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Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

unclesam — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 23:51:49 -0000

To Bill,
There is another reason why state workers have been unable to leave state employment for the private sector over the last four years. Blagojevich has made it so expensive for companies to operate in Illinois, that they no longer have the money and resources to create jobs, especially jobs that would actually pay a person what they are worth. Last time I checked, the only positions available are at WalMart, Target, and other major retailers. Granted, it's a job, but not the type of quality job most state workers are looking for.

It's just like the old Clinton saying: "it's the economy, stupid." However, it order to have true economic growth, there has to be growth in actual, high quality jobs. Unfortunately, the policies of this current administration have killed almost any chance of real job growth over the last four years. IL still lags far behind the nation in job growth since the recession caused by 9-11. While the rest of the nation has recouped those jobs, and their job creation continues to grow, IL STILL HAS YET TO RECOUPE ALL OF THE JOBS LOST AFTER 9-11. That's fact.

And it appears that Blago still has no plans to encourage any significant job growth in Illinois, except for his "friends." Worthless.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

RealTime — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 21:41:13 -0000

Rich -

Blagojevich called Topinka and Birkett "scoundrels" - not the whistleblowers.

I can see where you might have thought otherwise by the article you linked, but if you had heard the entire exchange you would know that he was asked to respond to Birkett's comments.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

angry & outraged — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:18:00 -0000

Blago forgot some adjectives such as derisory, farcial, gelastic & preposterous!

Illinois Tollway whether you are past or present all this attention has not stopped the creating of jobs for his hacks! I agree God Help Us All if there is another 4 more years and the way the Tollway is acting they are confident he will be here another 4 more years!

And for you "Bill" I got my job by filling out an application-No Clout!. Hate to disappoint you!

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:15:33 -0000

Krol needs to learn how to use the word proverbial and then quit over-using it.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

state worker A — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:08:03 -0000

To Downstate 2:05, yes the numbers are staggering, at IDOT in my District/Region, we have hired closed to 60 political hacks. Not one has an engineering degree, but it sure is funny how some have been place in engineering positions, now call Ã¢â‚¬Ëœmanager positionsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢. We have hired representative girlfriends, the girlfriendÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ friend, girlfriendÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s girlfriend (no mistake), kids of friends, plumbers, music teachers, do-nothings, high school kids, political science, paralegal, bar maids, and this is just the people who come to the office. We have a couple that have never been seen. One came in about two years ago (straight out of high school) making more then the lady whose position he eventually took when she got so disgusted with him sitting there playing computer games all day and she retired after 30+ years. They had to hire her back for 75 days to correct all the mistakes he made doing the payroll.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Arthur Andersen — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:46:19 -0000

The post re: Levine seems to further indicate what many commmenters here have been saying for months. Rich said it as well in his comments.

The Current Occupant is in a very uncomfortable position right now.

He has no way of knowing what evidence the Government has amassed in each of ten investigations. He has been interviewed by the FBI.

He is certainly aware that a handful of his closest political associates are subjects, if not targets, of the investigations related to Levine.

He may be aware that dozens, if not hundreds, of State employees and contractors have been interviewed by Federal agents and testified before grand juries as part of those investigations.

He is aware that USA Fitzgerald has a 100 percent conviction rate in political corruption cases.

These types of comments are probably as good as he can do under the circumstances.

Arthur Andersen
aka Scoundrel #165

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

State Worker given up — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:08:53 -0000

To Bill...

I'm not sure what you mean by "not exactly true". I was hired by the state in September of 2001. Right after I was hired, the hiring freeze took effect. By the time my annual evaluation came around, raises had also been frozen. I did receive a 4% raise in December of 2005, however, that merely replaced the 4% I lost when Rod took it for his pension plan. So...I have not received a raise in 5 years. Now...regarding your question about leaving and going to the private sector, there's not a lot to choose from out there.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Huh? — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:08:04 -0000

Has anybody noticed that the longer the negative words to discredit a foe, words like absurd, ludicrous, ridiculous, outlandish, scoundrels, the closer they are to getting caught?

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

IL Tollway — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:51:33 -0000

To: - Bill - Friday, Sep 8, 06 @ 4:41 pm

Are you a state employee?

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

C.L.I.C.K. for Justice and Equ — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:50:55 -0000

I think Blagojevich has a lot of nerve calling the whistleblowers scoundrels suggesting he inherited the mess he is in today. He surely did not inherit the mess he allowed to flourish between AFSCME, the union, and the Gateway Foundation at Sheridan Correctional Center. I am a Counselor III doing contract work for Gateway who shares employment responsibilities with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)/Sheridan.

AFSCME is the bargaining unit for some of the counselors at Sheridan. AFSCME created a strike on June 6, 2006. I am not a member of the union. I attempted to cross the picket line but IDOC locked me out of my job because I did not strike stating I was a security risk but allowed similarly situated employees to cross the picket lines. I was not able to go back to work at Sheridan until September 7, 2006.

I filed for unemployment benefits but was denied even though I met the criteria pursuant to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act, sections 601 and 604. On September 7, 2006 I called about my appeal and I found out that AFSCME represents the employees of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This raises new questions, which I have not received answers from as the date of this writing.

I have written Blagojevich's office several times about this fiasco. I posted and published the details on my websites at http://clickforjusticeandeq... and http://clickforjusticeandeq....

Who is the scoundrel? Why isn't the public aware of this issue?

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Boris Badenov — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:50:37 -0000

Rod is using "scoundrel" in a very insulting way. As a member of the Villains, Thieves and Scoundrels Union I take offense. Then again I am in Local 12, not with these yahoos.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Bill — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:50:06 -0000

State worker,
I feel your pain about the raises even though it is not exactly true. But the question I have is why haven't you moved on to another position in the private sector where you would be appreciated and paid what you are worth.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

State Worker given up — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:45:23 -0000

Gov. Blagojevich seems to be the most corrupt politician Illinois has had in many many years...including the former Governor who may be serving time in prison. Unfortunately, as much as I dislike him and as much as many of you express your dislike, he seems to be untouchable. I work for the State of Illinois and I haven't had a raise in 5 years (I'm merit comp) and I'm disheartened by the fact that I just don't believe he can be beat. I've almost given up hope that there is any light at the end of this horrible tunnel we've been lost in since January 2002. How can we really get this guy out of office??

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Bill — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:41:39 -0000

It is hard to believe because I was awake during the Thompson, Edgar, and, Ryan administrations.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

IL Tollway — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:28:42 -0000

To: Bill - Friday, Sep 8, 06 @ 4:19 pm

I along with a great many past and present Illinois Tollway and I.D.O.T. employees did get there jobs by applying and based upon our credentials did get offered positions - No Clout or connections.
Bill, why is that so hard to believe?

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Bill — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:19:51 -0000

C'mon tollway.
I suppose that you got your job without any help. You just showed up off the street and were hired on the spot because it was so obvious that you would be a hardworking,competent,loyal employee.
Shallow,
I couldn't find Captain Corrupt-o and BLAG LIAR OVICH anywhere is the governor's statements.

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IL Tollway — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:59:32 -0000

The many jobs or offices inside of the various state agencies Blagojevich has set up for his friends is staggering. Their salaries are sinful.
The Illinois Tollway and the Illinios Department of Transportation are ripe with Blagojevich's scoundrels.
Where's the outrage??????????

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Walking Wounded — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:58:36 -0000

Bill,
For once I am in total agreement....I also hope Stu rats them ALL out. Corruption is corruption no matter what the party you're in.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Shallow Pharnyx — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:42:26 -0000

Bill,
The majority used Blago's own words when posting. If they aren't "serious, mature, and intelligent" don't blame us.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Bill — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:18:19 -0000

Thanks, Rich.
I had heard about the delay but you did have me a little leery. I just hope the Stu rats them ALL out. Let's not forget his political affiliation and who his real buddies are.
I guess these previous posts on this topic constitute the "serious, mature, intelligent" discussions I have been accused of disrupting.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

One Man Can Make A Difference — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:05:35 -0000

I take offense to being called a scoundrel like others. However, his statement only insinuates that he is aware that "whistleblower" generally have grounds to their claims, however, their claims don't necessarily make him look good as the Governor and the next possible Governor.

So there you have it, politics take the forefront to creating an ethical government, rooting out corruption, reform and renewal, changing business as usual, ect.

If it doesn't coincide with his political aspirations, then he denounces it.

AN ETHICAL GOVERNOR WOULD ADMIT HIS WRONG OR THE ERRORS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, CALL IT FOR WHAT IT IS, CLEAN HOUSE and then you won't have "scoundrels" blowing the whistle because there would be nothing to blow the whistle on.

I think I'll sue for defamation of character!!!!!!

In regards to U.S Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, it is my hopes, wishes and prayers that he is, as I write this, dotting his t's and i's in the indictments.

I take no position on who should get them only that justice be served for the people of the State of Illinois and the "scoundrels".

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Walking Wounded — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:25:11 -0000

Downstate....what would be even more staggering is the amount of pay the friends and cronies are getting.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Shallow Pharnyx — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:22:51 -0000

DOWNSTATE-
You are a scoundrel for suggesting such an absurd, ludicrous, ridiculous, outlandish thing. You should be ashamed of yourself! You are in time-out until all of Chicago has their say.

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Blago Spinsters — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:15:27 -0000

Oops sorry

Re: Excuses, excuses – Updated x1

Blago Spinsters — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:14:53 -0000

This is just not fair with everybody picking on Rod. Come on you can't believe all those other scoundrels when you have heard the spoken word of Rod. Rod has shown us the way and the light. When there were whistleblowers under Ryan they were just and honest people out to rid the state of the evildoers but that was then, this is now. These liars and make believers under Rod are just trying to bring down a just and honorable man who is being attacked because he is so righteous. If they could only see his hairbrush they would know what he says is true.