Sunday, March 20, 2011

More Shortshanks Revelations

Remember when Shortshanks insisted the City Council wasn't a "rubber stamp"? That they could think on their own and vote any way they saw fit? Yeah, not so much actually:
  • Dissenting perspectives on Chicago's City Council over the last four years were limited to a handful of aldermen, a new analysis of council voting patterns finds, allowing outgoing Mayor Richard Daley to press his agenda with huge voting majorities.

    "The Last of the Daley Years," a report released this morning by University of Illinois-Chicago political science Professor Dick Simpson and his staff, tracks how often the city's 50 aldermen split from the Daley administration's priorities. The report only measures aldermanic agreement or disagreement with Daley on divided roll call votes, where at least one council member cast his or her ballot against the executive branch's position on an ordinance before the council; it does not judge the contents of an ordinance or resolution.

    Daley's power to keep aldermen by his side increased over the last four years versus the previous council term. "The 2003-2007 city council voted with the mayor on average 83% [of the time] and the current 2007-2011 city council has voted with the mayor 88% of the time," the report says. The mayor lost no votes over the past four years. He never used his veto power to reject any council-driven ordinances.

Never a better argument for term limits.

And it is certainly amusing that all these stories critical of the way Shortshanks ran things, covered up things, drove the entire city to the verge of bankruptcy, are just now seeing the light as his reign of incompetency comes to an end. The fourth estate pretty much proved useless over the past two decades.

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23 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Consider Daley's performance this week, regarding the groundbreaking for the newest big-box discounter.

He ranted like a rev, chanting about how 'they' didn't want you to have this! 'They' tried to keep this business out! And, now, it's okay! Why? Why!? Is it ELECTION TIME? Yeah, THAT'S WHY!

I was waiting for an 'amen'.

I guess it's all forgotten that Daley himself was against the big-boxes coming into the city, then did a miraculous, last-moment turnaround.

All of a sudden, this guy's on the "love me, love me" tour.

3/20/2011 12:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Useless and worthless. Thats why they are all going out of business.

3/20/2011 12:27:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do we need 50 aldermen? Why?

The entire state population is about 13 million people and we have 2 senators and 18 representative in Washington.

The population of Chicago is under 4 million people. We should easily be able to cut that number in half and save some big bucks in the process.

The number of aldermen is WAY out of line. Cut the number. Close the ward offices, put the personal security details back on the streets. Elect tech-savvy aldermen that know how to reach out to the communities. If 20 people can cover ground for the entire state surely 25 people can cover Chicago.

3/20/2011 01:37:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"...as his reign of incompetency comes to an end."
-------
He may have looked incompetent to those who expected an efficient, fiscally responsible administrator. But for the members of the 'family', he was perfection itself.

Rahm probably won't slam Daley directly and openly, but watch for the leaks after he takes office in 60 days. I'm not painting him as our saving grace, but he will want people to see what a great gift he is to the City. Should be some interesting stuff.
Therefore, after 16 May, we'll learn a lot of money has gone missing, and we may even learn where some of it has gone.

3/20/2011 03:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, SCC how does one get a 'two time election limit' put on the ballot? I (and I'm sure a lot more Chicago residents than me) feel that the positions of Mayor, as well as ALDERMAN, should be elected posts of no more than 2 terms. This would cut down on 'needless pensions', and also ensure that none of our local politicians are in office long enough to set up their own political fiefdoms, a la Burke, Rugai,Hairston, Stone, Mell, and others. The only way this shit is going to cease here is if we, the voters, leave mechanisms in place to move these folks out on a regular basis.

3/20/2011 04:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

from the Sun-Times:

"Devine is a longtime friend of the Daley family. Now in private law practice, Devine represents Vanecko’s older brother, Robert Vanecko, in a lawsuit stemming from $68 million that five city pension funds hired his firm to manage."

http://www.suntimes.com/4384770-417/alvarez-not-enough-evidence-to-charge-daley-nephew.html

Devine is still sucking Daley cock to OUR detriment. This is how it works, all for the benefit of the Daley family, they steal and lie and murder, no one can touch them.

Don't ever expect justice from Anita Alvarez either, she was top assistant to Devine, she is in the evil den of thieves too.

3/20/2011 08:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Why do we need 50 aldermen? Why?


3/20/2011 01:37:00 AM


Because many of those alderman and their suckhole ward workers can do nothing else and need employment.

They'd all be carrying LINK cards if not for elective city office.

There is not another city in the United States with this many alderman.

Similar situation in the police department, way too top heavy with bosses and their staff.

3/20/2011 08:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Orr was Mayor once, he would be good but he knows he won't get it again unless someone dies.

3/20/2011 09:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"The 2003-2007 city council voted with the mayor on average 83% [of the time] and the current 2007-2011 city council has voted with the mayor 88% of the time," the report says. The mayor lost no votes over the past four years. He never used his veto power to reject any council-driven ordinances.Never a better argument for term limits.
Explanation:
Out of fifty (50) individuals on the city council, there's only one (1)Republican.
Co-inkydink? I think not.

3/20/2011 09:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The number of aldermen is WAY out of line. Cut the number. Close the ward offices, put the personal security details back on the streets. Elect tech-savvy aldermen that know how to reach out to the communities. If 20 people can cover ground for the entire state surely 25 people can cover Chicago.

3/20/2011 01:37:00 AM

In a perfect world we would put the 25 Aldermen in the 25 Districts and save all that money on staff and office space. Put them in the old CAPS office and give them one PO and a secretary for leg work and community interface.

Aldermen could answer to the District Commander and work under the Watch Commander. Now that would have some community input. Hey, I just killed 25 Aldermen and CAPS! I JUST SAVED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS! You're welcome.

3/20/2011 10:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

3/20/2011 04:33:00 AM



instead of '2 term' limits, why not 'no consecutive term'?

eliminate the possibility of any elected office being held by an incumbent.

and make all elected offices non-pensionable.

being an elected public official is not a career choice, it's a service to the public stint, no more or less important than enlisting for a single tour in the military.

3/20/2011 10:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do you think the new Mayor will be Different?What does he know about being a P.O., a teacher or a trash collector. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and never had it removed . He doesn't care about the working middle class. He just wants to take from us and give to some welfare sucking ghetto mutt.

3/20/2011 10:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why does the media not pick up on this stuff?

3/20/2011 11:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe in "certain" wards, term limits might work to inspire new
candidates with new ideas to run
for city offices.
However in west and southside wards
it won't work because they continue
to return the same old tired yokels
and bozos to office each election
cycle. Example: The 24th Ward had
18 people running for the job of
alderman. Sixteen of them got
eliminated and we end up with Dixon
and recycled Chandler in a Run-off.
That's a damm shame and it does not
bode well for the intelligence or
the integrity of the citizenry.
It appears that some Chicagoans are
so afraid of change tha they will
tolerate anything, even if it is
detrimental to their health, well-
being or finances. So when the powers that be pi** in your face and try to convince you it's rain
in your best interests, don't say
we didn't warn you. Just roll over
and close your eyes while they stick their hands in your pocket or
purse and help themselves to what-
ever you are willing to let them
take.

3/20/2011 01:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Hemet Fan said...

The City of Los Angeles has a larger population than Chicago. Its city council has only 15 members. Also LA includes most of the San Fernando Valley, San Pedro, LA Harbor, & Hollywood. I hope I did not leave anything out. But imagine, just 15 members! Chicago, what are you waiting for???? Go for it!!

3/20/2011 01:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think that a lot of people are just wishful thinking. I have heard the crys and promises of reform many times before. Remember. jane Byrne? Remember, harold Washington? Now Rahm? Lets wait and see. There are powerful political forces in this state that have formed their own class of people. People who get jammed in one government job just resurface in another govt. job, over and over again. Remember Quarters Boyle? Look what happens to those who play ball with the combine and keep their mouth shut. They form companies after they leave govt. service and get great govt. contracts. If they go to jail, when they get out they get great jobs with McCormick Place or Navy Pier or some private company with ties to the combine. At this point, I am just taking the old wait and see attitude. I do not trust any of them and I do not believe any of them. The alderman or the Illinois state legislature would have to vote to reduce the number of alderman or impose term limits. Do you really think that they would do that?

3/20/2011 01:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And now Mr. ShortStub is in Commie China getting help for his future finances. What a POS.....

3/20/2011 06:28:00 PM  
Anonymous The Box Chevy Phantom said...

Heh...

Hush that sassy talk SCC!

The media wouldn't say shit to the stuttering prick if they had a mouthful of it but damnit to hell if they won't rummage through a Copper's dresser and display their drawers sunny-side up for the world to see.

They and their families should be camped out on the banks of the Sanitary and Ship Canal dressed in rags and chasing rats to have on the side with the pork 'n beans for dinner...

Only The Policeman can lay claim to anything remotely resembling integrity... And the media finds that particularly galling. That's why their all in in the shortshanks propaganda campaign to discredit, marginalize and destroy The Police.

Viva Hate for twenty years of them turning a blind eye to this shit to protect that miserable little circus pick-pocket.

3/20/2011 07:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Orr was Mayor once, he would be good but he knows he won't get it again unless someone dies.

3/20/2011 09:09:00 AM

Mr. Chalkie! Paging Mr. Chalkie!

3/20/2011 10:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

3/20/2011 01:37:00 AM


Because many of those alderman and their suckhole ward workers can do nothing else and need employment.

They'd all be carrying LINK cards if not for elective city office.

There is not another city in the United States with this many alderman.

Similar situation in the police department, way too top heavy with bosses and their staff.

3/20/2011 08:53:00 AM

Hell, IF the Toddler gets his request for unemployment turned down, can a link card be far behind???

3/20/2011 10:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Chalkie! Paging Mr. Chalkie!

3/20/2011 10:24:00 PM




you do know this kind of request usually backfires on ya, don't you?





Chalkie

3/20/2011 11:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And now Mr. ShortStub is in Commie China getting help for his future finances. What a POS.....

3/20/2011 06:28:00 PM

And he says he wants Chicago to be the most China-friendly city in the U.S.
Can you say CERTIFIABLE?
Me, I'd like to see Chicago be the most UNITED STATES friendly city in the country. What a novel idea.

3/21/2011 12:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can just imagine having fewer aldermen with so many more constituents....can you imagine the power that the would wield????

3/21/2011 09:58:00 PM  

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