Michael1942's Blog

Each day I read an opinion from someone who either assails on the President, Congress or one of the major parties. This is all honorable and better than silence but what happens in the voting booth? If only one quarter of the eligible voters would vote outside of political party lines, ignore the innuendos, sound bites and other semi truths we could end up with better quality representatives. Each of us would love to see our own ideal representative in office but it just won’t happen. These office seekers are human beings as we all are and are capable of the same failings. Keeping this in mind while trying to glean some truth from the seemingly endless assault from the seekers on the airwaves, on yard signs and posters is difficult at best when it is time to actually vote . The only thing we have to remember is that if an office holder exceeds more than two terms and we allow it, then we are at fault. The longevity of an office holder term is a gateway to failures and mistakes that have long range effects. We can talk about what this party does or does not do compared to another until the election arrives and after but that is why we are deluged with the media ads and in your face signs. This is the smoke and mirrors of politics.

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We all are aware (or should be) that our Congress is full of fallen idols, empirical officials and generally (seemingly) honorable people that we have “pedestalized”. The recent flap about Mr. Rangel is nothing new but it has allowed the opposing party to go on the attack to oust him and embarrass the other party. All of this high profile information is designed not to inform the public but denigrate the good works by this Congressman. It is true that he should be punished for any wrong doing on his behalf but this should not be used as a way to sway voters from one party to the other. Each of the major parties has failed the voters and these very public outpourings to garner votes is an indication of the poor representation they have provided to the voting public while possibly committing the same kinds of transgressions in some fashion. Lets remember some past political luminaries who have fallen and now are attempting to creep back in favor with the same innuendo and pot shots that offer no real information or substance to support their positions. The political establishment is peppered with poor representatives who under the guise of public service are only serving themselves.
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Under the guise of improving the quality of service within the organization and the programs it administers, a local non profit hired a Lawyer who had been investigated by The Hearing board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. While the results may not result in any fines or punishment, it is certainly not a good impression for the Non profit’s image.This person has no knowledge of how the agency operates and what its needs are but he apparently is useful as legal figurehead. The work put forth by this individual is more of a hatchet man than a useful adjunct to the agency. this brings me to this point: Illinois is an “at will State”, this means you work at the behest of the employer. This non profit has exhibited a mindset of walking on the backs of its workers and used this semi legal person to accomplish this in a semi legal fashion. In some states the workers do not need Unions because they are “right to work ” states. Right to work states pay better on average than at will states even though the cost of living is lower. This amounts to treating workers like human beings and not slaves. There will always be instances of companies literally enslaving their workers but most appreciate the work done and acknowledge on a daily basis. Locally in Lincoln land the plantation is alive and well.

There ought to be one day – just one – when there is open season on senators.
-Will Rogers-
This was spoken by a humorist many years ago but unfortunately it is more true now than it was then. Now open season is a hunting reference and while we really can’t indulge that fantasy, we can expedite a similar means to an end in the voting booth. All of the so called “political power hitters” are extolling the virtues of their party, the non virtues of the opposing party and independents however not one of them has a clue as to what their constituency really needs. They have spent so many years cultivating a smooth plausible answer for most of their actions but immediately jumping on any available bandwagon that they think will excite their constituents to flock to them via public forums or nowadays electronic means. The unresolved issues facing the American voters are based in an economy that was flushed down the toilet by Congress (both parties) over the past 50 plus years and the constant stream of sound bites, innuendoes and outright lies that serves to divide the voters over Race, religion and personal convictions. It is of no consequence that an elected top official is Black, White (or anything in between) and what their religious preference happens to be, what should be considered is: will this person do what it necessary to get our economy back on track? None of the necessary methods to correct these problems have come about with current group but they have steadfastly insisted that the other party has not allowed them to help and if we give them another opportunity they will correct all of our ills. Rallying cries do not solve problems, people do and we need new people.

We have been subject to countless hours of listening to Television and radio spots that extol or decry the virtues of a political aspirant or existing politicians yet we never hear anything of substance that clearly defines either candidate. The truth (if we ever hear it) would possibly curdle in their mouths like spoiled milk. We as voters have been assailed by more innuendo and half truths to the point that we just of point and shoot in the voting booth. We are faced with folks who try to convince us that they have the answers or the ability to solve the economic problems we face. Let’s look at recent newbie’s on the job, understanding that they can do nothing unless the veterans allow it. The old timers are busy doing the “fast shuffle” to cover their rears. This leaves the voters in a situation that calls for the not so neutral position of booting the old guard out and taking a chance that the new guys will do better or else!