What if we can turn back time and fix all of the mistakes we made, simply because we did not know enough to make the correct decision?
Would coal miners in Pennsylvania and Kentucky have voted for Obama in 2012? Mitt Romney, made out to be a villain because of his wealth, warned voters that Obama would add restrictions to mine operators, causing job loss. Obama snickered and told America that it was not true, that he was a friend of the common man, the miner, and would not challenge their livelihood. In fact, Obama policies resulted in the the shuttering of mines and the layoff of several thousand miners from Kentucky to West Virgina and points in between. If they knew then, what they know now.
Mitt Romney warned of dangers facing the U.S. internationally, including Iran's nuclear program and China's computer hacking. These were listed by Romney as the two greatest threats to our safety. Obama accused Romney of trying to get the American people to fear an invisible boogy man. Well, we know that Iran is close to having nuclear weapons with the help of the U.S.. It appears the Obama administration somehow reasoned that by removing sanctions and allowing Iran to mine weapons grade uranium, this would encourage Iran to scrap their nuclear weapons program.
Mitt Romney warned of Israel's peril because Obama failed to our greatest ally in the Mid-East, with the support they needed and a friend should offer. Obama responded that he has supported Israel and he would continue to support Israel in their defense against their enemies. We all know now how that played out during the recent Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Obama condemned Israel for attacking and killing civilian in Gaza. Obama imposed a flight bans to Israel for one week, which cost Israel millions in tourist trade. Obama said it was to protect against planes being shot out of the air. Of course, we still have no flight bans from Ebola plagued areas of Africa, which is arguably, a greater threat, to a larger number of Americans.
Mitt Romney said China will need to be dealt with as they are author's of state-run hacking, which can cost our nation billions and could potentially bring the nation to it's knees. Hacking can take control of our banking, our nuclear weapons, our power grid, and so on. Obama laughed and said while China was a threat, it was not that serious and he would deal with it. This year alone, we have had several breaches to our financial system, some of which have originated in China. Obama has done nothing. The threats will increase in number and severity and Obama will still do nothing.
Mitt Romney spoke of the danger in the middle east, resulting from the removal of our troops from Iraq. Obama said Iraq is under control and our troops were no longer needed in Iraq. Today, ISIS is knocking on the door and will likely take over Baghdad before Christmas. Obama has been aware of the ISIS threat for the past year and has done nothing to stop it. He is now wasting billions of our nations dollars through air strikes which to date, have been ineffective. This could have been avoided if our military had maintained a small, but influential, presence in Iraq.
Bringing it closer to home, we have heard similar nonsense from the Quinn administration. During the last election, Quinn promised to grow jobs in Illinois, by 400,000. Unfortunately, his decimal point was misplaced - he created only about 400 private sector jobs in 4 years. Some may say, job growth, is job growth. Some, like myself, would say 400 private sector jobs is not acceptable. Based on these numbers, it would seem the odds of winning the lottery in Illinois are greater than the odds of getting a job. Furthermore, how many of the 400 were full-time jobs?
Quinn is attacking Bruce Rauner for threatening the jobs of Illinois teachers. Strangely, Quinn failed to mention how his policies resulted in the closing of schools and layoffs of teachers throughout Illinois over the past 4 years.
Quinn claims to be a friend to the common person. He attacks Rauner for being wealthy and not caring for the common person. Quinn is saying that Rauner will reduce the minimum wage and reduce taxes for the rich, while increasing taxes for the middle class. In his last campaign, Quinn promised that he would not increase taxes on the middle class. In fact, he imposed a 67% income tax increase on every person in Illinois, the highest in Illinois history. I can see how the facts get distorted however, as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama both made and broke the same promises in their respective administrations. This is the democratic strategy - tell them you will not do it, then do it, then say you didn't do it. I call this, the Bart Simpson Plan.
The most offensive of all is how Quinn claims that because Rauner is wealthy, he will not care about anyone. Rauner, it would seem, has so much money that we, the people of Illinois, do not matter to him. Apparently, Quinn thinks by telling the people of Illinois that they are stupid, they will begin to believe it - another democratic strategy. In fact, the state of Illinois has been controlled by Mike Madigan and wealthy democrats for decades. Just like Blago and Ryan before him, Quinn is dependent on the democratic General Assembly to hold and keep office. Blagoyevich did not put up with Madigan, but because he was as corrupt as Madigan, he was called out and is now serving time. Quinn is well aware that if he does not "play the game", he will lose his office because he does not have the financial support needed to survive a Madigan attack.
Bruce Rauner is not dependent on the Governor's payroll and is therefore, not beholden to anyone in Springfield or Cook County. Bruce Rauner does not need the job, nor the money. Bruce Rauner is telling us that he wants to be the Governor because he wants to fix Springfield. I believe him because I believe there are people who want to do what is good for the masses. Bruce has a history of producing results in the business world, which is how he became wealthy. In 2014, we are taught that if you are wealthy and conservative, you must be a criminal. You must have built your wealth on the blood, sweat and tears of other people. This makes sense, since we can no longer build success on hard work, but on making people feel good about themselves. People who work hard today are considered selfish, heartless and greedy.
This election is about the future of Illinois. We have seen this state become the worst in job growth, the highest in unemployment, the worst in education; and the list goes on. Illinois did not get to this low point on the backs of hard working, caring, lawmakers in Springfield. We have watched the destruction take place over the years with George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn, under the thumb of Mike Madigan and Lisa Madigan. We have seen the state go the way of Chicago and Cook County, for one reason - because of democratic control. I know that Ryan was a Republican, but his politics were very much in line with the democrats. We need someone to make the tough decisions! We need someone to say NO, to the mayor of Chicago! We need someone who will say NO, to labor unions! We need someone who will say NO to Mike Madigan. We need someone who truly wants to take the lead, not someone who wants to be led. We need to clean house in Springfield, starting with Pat Quinn! We now know what we wish we would have known back then, so let's now do, what we should have done back then - since there is no Whig Party candidate running in this election, vote for the Republican!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Rauner VS Quinn...Do You Have To Ask?
As election day approaches, we are bombarded on television, radio,
roadsides, newspapers, mailboxes, door handles and just about everywhere
else, with he said, he said advertisements. The people of Illinois
need to look at this campaign very closely and must make the only
correct decision; to vote for Bruce Rauner.
I have said before, that I am not a fan of Bruce Rauner for Governor. Frankly, he is still too far to the left for me - his wife openly supported the Obama campaign. As far as I am concerned, this is too close to the source of our problems, but at the end of the day...
During the campaign, the Quinn people have touted:
During the same campaign, Bruce Rauner has offered as his reason for running:
Obama, Quinn and other's have made their living by promising the world in exchange for support. Obama and Quinn have promised to give their loyalists great things, if they only vote to keep them in office. What these voters are not hearing from Quinn or Obama is that when the money is gone, they will no longer be able to give. They will no longer be able to promise away the producer's earnings if the producer's either leave or themselves, become takers. The realists know that our nation, our state is in trouble and there is no hope for the future as long as we remain under the direction (or the thumb) of these people.
The fact is, just as our nation is failing and could likely not survive another 4 years under this President, the state will surely fail under another 4 years of Quinn. As a person who has always called Illinois home, I can say with certainty, that I will not stay another 4 years under Quinn. I work hard for my money and live very economically with my earnings. I find it troubling that many who do not work, because the government will take care of them, live under more favorable conditions than I. This is not meant for the people who have found themselves temporarily unemployed, but for the chronically unemployed.
When determining whether we are on the right track, on our way back to prosperity, as Quinn says; drive or walk around your towns and neighboring towns. Take note of the many, many, small business which have closed. Take note of the strip malls that are sitting vacant. Take note of the blight in local business. Under this administration, we have watched as Dominick's left Illinois - simply could not make it. They are still operating out west, however. We have watched large corporations either move, or threaten to move out of the state and nation. Uline moved from the north suburbs, to Wisconsin. Abbott, Caterpillar, Sara Lee, among others, have threatened to leave Illinois. Walgreens threatened to leave the country. Those who left or closed, blame the poor business environment in Illinois. Those who stayed, were able to work out tax incentives with the state. There is no American corporation threatening to leave the state simply because of taxes, but all have left or threatened to leave because of punitive rate of taxes and other fees on businesses.
Our state is on life support. It would be wonderful if we could have gold coins fall from the sky and winning lottery tickets grow in the garden, but as with most everything Quinn has been promising, this too, is unlikely to ever happen. The survival of our state is predicated on bringing business to the state and reducing the financial burden on taxpayers, both business and individual. The survival of our state is predicated on the reduction of wasteful spending and irresponsible leadership. The survival of our state is predicated on the election of a person with the skills and experience to operate a large corporation as efficiently as possible. When all of the hype is washed away and all of the double speak is removed, we only need to look at the facts - Bruce Rauner has operated successful businesses, and do so effectively, while Quinn has failed to effectively manage the business of which he has been in charge for the past 6 years.
This election is not about gay marriage, abortion or birth control, legalization of drugs or any other self-centered issue. This election is about saving a state from financial collapse. It is time for us to put on our big-boy/girl pants and do what we all know is right! Quinn must be fired in two weeks. Since much of Springfield is controlled by democrats, this is the one time that I will suggest voting straight Republican party.
If you are an independent, Whig or any other party who is tired of the status quo, a vote for anyone but Rauner is a vote for Quinn. Failure to vote, is a vote for Quinn, as those who rely on the democrats for the basic needs will be out to vote for the hand which feeds them. After we begin to turn the state and put it back on track, you can worry about your individual party candidates. After the state is back on track, you can work on your selfish needs. For this election though, remember, if there is a D after their name, DESTROY. If there is an R after their name, RESTORE!
I have said before, that I am not a fan of Bruce Rauner for Governor. Frankly, he is still too far to the left for me - his wife openly supported the Obama campaign. As far as I am concerned, this is too close to the source of our problems, but at the end of the day...
During the campaign, the Quinn people have touted:
- They have run an ethical administration.
- Reduced unemployment to "before the great recession" levels.
- Been a friend to business.
- Cut spending.
- Increased accountability.
- Being against the working class.
- Being against women's health.
- Being against abortion.
- Harassing female employees.
- Being a billionaire, which I guess is considered a bad thing.
- Being "in favor" of a tax plan which would benefit only the rich, like himself.
- Being against an increase in the minimum wage.
During the same campaign, Bruce Rauner has offered as his reason for running:
- Quinn and his predecessors have led Illinois to among the highest unemployment levels in the nation - a fact! Not accidentally, just yesterday, the state announced new unemployment numbers, down to 6.9% - NOT A FACT, but a ploy to win the election.
- Watch how the strategy used in national campaigns is the echoed at the state level. This is also not accidental. Similar to the national numbers, Illinois' unemployment numbers do not take into account the number of people who have stopped looking, who have accepted part-time employment, or those who have used all of their unemployment benefits. The fact is that nationally, almost 100 million people, who are willing and able to work, cannot find work or have taken part-time work because nothing else is available. Consider the nation has a population of about 320 million. If we deduct from this number, the number of people below working age, retired, or unable to work because of a handicap; we will be left with about 220 million eligible to work. If 100 million people are unable to find full-time work, for whatever the reason may be, the effective unemployment rate is closer to 45%. If Illinois is among the highest in the nation, it is reasonable to deduce that the unemployment rate in Illinois is far north of 6.9%. It is safe to assume the true number is closer to 20, 30 or even 40%.
- Bruce Rauner proposes a "common sense" minimum wage. Frankly, any increase to the minimum wage for unskilled employees, such as teens, would be a serious mistake. This, coming from a former small business owner who watched his business spiral into bankruptcy following a 20% increase in the minimum wage during the Blago years. For Quinn to promise an increase of the minimum wage to $12, $14 or even $15/hour is either a lie or very irresponsible. It will only serve to drive more small businesses into bankruptcy.
- Bruce Rauner is a businessman. While Quinn is selling this as a negative attribute, who better to bring a company from imminent financial collapse, than a person who has experience at running a business?
Obama, Quinn and other's have made their living by promising the world in exchange for support. Obama and Quinn have promised to give their loyalists great things, if they only vote to keep them in office. What these voters are not hearing from Quinn or Obama is that when the money is gone, they will no longer be able to give. They will no longer be able to promise away the producer's earnings if the producer's either leave or themselves, become takers. The realists know that our nation, our state is in trouble and there is no hope for the future as long as we remain under the direction (or the thumb) of these people.
The fact is, just as our nation is failing and could likely not survive another 4 years under this President, the state will surely fail under another 4 years of Quinn. As a person who has always called Illinois home, I can say with certainty, that I will not stay another 4 years under Quinn. I work hard for my money and live very economically with my earnings. I find it troubling that many who do not work, because the government will take care of them, live under more favorable conditions than I. This is not meant for the people who have found themselves temporarily unemployed, but for the chronically unemployed.
When determining whether we are on the right track, on our way back to prosperity, as Quinn says; drive or walk around your towns and neighboring towns. Take note of the many, many, small business which have closed. Take note of the strip malls that are sitting vacant. Take note of the blight in local business. Under this administration, we have watched as Dominick's left Illinois - simply could not make it. They are still operating out west, however. We have watched large corporations either move, or threaten to move out of the state and nation. Uline moved from the north suburbs, to Wisconsin. Abbott, Caterpillar, Sara Lee, among others, have threatened to leave Illinois. Walgreens threatened to leave the country. Those who left or closed, blame the poor business environment in Illinois. Those who stayed, were able to work out tax incentives with the state. There is no American corporation threatening to leave the state simply because of taxes, but all have left or threatened to leave because of punitive rate of taxes and other fees on businesses.
Our state is on life support. It would be wonderful if we could have gold coins fall from the sky and winning lottery tickets grow in the garden, but as with most everything Quinn has been promising, this too, is unlikely to ever happen. The survival of our state is predicated on bringing business to the state and reducing the financial burden on taxpayers, both business and individual. The survival of our state is predicated on the reduction of wasteful spending and irresponsible leadership. The survival of our state is predicated on the election of a person with the skills and experience to operate a large corporation as efficiently as possible. When all of the hype is washed away and all of the double speak is removed, we only need to look at the facts - Bruce Rauner has operated successful businesses, and do so effectively, while Quinn has failed to effectively manage the business of which he has been in charge for the past 6 years.
This election is not about gay marriage, abortion or birth control, legalization of drugs or any other self-centered issue. This election is about saving a state from financial collapse. It is time for us to put on our big-boy/girl pants and do what we all know is right! Quinn must be fired in two weeks. Since much of Springfield is controlled by democrats, this is the one time that I will suggest voting straight Republican party.
If you are an independent, Whig or any other party who is tired of the status quo, a vote for anyone but Rauner is a vote for Quinn. Failure to vote, is a vote for Quinn, as those who rely on the democrats for the basic needs will be out to vote for the hand which feeds them. After we begin to turn the state and put it back on track, you can worry about your individual party candidates. After the state is back on track, you can work on your selfish needs. For this election though, remember, if there is a D after their name, DESTROY. If there is an R after their name, RESTORE!
Saturday, October 4, 2014
America! ILLINOIS! DO NOT BELIEVE THE HYPE!
Does any of this remind you of the 2012 Presidential campaign?
Unemployment down to 5.9%, trade deficit reduced, federal deficit erased, Illinois unemployment lower than "before the great recession", economy booming, ISIS being defeated, Iraq is under control, Ebola is not a threat...the list is endless...and fictional!!!
This is a list of the same left wing hype we were poisoned with in 2012. This is the same BS which allowed the terrorist loving and traitor, who is Barack Obama, to stay in the White House; and arguably, with a little voter fraud thrown. Since the hype is the same as the 2012 campaign, let me remind you of the warnings I gave during the 2012 campaign - do not take anything for granted - VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!! If their side loses by a 90-10 ratio, voter fraud will be difficult to pull off. Yeah, I know that 90/10 is improbable since 50% of our citizens now rely on government, but we must try.
Let me first say I believe it all but over for true American's, but I still hold on to a trace of hope because I have faith that God will save us. This said, there is no question in my mind that Obama has a plan to remain in office beyond 2016, whether by suspending the Constitution or by constitutional amendment, or repeal thereof. Either way, it will be another example of Obama ignoring the Constitution of the United States (Treason). Even with the repeal of the 22nd amendment, legal experts say it could not take effect until the after the next Presidential election. Rest assured however, if the President regains a congressional majority in the upcoming election, he will be rubber-stamped into a third term, or at least the opportunity to run again. If he does not win a congressional majority, he may still try to retain the office, but it will need to be through a more aggressive plan.
Now let's look at what is going on in the current campaign. As we experienced during the 2012 campaign, the unemployment rate mysteriously plummeted - don't believe it! Even if 5.9% could be the correct number, what the White House and most media outlets are not mentioning is that another 100,000 people dropped out of the work force in September. In other words, if people are not collecting unemployment and are not looking for a job, they are no longer counted in the unemployment numbers. What you are also not hearing is how the participation rate - the percentage of employed, able and working American's, is still at the lowest rate in 36 years (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS11300000) and has been below 66% since November 2008. It is currently running near 63%.
The President talked this week about the average income in the U.S. rising since he has been in office. In fact, the income for American's has fallen by approximately $4k per year in all but 3 states and the District of Columbia (no surprise). In fact, the greatest income increase during Obama's time in office, has been in government, where the average income has rising by $12k since 2008. Again, the average American experienced a $4k decrease while government employees averaged a $12k increase in wages.
Leon Panneta, Bill Clinton's defense secretary, said in a recently released book that the failures in Iraq and the growth of Isis falls directly on the shoulders of Obama. Because he failed to take the advise of his predecessors and advisers, Isis has been allowed to grow and thrive. We all knew this to be true, but even his own party is pointing fingers at him now.
We are being told every day that Ebola is not a threat, that we do not need to worry, yet a traveler from Liberia carries this very deadly disease to our country. While this is happening, our President is on a campaign stump through the Midwest. What can he do about it? Well, instead of sending inexperienced soldiers with no medical training, to their death in Africa, maybe we can stop all travel to and from affected areas? How about forcing international travelers to disclose where they had been over the last three weeks? Then again, what can we really expect from an administration that takes nothing serious? What can we expect from an administration which has taken the Secret Service from the most prestigious domestic force into the most laughable domestic farce? The men who took a bullet for Ronald Reagan, cannot even catch a man with a knife, running through the grounds and hallways of the White House.
Now let's add Illinois to the mix. Governor Quinn proudly talks about how he has increased employment to the levels prior to the great recession. In another commercial, he poses in front of a Ford plant, bragging about how he brought 1200 new jobs to the state. In another commercial, Bruce Rauner is bashed for sending jobs overseas, for laying off people and only giving them a gift card. Bruce Rauner, the commercial said, even created an outsourcing company to help other company's send jobs overseas.
Well, similar to the federal numbers, the Illinois unemployment numbers are not taking into consideration, the number of people who are working part-time, under-employed or no longer looking. The 1200 new jobs at the Ford plant? How many of the 1200 people live in Illinois and spend their wages in Illinois? Since the Ford plant is spitting distance from Indiana, I would guess that most of the 1200 live in Indiana. I do not have the numbers but would like to see the data. Quinn also failed to mention the 6000 people who lost their jobs when Dominick's closed all of their stores in Illinois. Many of those people, from Illinois, remain out of work today or have been forced to take part-time work in other non-union grocery chains.
I have not researched the accusations against Rauner and frankly, I am not a fan of his, but Rauner is a businessman. As a businessman, like many others, if he found it difficult to make a profit in the U.S., he is obligated to do what needs to be done to make money for his company. It can be argued that what Rauner did was not "patriotic", but maybe instead of blaming the businesses, we should look at government, i.e., Quinn and Obama. In fact, the federal and state taxes and regulations have become very unfavorable to operate business - Caterpillar, Walgreen's and many other company's have also threatened to leave for the same reason. During the 80's, Governor James Thompson traveled to the world to bring business to our state. During that period in our history, many company's moved to our state because we promoted new business. Illinois was friendly to business, big and small.
Beginning with the Ryan administration, increasing during the Blago era and reaching a peak under Quinn, the state of Illinois has become very unfriendly to business. Through taxes and regulation, our state has left business little choice but to leave our state. When the governors of Texas, Minnesota, New Jersey come into Illinois for the purpose of inviting our people to their state, where they will be treated with respect and will be given an opportunity to earn a profit, we should assume we are in trouble.
Unfortunately, most people vote on sound bites from 30 second commercials. While I look at the commercial bashing Rauner and find it more appropriate to blame Quinn, many will not. However, there is one way that everyone in this state can see the truth without watching even one campaign commercial, just open your eyes. Everywhere I drive, walk or otherwise pass by, I see vacant storefronts, like no time in the past. Once thriving strip malls are left with one or two businesses, usually Cash for Gold or Payday Loan stores, both a true sign of the negative economic trend in our state. We watched as Dominick's closed all of their stores, many remain vacant and others replaced by businesses hiring only part-time employees, offering no benefits. K-Mart has closed all but a few stores, auto dealerships, restaurants, CLOSED!
For Quinn or Obama to say our state is in good shape or even on-the-mend, is insulting. For anyone to believe it, is moronic. This does not even take into consideration our failed education system, pension programs, healthcare or spending. Our state is on life support and will fail under another four years of Quinn, Madigan and company. Just as our nation needed and should have elected a businessman in 2012, our state needs someone with business sense, such as Bruce Rauner. Again, I am not a fan, but I can tell the difference between spit and rain. It's time to get serious and understand that hype will not save our state. Do not believe the hype!
Unemployment down to 5.9%, trade deficit reduced, federal deficit erased, Illinois unemployment lower than "before the great recession", economy booming, ISIS being defeated, Iraq is under control, Ebola is not a threat...the list is endless...and fictional!!!
This is a list of the same left wing hype we were poisoned with in 2012. This is the same BS which allowed the terrorist loving and traitor, who is Barack Obama, to stay in the White House; and arguably, with a little voter fraud thrown. Since the hype is the same as the 2012 campaign, let me remind you of the warnings I gave during the 2012 campaign - do not take anything for granted - VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!! If their side loses by a 90-10 ratio, voter fraud will be difficult to pull off. Yeah, I know that 90/10 is improbable since 50% of our citizens now rely on government, but we must try.
Let me first say I believe it all but over for true American's, but I still hold on to a trace of hope because I have faith that God will save us. This said, there is no question in my mind that Obama has a plan to remain in office beyond 2016, whether by suspending the Constitution or by constitutional amendment, or repeal thereof. Either way, it will be another example of Obama ignoring the Constitution of the United States (Treason). Even with the repeal of the 22nd amendment, legal experts say it could not take effect until the after the next Presidential election. Rest assured however, if the President regains a congressional majority in the upcoming election, he will be rubber-stamped into a third term, or at least the opportunity to run again. If he does not win a congressional majority, he may still try to retain the office, but it will need to be through a more aggressive plan.
Now let's look at what is going on in the current campaign. As we experienced during the 2012 campaign, the unemployment rate mysteriously plummeted - don't believe it! Even if 5.9% could be the correct number, what the White House and most media outlets are not mentioning is that another 100,000 people dropped out of the work force in September. In other words, if people are not collecting unemployment and are not looking for a job, they are no longer counted in the unemployment numbers. What you are also not hearing is how the participation rate - the percentage of employed, able and working American's, is still at the lowest rate in 36 years (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS11300000) and has been below 66% since November 2008. It is currently running near 63%.
The President talked this week about the average income in the U.S. rising since he has been in office. In fact, the income for American's has fallen by approximately $4k per year in all but 3 states and the District of Columbia (no surprise). In fact, the greatest income increase during Obama's time in office, has been in government, where the average income has rising by $12k since 2008. Again, the average American experienced a $4k decrease while government employees averaged a $12k increase in wages.
Leon Panneta, Bill Clinton's defense secretary, said in a recently released book that the failures in Iraq and the growth of Isis falls directly on the shoulders of Obama. Because he failed to take the advise of his predecessors and advisers, Isis has been allowed to grow and thrive. We all knew this to be true, but even his own party is pointing fingers at him now.
We are being told every day that Ebola is not a threat, that we do not need to worry, yet a traveler from Liberia carries this very deadly disease to our country. While this is happening, our President is on a campaign stump through the Midwest. What can he do about it? Well, instead of sending inexperienced soldiers with no medical training, to their death in Africa, maybe we can stop all travel to and from affected areas? How about forcing international travelers to disclose where they had been over the last three weeks? Then again, what can we really expect from an administration that takes nothing serious? What can we expect from an administration which has taken the Secret Service from the most prestigious domestic force into the most laughable domestic farce? The men who took a bullet for Ronald Reagan, cannot even catch a man with a knife, running through the grounds and hallways of the White House.
Now let's add Illinois to the mix. Governor Quinn proudly talks about how he has increased employment to the levels prior to the great recession. In another commercial, he poses in front of a Ford plant, bragging about how he brought 1200 new jobs to the state. In another commercial, Bruce Rauner is bashed for sending jobs overseas, for laying off people and only giving them a gift card. Bruce Rauner, the commercial said, even created an outsourcing company to help other company's send jobs overseas.
Well, similar to the federal numbers, the Illinois unemployment numbers are not taking into consideration, the number of people who are working part-time, under-employed or no longer looking. The 1200 new jobs at the Ford plant? How many of the 1200 people live in Illinois and spend their wages in Illinois? Since the Ford plant is spitting distance from Indiana, I would guess that most of the 1200 live in Indiana. I do not have the numbers but would like to see the data. Quinn also failed to mention the 6000 people who lost their jobs when Dominick's closed all of their stores in Illinois. Many of those people, from Illinois, remain out of work today or have been forced to take part-time work in other non-union grocery chains.
I have not researched the accusations against Rauner and frankly, I am not a fan of his, but Rauner is a businessman. As a businessman, like many others, if he found it difficult to make a profit in the U.S., he is obligated to do what needs to be done to make money for his company. It can be argued that what Rauner did was not "patriotic", but maybe instead of blaming the businesses, we should look at government, i.e., Quinn and Obama. In fact, the federal and state taxes and regulations have become very unfavorable to operate business - Caterpillar, Walgreen's and many other company's have also threatened to leave for the same reason. During the 80's, Governor James Thompson traveled to the world to bring business to our state. During that period in our history, many company's moved to our state because we promoted new business. Illinois was friendly to business, big and small.
Beginning with the Ryan administration, increasing during the Blago era and reaching a peak under Quinn, the state of Illinois has become very unfriendly to business. Through taxes and regulation, our state has left business little choice but to leave our state. When the governors of Texas, Minnesota, New Jersey come into Illinois for the purpose of inviting our people to their state, where they will be treated with respect and will be given an opportunity to earn a profit, we should assume we are in trouble.
Unfortunately, most people vote on sound bites from 30 second commercials. While I look at the commercial bashing Rauner and find it more appropriate to blame Quinn, many will not. However, there is one way that everyone in this state can see the truth without watching even one campaign commercial, just open your eyes. Everywhere I drive, walk or otherwise pass by, I see vacant storefronts, like no time in the past. Once thriving strip malls are left with one or two businesses, usually Cash for Gold or Payday Loan stores, both a true sign of the negative economic trend in our state. We watched as Dominick's closed all of their stores, many remain vacant and others replaced by businesses hiring only part-time employees, offering no benefits. K-Mart has closed all but a few stores, auto dealerships, restaurants, CLOSED!
For Quinn or Obama to say our state is in good shape or even on-the-mend, is insulting. For anyone to believe it, is moronic. This does not even take into consideration our failed education system, pension programs, healthcare or spending. Our state is on life support and will fail under another four years of Quinn, Madigan and company. Just as our nation needed and should have elected a businessman in 2012, our state needs someone with business sense, such as Bruce Rauner. Again, I am not a fan, but I can tell the difference between spit and rain. It's time to get serious and understand that hype will not save our state. Do not believe the hype!
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