God I Hope We Don't Get It...the 2016 Olympics.

So the 2016 Olympic selection committee was in Chicago this weekend. They were wined and dined by Chicago's jet set (Oprah, to name one). They've been shown a grand old time. Soon they will have to make their decision between Chicago, Rio, Tokyo, Madrid.

As a Chicagoan, I can tell you many of us are rooting for any city other than here. With Chicago's propensity for coming in 6 times over budget and behind schedule, this thing will cost us a fortune, and much will end up on the backs of taxpayers. We've got the transit system in disarray and threatening cuts, the policemen's union is picketing the Olympic selection committee meetings in Chicago because they believe the city is not adequately prepared (and aren't contracts due soon?) And we've got tons of poor and homeless that will get shoved out into the suburbs, much like during our recent (and less infamous) Dem Natl Convention. Basically, the Olympics are a big Daley cost bucket waiting to spring a leak, and most Chicagoan's fear the cost to be too great. But Ben Jorvasky from the Chicago Reader says it much better than me.

An Open Letter to the IOC
Why you don’t want to give Chicago the Olympics
By Ben Joravsky April 2, 2009
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/an-open-letter-to-the-ioc/Content?oid=1098601


Now I know Chicago is the only American city in the running, and as Americans we want to "represent". I hope the rest of America will forgive us if we take a pass this year. Trust me, you don't want Chicago to bungle this up. And we will, oh we will...

As for me, I'm rooting for Rio.

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Pat Quinn proves Blago was telling the truth - REDUX Indictment Edition

Last week I wrote about Pat Quinn's new tax policy. If you read it last week, you may skim ahead.
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written March 27, 2009

So former Lt. Gov. (and sitting gov) Pat Quinn has had the unsavory pleasure of proving the biggest liar in modern IL politics was telling the truth. At least about Pat Quinn raising taxes.

As some of you might recall, during the multi week scandal that followed the election and the filling of Obama's vacant senate seat, Rod Blagojevich, scandal embroiled governor at the time, suggested that Pat Quinn was trying to get rid of Blago, and when he did, Quinn would raise taxes. We all shook our heads and said, "Oh crazy Blago, stop spinning your web of lies"

But in fact, not 6 weeks after taking over the position of IL governor, Pat Quinn is proposing the first income tax increase in 20 years, and it's a doosy! A 50% increase, from 3%-4.5%. Additionally hopes to levy new gas taxes and raise drivers fees.

Now we must remember that this is on the back of a sales tax increase to pay for a corrupt public transit system, taking our sales tax to 10.25%, one of the highest in the nation. And it's one percent higher in downtown Chicago (11.25%!!!) Add to that the city's new parking policy, which included leasing city parking meters to private companies. These companies jacked up meter fees, and have their own staff to write tickets to violators, yes, you can get a ticket from a corporate schill now. And with only two unpaid tickets allowed before booting, folks are getting backed against a wall in the land of Lincoln. Already meters are being vandalized and drivers are refusing to use the meters. But if Quinn sees his tax increases thru (oh yeah don't forget an additional $1-2 pack cig tax increase and we're already paying $8.75 now!) you may just see riots in the streets.

And the worst of it all will be that when Roddy warned us that Pat Quinn was gonna raise taxes extensively...Roddy was telling the truth. Who woulda thunk it? :-(



Here's the article from the Chicago Sun Times

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-quinn-tax-hike-13mar13,0,7352846.story

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And we're back to today. Now if you have a tv, you probably know that as of April 2nd, Rod Blagojevich was finally indicted. Just in time.

I mean just in time to distract from Pat Quinn's tax odyssey.

After posting last week's note, I read a little more about Pat Quinn, and his early history is bordering on true irony.

From the Chicago Tribune...

"Quinn wants to apply the state's sales tax on soft drinks to the coffee and sweetened tea products in grocery stores, adding a quarter for the state treasury for every $5 six-pack of sweet green tea.

While his proposal for a 50 percent increase in the income tax got the headlines, the tea and coffee tax is among a pocketful of nickel-and-dime tax increases the governor is seeking in a comprehensive effort to overcome the state's looming $11.5 billion budget deficit. He also favors higher fees for driver's licenses, license plates, hunting and fishing licenses, cigarettes, tickets to the State Fair and even adding the state's sales tax to some shampoo and personal hygiene products....

But there is a certain irony to Quinn's push to tack the state sales tax on sweetened tea—one that brings his political career from political outsider to insider full circle.

Quinn's birthday is the same as the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Three decades ago, he railed at a legislative pay raise by encouraging voters to send used tea bags to the governor's office. At the time, he told Illinois Issues magazine the stunt, which helped launch his career as a political activist, "was a perfect way to get citizens interested in government again and feel they could make a difference." (end excerpt) (read full article here)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-fees-taxes-up-bd22mar22,0,5628239.story


That's right, folks, you read correctly. Pat Quinn, born on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, previously advised voters to send used tea bags to the Governor's office to protest budget policy. And yes, now that he's governor he proposes the largest tax increase in 20 years. And yes one of those taxes is ACTUALLY on tea. People, you can't write this stuff.

I'm packin' up my old Tea Bags now.

Now let the Blago courtroom antics begin. But I won't let you get distracted. :)

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Pat Quinn proves Blago was telling the truth!!!

So former Lt. Gov. (and sitting gov) Pat Quinn has had the unsavory pleasure of proving the biggest liar in modern IL politics was telling the truth. At least about Pat Quinn raising taxes.

As some of you might recall, during the multi week scandal that followed the election and the filling of Obama's vacant senate seat, Rod Blagojevich, scandal embroiled governor at the time, suggested that Pat Quinn was trying to get rid of Blago, and when he did, Quinn would raise taxes. We all shook our heads and said, "Oh crazy Blago, stop spinning your web of lies"

But in fact, not 6 weeks after taking over the position of IL governor, Pat Quinn is proposing the first income tax increase in 20 years, and it's a doosy! A 50% increase, from 3%-4.5%. Additionally hopes to levy new gas taxes and raise drivers fees.

Now we must remember that this is on the back of a sales tax increase to pay for a corrupt public transit system, taking our sales tax to 10.25%, one of the highest in the nation. And it's one percent higher in downtown Chicago (11.25%!!!) Add to that the city's new parking policy, which included leasing city parking meters to private companies. These companies jacked up meter fees, and have their own staff to write tickets to violators, yes, you can get a ticket from a corporate schill now. And with only two unpaid tickets allowed before booting, folks are getting backed against a wall in the land of Lincoln. Already meters are being vandalized and drivers are refusing to use the meters. But if Quinn sees his tax increases thru (oh yeah don't forget an additional $1-2 pack cig tax increase and we're already paying $8.75 now!) you may just see riots in the streets.

And the worst of it all will be that when Roddy warned us that Pat Quinn was gonna raise taxes extensively...Roddy was telling the truth. Who woulda thunk it? :-(



Here's the article from the Chicago Sun Times

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-quinn-tax-hike-13mar13,0,7352846.story

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Big Brother will SOLVE our Budget Problems...who needs liberty?

So we all know that every city is hurting for cash. Chicago is looking for new ways to balance the budget. And they may have found a way to cover ALL, that's right ALL of the budget gap with only ONE new program. Sounds great, right?

Well, hold on. Alderman Ed Burke (who is spearheading this proposal) has a great plan, but it does have one small issue. It totally destroys the principal of public privacy. See, the plan is this.

We've all seen those new traffic cameras, you know the ones that take pictures of cars that run red lights (and then mail a ticket to the registered owner, even if that owner is not driving or did not commit the violation) Yeah, those. The traffic cameras are already meeting legal problems in court because they cannot ensure the proper person is punished for the violation.

But Chicago wants to use them even further, in this case to catch uninsured motorists. Studies show 25% of all drivers are not insured, and Alderman Burke thinks he can balance the budget on scofflaws.

From the Chicago Sun Times:

"But, aldermen clearly had dollar signs in their eyes after hearing InsureNet’s pitch to enlist the city’s entire network of surveillance cameras — and install new ones at high-traffic locations — in the hunt for the uninsured.

“You could put these cameras on the Dan Ryan. … You could have the same camera at the entrance to O’Hare Field’s parking lot where you have 10,000 cars parked. In theory, 20-some percent of those wouldn’t be insured and they’d all be in violation of a city ordinance,” Burke said.

“Maybe that’s why the staggering amount of revenue you’ve suggested could be potentially achieved.”

Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Allen (38th) agreed that InsureNet’s numbers were “eye-opening.” But, they’re based on a $500 fine and, “That’s a pretty big hit for people to pay,” Allen said.

He added, “I like the idea. We’d all like people to have insurance. But, there is a certain group that, outside of putting people in prison, may never get insurance. It’s purely money.” (end excerpt)


It's purely money...and that's how your leaders see you, purely money. Never mind the burden this program puts on folks who are already financially strapped (probably the reason they don't have insurance). Instead of actually increasing insured motorists and thus making us all safer (why do they never have programs to help reduce the cost of insurance to lower income drivers? That would actually improve the number of insured motorists.) No, instead of that, Chicago would rather count on using the financial struggle of it's poorer, hard working citizens to balance it's budget. I'm sorry, Julio, you get a $500 ticket and lose the ability to get to your job.

But Chicago city government needs more money to hire all their friends, and other corruption projects the city needs money for. How else will Alderman Burke afford his summer vacation?

Here's the article:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1479275,red-light-camera-uninsured-031609.article

And here's Alderman Ed Burke...

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