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Last week, Governor Blagojevich's amendatory veto--"improvement" was it?--that seniors be able to ride the CTA for free made our brains explode with both shock and dismay. Shock that he waited until the last minute to unveil this idea, and dismay that it might derail (zing!) the transit funding plans the state legislature so laboriously hammered out. And then today, this treat: He never discussed it with Ron Huberman or anyone else from the various branches of the RTA.
We're still waiting to hear back from the Governor's press office about this, but we're curious: How would free rides for seniors be enforced? Will seniors get a special CTA card? Or can they just get on the bus with their ID? What about when they get on the El? We'll keep you posted if we hear back. Otherwise, insert a picture of our deflated spirit here.
State lawmakers will reconvene later this week to try to pass the legislation, and of course doomsday is still scheduled for Sunday the 20th. [CBS 2, NBC 5]
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Just by asking those questions you show you are more fit to govern than our asshole gov.
Last evening's "Chicago Tonight" devoted its whole hour to mass transit, and even if this funding reform is enacted, the picture will remain dire for the entire region because of billions of backlogged capital needs, a type of problem that puts up a step back in the so-called global economy.
I fear people will breathe a premature sigh of relief should the Hamos plan win approval, forgetting that the funding revision is barely half the battle at this point. And I fear will we fuck up on this problem, too, with the resulting consequences.
They'll still have to raise fares for all non-senior riders because of the $20 million a year this will cost the CTA. And that's just the CTA, no mention of Metra or Pace. Fares won't go up as much as they would have under the Doomsday but when you combine that with the sales tax increase, you're still screwing over people who are living below the poverty line or barely above it. Of course those people don't wield as much influence as old people so it doesn't matter what happens to them. The only thing is, who can take on Rod and the machine in the next election? I don't think Topinka would be any better.
Who can take on Rod in the next election, assuming he can run?
I would look at Lisa Madigan--her dad has a bit of influence, and she's making a good name for herself as AG. Not saying I support her, only that she could prove a tough, tough challenge should our useless leader actually run again.
As for the city, I think the situation is pretty much hopeless as this point. I doubt Daley ever gets indicted, and I doubt he ever loses an election for mayor. He serves as long as he wants, and when he steps down we have a few years of power-grabbing and jockeying and fallout for the new mayor, whose term, if it begins in a few years, likely will see at least a bit of a slide for Chicago, if current trends hold in housing, debt capability and infrastructure gridlock and relatively few fed dollars. I doubt rising property taxes and other factors will force too many machine alderman out, either, as they have too much control over the campaign and election process.
There was a comment by a CTA official saying only seniors from the Six County RTA area will be eligible for the free rides. That means that a RTA senior ID card will be needed.
If this idiocy created by still unindicted Official A does go through, the least the CTA & Pace can do is require seniors can only ride free with a smart card. Otherwise it's going to slow up the system even more when boarding the bus.
And I can't wait for when a healthy looking senior is on a crowded bus & wants a seat & the seated person tells them if they ride for free, expect to stand!
I'm getting a fake ID ready to "prove" I'm 65, just in case.
Blago is a trip. Does he ever talk to anyone? To throw that out at the last second in a very weak attempt to make himself look good for a change is really lame.
Has anyone broke it to him that he is not king? I really hope Ms. Madigan steps up to the plate and shellacs that turd in the next election.
When Obama looses to Hil, maybe he will run for Gov. Madigan doesn't have a chance.
The problem with IL is that administrations become so shit-splattered with scandal that subsequent elections become horrible existensial referendums on "who knew what, when". Lisa is too tied to Blago to do anything worthwhile, as is the rest of the Chicago Democratic Party. And anyone from downstate doesn't have a chance.
Who is it gonna be?
Spav1
A "Gov. O'bama" will continue to cater to the man with his picture in today's Suntimes that shows him “volunteering” at the phone banks on behalf of O'Bama right after h gave a rally speech for O'Bama's shock troops at the O'Bama campaign office.
This man is Chicago’s very own change agent hizzoner Mayor Daley!
But until then, let’s give CTA more millions, because we are too afraid to stand up.
Daley’s well paid Town Crier Ron Hubberman has done a good job shouting “Doom’s Day! Doom’s Day!”
As we cower and hope that when the loot gets handed over to Daley, he won't steal it all, but will kick us peasants who rid his CTA a few crumbs. Maybe he will build a pretty new el station like the ones he built in down town and China town!
Spook:
I hate you. You make no sense. I realize that it is on purpose, but still. Waste of time. Including yours.
O.K Spav1, let me put it in Red Eye format for you
A)
O'Bama is beholden to Daley, so electing him
Governor would be electing an appendage -a subordinate part attached to something- of Daley
B.
O'Bama is not about change. If he was (among other things) then Daley would not be at O'Bama's campaign office doing press photo-ops and giving campaign speeches and pretending to volunteer!
C.
Ron Hubberman's job is to be Daley's Town Crier - in the 18th cen., Town Crier's were elaborately
dressed employees of the King who made repeated public announcements in the streets-, in this case Hubberman spreads fear and nothing else
D
If the state gives Daley any more money for CTA he will steal it or use it to help pay for the 900 million dollars needed to bring the Olympic Games to Chicago
Now don't ever say, I never gave any thing to you, tin man.
Spook: The fact that Daley has mismaged the CTA, and that the CTA has made many boneheaded decisions, doesn't negate the fact that 1) public transit is underfunded; 2) the RTA funding formula is out of date; 3) and the region faces serious challenges should its mass transit system not be upgraded, which includes a strong capital plan and funding structure.
Again, you confuse your own spite with actual policy proposals or desire for progress. No wonder you will remain, forever, on the sidelines of power. I am sure this pleases you, as you seem to enjoy playing the misunderstood but edgy revolutionary hero than actually make constructive suggestions or observations.
Keep playing in the sandbox, kid, as that is all you will ever do.
I think Blago is just hoping that at his corruption trial it's all seniors on the jury.
He will be indicted just a question of when.
So, Spook, is it just hopeless then? Should we all just go home?
Please, wise man of the revolution, hand down more of your hard-won knowledge and experience.
God, you are useless politically.
Matila the Hun Jr., etc all
Man, spending so much time arguing with yall might not only be slowing the revolution, but it might blow my cover. But I’ll bite. I’m in the Spook Cave now, so let me get my notes….,
The fact is that public transit ( remember how much cash goes into this pig trough), might be "underfunded" in Illinois and yes the RTA funding formula is out of date, but it begs many questions if we were serious about better-including alternative- transpiration models- and the environment with respect to public transportation. And let’s remember Illinois gets back more Fed dollars than basically any body else- including "ice tea" funds
So were basically following the mandate of business, instead of real transportation experts like they have housed at say CNT. O.K, but that’s big picture stuff.
With respect to just CTA, U.S/ State funds for transportation are not all linked. Heck the aldercreatures know this which is why they are talking about not passing the real-estate tax. Ald Rick Munoz( 22) says it should be linked to poor seniors ridding free. My point is that it can be separated. Of course we know the Alderman will do what Daley says when he barks. But this is not like a Federal omnibus bill. The state could attach spending mandates to certain state funds, which they won't because it’s Daley. And and and, heck, there is something called Federal oversight. Approve money for CTA and let the Feds monitor it. Yea it’s a crap shoot, but this is pure Black mail. And no one, not Citizen Action Illinois, IVI-IPO, Metro Seniors in Action, John Fritchy, Ira Silvertien, Barbra Flynn Currie, the girl Scoots, etc, will say that the Emperor is not naked, but we are, cause the mutha fu@ka stole our clothes and is wearing them in front of us! But lets beat up on the hapless Blago. Heaven’s knows he’s an idiot and a minor league thief, but the responsibility rest with Daley and again we have forgotten this.
Finally take a peek at the city budget for the last three years and tell me why we deserve a bail out. If so, I will cover the 900 million dollars the city has pledged to raise for the Olympic Games. Remember it was a secret for the last three months and I don't even think it was big local news. But sure just hand over more loot to your Mayor. Maybe if we didn't more people would start asking questions. But I still say yall turning over the loot to daley is no real answere.
Now Matilda, I'm about to say some real, F*cked up mean, disparaging,defamatory,vituperative things about your cyber person.....opps, I'll write them
down and save em for later, time to eat suckas!
Spook: You seem to be under the mistaken impression that you are the only one who has figured out that Daley has fucked the CTA royally since 1989.
Believe me, this is not the case.
Yet to get back at Daley you seem to support sticking it to Metra, Pace and CTA riders, if you follow your druggy logic correctly.
Perhaps if you wrote a simple, direct sentence that did not resemble a would-be Faulkner on acid people could understand your great wisdom.
Or, you could just continue pretending to be a clown. Whatever does it for you, sucka!
Spook:
Sometimes it's difficult to understand what you are are trying to say.
I think that Blago will turn out to be a major league thief, and I do not think anyone with firing synapses and a heartbeat believes that Daley is innocent in any of this. He appointed Kruesi, right? People are starting to ask questions about his corruption, perhaps too little too late. The Emperor is naked, and it's a really ugly site to see. Unfortunately, with newspaper cuts, I think it will be even easier for Daley, et al., to steal from the cash register because now even fewer people will be minding the store.
Remember, most transit across the country is state subsidized, at least in part. From what it sounds like you are saying, you want the city to fund mass transit. Should we also make this city in sole charge of maintaining and financing the roads people drive on? Should the city be a separate entity entirely?
I do not think Huberman is the town crier here. Hasn't he done his homework, more than Kruesi, or anyone else in recent years? Give me solid evidence that he hasn't appeared to do his job in his position so far, and I will listen. He has numbers, figures. He's done research. Unlike Kruesi, he's not crying wolf on this one. Come Jan 20, transit in Chicago will suffer (including the 2400 or so jobs that will be lost as a result) , and we'll have a lot of people to blame: Blago, Madigan, Daley, and the great voters of this city and state that elected them, among others.
If you have the opportunity, try to get a copy of Monday night's "Chicago Tonight". The interview between Phil Ponce and Sheila Nix (Blago's Deputy Gov) is hilarious (it looks like Ponce has to stifle laughter; Nix lies through her pearly-white teeth). Phil Ponce rocks, and if you ever see the man, buy him a beer just for that interview.
Sparky and Tilla
I’ve never said Metra and Pace should be damned along with CTA. I explained that. But here it is again with out the "would-be Faulkner on acid" talk.
Some federal revenue is linked regionally, but most revenue sources are not. Spring field can use a lion’s share of federal and state money to increase funding for Metra and Pace with out funding CTA. So once again it is NOT, a “fund all or none deal”.
Now let me ask you this question, dear sir.
Why is it that for the last twenty years, as Daley continues to rip down poor folk’s homes as part of his land grab, and to create a contract treasure trove for his friends and family, this gets glossed over as “let those lazy poor people get jobs”.
Are the police way thug’n out of, out of control in Black and Brown communities? Nope, cops are just “being tough on crime”.
Daley smothers school reform and uses schools like chess pieces to gentrify poor neighborhoods, while again using school funds as a treasure trove and patronage shop for friends and family, but the only people talking about this are writers for the egg head Chicago Reporter.
Twenty years of screwing over poor people by Daley, but that’s o.k.
But now yuppies and upper middle class white folks ( US) might be screwed (because Daley was also using CTA as his cash cow) and it’s Whooaaa tiger! Let’s slow this down! This is important because it effects Joe- hat wearing backwards- Cub Fan and his girl friend Sue B. Smith. Can’t let this happen, not to us! It’s un American!
Every region in Illinois must bail us out now, even the poorest communities like Ford Heights, Pembroke, Robbins, Maywood, etc!
Now Attila the Hun asked me about options, and I mentioned Federal or state over site of CTA, but I’ve yet to hear back. Perhaps she/he is off harassing the Romans.
But riddle me this Sparky, why do you expect any thing different if CTA gets more money? At least this way, we are having a public conversation about this issue. Of course it’s shallow like after 911, when it was “They hate us just because we are free!”
We blame every body but Daley and ourselves. Now its blame Blago. It’s his fault. Yes you and Attila acknowledge Daley’s f*cked upness, But are we not responsible for electing him?
What do you think happened if folk like us had to walk a bit in the cold? Had to find out what it felt like to not have assumed privilege. I’m interested and I will be walking right long with the rest.
Final question. Let’s look at Cook County’s Stroger Hospital. Last week a front page article in the NY Times detailed wretched conditions and services in county hospitals nation wide, especially in Atlanta. Stroger Hospital was listed as one of the best. Now Todd Stroger says we need a tax increase to keep providing services for poor and working people. We cut, 17 percent last year, but we can’t cut any more, we need a tax increase. Chiacgoist’s over whelmingly boo and hiss at this. Why, because they don’t use Stroger hospital. Screw the poor people that do. But with CTA, yea we know Daley is stealing, but still, give him some more money Springfield/Blago! Give him more
And don't think I like Blago cause I don't
"But riddle me this Sparky, why do you expect any thing different if CTA gets more money?"
No. It will be the status quo. It has already been well established that nothing will improve, and unless we get money in a capital spending bill, the CTA will continue to deteriorate. This was explained in "Chicago Tonight" and has been explained on other blogs and new sources. I am well aware that this will fix nothing. Unfortunately, three months from now when everyone is asking why the CTA is not improving, after all they have money, that will have to be explained again.
And before you jump to conclusions, I am aware of what Daley has done in regards to the "Transformation". Been to the projects, am aware of the very complex issue. And for your information, I work directly with the poor and homeless regularly. So don't give me shit that I am a privledged white girl who doesn't give a shit about them. I do more than you even know. And it's not just "cyber activism" either. I hit the streets.
And if you care, I would rather see free transit based on income, not age. That way we can help the 21 year old mother of 2 who works and goes to school, as well as the 70 year old who lives on 25,000 a year.
And I clearly blamed Daley and "us" for voting him in (I didn't personally vote for him, but the city did). Did you even read my above post? I hate Daley, I hate what he has done to this city. I hate what Blago has done to this state. I hate how he's screwed the poor (and recently, the middle class). I hate that Stroger Hospital has had to cut doctors and nurses and mammograms, but we still have picnic bench inspectors on the Parks and Recs payroll. But I think a tax increase will make little difference anyway because it still won't go to the hospital, it will go to everyone's friends in city call and the council.
Damn Sparky, slow your roll, son, I mean “women”- sorry aint no “daughter” slang been invented
On the basket ball courts yet. Maybe the WNBA will come up with some thing for yall
But any way I never accused “You” of not doing any thing. And I certainly aint called you a “privileged white girl who doesn't give a shit ” So save your sparks for the third rail.
Heck I didn’t even know you was/is a girl. Which is why I’m glade I didn’t end my last post like I was going too, with..(p.s Oh and Sparky I “loved” you in the Speed Racer ( the cartoon) www.bricabrac.com.br/speed_sparky.gif
I was however referring to “privileged white girls (and boys) and black, brown and yellow ones too” who are either a- political and or support Daley, but now are so concerned about CTA.
But check it, In general we agree on most of this blankety blank, except on tactics.
I think if this Doomsday scenario plays out, it will affect CTA in the short run far far far more than Metra and Pace. And MIGHT wake some people up and you think it will do more harm and people will still be walking around all Red Eyed out. You really can’t back either scenario up unless it plays out.
So Peace and Hair Grease to ya
Sparks.
p.s And speaking of CHA aka the Jets, Maybe Kevin
will do a post on Sudhir Venkatesh’s new book about Gangs and CHA Housing called “Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets”- cause Jessica Damico, sure don’t review books like that!
Then we can cyber box over that, cause I got some think to say about that b.s!