http://www.southtownstar.com/news/kadner/1981540,011010kadner.artI'll continue to post the BILE.
Seeking some passion to change IllinoisJanuary 10, 2010
BY PHIL KADNER
Politicians really don't understand the people who live in this state. I've talked to every candidate for governor during the past week, and I'm convinced they just don't get it.
Some talked about tax hikes to plug a $12.5 billion state budget deficit. Others claim they won't raise taxes but will make cuts.
Illinois is already ranked near dead last nationally in its support for programs to help the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. The state's share of public school funding is also close to the bottom among the states.
And Illinois is far behind in Medicare payments to hospitals and agencies that provide home health care workers for the homebound and bedridden. Cuts are going to hurt the people who need the most help.
And some budget experts claim that you could eliminate every employee in the state and still not put a dent in this huge deficit.
As far as voters are concerned, even those who are convinced the state needs more money don't trust elected officials to spend it wisely.
That's what they tell me.
Over and over again, they say they would rather give their money to a stranger than send it to Springfield so politicians can hire another one of their nephews or hand over a billion-dollar sweetheart contract to a campaign contributor.
The voters no longer trust their government. And I don't think the politicians understand that.
Their response is, "Well, you can trust me." Why? "Well, I'm a good guy."
As Republicans were proudly proclaiming they wouldn't raise taxes, at least one, Adam Andrzejewski, laughed and offered a history lesson. In the history of Illinois, it has always been Republicans who have passed income tax hikes.
Richard Ogilvie was governor when the first income tax increase passed. Gov. James Thompson, another Republican, supported and helped pass a temporary income tax increase. Under the administration of Gov. Jim Edgar, another Republican, that temporary tax increase became permanent.
And although GOP Gov. George Ryan did not increase the income tax, he did increase license plate fees and other fees in Illinois to raise money for a capital improvement plan.
I give Andrzejewski points for both honesty and knowledge of Illinois history. I don't think his Republican colleagues enjoyed his presentation as much as I did.
But tax increase or not, it's vital to the future of this state that the next governor restore the public's belief in government.
If people pay for public transportation, they darn well should be able to catch a bus when they need one in the middle of winter. When they pay for public education, their children ought to get a good one, and their kids ought to be safe in the schools.
Corporate executives shouldn't be asked for kickbacks by pals of the governor to win state contracts.
And with thousands of Illinois residents out of jobs, people who are hired to work in state government should be willing to give a hard day's work for a day's pay.
State legislators in Illinois have failed to hold their leaders accountable. They worry more about their seats and political futures than they do about the people who sent them to Springfield.
They always have an excuse for not getting things done.
This is not a Democratic or Republican thing. Both parties have worked hard to create the financial and credibility crisis in Illinois. Neither will accept responsibility.
Despite the dismal state of affairs, there's no one who is really giving voice to the concerns of the citizens.
I have said this before and will say it again - I think most citizens are willing to pay taxes and would pay more if they believed the money would be well-spent. They would like to be proud of their state and its programs.
Instead, our leaders and our government have become a national joke.
"Trust me," say all the candidates running for office. My response is, "Why?"
The people of this state asked for the power to recall government leaders. The response of elected officials: "We're not going to allow you to do that."
They gerrymander legislative districts to deter opposition. They create huge campaign funds to discourage honest men from running for office.
The culture of corruption is so deeply ingrained that both Ryan and his chief of staff used that as an excuse at their criminal trials. They were just doing what everyone else in Springfield had done before them.
And then there was Rod Blagojevich.
People are passionate about their government in this state. They really want things to change.
That fervor is lacking in our candidates.
AS IN EVERY STATE, PHIL!
:bball: Whether you are :headbang: :bangwall: