Cook County financial chief sees need for more money despite sales tax increase

This Stroger clan is a freakin's manure factory.

Hey Einstein, here's a bulletin-Don't spend what you don't have! Cut some heads! Yeah I know that means some unqualified family members will be out of their lucrative county jobs, but you can't keep screwing the people of Cook County. What a bunch of morons.

And yet the citizens of CC keep re-electing them again, and again, and again. Like a bad habit or dream that doesn't end.

So long as you have no competition at the ballot box you will continue to get the Strogers, The Daleys, Blowdryovichs, Mells, etc , etc.

In Illinois we have a Democratic governor, two Democratic Senators, Democratic State House, Democratic Senate etc, etc. So long as we have that and so long as that party is dependent on people who have their hands out at the public trough you can expect this to continue and to get worse.

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So long as you have no competition at the ballot box you will continue to get the Strogers, The Daleys, Blowdryovichs, Mells, etc , etc.

You left out the Hases.

LOL!!

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Originally posted by taxpayer:
So long as you have no competition at the ballot box you will continue to get the Strogers, The Daleys, Blowdryovichs, Mells, etc , etc.

In Illinois we have a Democratic governor, two Democratic Senators, Democratic State House, Democratic Senate etc, etc. So long as we have that and so long as that party is dependent on people who have their hands out at the public trough you can expect this to continue and to get worse.

You act like this State never had a Republican stranglehold on the governor's office over the last 30 years. It's not Democrat or Republican. It's the Combine.

Ronkas; like the US government at the Federal level, it is not the executive branch at Springfield that controls the purse strings as you should well know.

How long have the dems control the purse strings through the House of reps?

However, I do agree like I have stated before that the repubs are part of the problem.

HOWEVER, in the case of cook county, this has been a democratic controlled fiefdom for God knows how long. The blame rests squarely on their shoulders.

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Originally posted by Gus:
Ronkas; like the US government at the Federal level, it is not the executive branch at Springfield that controls the purse strings as you should well know.

How long have the dems control the purse strings through the House of reps?

However, I do agree like I have stated before that the repubs are part of the problem.

HOWEVER, in the case of cook county, this has been a democratic controlled fiefdom for God knows how long. The blame rests squarely on their shoulders.

Contrary to the feds, the executive branch has much more power. As you well know Gus, there was a Constitutional Convention which gave Ogilvie and the rest the ability, through line item veto power, to rewrite legislation to suit their pandering. A Republican governor also came up with the State Income Tax.

If you put Republicans in Cook County, it would be the same thing. Look at your property taxes and services delivered in this "keep the government off my back" county.

Agree with some of what you say though line item vetoes are a good thing IMO. Yes, the Executive does have veto power and a 2/3rds majority can be hard to overcome. But I cringe at the democratic congress and oval office as noted in the past admins such as Carter, Kennedy, Johnson, etc, etc. Carter was the one that really broke the bank.

As to the high taxes in this town, a direct result of the NEA and it's partner the democratic party. Ditto for the stranglehold on the educational system in this country. I have to give some credit though to Madigan who finally said enough is enough with respect to the pension forumla. But that too has been watered down from what I know.

It's hard for me to understand people who favor entitlements but don't pay their fair share. As I've said before, it's easy spending other peoples money. Like people voting for school refs when in no way, shape, or form, pay their fair due. Hypocrosy of the highest order.

Gus,
You forgot to mention Clinton who also had a democratically controlled Congress for part of his two terms. IIRC, those were some of the best years for our country economically/fiscally and in terms of social policy. Just like the problem isn't necessarily "the homeless" but how people behave, it's not necessariliy "the democrats" or "the republicans" but how much pork they attach to their legislation. My biggest gripe with the Republican party is their constant desire to shove religious values down people's throats...THEIR religious values.

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Originally posted by Gus:
Agree with some of what you say though line item vetoes are a good thing IMO. Yes, the Executive does have veto power and a 2/3rds majority can be hard to overcome. But I cringe at the democratic congress and oval office as noted in the past admins such as Carter, Kennedy, Johnson, etc, etc. Carter was the one that really broke the bank.

Over the last 48 years, you name 4 (Carter)that were bad. As if the current occupant, and 6 years of Republicans control of the legislature have not broke our bank with deficits. As a matter of fact, the deficit was also expanded during Reagan and Bush I's time. But that Democratic congress put forth the Reagan tax cuts. So, did Reagan control things, or was it that dastardly Democratic congress that pushed the tax reforms of the 80's?

Dear Amy & Ron: for 2 people who bitch about their RE taxes you really amuse me I have to admit. If you can get over your party affiliations, the fact of the matter is the greatest economic peace time expanison in the history started with Reagan and still continues with the policies of free global trade, something Clinton adhered to. this fact is indusputable. Another fact of the matter is that Clinton transferred the presidency to Bush with a faltering economy. Despite 911, Bush's tax cuts kept the US power house economy going, something every economist agrees with with the exception of that communist Robert Reich, Clinton's labor secretary. Clinton's support of NAFTA haunts him with the liberal left as expoused by Obama, one of his targets of Hillary's campaign.

The government needs to go on a diet with respect to entitlements. Taxation has increased and like our beloved state, the bureacracy (sp?) is ever growing. I loved the old cartoon of Reagan's budget director with a guillitine at the door of his office and saying "next" to the next governmental person asking for a handout. Again, they ask us to sacrifice but refuse to do the same. Reagan tried to abolish the Commerce department. I deal with these guys from time to time. A lot of it is collecting useless data like the "apparent disappearance of Peas" and other such superfluous data. Sat next to a guy in 1st class (i buy a coach ticket but since I fly 100 K miles+ per year I get upgrade for around 50-100 bucks)who worked for the commerce department to try and open trade channels with the Chinese. This junkett cost the US taxpayers close on 20 K considering a 1st class or business class ticket is around 7K minimum. He was going for over 2 weeks and for what. After discussing a few items with him I considered him to be one of the biggest light weights I have ever met.

As far as I'm concerned, give Obama or Hillary the presidency and lets see how far they will tank this economy with their tough talk on taxes and social programs.

Ron, don't you remember the intrest rates and the state of the economy of the early 1980's? The democrats had absolutely no choice in giving in to Saint Ronnie or they would look like complete imbeciles.

As to religous values, I agree Amy. There is absolutely no room for religions and politics. But I am also sickened by the message regarding the gay agenda, the spread of aids, etc, among others. Who are they to say it's OK. I don't want that message in no way, shape or form sent to my children. At times, individual rights do not transcend collective rights, like the eaves dropping of telephones or mail with terrorist suspects.

Just spent 1 night in South Beach. If America is anything like what I saw, I'm ready to move out. Thank God for the midwest. My wife was sickened by what she saw. Girls wearing shirts that said " i love boys with big toys", etc, etc.

South Florida is out of control especially during spring break. Go and see it for yourself.

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Originally posted by Gus:


South Florida is out of control especially during spring break. Go and see it for yourself.

Is that an offer? If so, I accept.

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Just spent 1 night in South Beach. If America is anything like what I saw, I'm ready to move out. Thank God for the midwest. My wife was sickened by what she saw. Girls wearing shirts that said " i love boys with big toys", etc, etc.

Ahh the decadant Disneyworld that is South Beach. Not my cup of tea, but it really should be seen to be appreciated. You will find few places on Earth for better people watching.

Gus, it's very disappointing when you just presume things about me.

Economic expansion

Gus,
I actually don't think we disagree that much - I mean, our differences aren't really that far apart. I want to say that I have no problem with paying property taxes when:

1. I voted to approve the increase.
2. The money is being used as frugally as is possible.

It's funny that democrats seem to get lumped into this "anything goes" belief system. I know many, many democrats with strong values and beliefs about morality. The difference is that I don't think the government should tell individuals how to practice (outside of basic laws against murder and the like - which happen to also fit nicely with the Christian 10 Commandments).

I wholeheartedly support the acceptance of homosexuality and gay marriage. That does not mean that I think anyone should be out there having promiscuous sexual relationships or de-valuing the intimacy and love that should be shared by two consenting adults in a loving relationship. It's as though people believe that because I am accepting of this, I accept ALL forms of behavior. That's simply untrue.

I don't know exactly what you mean by the "gay agenda" or "the spread of aids, etc". But if you mean that acceptance of homosexuality or gay marriage = the spread of aids, I'd argue that encouraging marriage allows those who are homosexual to commit to a monogomous relationship the same way that all of us heterosexual folks can. (Mind you, us heterosexual folks seem to do fine screwing up marriage anyway - right Ron???)

Anyway, you know I still love you Gus - that's what's so great about knowing the people you're talking to on the BB. I know you're a good guy even if we don't see completely eye-to-eye on everyting.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amy:
(Mind you, us heterosexual folks seem to do fine screwing up marriage anyway - right Ron???) /QUOTE]

I think she is saying that because she knows I am a divorce attorney. I think?

In any event, the problem with Democrats is that they always take the bait. They always become enmeshed in the digs that right wing commentators toss. The conversation can never stay on the facts and evidence. They always become, as Professor Spak said in BAR/BRI, "coho salmon". Bury the hook and run with it. Stray from the point.

Prism club at Glenbard West. Hmmm, was that necessary? Dropped only due to budget constraints. How about a hunting club with NRA overtones? God forbid we couldn't have that. "it's better to take your boy hunting than go hunting for your boy".

I'm sure you read the report Ronkas about economic expansion. Despite the "mild recession" which interupted the expansion since '81, if you combine the 2 it is the longest in history. What was that attibuted to? Higher or lower taxes and free trade? You tell me. As I said, Mrs. Clinton paying for that one when jousting with Barak. I travel the world and can see what free trade has done.

As to South Beach, to each his own. Locals were telling me a great many buildings (hotels, condo's, etc), all built with drug money. The place was out of control but that's what people like about it.

May your children never settle in South Beach.

I kept looking for Elliot Spitzer.

Finally, I really feel sorry for kids adopted by same sex marriages. But, that's my opinion.

Lets move on to another topic.

Just heard on the news that the rally on wall st yesterday was due to data indicating a strong economy for 3rd and 4th quarters reversing the results of Q1 and Q2. We shall see.

BTW Amy, in person I'll tell you what my freind said, who's an infectious disease specialist in the lovely city of San Francisco, about the bath houses out there and why the city government shut them down. Will make your eyes pop open I can tell you.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gus,

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Originally posted by ronkas:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amy:
(Mind you, us heterosexual folks seem to do fine screwing up marriage anyway - right Ron???) /QUOTE]

I think she is saying that because she knows I am a divorce attorney. I think?

Yes - that's exactly why I said that.

quote:

Originally posted by Gus:
Prism club at Glenbard West. Hmmm, was that necessary? Dropped only due to budget constraints. How about a hunting club with NRA overtones? God forbid we couldn't have that. "it's better to take your boy hunting than go hunting for your boy".


BTW Amy, in person I'll tell you what my freind said, who's an infectious disease specialist in the lovely city of San Francisco, about the bath houses out there and why the city government shut them down. Will make your eyes pop open I can tell you.

Actually, I think an NRA club would be permitted. York has a "Choose Life" club (pro-life). Kids need to engage in constructive dialogue and learn to accept different points of view. I think it's a very healthy thing as long as the adults who sponsor the clubs help the students see it this way.

And, I have no doubt that there were problems in the baths....remember, I do NOT support promiscuous sexual relationships. I really do believe that people make unhealthy choices because they don't have strong family or religious values that teach the concept of self-respect and self-restraint. I have had students in our school's gay-straight alliance who were gay and very religious. In other words, I truly believe and know that a person can be both moral and gay. Gay people can have high standards IF we engage in that conversation with young people.