Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Rauner: "I'm one of the baddest enemies anybody can have" by John Dillon




“In the economic carnival of Illinois politics, Bruce Rauner comes across like a cross-eyed knife-throwing act” --John Dillon


“…The political world of Illinois according to Bruce, is controlled by insiders -  the kind of people who make deals ‘for the insiders against the taxpayers.’  Among these inside deals, Rauner identifies ‘details, the work rules, the regulations, and the laws.’  In truth, those most vulnerable are the ones protected by work rules, regulations, the laws, workman’s’ compensation, safety standards, medical assistance programs, etc.  The elimination of these impediments to unbridled capitalism seem unlikely to assist the most vulnerable or even those chasing employment and fair pay for a family of four. 

“Let’s be honest, Governor, the insiders (like you) are those who gain from the elimination of these very safeguards that have been developed and honed and practiced for decades.  Indications are pretty strong that the greater number in our state will gain little with the permanent roll-back of the income tax.   

“Despite the often-empty promises and vapid strategies – ‘Our plan will allow us to grow…’ – there really is never much description of details for Rauner.  Not of what specifically to do.  Not of what specifically the outcomes might be.  Just a series of warnings, exclamations and down-homey invective:  ‘I am gonna try to rip the economic guts out of Indiana.’  Nice.  I feel leadership now, how ‘bout you…?

“According to Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda, supposedly a delineation of his economic initiative but really a manifesto of rants, the primary target for his economic recovery is immediate relief from the local property tax.  ‘Illinois homeowners pay the second highest tax rate in the nation.  If we want more homeowners in Illinois, we need to address the root causes of high property taxes – too much bureaucracy and mandates that add costs to our communities.’  From here on, the Turnaround platform links inflated property taxes with forced pension payments, wage/labor agreements, project labor agreements, and a lack of bankruptcy protection for local villages (The Illinois Turnaround). 

“I’m not the best economist, but I don’t see the connection(s) with my current property tax statement.  And I might be wrong, but I do know this…”




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