The editors of the Chicago Tribune have an interesting take on why we keep electing the same leaders in Illinois:
Evidently, it’s Stockholm syndrome, the tendency of some hostages to bond with their captors. How else to explain Illinoisans’ habit of re-electing lawmakers who chronically spend and borrow billions more than taxpayers supply? The result: huge debts and unfunded obligations that will make this an unaffordable state for employers and workers to build a future.
They want us to snap out of it and clean house in the next election. And they’re running a series of editorials aimed at convincing voters to do just that. The first one — “A call to arms” — ran last Sunday, December 27. Today’s editorial is “Splurge. Borrow. Repeat.” While they’re obviously talking about state government, I think this can be applied to other levels of government as well — specifically in regards to fiscal irresponsibility:
If you enjoy the political culture as is — with the next corruption scandal never far off and with your public officials borrowing future generations into penury in order to prop up today’s treacherously uncontrolled spending — then you should support candidates who’ll protect the status quo. If, however, the failure of too many politicians to make urgently needed reforms infuriates you, then reach for a broom.
We hope you’re among the millions who are infuriated. And we hope you’ll reach for that broom.
Politicians at all levels of government are addicted to debt. The City of Peoria paid almost 11 cents of every dollar toward debt service in 2009 — a percentage that will go up in 2010 as the city cuts operational costs while simultaneously taking on more long-term debt. The next City Council election is in 2011 when all the at-large council representatives come up for reelection.
June 14th-21st filing deadline for nominating petitions for independents and ‘new’ party candidates for County, State, and Federal offices. Petitions can be circulated starting March 23rd.
It’s too late to get on the ballot as part of an ‘established’ party. (GOP, Dems, Greens, any others?)
Of course the Chicago Tribune knows this. How convenient of them to call for major change long after the principle filing deadline has passed. The Trib has long been a shill for the Republican Party. In calling for a ‘revolution’ they are basically asking that folks vote Republican. Well… with as dysfunctional as the GOP in Illinois is, that is no revolution at all.
I agree we need a ‘revolution’. We need to throw off the dominance of both parties. We need a serious third party of the center, that can win many seats.
Mahkno, given the timing and circumstances as they are, however, what would you suggest to the voters?
Not to vote for any incumbents. Wipe the slate clean of the old guard.
I would suggest that the public push for a ‘new’ party(s) that better reflect their values. Anyone who was thinking of running but concerned that they were not ‘inside’ enough with the two main parties, should take another look.