Friday, June 15, 2007

What's Wrong With This Picture?

In my decade in office, I have never seen morale under the dome so low, and public distrust so high. I get the feeling that, more than usual, something just isn't right.

And I don't mean in the sense of 'there's always some issue going on in Springfield' not right, I mean in 'tectonic plates shifting prior to a major earthquake' not right.

I think that factors are converging - both parties being dogged by scandal and discord; large-looming fiscal obligations hovering around; clashes of egos and ambitions; a potential for a Constitutional Convention; shattered public confidence in state government, etc. - to such a degree that something just has to give. What though, I'm not sure.

I can't put my finger on why, but things are stranger than normal. I just wonder what will come of it.

Just something for you to ponder.

8 Comments:

At June 15, 2007 at 12:21 PM, Blogger Dan L said...

Ya know....


When you're concerned, I think we ought be concerned.


Just saying.

 
At June 15, 2007 at 1:16 PM, Blogger fedup dem said...

Representative Fritchey, could the problem possibly have anything to do with the moral character (or lack thereof) of the man you replaced in the state legislature? Just a thought.

 
At June 15, 2007 at 5:25 PM, Blogger Dan L said...

I would think that any single individual's lack of moral character is a mere component of the issues we're seeing now.

Ya know, I have a major problem with my own - and I use this term loosely - party. Saying 'egos and ambition clashing', 'shattered public confidence', and 'dogged by scandal and discord' might be the understatement of the century when describing whatever is passing for an illinois gop these days.

But I think the problem is not a single individual - I would love to blame Big Bob or Jack Roeser for it all, but you simply can't. You have to view it as completely broken system which allows for the lack of public confidence, the scandal, and the ego wars to become problems.

I sure wish I could tell you what the real problem is.

On a completely unrelated note: I have a friend in Florida who was telling me how much the local dems for farming Obama out.

It made me kinda chuckle, given this post.

 
At June 16, 2007 at 7:53 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

John,
There maybe a remedy for such a time as this--impeachment!

I've been following the antics in Springfield and Blago is acting like a spoiled brat. Emil never was ready for prime time and has neglected the duties of the senate for his own self interests. And Madigan, master of the game that he is ---is always trumping the card game. But, none of this serves the interest of the people who count on you to do a job.

Impeach 'em.

 
At June 16, 2007 at 8:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What are you doing to fix things, Mr. Fritchey? What's your plan? Raise taxes, cut services, combination of both? What taxes would you raise and what services would you cut? You talk a good game and you're pretty good at pointing a finger, but a little weak in the action department. What's your plan?

 
At June 16, 2007 at 12:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Batille Day is comming up. Just a thought.

 
At June 16, 2007 at 7:26 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll ponder that, you ponder this: morale is overrated. There was a positive lovefest between the state legislature and former governor Ryan. That lovefest led to a lot of the problems we have today.

I'm not a fan of the Gov's proposals: overreaching on health care, sells off too many state assets, strong whiff of corruption, etc. but zeesh, who cares if he makes wisecracks about the legislature? Ever hear of letting it roll of your back? Mike Madigan is clearly causing some of this trouble to help position his daughter.

Take a cue from Daley Sr.: put the Gov, Madigan, Jones, and the minority leaders in a room and don't let them leave until there's a deal. There: budget created, no more quips to make people angry.

 
At June 21, 2007 at 8:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let's see - Blago's campaign is under federal scrutiny, Stroger is cutting into marrow while protecting his patronage hiring, the nepotism of our elected representatives throughout governments at all levels, the failure of our state government to reign in the mayors TIF abuse, address property tax reform, lack of state educational funding, NO ethic reforms that has 'rocked Springfield', hiding behind veteran's death benefits to raise your salaries, the obvious failures of our national governments - let the earth open up - the sooner the better I think.

 

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