tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post6505709301685860178..comments2024-03-29T08:14:50.315-05:00Comments on Every goddamn day: 03/29/24: Godzilla never seems to mind that he's crushing Tokyo Neil Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-51520700763990515472017-06-01T16:44:40.641-05:002017-06-01T16:44:40.641-05:00Well, if one side or the other were willing to cap...Well, if one side or the other were willing to capitulate, we'd have a budget lickety-split as well. But Madigan is unwilling to sell out the unions and Rauner won't back down on his "reforms."<br /><br />johntatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088632798195131329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-63268606551209632332017-06-01T11:26:23.235-05:002017-06-01T11:26:23.235-05:00If Illinois voters ever realize how much power the...If Illinois voters ever realize how much power they really have, they could change the course of Illinois in one election. Simply vote against every incumbent and when the dust settled, we'd have a budget within a couple weeks or so. But that will never happen because, like lemmings over a cliff, voters vote the way they always have and expect different results. Einstein's definition of insanity I believe. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17236232346183421093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-897648392918847412017-05-31T22:45:30.715-05:002017-05-31T22:45:30.715-05:00Yeah, well, thanks for trying to explain, Bernie, ...Yeah, well, thanks for trying to explain, Bernie, but I still don't get you. Yes, the tax code needs reforming, but that won't happen until the impasse in Springfield gets settled, and the only way to do that IMO is to get Rauner out of office. Harping on what a wonderful guy he is* because he pays a lot in taxes and doesn't take a salary is missing the point.<br /><br />*If that's what you were doing. Your attempts at sarcasm are usually incomprehensible to me.Bitter Scribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04645909858616987997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-44410990107951203252017-05-31T19:36:52.158-05:002017-05-31T19:36:52.158-05:00Sorry Bitter Scribe, for being in a silly mood tod...Sorry Bitter Scribe, for being in a silly mood today so I'd like to answer you're original observation seriously. It's not so much obsessing over rich peoples wealth, but a belief out tax code is out of whack. The federal, state, sales and property taxes are in need of reform to make things more equitable. A more steady revenue stream can be achieved without crippling Illinois' economy, so we can fund programs that are essential. It's frustrating to see peoples attention diverted by trivialities, while our treasury gets looted by insiders. Off topic, but we had a good debate with many excellent comments last year about the <a href="http://www.everygoddamnday.com/2016/01/flint-water-reflects-illinois-woes.html" rel="nofollow">water disaster in Flint Michigan</a>. For anyone interested, WTTW will be showing a NOVA segment covering the topic tonight at 9PM.Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157600812959885192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-66930578395352066112017-05-31T17:39:35.374-05:002017-05-31T17:39:35.374-05:00I believe Rauner is the one politician worse than ...I believe Rauner is the one politician worse than Trump. He really doesn't care who gets harmed by his actions, or if the public approves of his actions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04541828632284556589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-65609163435023858852017-05-31T14:50:47.294-05:002017-05-31T14:50:47.294-05:00That word sounds like a disease, which I guess sti...That word sounds like a disease, which I guess still works. NikkiDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15226032148784322997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-87516759420292694462017-05-31T14:23:49.546-05:002017-05-31T14:23:49.546-05:00I like the Spanish word "sinverguenza," ...I like the Spanish word "sinverguenza," which literally means "without shame" and translates as "scoundrel."<br /><br />john<br /><br />tatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088632798195131329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-54646758618626516612017-05-31T13:27:39.152-05:002017-05-31T13:27:39.152-05:00Exactly!Exactly!Privatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10757585399827295128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-43118148978641516182017-05-31T13:03:20.446-05:002017-05-31T13:03:20.446-05:00As far as I can tell, only one billionaire has bee...As far as I can tell, only one billionaire has been up to the job he was elected to.<br />That was Mike Bloomberg, as mayor of NYC.<br />I have a friend who's pretty right wing, but even he admitted Bloomberg did a good job & his take on him was simple: Bloomberg is smart, while all the rest of the billionaires elected aren't, they're just lucky to be rich.<br /><br />As for our wretched governor, he's an amateur & unfortunately, it appears that his Democratic opponent will also be a political amateur, either Chris Kennedy, who thinks his last name still means something or that conniving real estate tax cheat JB Pritzker, who has zero government experience, but a large checkbook that he's willing to blow & then prove he's incompetent.<br />Kennedy would at least be able to attract some decent people to work for him, but on the whole Illinois is doomed!Clark St.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09634234069783123180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-77173396506652073422017-05-31T11:24:57.162-05:002017-05-31T11:24:57.162-05:00At times I try hard to reach the lowest form of wi...At times I try hard to reach the lowest form of wit, alas Kathy Griffin's recent stunt, which I found terribly amusing, has beaten me to the punch. Such matters should be alluded to with a certain <a href="http://www.everygoddamnday.com/2016/12/in-for-long-haul.html" rel="nofollow">subtle grace</a>.Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157600812959885192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-36948158495719746362017-05-31T10:38:40.814-05:002017-05-31T10:38:40.814-05:00Bernie, sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but...Bernie, sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but incomprehensible sarcasm is even lower.Bitter Scribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04645909858616987997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-32481032319467699172017-05-31T10:27:58.875-05:002017-05-31T10:27:58.875-05:00It seems our opinions are often at odds, what we n...It seems our opinions are often at odds, what we need is to bond by engaging in team work. It's a dirty job but I'm sure you're up to the task. I'll gut punch Rauner and hold him down, you can pants him and start pulling money out of his ass. Look it's working, Illinois' budget is starting to come into balance! Oh no, behind you there's Madigan gobbling up all the money, with some kind of grin on his face. It seems several thousand more politically connected state employees are ready for early retirement, with six figure pensions and full benefits. It worked for a while, sorry I couldn't come up with a better idea.Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157600812959885192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-56577938012754811222017-05-31T10:09:31.470-05:002017-05-31T10:09:31.470-05:00There's only one remedy, and that's to get...There's only one remedy, and that's to get Rauner the hell out of office.Bitter Scribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04645909858616987997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-52038759688947934612017-05-31T10:08:25.196-05:002017-05-31T10:08:25.196-05:00Hey Bernie, why don't you try paying a little ...Hey Bernie, why don't you try paying a little attention to what these men have done or might do in office, instead of obsessing over their wealth?Bitter Scribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04645909858616987997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-12295561428750716772017-05-31T09:25:11.608-05:002017-05-31T09:25:11.608-05:00The only good thing to come out of the budget impa...The only good thing to come out of the budget impasse is this column.<br /><br />"think of a last year’s jack-o’-lantern mounted on a broomstick, the whole thing marinated in vinegar then hung out to dry"<br /><br />Now that's an insult.<br /><br />"Rauner expressed no interest whatsoever in public life beyond enriching himself"<br /><br />And that sums up the "conservative" point of view quite nicely.<br /><br />Lest we forget, Madigan is quite wealthy himself, though not on a Rauner level. Few are.<br /><br />But in the end, all American politics, now, and perhaps forever, are about what's best for the wealthy. They have suffered enough.<br /><br />All we have to do is help them become richer. The golden age of prosperity for all will follow. Really. No, really.<br /><br />Thanks Neil. Nothing is going to change so all we really have left is bearing witness. Thank you for bearing witness. The Rauner's and Trumps of the world will win - it is after all a rigged system. But as long as we bear witness, they are reminded that we are wise to their con - and that provides the tiniest bit of comfort.Dennis Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03936110563379328219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-82392369828419958882017-05-31T08:46:24.694-05:002017-05-31T08:46:24.694-05:00The First thing Rauner did as Governor was cut his...The First thing Rauner did as Governor was cut his own taxes by $750,000. All he wants to do is kill all the unions, and he's unwilling to govern--which is compromise Rauner is actively hurting education and the most vulnerable in our state--all for tax cuts for the richest.Caren Tarvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17652372965671115486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-83301738489143171102017-05-31T08:02:44.428-05:002017-05-31T08:02:44.428-05:00Very interesting, Bernie.Very interesting, Bernie.Privatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10757585399827295128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-49671618553287381832017-05-31T07:46:02.829-05:002017-05-31T07:46:02.829-05:00That Rauner is such a loser, he paid $6.9 million ...That Rauner is such a loser, he paid $6.9 million in his Illinois tax return for 2015. As Governor he's not drawing a salary or taking any benefits, double loser. Dump Bruce and send him packing to a loser state like Indiana. What Illinois needs for a governor is a winner, someone like Chris Kennedy or J.B. Pritzker. They have the bulk of their assets in a charitable trust, where they can appreciate tax free. All either one need do is pledge to make everyone in Illinois winners, by distributing all court filings necessary to allow any Illinois citizen to establish a family charitable trust. Then have a court filing mill in some place like Madison County where all applications get stamped approved. Now there is a curious loophole in the U.S. tax code, a charitable trust is not required to actually engage in charitable activities or donate funds to a charity. To keep this loophole in place, be sure to keep those campaign contributions flowing to Senators Durbin and Duckworth.Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157600812959885192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-1626395662910076882017-05-31T07:17:03.196-05:002017-05-31T07:17:03.196-05:00Rauner/Madigan=Gojira/Rodan. PERFECT! Then this: &...Rauner/Madigan=Gojira/Rodan. PERFECT! Then this: "a safety net that both men are pawning to the rope merchant." Why I stop by every gd day!J.J. Tindallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13381555158949851490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-7326394113388247022017-05-31T07:13:26.571-05:002017-05-31T07:13:26.571-05:00Most of the plague belongs on Rauner's head.Most of the plague belongs on Rauner's head.Privatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10757585399827295128noreply@blogger.com