$123 million degrades democracy, good governance in Illinois

With some ignominious competitors, such as 758 dead and thousands more shot in Chicago, the most ominous and disturbing Illinois story this year was Gov. Bruce Rauner surpassing a hundred million Washingtons in his anti democratic (that's small d democratic) campaign coffers. Counting the 27 million he dropped on his election, 46 million more to unseat Democrats in the mid-term, and the cool fifty just deposited in his re-election vault, Billionaire Bruce's personal piggy bank to debase Illinois hit 123 million this year. Toss in the millions from his Forbes branded billionaire buddies Ken Griffin, Eli Broad, Joe Mansueto, Tom Siebel and Nick Pritzker II, Rauner's assault on Illinois politics sours over $150 million. 

That must be shouted from the Sears Tower and the John Hancock. That must be placarded and held high at every event Rauner insults with his presence. It must be mentioned at every political gathering of decent folk seeking the most basic state services Rauner has defunded, delayed, denied to achieve his billionaire business agenda. Refusing to implement a state budget for two years is an assault on Illinoisans not capable of insulating themselves from that harm with obscene wealth. 

While Rauner shells out $123 million to buy Illinois, a working single mom can't come up with $123 to pay for child care services Rauner's cut; a student losing state aid can't come up with $123 to pay tuition; a ex-con can't come up with $123 to pay for rehabilitation services whose funding evaporated.

With Governor Rauner it's not 'After moi the deluge'; it's 'During moi the deluge'.