CTA Tattler

Everyone forgets about the other factor in this mess, Emil Jones.

Absolutely nothing is going to happen until November when he can go back to work after getting his "raise" that he "really needs" without looking like he is voting for it...essentially the only way it can fail is if the legislature goes back in session and he's not going to let that happen since Madigans crew has already voted it down.

Since he can call or not call his branch into session unless there is a way to do it outside the voting area, it's just not going to happen.

As far as I'm concerned he is the real roadblock to most of the things that need to be done. Madigan is a nice scapegoat (although he's just as much of an ass as the rest) and none of them really want to get things done. They would rather worry about things like "text walking" and cell phones and identity theft brochures than really getting the business done.

If you are tired of "business as usual" then you have a chance to make your voice heard loud and clear....This November vote "YES" for an Illinois constitutional convention. You only get this chance once every 20 years.

The other option is to vote out every incumbent which probably won't happen, but the convention yes vote would definitely send a message to the folks in Springfield who don't seem to have the will of the people anywhere near their priorities anymore (if they ever did).

Now I'll jump off my soapbox and get back to my regular complaining.... ;)

KevinB

The CTA isn't all THAT bad...

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/tdomf/37625/PIC_12~1-500x330.jpg

I'll miss the silly stuff. You should start a new blog, "CTA Breaking News and Political Developments," and post the silly stuff there. :)

[The CTA isn't all THAT bad...]

Those are the new buses that the city is buying to replace the ones on the 22 Clark that don't have bustracker....lol

KevinB

I agree with KevinB - Emil Jones has played at least as significant a role in all this, in that he's blocked the legislature from simply overriding Blagojevich on a raft of issues.

But it's not just Emil Jones - it's the Democratic Senators that put up with him. The whole point of giving a legislature the power to override a veto is to provide a check against a governor whose gone off the deep end, which this one has. But despite ample popular support for going around the governor and governing without him, Jones uses his power to prevent votes to ensure that Blagojevich is still relevant.

It's definitely frustrating, but it's also confusing. What does Jones GET out of supporting the governor? What CAN you get out of a guy whose prospects of getting elected in 2010 are probably comparable to Cheney's?

I like the silly stuff. I can get news that makes me angry anywhere; I rely on the Tattler for my daily dose of CTA crazy. :)

I honestly don't get where all the irritation comes from. Your blog, which had a great premise but not that great of entries, turned into an informative website that keeps thousands of people up-to-date on the very important dealings of the CTA rennovations and accidents, etc. You've now been featured and awarded - what's to complain about? I'm sorry it's not what you want exactly, but you should be pleased, not irritated, that your new readership wants more of the fine reporting and less of the boring stories. Play to thy strengths.

This is Kevin's blog and he can and should write it as he sees fit.
It was built based on the nutty stories and sites from what he's seen and contributed stories. It grew to include relevant news stories particularly during the funding crisis.
Kevin does both the nutty stories and the factual reporting exceptionally well. It's his choice as to what he's going to write each day because it's his blog. Anyone who feels they're entitled to instruct him (as opposed to making a request) on what type of posts he writes is being presumptive. He or she is also free to start their own blog or stick to the newspaper for their reporting.
Many of us enjoy a balance of the odd stories and the factual articles. Are we right or wrong? No, of course not, because the fact remains that it is entirely up to Kevin what is posted each day.

Keep posting the silly stuff Kevin, I love it! I'll always keep my eyes open for it so I can email it to you.

T.

This blog is just like riding the CTA.

Sometimes it's very utilitarian, and all about getting something done, getting some news out.

Sometimes it's all about some damn problem that no one can agree on the best way to get it solved.

And sometimes something funny will just come along, and snap you out of a funk.

It's really too bad when people are so tied-up in their missery that they can't even laugh at something funny that happens right in front of them.

Will all the funny stuff be material worthy of a Second City skit? No. (But then again there's a lot of stuff in Second City skits that aren't worthy of being in a Second City skit. --rimshot--) Some things are just little grins. Some are belly laughs. Sometimes you have to think a bit to get the humor. Sometimes if you think too much you won't see the humor.

Now, as for today's topic, tinkering with the constitution makes me nervous. Yeah, there are some things I think should be changed, but there are things other people think should be changed that I don't think should be touched.

I worry that this is like letting a lion into our house to solve a problem with mice. What else is going to happen? And once the lion gets the frige open, will he even care about the mice?

Sometimes while flying, I think it would be nicer if we had some fresh air. But I'm not sure I want to open the door to get some.

Rusty, what constitutional tinkering are you referring to? Couldn't see a reference to any constitutional changes earlier in the thread.

Also, minor correction: Madigan is the Speaker of the House.

Oh... It wasn't Kevin's original post, but KevinB's first reply that advocates voting yes for a constitution convention to correct the dysfuntion in Springfield that's causing so many of the CTA's problems.

I probably should have said "to get back on the more serious topic", as in continuing the discussion, rather than imply I was referring directly to something in the original post. I skipped a step beyond it already. Sorry for the confusion.

It must be there for a reason(const. convention).

I for one would like to see ability to recall our elected officials from the mayor on up.If you can't support a majority of voters, then you don't really belong there. I have a hard time believing that our founders had the jockeying and maneuvering in mind like what happened with the Todd Stroger election.

We can complain about them all we want, but at the same time if WE don't do something about it, then we are the ones to blame.

One of the other things that really gets my goat is that our schools and transportation systems wouldn't be in the situation that we are in if large amounts of money wasn't being siphoned off into the TIF funds with no scrutiny or accountability for companies that don't need the help. It was intedend for a specific purpose(blighted areas) and it's been perverted to be a big slush fund and patronage money with no way to put that accountability back.

If you want a big honking CTA example, the Block 37 thing would be on the top of my list.

Plus, every politician would have that nice sword of recall hanging over his head if he started doing things like raising taxes without exercising fiscal accountability or hiring all his relatives at high salaries and then making our area have one of the largest tax rates in the country.

KevinB

I would totally grok a capital bill.

Re: constitutional convention -- I think they should eliminate the office of governor as well as the state senate and just have a straight-up parliamentary system.

Right now, I could go for a little Parliment/Funkadelic.

Anyone want to vote for another Clinton? This time George Clinton?

"Tear the roof off tha sucka/Tear tha roof off tha muthasucka/We got a brand new funk goin' down." It could be the theme song for the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project....

When I find a more reliable and affordable method of travel, I'll..oh hell, it wont happen.

Could be worse I guess.

Go away Blagojevich you lying sack of crap! You are the most useless governor ever and couldn't find your own ass with two hands and a flashlight.

Slightly off topic, but did anyone else see Radiohead representing the CTA at Loller last night?

Check it out. http://www.lollapalooza.com/2008_files/gallery/day1/default.asp