Several years ago, Illinois permitted the first riverboat casino to open, allowing people to bet their financial future on a roll of the dice. Since the first casino opened, others followed. People flocked to the riverboat casinos for an opportunity to win a fortune. Let's face it, it is a good time. Food, drinks, colored lights, noises; literally something for all the senses.
Gambling has a darker side, however. First, many, many, people spend money they do not have for a chance to win money, often leaving pennyless. Frequently, the very people seen in a casino cannot afford to be there, spending a very limited income on an unlikely dream. These particular people become a greater burden on the state, aka, the taxpayer. These people turn to the federal government for help with mortgages they cannot pay. These people compromise the welfare of their children and the sanctity of their homes. These people are not the people we hear about on the 9PM news. We hear and see the people with large amounts of disposable income, who are willing and can afford to throw it away, pun intended.
Another dark side of the gambling boat phenomena is the conflict between unhealthy desires and religion. Simply put, it is sinful to gamble, yet many "Christians" spend millions of dollars being hipicrats to their faith and their God. DOn't get me wrong, many people gamble - a friendly bet on a game, or who will win on American Idol, lottery tickets, or the best one, playing Bingo in a church. I have even gambled from time to time in a nickel/dime game of cards. For the most part, I hope and believe that I, and people like me, will be forgiven for our "human frailties". If a person spends a life savings or the grocery budget, gambling on a boat; I am not as confident. It is their choice and I will not judge.
Now, the state of ILlinois is asking to expand gambling around the state. They want to add poker machines in public places, additional gambling boats and other opportunities for lives to be destroyed. The state looks at this as an opportunity to make fast money to cover budget shortfalls. In other words, the state is doing the same thing as the millions of tax payers - betting on a get-rich-quick scheme. The only problem is, while it is a gamble for the taxpayer to jump on a boat; the risk to the state is not quite as high. The state will make money.
Logic tells us, if the state can make money off of people willing to spend their money, why not let them? Here is why. The more money the state makes, the more they spend. In all liklihood, some of the millions the state is making off of gamblers, is returned to the gamblers in the form of financial aid, food stamps, etc. To test the validity of the claim, consider that the more gambling opportunities we have added in the state, the higher the deficit has become. Is there a way to validate this theory? Possibly. But it is not necessary because whatever cause and effect their may be, the reality is that the state is going broke despite the ridiculously high property, sales, tobacco, income and many other taxes we are paying.
The solution to our financial problems is not to go to the people for more money, beit in the form of involutary taxation or voluntary spending on gambling, the solution is to reduce spending! WHen we run out of money in our household budget, responsible people do not go to their neighbor and order them to give them money. Responsible people stop spending. We criticize people for burying themselves in credit card and other debt, yet the state is the best example of fiscal irresponsiblity.
As taxpayers, we must force our state government to turn off the faucet and stop spending. We must tell them that sponsoring and spreading dangerous vices throughout the state is not an acceptable way to solve our financial problems. We must insist that our government practice the morals they claim to have when they run for the office they now hold. We must make this happen and the best place to send the message is in the voting booth. We already know that the current group of politicians setting up to run for office are just more of the same people, from the same club, that will do the same thing. The time could not be better to fill the governor's mansion that Abraham Lincoln once slept in, with a governor that stands for common sense conservatism. The Illinois Whig party, the original party of Abraham Lincoln, will bring fiscal responsiblity back to government. If you are tired of the same corrupt, political non-sense, join the Illinois Whig party now and start to make a difference.
SIgn up at Illinoiswhig.org or Modernwhig.org
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Eat Snacks, Pay Tax...
From the book of "Tax 'em till it hurts"; Illinois has decided to impose a tax increase on virtually every consumer in the state. Starting September 1, if you eat snacks or drink coffee or tea; you will not be required to pay a painfully higher sales tax. The only exception is for snacks made with flour and food that requires refrigeration.
The state answered complaints by saying, it is not a tax increase; just a reclassification of consumables. Your budget will not know the difference. In short, up to now, if you purchased snacks, prepared coffee or tea, you were taxed at the food rate of about 2%. After September 1, these items will now be charge tax at the highest rate, which varies from city to city. In Chicago for example, you can pay as much as 13% tax for your Snicker Bar.
Have not heard anything about this? Probably not, since publicity would make the Governor look bad. By imposing this tax on business and charging it via retail purchase, the consumer will believe it is a retailer imposed price increase. Of course, if you purchase your Snicker bar at a Walgreens or Jewel, you can see the tax on the receipt; if you are inclined to look. If however, you purchase the food from the vending machine at your office, it will only appear as a price increase.
This tax as stealth as it is, is no accident. Our governor knew what he was doing. He will instantly raise several million dollars to spend on luxuries, waste, useless projects and other necessary initiatives; and most residents will be none the wiser.
As citizens of this state, we need to mark this down in our book so we remember when Pat Quinn asks for your vote next year. The state of Illinois has been hit hard by the recession. We are home to major manufacturers, such as Chrysler, Ford and Caterpillar - all of whom have been hit hard and seen thousands of employee layoffs. If it were necessary to raise funds for the state to cover expenses, the middle of a major recession is not the time to do this. So here are some alternatives I would suggest...
When the money runs out, stop spending!
When lobbyists and special interests ask for money, just say NO!
Keep the governors limo for a few thousand more miles...better yet, sell the limo and buy a Ford Focus!
Turn off the lights in the governor's mansion.
Instead of extravagant catered dinners for your "business" events, buy a box of burgers at the grocery store and toss them on the grill. I can even agree to a slice or two of cheese - processed American.
Instead of staffing the Secretary of State License Facility with a deadbeat at every station, have them learn to multi-task, like every other working stiff in the state. If you can run a cash register, I am confident you can be taught to take a picture.
Here's the bottom line...until you cut every penny of unnecessary spending out of the budget, I do not want to hear a word about increased taxes, reclassification of goods, revenue enhancement plans or whatever the buzzword of the day might be. If the state is taking money out of my pocket, there is only one word for it, TAX!
The state answered complaints by saying, it is not a tax increase; just a reclassification of consumables. Your budget will not know the difference. In short, up to now, if you purchased snacks, prepared coffee or tea, you were taxed at the food rate of about 2%. After September 1, these items will now be charge tax at the highest rate, which varies from city to city. In Chicago for example, you can pay as much as 13% tax for your Snicker Bar.
Have not heard anything about this? Probably not, since publicity would make the Governor look bad. By imposing this tax on business and charging it via retail purchase, the consumer will believe it is a retailer imposed price increase. Of course, if you purchase your Snicker bar at a Walgreens or Jewel, you can see the tax on the receipt; if you are inclined to look. If however, you purchase the food from the vending machine at your office, it will only appear as a price increase.
This tax as stealth as it is, is no accident. Our governor knew what he was doing. He will instantly raise several million dollars to spend on luxuries, waste, useless projects and other necessary initiatives; and most residents will be none the wiser.
As citizens of this state, we need to mark this down in our book so we remember when Pat Quinn asks for your vote next year. The state of Illinois has been hit hard by the recession. We are home to major manufacturers, such as Chrysler, Ford and Caterpillar - all of whom have been hit hard and seen thousands of employee layoffs. If it were necessary to raise funds for the state to cover expenses, the middle of a major recession is not the time to do this. So here are some alternatives I would suggest...
When the money runs out, stop spending!
When lobbyists and special interests ask for money, just say NO!
Keep the governors limo for a few thousand more miles...better yet, sell the limo and buy a Ford Focus!
Turn off the lights in the governor's mansion.
Instead of extravagant catered dinners for your "business" events, buy a box of burgers at the grocery store and toss them on the grill. I can even agree to a slice or two of cheese - processed American.
Instead of staffing the Secretary of State License Facility with a deadbeat at every station, have them learn to multi-task, like every other working stiff in the state. If you can run a cash register, I am confident you can be taught to take a picture.
Here's the bottom line...until you cut every penny of unnecessary spending out of the budget, I do not want to hear a word about increased taxes, reclassification of goods, revenue enhancement plans or whatever the buzzword of the day might be. If the state is taking money out of my pocket, there is only one word for it, TAX!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Sign Of Things To Come???
The life of a party chairperson is weighed down with many things. Among them, I must do research constantly so I can be somewhat knowledgeable about the things I talk about here. My research today, brought me to the GoArmy.Com website. Don't ask me why; I just want to know what my military is doing around the world.
I was floored by a job posting I found on this website. The Army is recruiting soldiers to work in internment and resettlement camps. At first I thought, well, we have POW camps in Afghanistan, Iraq and who knows where else. Then I thought, most of those camps are protected by the Marines - the worlds hardest working and toughest of our Armed Forces. THen again, I do not recall hearing them called internment camps. The last time I heard that term when used in an American military context, was in history class when I learned about the Japanese internment camps that were opening on our soil, during world war II.
During his campaign, Barak Obama talked of a national security force. Like the healthcare mess, he painted it pretty and covered the smell with rosey words. However, when I heard "national security force", a chill ran down my spine. THe Gestapo and KGB were national security forces.
We are hearing the arrogant and insulting comments made by the Obama administration, when describing the overwhelming opposition to the proposed healthcare plan. We can see YouTube videos from Town Hall Meetings around the country where honest, hardworking Americans are asking simple questions and looking for honest answers, only to be shouted down by the speakers or carried out by security.
Fellow Americans, if our lawmakers are bold enough to thumb their noses at voters with legitimate concerns and questions, you can rest assured, this plan will be passed, regardless of what you and I think. It will be forced upon us just as sure as communism was forced upon Eastern Europe. The politicians do not care what you think.
So I ask, what is the intention of these internment camps? Are they for foreign POW's or are they for the decenters here in this country? Are they for people fighting against our principles or are the for the people fighting to uphold our principles.
I am not Paul Revere and I am not sounding the alarm, but as an American, I am opening my eyes much wider and watching very close. If you care about your way of life, it is time for you to open your eyes as well. We are at a turning point in our place in history. How we vote and how we participate in the process will determine how this chapter will be written in history books of the future.
I was floored by a job posting I found on this website. The Army is recruiting soldiers to work in internment and resettlement camps. At first I thought, well, we have POW camps in Afghanistan, Iraq and who knows where else. Then I thought, most of those camps are protected by the Marines - the worlds hardest working and toughest of our Armed Forces. THen again, I do not recall hearing them called internment camps. The last time I heard that term when used in an American military context, was in history class when I learned about the Japanese internment camps that were opening on our soil, during world war II.
During his campaign, Barak Obama talked of a national security force. Like the healthcare mess, he painted it pretty and covered the smell with rosey words. However, when I heard "national security force", a chill ran down my spine. THe Gestapo and KGB were national security forces.
We are hearing the arrogant and insulting comments made by the Obama administration, when describing the overwhelming opposition to the proposed healthcare plan. We can see YouTube videos from Town Hall Meetings around the country where honest, hardworking Americans are asking simple questions and looking for honest answers, only to be shouted down by the speakers or carried out by security.
Fellow Americans, if our lawmakers are bold enough to thumb their noses at voters with legitimate concerns and questions, you can rest assured, this plan will be passed, regardless of what you and I think. It will be forced upon us just as sure as communism was forced upon Eastern Europe. The politicians do not care what you think.
So I ask, what is the intention of these internment camps? Are they for foreign POW's or are they for the decenters here in this country? Are they for people fighting against our principles or are the for the people fighting to uphold our principles.
I am not Paul Revere and I am not sounding the alarm, but as an American, I am opening my eyes much wider and watching very close. If you care about your way of life, it is time for you to open your eyes as well. We are at a turning point in our place in history. How we vote and how we participate in the process will determine how this chapter will be written in history books of the future.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Inmates Are Running The Asylum
We live in the great State of Illinois. We enjoy four seasons every year, we can drive a couple hours and see anything from the second largest city to cattle grazing. It is a state with a down-to-earth, home-town attitude. It is a state that has the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and many other minor league teams (joking).
However, it is not all bliss here in Illinois. We have a State government which has been managed and manipulated by Cook County corruption. Despite the fact that our state is populated with 13 million people, we are controlled by the 3 million that reside in Cook County. From it's politicians to it's labor union leaders to it's special interests, there are 10 million people who are forced to pay punitive taxes and are subject to laws and regulations for the sake of the 3 million residents in Cook County. Actually, it is not the residents that are forcing us to suffer, but the far-too-many criminals running the Cook County government that are holding the rest of the state hostage.
For example, gang crime is increasing at a frightening pace in Cook County, yet the citizens of Illinois are not given the right to carry concealed weapons. How much would crime be affected if you can carry a handgun for your own protection or for the protection of your friends and family? How likely would it be for a punk to confront you if he did not know whether or not you were packing heat?
Chicago is now in a battle with Wal Mart over the addition of another store into the city. Wal Mart and the people in the neighborhood would love to have a store where they can work and purchase goods at a competitive price. Yet, the labor unions have used their power to influence the City of Chicago, not to allow Wal Mart to open in the city. So what's next? The people in this neighborhood continue to live off the government and shop at a corner grocer, paying prohibitive prices for everyday goods?
The next governor of this state must be prepared to face the city of Chicago and the labor unions head-on and withhold funding until they are convinced that ethics, not greed or corruption, must be the law of the state. It's time to tell the gangsters running the city, that their days of reigning by threats and influence are over. It's time for the people of this state to elect someone with the courage to "just say no!"
However, it is not all bliss here in Illinois. We have a State government which has been managed and manipulated by Cook County corruption. Despite the fact that our state is populated with 13 million people, we are controlled by the 3 million that reside in Cook County. From it's politicians to it's labor union leaders to it's special interests, there are 10 million people who are forced to pay punitive taxes and are subject to laws and regulations for the sake of the 3 million residents in Cook County. Actually, it is not the residents that are forcing us to suffer, but the far-too-many criminals running the Cook County government that are holding the rest of the state hostage.
For example, gang crime is increasing at a frightening pace in Cook County, yet the citizens of Illinois are not given the right to carry concealed weapons. How much would crime be affected if you can carry a handgun for your own protection or for the protection of your friends and family? How likely would it be for a punk to confront you if he did not know whether or not you were packing heat?
Chicago is now in a battle with Wal Mart over the addition of another store into the city. Wal Mart and the people in the neighborhood would love to have a store where they can work and purchase goods at a competitive price. Yet, the labor unions have used their power to influence the City of Chicago, not to allow Wal Mart to open in the city. So what's next? The people in this neighborhood continue to live off the government and shop at a corner grocer, paying prohibitive prices for everyday goods?
The next governor of this state must be prepared to face the city of Chicago and the labor unions head-on and withhold funding until they are convinced that ethics, not greed or corruption, must be the law of the state. It's time to tell the gangsters running the city, that their days of reigning by threats and influence are over. It's time for the people of this state to elect someone with the courage to "just say no!"
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