I'm semi-serious here. As Brandon Johnson boils and accuses and flails about, a certain clarity sets in among the onlookers. Well, me, anyway.
This is not a guy charting a course, but someone reacting to the chaos going on around him, much of his own making. He isn't building bridges, but burning them. How else could he snap at every single shiny lure dangled in his face?
Respect is earned. I can't recall ever saying "Respect me!" to anyone who wasn't a pair of mischievous preschool boys. But I do sometimes preface a statement with, "As someone who's been on staff for 37 years ..." Meaning, "You know, sport, I've been doing this since before you were born. Perhaps, before you explain to me your keen new system cooked up in a meeting yesterday, you might consider what I have to say."
Since he brings up the governor, let's imagine JB Pritzker — a deft politician — answering a question the same way.
"So you're going to Japan, Gov. Pritzker — plan on eating any sushi while you're there?"
"Why do you insult me so? Oh sure, ask the big guy if he's eating something healthy, huh? Ask the Jew if he's going to chow down on smoked salmon."
It would never happen.
It never works anyway, and I don't demand respect from new associates or random strangers because I respect myself, plenty, and try to always consider the source. I couldn't check my email otherwise.
So when Brandon Johnson is served up an obvious gotcha question — do you really want to be going to London for a Bears game this weekend? — he could have stayed cool, could have pivoted onto a topic most Chicagoans can relate to — our 3-2 Chicago Bears.
Did he do that? Eventually, yes. But caught off guard, as always, this is what he prefaced it with:
"It's disrespectful and condescending that the Black man is going to London for a game. It's disrespectful. It is. The governor went to Tokyo to attract business. And I'm going to London to attract business."
The same weekend the Bears are playing. What a cool coincidence. One even Johnson eventually acknowledged.
"And while I'm there, I'm going to root for the Chicago Bears."
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Johnson needs to read the book "The Peter Principle", as he has risen not only to his level of incompetence, but has surpassed it.
ReplyDeleteHe must have been a terrible teacher, because he has zero management skills, unlike another far more famous former teacher, Tim Walz.
He has nothing but grievances, as that's all he goes on about. I'm sure he's still stewing about someone who got in line for lunch before him 25 years ago!
And while it's nice to read all the letters to the editor in various local papers from all the fools who voted for him & now regretted it, why didn't you people listen to everyone when you were told he was a stooge for that vile & out of control teachers union?
The election was only LAST YEAR!
DeleteWould you have preferred that carpetbagger, Paul Vallas, instead of THIS clown? How soon they forget.
Chicago had a choice...between Tweedledum and Tweedledumber. And now you're stuck with a Bozo until '27. My condolences to the people of Chicago.
We will soon begin our third year under a "Boy Mayor"...he's Cleveland's second-youngest ever (after Dennis Kucinich). His previous jobs were with non=profits and the transit authority. Replaced a rather geezerly career politician, ,who occupied the mayor's chair and slept through the previous 16 years.
And so we go right on lurching along. Abysmal schools...worse than Chicago's. Shootings everywhere, packs of dirt bikers, street takeovers by thugs and their cars. The animals are not only loose, but they're now running the circus.
I'm beginning to think that some cities have become ungovernable.
What a breath of fresh air it is to see you bashing the teachers' union, Clark St. It seems like it might have been over 2 days since you've done so.
DeleteI'm one of the fools you mentioned, though I haven't written any letters. Choosing between the recent candidates for mayor was extremely difficult. In the end, grudgingly, I chose to hope that Johnson might be better than expected, despite his affiliation with your least favorite union, rather than taking the chance that Vallas would be even worse than many thought he was.
It was a vote for the progressive candidate rather than for the one endorsed by the Tribune. Am I pleased with Johnson's performance? No. Do I now think Vallas would have been a great mayor? No.
Vallas is a manager, plus he doesn't owe his allegiance to any group. He's far smarter than Johnson, isn't a racist, appears to be a calmer personality & certainly would never even contemplate to take out a high interest loan to pay for teacher's raises. The insane teachers union wants a 9% raise for every year of a three year contract, which would mean they would be paid higher than the proven far better teachers at New Trier, Highland Park, Oak Park Or any of the dozen more nationally high ranked school districts.
DeleteIt was never a choice between Tweedledumb & Tweedledumber, it was a choice between a sane manager & a stooge who has no idea what he's doing & takes orders from the head of that insane & vile teachers union.
Now we've been told, that the Chicago Police department which is way understaffed will not have two recruit classes this fall & winter because Johnson hates the cops & apparently also hates the public that wants the police in their neighborhoods, which means the shortage of cops will grow even bigger, due to retirements.
BTW, even most black people want the cops around, they also want Shot Spotter back, which that loon Johnson canceled, but now a bunch of aldermen have gotten $2.5 million from private sources to get it back up & running, especially since the company has not removed any of their equipment yet! So is he so stupid to oppose the private funding of it? We'll see in the next few days!
The city is under a federal consent decree . Put in place after the shooting of laquan McDonald .Under that decree city government is required to retrain its police force following guidelines which must be followed.
DeleteI don't believe that the mayor can delay the new hires.
The police department is one of the most expensive line items. The city budget that's why it's never been brought up to full capacity of officers after retirements, resignations and covid.
It is admirable that the mayor is attempting to reduce the city budget in order to not have a deficit. His options are limited in how to do this
If he was taking his marching orders from the head of the teachers union, why would he be trying to force them to take a loan to cover costs that the city is responsible for?
The man is not stupid but he is not a good politician. He's inexperienced as far as having served in government. But, that is commonplace for Mayors And many other elected officials.
The mayor's refusal to get in bed with the city council and make deals to enrich himself in the future. By allowing aldermen to take advantage of their position and enrich themselves in the future
His management skills may be limited. His decision making may not make sense to the average chicagoan but I believe his concern for the last fortunate instead of the most wealthy is also admirable
Clark Street. Maybe you should run for mayor and then you can spew vitriol at everyone and tell them how stupid they are. I just don't think you understand what a difficult job it is to be mayor. At least half the people aren't going to be happy with you though. This mayor might have made more than half of the people unhappy with him in a fairly short time.
Being elected is very different from being qualified for the job.
ReplyDeleteI have said for many years that it will take many many failed mayors before we have a good one again. Not because any of them are capable or incapable (you can judge that yourself) but because of the state of the city when Daley left.
ReplyDeleteGood, bad, and ugly, Daley has put us in this situation. And we will struggle to get out of it. I believe most places, especially cities, need mayors who will push, tear down, anger, and build coalitions. Not because it is right, but because there is no way to please everyone all the time.
Yes, that creates a situation ripe for grift and abuse; and yes bad actors will do bad things. But we need a mayor who is willing to do what is right within the confines of reality. And that means the change that we need is going to take decades, not years. people need to trust that system and buy into it. I don't think american's have that kind of vision or patience.
But for the time being, things are going to continue to not be great. While Johnson isn't responsible for everything he's certainly not helping himself.
I think you're right. There are a lot very long-term consequences that stem from the old school way of doing politics and governing in this town going back to both Daleys. The machine politics, the red-lining and racism, the sexism, have all kept good people from wanting to participate in government or even vote, much less run for office and serve. In my youth I was a total policy wonk and good-government geek, but now, even when I'm in a mood of filled with civic pride and wanting to defend my city to outsiders, I can't imagine wanting to actually serve or be involved in this municipal government.
DeleteI can't believe that I find myself agreeing with Police Union Pres John Catanzara but here I am (pushing hard to remember even a stopped clock is right twice a day) ... And -- how is there no money for training new police recruits or funding other city services but somehow there is plenty for the CTU (including raises and protecting low-volume schools and adding staff ...)?
ReplyDeleteI regret that Johnson was the only alternative to Vallas -- who I couldn't have voted for if he'd been the only name on the ballot -- but Johnson needs to read this column and take it to heart.
Johnson seems so thin-skinned and defensive, with no experience or apparent expertise in creating the strategies, conditions and relationships that would inspire and support everyone coming together to create a compelling future for Chicago. We need a Pete Buttigieg clone. . . or if only Michelle Obama would consider running for mayor.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely no to Michelle Obama, she has zero experience in government, we don't need yet another amateur in the mayor's office!
DeleteWhat are we to do then, Clark St.? Beg Rahm to come back? Or hire Vallas to mentor Johnson? The Daleys were allowed to kick the can down the road, down a very long road actually. But Johnson can't do the same. And why does everybody disparage the Teachers' union? Isn't it allowed to be as feisty and contrary and power hungry as the coppers' organizations? Just think: in 50 years or so, this will be the good old days.
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Clark Street, I beg to respectfully differ with you re Michelle Obama and the idea that experience is so important — I think there are a ton of experienced leaders who have really outdated ideas about how to lead effectively. Michelle, on the other hand, has a first rate intellect, an ability to relate and connect with people, and has developed way beyond her own ego to care more about making a difference and unleashing potential vs Johnson playing the race card every time someone says something that challenges his thinking.
DeleteThe obamas do not live in Chicago
DeleteWell, they do have a house here — hey, worked for Rahm.
DeleteRunning a big city is harder than ever. Running a public school system controlled by the employees is even harder. A quick Google search says there are 646 schools in CPS and 329,836 students = 510 kids per school. Yes an oversimplification, but it seems there are way too many buildings for the number of students. Tenure IMO has played a negative role in student performance. Only 14% of CPS high school students scored at or above proficiency in reading and math. The teachers are digging in for another raise because they can...not because they have demonstrated success in student learning. I'm sure the many dedicated teachers in CPS deserve every penny and resent any reference to performance...but ignoring outcomes over the years has led to what we have now.
ReplyDeleteJohnson is a terrible mayor and worse than Lightfoot who was worse than Emmanuel. Yet each one was seen as an improvement over their predecessor. Our talent pool for mayors is too small (the vain and ambitious power seekers that want the job). Our hiring process is flawed (not enough options, and apathetic, tribalistic voters that make emotional choices). Candidates that have the brains and skill sets to be the mayor we need are too smart to take the job. As long as mayoral elections voting in Chicago are hijacked by any special interest group - unions, political parties, racial divides, big business, we will keep electing unqualified people that serve only the group that got them elected. We need to treat electing a mayor as a job interview and not a popularity contest. Hire the SOB that can get the job done, not the one that tells you what you want to hear
ReplyDelete"...vote with their feet and go pay taxes in Northbrook and Naperville and Palos Hills so their kids can get a top-notch education"...those kids that don't have that option are a hidden cost that effects every one. Without a decent education how can they be a part of the solution? Chicago needs those kids to grow up into citizens, neighbors, and employees to keep this city livable and hopefully, thriving.
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