CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Brennan — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:14:23 -0000

bored now: Does Sims have a challenger? She should.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Taxpayer — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:46:20 -0000

One word to explain Sims' flop: Race. They had Collins' vote, but she hardly pays attention and probably didn't know what she was voting on. Everyone else voted in lock step. Sims absolutely, positively was threatened as a traitor and she caved linke a newly-taxed pop can. So much comes down to race in Illinois, Cook Co., and in the City of Chicago. The race card always trumps--and wins.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Henry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:28:39 -0000

Get rid of the patronage workers...yes, lay them off...stop with the scare tactics, I.e., "cutting essential services".

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

phil — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:28:45 -0000

wordslinger---->case you haven't been paying attention, we are a few steps ahead of you.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

molly — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:23:55 -0000

joe in the know, by "streamlining and maximizing the billing system " are you saying that hasn't been done? If so, you are sadly mistaken my sheep. Stroger already implemented a billing system that captures up to 77% of reinbursable Medicaid funds. Try to get your facts straight before you run that trap of yours!

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Bobs yer — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:08:20 -0000

Sorry folks, this County ain't ready for reform. Just ask Daley....oh, forgot he's traveling to Russia on your dime.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

wordslinger — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:03:18 -0000

==As a Republican, I find strategic value in the Stroger tax, but I can't help but feel disappointed by this vote as I think of the many mom and pop businesses that have failed and will continue to fail because of Democratic Party mismanagemen--

It would be nice if the national, state or Cook County GOP could give these poor souls a reasonable alternative, wouldn't it? Here's an idea: start with kitchen-table economics, and abandon bedroom inspections.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Amalia — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:18:27 -0000

So Butler did not vote to overturn the tax increase? but he supports Preckwinkle? if that's true, he's a bad example of support.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Leroy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:36:16 -0000

Joe - those are good suggestions, but they simply won't amount to the amount needed to cover the sales tax hike. In fact, they wouldn't even dent it.

And your biggest one - eliminating townships in Cook County, would be awkward. What about the rest of the state? Some counties have townships, some don't? And the townships do perform important duties that would still have to be done by county, hurting potential savings.

Like Springfield, Cook is faced with the tough need to raise taxes, otherwise we will be cutting into those who need help the most, especially in these down economic times. If we don't spend the money now, it will only cost us more in the long run.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Joe in the Know — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:19:15 -0000

Leroy, yes there is waste, corruption and nepotism, as there is in all levels of government. I never suggested otherwise.

However, to answer your question, I think you have to start with the symbolic: fire every cousin, 8th Ward appointee (in many cases, this is redundant (cousin and 8th Warder), cut every salary over 100k to more realistic levels (except Doctors).

I would eliminate Township government in Cook County.

I would streamline the health care system, maximize the billing system.

I would overhaul the procurement process to ensure qualified bidders were competing on price not who they know.

I would stop playing basketball at the East Bank Club everyday during work hours and start playing my role as President of the Board.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Leroy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:09:34 -0000

Joe in The Know - And there is no corruption, waste, and nepotism in Springfield? Surely you jest!

So let me ask you this....what would you cut from the Cook County budget to make up the shortfall the tax increase represents?

Remember, the rules are if you advocate cuts, you have to enumerate them specifically, otherwise you are being very irresponsible.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

bored now — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:05:03 -0000

deborah sims isn't voting her district, she's voting with the chicago wards in her district. more than 60% of the 5th cook co. commission district is in the south suburbs, and sims has duly ignored them for years. the south suburbs is getting screwed and deborah sims is holding the coats of the people doing the screwing...

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Hank — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:53:15 -0000

Despite what he has done or not done, Stroger can only be defeated if he has an opponent. I see Davis as a stalking horse but with a strong enough political shadow that Brown and then Preckwinkle drop out. As time runs out, Davis also drops out to stay in Congress leaving Stroger as the Dem candidate to be opposed by the scary Cook County Republican party.
I'll go have another drink now!

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Nort'sider — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:49:28 -0000

Cook County residents may be willing, even eager to vote for change. But not chump change (Tony Peraica).

Stroger vs. Peraica II. Geez. Hemlock or Strychnine?

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Carl Nyberg — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:41:03 -0000

If you were Black and inclined to believe everything bad said about Stroger in the "White" media is a combination of distortions and editorial bias, I can see thinking Stroger did well at the Malcolm X forum.

Stroger was more specific than Brown and Davis about accomplishments.

Preckwinkle was the most specific about her vision. She did not present well.

Brown's supporters made as much noise as Stroger's from my vantage point (stage right, four rows back).

I thought Stroger's cheering section heckling Brown for saying, "It's about dollars and cents, not Black and White," was offensive.

While completely vague on what he'd do Davis performed well minus one quote that will come back to bite him, â€œIf you ain't African-American don't expect to sell me no car.â€

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Joe in the Know — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:24:25 -0000

Malcolm, the real question here is: can you keep from defeating yourself? Try as he might, President Stroger is doing everything, and I mean everything, to ensure his defeat. I, for one, remain unconvinced that he will even run again. God pray he doesn't.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Oneman — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:18:46 -0000

Sales tax icrease, cousins on the payroll. The ads write themselves

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Rich Miller — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:14:40 -0000

===All of you predicted defeat back then===

Um, nope. But I am now.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Malcolm — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:14:01 -0000

I can't wait until February! All the campaigning against President Stroger is firing up the troops! We beat Claypool and Perica in '06, remember? And we will do the same to all oponents in 2010! All of you predicted defeat back then.lol Boy I can't wait! Lol

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Yellow Dog — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:02:22 -0000

The business lobby needs to hire someone who can count to 14.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Black Voter — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:52:13 -0000

Today's Cook County Vote is about the third time flip flopers voted to override this Sales Tax vote! I over my respect to Comm. Sims for her vote today. She DID NOT flip, as the other Commissioners did. On February 29, 2008 @ 11:55 pm the same Commissioners who voted to kill this thing, voted for it! Why did they vote for it? They knew that it was needed for the hospitals and clinics, in addition to the Court System and Jail. Without it, the SUBURBAN courthouses would probably be closed and ALL these "mad" voters would have to make the trip downtown. This is what they did before 1978, then the Courthouses opened thanks to George Dunne. Now because people don't want extra taxes and fees, BUT want services for FREE they say repeal and vote these dummies out of office. The same is with the video poker State Law! Now matter how it came about, it did so to replace the very old roads and bridges. On the other hand, NOBODY wants any thing raised to fix it. Does it take another Minnesota situation to occur in Illinois. If we get rid of video poker do we raise something us to fix the roads? These Commissioners are bucking to all of the media and others who believe anything people tell them. Many layoffs have occurred since this hike occurred in the County, which left many without Health Insurance. Don't let your Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks or Bulls outing result in a health crisis. After all, without insurance you might wind up at a closed Cook County Hospital!

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Ravenswood Right Winger — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:45:47 -0000

I hope the fine voters of elitist and esoteric Evanston vote Larry Suffredin out next election. It was his vote that got the tax passed originally and now he wants a rollback. What a joker.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Rich Miller — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:43:24 -0000

Also, Malcolm, if things are going so well, how do you explain what just happened with the 8th Ward president?

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

Stroger is toast — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:41:01 -0000

Malcolm, bringing 400 patronage workers to stomp their feet and cheer when Stroger talked did not constitue a "win" at that forum. Every major news report and blog - including Cap Fax - saw through that sophmoric tactic. As well they should.

It should come as no surprise that Brown had almost as large a cheering section that night as Stroger, given the number of jobs she controls. Does that mean she finished in a tie for first in the forum? Does that mean Toni Preckwinkle came in last, because although she spoke with substance, she didn't bring a patronage army to shout down her oppnenets? Or was Danny Davis last? He didn't have as many people as Stroger or Brown even though he had home field advantage.

Get real - Stroger's patronage stacked cheering section at the forum fooled nobody and was every bit as silly as Brown's. Todd Stroger is toast, get used to it.

Re: This just in… Sims flips, override fails

nobody nobody sent — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:33:04 -0000

This increase might never have been necessary if Mike Quigley hadn't stabbed Suffredin and Claypool in the back on their alternative to the first Stroger budget. If Quigley hadn't sold the reformers out for Todd then, the patronage waste would have been cut.