The News-Gazette editorial yesterday (click image for larger version) was phenomenal, brilliantly pointing out the hypocrisy of State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson holding a workshop on a Federal pension program like Social Security in light of her much criticized vote (here, here, here, here, here, here, here and especially here) to raid the pension funds of state and University employees to fund pork projects.
The pension raid was an idea originally pushed by Jakobsson's largest donor and political master, Chicago Democrat and Speaker of the House Mike Madigan. And other than Democratic Party solidarity (the plan was passed with unanimous support by House Democrats, including one who later apologized), there were no compelling reasons for Jakobsson to support it - it was clearly putting the interests of her Party and the wishes of Speaker Madigan ahead of the interests of the citizens in the 103rd District. It's been our contention for some time that Jakobsson is a particularly ineffective Representative because she follows the orders of the Speaker rather than think independently about the needs of her district. The pension raid was further evidence.
In the editorial, the NG fails to make one particular point that dovetails nicely with our contention that Jakobsson's unwavering fealty to the Democrats and Madigan is more important than her constituents: The Social Security workshop that she's sponsoring - as stupid as the idea is, given her support of the pension raid - isn't even her idea. It's part of a larger series of statewide hearings sponsored by - you guessed it - Speaker Mike Madigan. Here's a press release with the schedule of hearing from the House Democrats own website - in the headline and press release, these are even called "Speaker's Workshops on Social Security." Not "Jakobsson's Workshop," but the "Speaker's Workshops."
Even on a terribly obvious blunder like this workshop, Jakobsson still follows the orders of Speaker Madigan. Are there really any doubts about who she's truly representing?
I hope teachers will show up at the workshop and ask Rep. Jakobsson if she intends to vote for the second year of the pension raid come next spring.
she doesnt have to vote for the second raid next year. its already in law and scheduled for FY07.
Has anyone ever met a less engaging rep than Naomi?
You know, if the state pensions were "personal accounts" and employees were promised a certain $ contribution per year, it would be illegal for Illinois to do what it is doing with the defined benefit plan money.
We should get personal accounts for both state and federal systems in order to keep the governments from "borrowing" the money - lets hear it for fiscal discipline.
Anon 9:27 ”“ That's what the Dems want you to think.
There WILL BE a second vote on the pension raid next spring when the budget is put together. If they put the funds from the pension raid in the budget, they will AGAIN be voting to raid the pension funds.
If Jakobsson is serious all she has to do is pledge not to support a budget that again raids the pension funds. Don't let her off the hook so easily.
Time for legislation that requires pension payments to be deposited every month in individual accounts so they're clearly off limits to Chicago politicians trying to fund pork projects.
And time for a temporary surcharge to the income tax, effective immediately, and effective until such time as it has replaced the money raided from the pension fund. Sorry if that means that everyone involved will never get re-elected. Should have thought of that before you stole our money.
I think it's obvious who she's representing: the 2/3 of district voters who voted against Feinen and Bush and probably are happy she tows the Democratic party line
Why is the workshop an "obvious blunder" Haven't you seen the polling on social security? People like it and don't want it eliminated. The only people who want their grandparents to have to eat cat food seem to be some of the posters on this site.
The obvious blunder is playing too much politics, unless she's planning to run for Congress instead of the Legislature. The transparency of the attempted distraction from serious state budget issues and debt is too obvious to the press and public.
It's an obvoius blunder because she didn't even bother to ask Congressman Johnson or the Senators to participate. It's a Madigan initative that she has to go along with.
Why is the workshop an “obvious blunder” Haven't you seen the polling on social security? People like it and don't want it eliminated. The only people who want their grandparents to have to eat cat food seem to be some of the posters on this site.
I wasn't aware anyone in the State Legislature had the power to eliminate SS. And nobody on this site is arguing for its elimination. Nice strawman, though. You'll have to do better next time.
"The only people who want their grandparents to have to eat cat food seem to be some of the posters on this site."
A typical uneducated (or intentionally deceptive) attack on changes to Soc. Security. No one has ever suggested that payments to current retirees, or even near retirees, would be reduced. But it does make for good Dem propoganda - "Republicans want to take food from kids, and want grandma to eat catfood."
Every person under 40 should be worried whether they will get any Soc. Sec., or how high the tax will have to be raised to pay for it?
Unfunded liability is a hard concept to understand, but both Illinois and the Soc. Sec. system have MASSIVE liabilities that will have to be addressed by someone, and the sooner you do it the less painful it is.
Unfunded liability is a hard concept to understand, but both Illinois and the Soc. Sec. system have MASSIVE liabilities that will have to be addressed by someone, and the sooner you do it the less painful it is.
Agreed. Let's get the Illinois Legislature working on the one, and Congress working on the other. As long as neither is willing to raise revenues to cover spending, or to curtail their spending to fit within revenues, they are fellow travelers in the same clown car. The sooner we start electing responsible legislators in lieu of partisan hacks, the better off we're going to be. In light of things like the Illinois pension raid and the current Congress' spectacular borrow-and-spend "porkapalooza," I hope every patriotic American makes fiscal responsibility a front-and-center issue in the upcoming campaigns. Gay marriage, abortion, gun control, and the usual wedge issues can damn well wait until the government is able to pay its bills.
If Congress and the Legislature keep increasing the debt, we'll likely see Perot-style candidates again. Jesse Ventura for President would certainly provide lots of entertainment and offer a credible threat.