Burning Bridges
So in the latest effort to attempt to work with Democratic House members, the Governor's office was behind an anonymous flier that was distributed to attendees at yesterday's Pride Parade.Truth be told, I don't have the time or energy right now to post the thing, but it essentially calls out Sara Feigenholtz, Greg Harris and me by name for voting for the House budget and tells people to call us about it.
But it does so in such a clumsy way that it is almost laughable. Almost.
Did anybody in the administration really think that it was a good idea to try to assail the state's only openly gay legislator, Rep. Harris, for cutting housing resources for HIV/AIDS patients? Via a flyer at the pride parade?
But it has indeed resulted in phone calls. And let's just say that those people that have contacted Rep. Harris and myself were very unhappy. And not with us.
The frosting on the cake is that the Governor's office, directly and through another legislator, denied having any knowledge of the flier. Without wanting to put anybody in a bind, let me just say this. They're lying.
More than one group that receives state funding has indicated that they were contacted by the Administration and asked to assist in the effort. I'm believing them.
Memo to the Administration: If you're going to go after legislators (especially ones from your own party) on issues, have the decency to stand behind it. Otherwise you're just making a bad move worse.
And more to the point - in the big picture, what was this possibly going to accomplish? That we would file a motion to reconsider the GRT resolution? That being anonymously blindsided would encourage us to work more closely with the Administration?
Maybe they missed the class when you learn that this is a game of addition, not subtraction. Too bad.
And I know that my refrain is getting redundant, but...it didn't have to be this way. This type of strategy furthers no policy initiatives, accomplishes no goals for the public good, weakens people's belief in our state government, and hurts our party. Time will not judge this period kindly.
posted by Rep. John Fritchey @ 6/26/2007
15 comments
15 Comments:
Perhaps it is time to offer an amendment to the proposed budget, eliminating the jobs of the knuckleheads who came up with this flier. Our state government can be just as screwed-up without them and their salaries as with them, and it might even end up up less screwed-up.
This should be a surprize to no one. We knew what we were getting with this Gov. He was challanged in the primary and Democrats could have spoken then.
More "me, me, me" from Fritchey, now there's a surprise.
Well said Representative. I admire you for calling the Governor out on his blatant lies. Why go after your own party though? Why try and ruin a newly elected well liked openly gay Representative? No offense, you two have had your issues, but to go after the new guy?
To use your words it is almost laughable, almost!
I am embarrassed, disheartened, and ashamed that he is our Governor.
He talks about his testicular virility. So much for that, men with testicular virility don’t lie, at least not the ones that I know.
Despicable, absolutely cowardly, weak, beyond unconstructive to destructive. When will this governor learn?
Hopefully you and your fellow Democrats find someonen to run against Blago in the 2010 primary...unless Blago leaves office first.
Anon 9:06,
Your comment makes no sense. The post is NOT about me, I tried to say that what was most troubling is to go after Rep. Harris in that manner on that day.
Furthermore, you would be hard-pressed to find somebody that has done more on HIV/AIDS issues than Rep. Feigenholtz.
As I said, I think it was clumsy, ineffective, unnecessary, and does more harm than good.
The idea now was supposed to be to work together to craft a budget. After all, it's JUNE 26!
Anon 9:06 - How do you get that this is "More 'me,me, me' from Fritchey"? He's not the one handing out lit with his name on it! At least Rep. Fritchey has the "testicular virility" to sign his name and take ownership of his statements.
Question:
DID Rep. Harris vote for cutting housing resources for HIV/AIDS patients?
I'd like an honest answer to that question.
like the other House Dems, he voted for a budget that was going to be used as a framework to negotiate a budget. it's called the process. the real point is attacking him for it anonymously.
Fritchey, you rule for keeping up the fight against Blago and his antics. This is absolutely inexcusable.
honorable john Fritchey
The time is right for upending and redefining this states Democratic Party. Although you are working hard the hard work has not been done. You and other like minded reps should be working and putting money into more progressive and reform minded candidates even if its at the expense of all the good ol boys you have been in the club house with. Although Blagoyevich is a major problem the bigger problem is the party at large and its clinging to the status quo at the expense of the citizens of illinois who are overtaxed and overbilled for inadequate unnecessary and incomptent government.
Patrick
finally An Elected official with testicular virility
Dan Brady proposes ousting Emil Jones and Mike Madigan
06/27/2007 09:28:12
State representative Dan Brady says Illinois residents are so frustrated with the budget gridlock that one constituent asked him if it was possible to vote Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Mike Madigan out of leadership positions. Brady says he will see if it is possible to pass a law to vote leaders out of their roles if a budget is not passed by May 31st.
Brady tells WJBC's Laughlin and Reynolds the positive accomplishments of the legislature during overtime session have been overshadowed by the antics of Jones, Madigan and Governor Blagojevich.
Ive asked my rep the same thing.
So, what ,exactly, in the flyer is not true? Would it be better if the citizens didn't really know what is going on?
Why is Chicago and Cook County losing population? We know why this is happening, but most of us somehow think this is normal and will change, and others deny that it is happening and hope it will change.
This is not good news. No city shrinks its way to health. As our nation grows, other cities replace Chicago as vital political and economic centers.
Chicago has been allowed to stagnate as it's citizens lost their drive for more. As unions guaranteed comfort, and governments guaranteed comfort, folks became satisfied. Today we see concern as the city's economics starts to decline slowly, but instead of being motivated to reach out and compete, Chicago's decision makers are more focused on refereeing competing interest groups over this shrinking pie.
Chicago doesn't want to work anymore. It wants to relax. It wants to become a place where people play and vacation, where they have convetions and enjoy culture. Chicago has fooled itself into thinking that it doesn't have to be a city of big shoulders, stock yards, smoke stacks, and punch clocks. So, as these city builders left, nothing really replaced them.
After 1982, you can really see how our economy has been sliding. While there have been a few years of growth during the 1990s, the Age of Industrialism ended 30 years ago, and we still see abandoned industrial sites as though someone believes they will magically reappear.
Chicago is not becoming a global city in a global economy. What we are seeing instead is the regionalization of Chicago. As the Midwest stagnates, Chicago stagnates. This doesn't happen to national cities or global cities - it happens to regional cities, which is what Chicago has been becoming.
You cannot have a robust city with a Soviet-era political system. Chicago is passing Russia as having the longest run as a single party government. Like the old Soviet Union, Chicagoans are reelecting dying politicians, sons of politicians, and lack any political competition for social issues. You cannot expect fresh water from empty bottles. Without political competition, Chicago will not see renewal that is needed for the 21st Century.
So go ahead a squabble over the statistics. Claim it isn't happening. But as someone who has lived their lives in Chicago and has traveled extensively around the world and witnessed real city growth in other lands, Chicago is dying. Open your eyes.
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