Illinois smart on abortion, dumb on dope

Desperate women arrive daily in blue Illinois to get a basic reproductive right denied in the regressive red states they call home; a safe, convenient abortion. 
What’s good for these beleaguered ladies is also good for Illinois’ economy: money spent on transportation, lodging, food, and most importantly, quality medical care. 
I’m proud my state provides the opportunity for these abortion seekers to stay out of the back alley and put down the knitting needle. 

Too bad Gov. Rauner is likely to veto HB 40 which would have expanded state paid abortion services to state employees and low income Medicaid recipients; and keep abortion legal in Lincoln’s land should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. 
Though smart on abortion, Illinois is dumb on dope, telling its million adult recreational pot smokers to keep spending their recreational income in the eight states where it’s legal, or worse, the un-taxed underground economy 
Are Illinois leaders waiting until the other 39 states join in the tax bonanza before finally relenting ... or are will they hold out forever? 

While the pot question remains unanswered, Gov. Rauner is poised to veto HB 40, which would have expanded state paid abortion services to state employees and low income Medicaid recipients; and keep abortion legal in Lincoln’s land should the Supreme Coverturn Roe v. Wade. 
Alas, Illinois may choose to stay dumb on dope ... and go dumb on abortion. 

Biss misses chance for teachable moment in gubernatorial race

Biss misses chance for teachable moment in gubernatorial race

Today will be a sad day in Illinois as gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss picks a running mate for the meaningless position of Lieutenant Governor who dares not criticize Israel's seven decade destruction of the Palestinian people. Rookie Chicago alderman and Bernie Sanders delegate Carlos Ramirez-Rosa lost his gig with Biss with these quite measured and valid words on the question of Palestinian dignity and freedom: "The U.S. government has subsidized the oppression of the Palestinian people, and it’s time that stopped. I have not heard much discussion about the relationship of the U.S. with Israel, with divesting from Israel to support the people of Palestine. Not a lot of that was discussed and I think that’s a conversation that needs to be had.”

Much of the civilized world supports BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) as a time honored, non-violent method of encouraging nations to 'do the right thing.' Ending the humanitarian catastrophe Israel has inflicted on the Palestinian quest for dignity, freedom and a homeland is the right thing to do using the right methods. BDS would likely work to free the Palestinian people as it did to free blacks from white Apartheid in South Africa three decades ago. Sadly, the US, which itself exists from resistance to economic and political control of a powerful overseer, stands virtually alone in enabling Israel's continued assault on Palestinian aspirations. While Palestinians endure endless and needless suffering, even a hint of dissent or resistance to Israeli conduct is suppressed in the world's wellspring of democratic debate.

Sen. Biss is a good man and qualified potential governor. Alas, he passed on a chance to use his gubernatorial bid as a teachable moment, for unrestricted debate as well as justice for the Palestinian people.

33% just pawns in Trump's game

Trump won the presidency with just 46% of the vote. His campaign was premised on the racist meme Obama was an illegitimate president borne in Kenya, stoking racist, xenophobic and anti government fears and hatreds throughout. He even encouraging supporters to 'beat up' Trump rally protesters by promising to pay their legal bills. And he's governed since January to that fearful, hateful base, likely having his not so subtle, coded rhetoric partly responsible for the Charlottesville riot. After seven months Trump's base has fallen to 33%, but nearly his every word and deed appears directed to keep them pawns enthralled as he works to undue every sensible Obama advancement. This 33% will likely cheer him on regardless of the damage he's so obsessively causes in their own lives as well as the 'others'... people and groups they fear and despise. Trump stirs up his 33% base at weekly rallies such as he held in Phoenix and just yesterday in Des Moines where they cheered on his disdain for the poor whom he said are unfit to run the country. His loyal followers are clueless they're just pawns in Trump's despicable, divisive game.