Politics blocking progress in Illinois

Will the 2010 Illinois primary ever end? Both political parties seem trapped by the Groundhog Day results and Bill Murray is nowhere to be seen.

Republicans: The State Sen. Bill Brady v. State Sen. Kirk Dillard gubernatorial contest needs to end. Brady's tiny lead is shrinking but unless there is some transmittal malfunction of the vote - it appears Dillard cannot make up the margin.

Meanwhile Brady has spent the post-primary period stumbling along. He must recognize he is a statewide candidate and find enough dollars to hire a top-rate political campaign team. In a state hemorrhaging dollars of debt - Brady the challenger - is now on the defensive over his idiotic plan to euthanize multiple animals (dogs) at the same time.

Adding to Republican frustration was the performance of rookie lieutenant governor nominee Jason Plummer. Debuting on WTTW-TV Chicago Tonight, Plummer resembled a Jackie Gleason tongue-tied "Chef of the Future" as he choked answering some basic questions. His performance, in a word, was "scary."

Democrats: Top gun Democratic politicians are holding their version of American Idol. They are looking for a running mate for Gov. Pat Quinn and are requesting resumes, references and perhaps videos from prospective candidates. Remember who ever is selected by the Democratic State Central Committee will join Quinn on the ballot. What nonsense. I will say it again. Lieutenant governor candidates should either run in tandem with a gubernatorial candidate in the primary or the office should be abolished. Given the state's problems having concern about the office in either party is simply a vast waste of time and energy.

Now about Illinois' real problems. The Civic Federation and its President Laurence Msall have issued a devastating report on the state's financial picture. Msall claims the state's budget deficit is nearly $13 billion and growing. His organization's plan to resolve this financial crisis is to cut spending by over $2 billion and raise significantly both the state's personal and corporate income tax.

Needless to say, this report has received mixed reviews. Critics and advocates split along philosophical lines with liberals saying yes and conservatives screaming no. However, two points must be understood while the income tax increase debate rages.

First, since 1960 the Republican presidential candidate has carried Cook County only once. In 1972 Richard Nixon won over 53 percent of the county's vote in his landslide statewide win over Democrat George McGovern.

In this same election, at a time when president and governor were elected in the same year, GOP incumbent Gov. Richard Ogilvie was defeated by Democratic newcomer Dan Walker. Ogilvie, a no-nonsense chief executive, lost for one reason: he was the main proponent of the state's first personal income tax law.

Though this election happened over 40 years ago, Illinois politicians who were not even born at this time know this election story very well.

Second, when it comes to income tax increase proposals, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan morphs into a biblical Noah and views the General Assembly as his Ark. He will only agree to an income tax increase if, like in the case of Noah, House members march two by two (Republican and Democrats together) to their green buttons and in unison punch "yes."

In no way will he allow any state income tax increase be labeled a Democratic bill. Thus, those groups and individuals arguing for an income tax increase must recognize that, unless it is bipartisan, it will not happen.

Illinois is teetering on a financial collapse and the big question is: Will the state's politicians be able to piece together a plan to rescue the state? My prediction: Citizens will have to wait until March, 2011 for any real action.