2015 was a pretty good year for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. He was inaugurated Illinois Governor and earned taxable income of $176 million. He may well exceed that healthy total in 2016. But Rauner couldn't achieve what he covets most: a pro Rauner concept of government in Illinois that favors the rich over everyone else. He calls it his 'turnaround' agenda and it requires the legislature to approve reduction of union and middle class earning power, end to prevailing wage, right to work for local communities, and reducing the social safety net for the needy.  

After a year long stalemate with the Democratic legislature which refused to approve this draconian agenda, Rauner sought to flip the legislature the rich man's way: buy it. Since the $28 million Rauner spent to buy the 2014 gubernatorial election succeeded, why not spend a little more and flip the Illinois legislature his way. Rauner upped his personal contributions by nearly 70% to $46 million. 

It didn't work. The Republicans picked up only 2 Senate seats and 4 in the House, leaving Democrats with sizable majorities that will never pass his turnaround agenda. And Bruce Rauner can add this corollary to the truism Money can't buy you love: Money can't buy a legislature, either. 

Walt Zlotow

Glen Ellyn

$46 million can't buy love or 'turnaround' agenda

2015 was a pretty good year for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. He was inaugurated Illinois Governor and earned taxable income of $176 million. He may well exceed that healthy total in 2016. But Rauner couldn't achieve what he covets most: a pro Rauner concept of government in Illinois that favors the rich over everyone else. He calls it his 'turnaround' agenda and it requires the legislature to approve reduction of union and middle class earning power, end to prevailing wage, right to work for local communities, and reducing the social safety net for the needy.  

After a year long stalemate with the Democratic legislature which refused to approve this draconian agenda, Rauner sought to flip the legislature the rich man's way: buy it. Since the $28 million Rauner spent to buy the 2014 gubernatorial election succeeded, why not spend a little more and flip the Illinois legislature his way. Rauner upped his personal contributions by nearly 70% to $46 million. 

It didn't work. The Republicans picked up only 2 Senate seats and 4 in the House, leaving Democrats with sizable majorities that will never pass his turnaround agenda. And Bruce Rauner can add this corollary to the truism Money can't buy you love: Money can't buy you a legislature, either. 

Trump's 16 month campaign a 'high crime' against US political culture

It may not be an impeachable offense, though only because he's not yet president, but Donald Trump's entire campaign has been a high crime on America. It began with the racist meme that President Obama may have been the 'other', born in Kenya and not a legitimate president. That was just the start of a vicious, scorched earth campaign of ignorant, personal attacks that blindsided the 16 normal folks running for the GOP nomination; then focused like a laser on Hillary Clinton and the many sub sets of her base, including blacks, Latinos, the disabled, the economically deprived and others. Cheering on violence and thuggery at rallies became normalized in the Trump campaign. Using profanity, offering to pay legal bills of supporters arrested for assault on protesters, disparaging female physical attributes; even threatening to jail his opponent if elected, were far beyond the pail of presidential character and posturing.

Trump's election after his morally debased campaign has brought a spike in hate crimes not seen since anti Muslim attacks following 911. According to Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracts hate crimes and hate crime groups, "Since the election, we've seen a big uptick in incidents of vandalism, threats, intimidation spurred by the rhetoric surrounding Mr. Trump's election. The white supremacists out there are celebrating his victory and many are feeling their oats." Over 200 incidents have been reported, the most serious of which was the shooting of an anti Trump protester in Portland, OR. Other incidents include racist messages posted at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ohio thug banging on the car driven by a Muslim family, yelling at them to leave America, and school children of the undocumented treated to chants of "Build the wall." The Loyal White Knights of Pelham, NC tout their planned December 3rd Trump victory rally on their website, turning Trump's name into the hideous racist acronym TRUMP: Trump's Race United My People.

Donald Trump's road to victory was paved with racism, xenophobia, misogyny, profanity and bullying. That is unprecedented in American history. That is unacceptable. That is unforgivable. The racists and their allies in the Republican Party lusted but failed to delegitimize President Obama throughout his eight classy years as president. Donald Trump has delegitimized himself before even taking the Oath of Office next January 20.

Walt Zlotow

Glen Ellyn