never-ending.
If you've ever had to dig a trench by hand, deep enough to hit clay, you'll know what I'm talking about.
I've been around long enough to know what I'm talking about.
As for randy gordon being capable of a 'friendly debate', well, randall sure is good at APPEARING to be friendly and reasonable, but, an intelligent and thorough reading of his many posts proves that he is anything but.
Randy is the kinda guy who shakes your hand with one of his, while his other hand is busy doing nasty things to other areas of your body.
That's his forte', and, all amenities aside, if you choose to be diplomatic about it, that's your choice. I, for one, choose to call a spade, a spade and a machine hack, a machine hack.
I believe that more direct and, if you like, blunt language is needed, to expose those well-skilled at deception for who and what they are.
You can let ol' randall sweet-talk you, if you like, but I prefer to think about the contents of his posts, understand them as they are, not as randall wants them to appear to be, and share my observations with whomever finds them interesting and enlightening.
You may not.
As is your right and freedom.
As for the exchange of insults, well, I think even randall would agree that those with thin skins and tender sensibilities are in for a really rough ride, should they choose to jump into the political jungle that my HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT is designed to civilize.
And, finally, as for your question "When is the last time any of you have had an honest discussion or debate with an elected representative?", well, if you can post a list of the names of ANY elected representative who are genuinely interested in "an honest discussion or debate", (don't worry about the length of that post, it won't be long, I guarantee it), I'd be happy to find the time, even if just on a board like this one, to participate, average, unimportant, common citizen that I am.
But I've been around long enough to know what a waste of MY time that would be, as EVERY politician holding elected office has little to no use for a single citizen's opinions and even if you could get a handful to participate, they would be only pretending to listen, be focussed on deflecting and defending against the many criticisms that would naturally be raised and would do absolutely nothing different after the discussion than they were going to do before.
One thing that you CAN learn from the likes of randall is to face up to exactly how amoral the political animal is, no matter how civil they present themselves to be.
Because, you hit the nail on the head when you said "...Mr. Gordon is acting civil...", randall is ACTING, as in PRETENDING to be civil, though, if you'd re-read his posts, you'll see just how false his conversation is and how far he falls short of being genuinely civil.
Peace, brother and keep on truckin'.
Back in the 1970's the group of community builders I belonged to worked in Rogers Park as well as in Westridge. It was a poor, but still pretty good community then
Anyhow, one day. someone we thought could lead the community arose in Rogers Park, and we left that neighborhood to her, mainly because we did not see anything productive coming from fighting with her.
As it turned out, I am just discovering now, how badly she failed. And, by extension, how badly we failed Rogers Park as well.
I would love to see a new leader arise, one that could succeed in turning the neighborhood around. I still remember the Rogers Park of my youth.
If you actually do it, or even make a respectable showing, I would be delighted to make a full and abject public apology for that last post.
But being an elected official is a great honor and a greater responsibility, and you have to earn it. It is not every person that is capable of being responsible for the welfare of tens of thousands of people.
Politicians have to be extremely tough, mentally and physically, considering the unwarranted abuse that all elected officials face, even those without Hugh et al in an adjacent ward...
It is not enough just to get elected Chris, but if you prove yourself worthy of the post, you might find you have a lot more supporters than you think.
It is not easy proving yourself. It took Bernie Stone 20 years of working in the community before he became alderman.
Hopefully, it won't take you that long, but make no mistake, you cannot get away with not proving yourself. You have to earn the power and the position.
That being said, I repeat. I do hope you prove me wrong.
It is not as if Chicago is overflowing with qualified candidates for the next generation of political leaders, we need to draft everyone we can; but only if they are qualified.
You have not demonstrated that you are....yet.
"If you..... make a respectable showing..."
Gee, randall, we COULD have found out if Chris was capable of making "...a respectable showing" IF the INCUMBENT hadn't seen fit to, as a routine matter, arbitrarily challenge his right to be on the ballot, used a technicality as an excuse, (an oversight committed solely becau