First thing I like to do when visiting my folks in the ‘burbs is pick up the local paper, the Northwest Herald, and see what’s going on around the old stomping grounds.
Ah yes, McHenry County. It’s a swell place. Easy going. Often cited as the last bastion of conservatism in Chicagoland. Don’t interpret that as fiscal conservatism though.
Monday’s headline of the Northwest Herald proudly celebrates: ‘More than a grand slam’: federal budget includes $1.71 million for county projects.
That’s right. Pork. A big fat 2008 federal earmark for McHenry County. To fund something absolutely necessary I’m sure…like…um, gizmos and gadgets for the sheriff’s office! And a groundwater protection plan (more bureaucracy!) and, uh, other vital stuff!
A Christmas miracle!!
Or, as Jacob Sullum states in his article Entitlement Mentality, “the habit of staying popular by pretending your constituents can get something for nothing.”
Congressmen Manzullo and Bean — along with Senators Obama and Durbin — helped secure the funding. But, as the paper reminds us, the real props go to the county and its new lobbying firm, the Ferguson Group LLC. Yes, that’s right. Taxpayer-funded lobbying. Institutionalized. Get on the bandwagon man. Apparently, it’s the road to prosperity.
Fortunately, as the article’s comments reveal, some constituents aren’t so short-sighted:
What is most disturbing about this article is the self congratulatory tone of our neophyte politicians…[County Board Chairman] Koehler and [Finance and Audit Committee Chairman] Munaretto…mixed with the irony that we (McHenry County Taxpayers) have OUR money recycled through some lobby firm so that we (McHenry County Taxpayers) can get OUR money back from the federal government. And what does this convoluted and inefficient (money draining) process yield??? New gadgets for the sheriff, more money for the already stifling public education system and money to “study” groundwater protection…
Nicely put.
The article closes by saying that the county will start working on its wish-list for 2009 federal funds next month. I don’t care that its my old stomping grounds. I’m hoping all they get is a sack of coal.
I can’t say I’ve ever been a part of a really meaningful protest. You know, one that actually makes a difference.
That all changed a couple weeks ago at the “Save Lincoln Square” rally. Its value was confirmed when, last week, affected business owners received word that Alderman Schulter was backing down considerably — three-fourths of the parcels in question came off the list. The “involuntary acquisition” list. Alright!
As Richard mentioned last week, it’s not a complete victory. But hey, I’m pumped! We’re pumped! Let’s recognize the power of grassroots activism. By calling out Alderman Schulter and the powers-that-be, by revealing the unjust government seizure for what it was, by causing a big ruckus and drawing the attention of local media and bloggers, a community overcame authoritarian compulsion and defended what the government had no right to offend — their property.
It’s empowering. And we’re not going to stop. We’re not going to back down. Because, let’s face it, that’s what they want us to do. To sit back and passively take it without question, without making a stir.
A similar situation plays out in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, which — if you weren’t aware — celebrated its 50th anniversary in October. At the risk of losing your attention span, I’ve quoted it below:
“Mr. Rearden,” said the man, “the government needs your Metal. You have to sell it to us, because surely you realize that the government’s plans cannot be held up by the matter of your consent.”
“A sale,” said Rearden, slowly, “requires the seller’s consent.” He got up and walked to the window. “I’ll tell you what you can do.” He pointed to the siding where ingots of Rearden Metal were being loaded onto freight cars. “There’s Rearden Metal. Drive down there with your trucks — like any other looter, but without his risk, because I won’t shoot you, as you know I can’t — take as much of the Metal as you wish and go. Don’t try to send me payment — I won’t accept it. Don’t print out a check to me. It won’t be cashed. If you want that Metal, you have the guns to seize it. Go ahead.”
“Good God, Mr. Rearden, what would the public think!”
It was an instinctive, involuntary cry. The muscles of Rearden’s face moved briefly in a soundless laughter. Both of them had understood the implications of that cry. Rearden said evenly, in the grave, unrestrained tone of finality, “You need my help to make it look like a sale — like a safe, just, moral transaction. I will not help you.”
The man did not argue. He rose to leave. He said only, “You will regret the stand you’ve taken, Mr. Rearden.”
“I don’t think so,” said Rearden.
He knew that the incident was not ended. He knew also that the secrecy of Project X was not the main reason why these people feared to make the issue public. He knew that he felt an odd, joyous, light-hearted self-confidence. He knew that these were the right steps down the trail he had glimpsed.
The City of Chicago will continue its attempt to acquire the remaining properties on the “involuntary acquisition” list. And it will continue to try and use eminent domain in the future, on other properties in other neighborhoods. As it turns out, much sooner than later.
In the words of my hero Andrew WK, “Never let down”.
Coming from the CTA Tattler: “Funding woes got you down? Ride the Santa Train!”.
Really?
Riding the Santa Train will help alleviate my CTA-related worries? Supporting a completely unnecessary expenditure — cited in 2004 to cost about $200,000 by then-president Frank Kruesi — will extinguish my concerns of the endless doomsday-bailout-doomsday-bailout cycle?
Or, maybe just inflate them…
Call me crazy, but I think the CTA needs a heavy dose of internal reform, a sort that — yes — goes beyond getting rid of the Santa Train. Something like what our friends at the Illinois Policy Institute having been touting for some time now. A couple weeks ago, the Chicago Tribune cited their work in an article by Dennis Byrne entitled, “No guts in Springfield, no transit fix”.
Great stuff. Like I said, it talks about internal reform. Not simply relying on external revenue sources as Illinois lawmakers have been proposing — most recently Mike Madigan via casinos. No, these are meaningful, sustainable solutions. The cessation of expansion projects. Using competitive contracting and independent audits. Yes, even increasing fares and cutting some buses.
So how about it Springfield? Give free markets a chance! Hey, once that happens, for all I care every train can be a Santa Train.
Repeal Day? A day celebrating the freedom to drink? Well, alright then!
Yesterday marked the 74th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. Yes, 74 years ago, the 21st Amendment was signed into law (effectively repealing the 18th) bringing joy and merry into the bloodstreams of early 20th-century boozers everywhere. Ah, the freedom to drink alcohol openly and honestly, without fear, without guilt, without repercussions from a paternalistic government.
So, how did I celebrate Repeal Day? One would expect with a few drinks, right? Well, not before first taking care of business. TCB!
That’s right. Last night, Richard and I and hundreds of other activists met up at Chicago Soccer (4839 N. Western Ave) for a community meeting-turned-rally to oppose the city’s use of eminent domain in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Affected parties spoke, sharing how their lives were being destroyed. Community members reinforced their message, bursting forth with related facts and anecdotes. Christina Walsh, Castle Coalition Coordinator for the Institute for Justice, reminded us of the most costless, most effective way out the tragic situation: “apply pressure to the city”.
The crowd responded. Immediately. Passionately. And, most of all, spontaneously. Out of anger, out of concern, out of an overwhelming sense of injustice, 100 or so attendees marched the nine blocks to Alderman Gene Schulter’s office (4287 N. Lincoln Ave).
When they got there, they demanded answers.
Protesting. Chanting. Networking. Clapping. A passion and dedication impervious to the most bone-chilling weather of the season. Hell, I even saw some fist pumping! Crazy, I know!
Curious onlookers stopped and witnessed the phenomenon: a community making its voice heard, emboldened, strengthened, ready for the next fight and confident in its ability to win.
The message to the powers-that-be was loud and clear last night: Hey City of Chicago! Make like prohibition and repeal your plans for eminent domain. NOW!
Now that would warrant a drink.
