But Obama isn't a State Senator anymore...



/hotlinked

Well you do have to have your priorities straight.

haemaker: Sued by Federal Government for violating minimum wage law.

Nope, sorry. I work for Pennsylvania, and we're not getting paid, either. The courts ruled that paying state employees funded under the budget is a violation of the state constitution, and that federal laws do not have precedence over the state constitution.

So, payless paydays. Yay.

Baseball will ruin this country.fark baseball.

Johnny Chicago: Baseball will ruin this country.fark baseball.

Fark you buddy. Fark you.

6,000? Try the 70,000 that aren't going to get paid in PA. And our oh so caring governor who referred workers to a food bank instead of passing a stopgap budget.

Johnny Chicago: Baseball will ruin this country.fark baseball.

Baseball is everything that is wrong with the country

I, for one, welcome our new baseball overlords.

They failed to get enough votes to hike cigarette taxes by another dollar per pack? I thought that smokers were the lazst group of people you could more or less abuse with impunity. Well, them and fat people, apparently.

They need to go on a mission from God.

galtwasright: 6,000? Try the 70,000 that aren't going to get paid in PA. And our oh so caring governor who referred workers to a food bank instead of passing a stopgap budget.


This man scoffs at your puny governor's attempt at being a complete douchbag.

ftfa: but results will be delayed for as many as 1,500 people taking the high school equivalency exam in coming weeks.


WTF? Why the hell are there 1500 people trying to get their GED all at once?

Inibrius: ftfa: but results will be delayed for as many as 1,500 people taking the high school equivalency exam in coming weeks.


WTF? Why the hell are there 1500 people trying to get their GED all at once?

Because they refuse to be a victim of the streets. Because they have dreams too.

NC hasn't finished their budget yet. Spending has slowed but hasn't stopped. Oddly enough our department dropped a bunch of cash on 1200.00 scanner/fax combos (when all that was needed was a basic scanner) and failed to renew our antivirus. So...now we have a bunch of people (over 1k) without active antivirus software. I guess it's time to push out the defs for it manually.

/thanks for taking care of the importing stuff first, fiscal!
//f*cking morans

How pray tell do these asshats keep their jobs? What? Oh that's right, they pander to morons who are stupid enough to believe them.

The Department of Human Services has threatened to slash human service providers' budgets 50 percent.

"I'm just sweating this out hoping the people who help me will still be here tomorrow," said Ervin, 53, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child. "When people see this stuff on TV, I don't think they realize the subtleties and complexities. This isn't just politics as usual for those of us who rely on home services every day.

"I'm able to support myself financially only because of the help I get from these people. I'm able to work, live in a condo and pay taxes because of this program.

"Eliminate this program and I couldn't afford to pay for these services myself. I don't know what I would do. I would probably have to go to a nursing home. That very thought scares me to death. But you have to think about these things now." (new window)

The legislature needs to man up and get this thing taken care of before the people of the state start to suffer.

Inibrius: ftfa: but results will be delayed for as many as 1,500 people taking the high school equivalency exam in coming weeks.


WTF? Why the hell are there 1500 people trying to get their GED all at once?

I know! How could there be so many people trying to improve thier lives?

cmb53208: How pray tell do these asshats keep their jobs? What? Oh that's right, they pander to morons who are stupid enough to believe them.

But their commercials seemed so genuine!

Car_Ramrod: The legislature needs to man up and get this thing taken care of before the people of the state start to suffer.

Why is that guy's desire to sit at home the state's problem?

Car_Ramrod: The legislature needs to man up and get this thing taken care of before the people of the state start to suffer.

Too late. I live in Champaign-Urbana. The local Mental Health Center here closed nearly all open cases and laid off 35 full-time staff. That means that a lot of folks who might be okay if they had medication and counseling will now be... well, basically screwed.

I wrote my congresscritter, who gave me some bullshiat excuse about "cost saving measures". Thanks. Hope you weren't planning to get re-elected.

For everyone saying that their not working. It isn't as simple as just pass a budget. Heck in PA, our Governor Ed Rendell wants to raise taxes by .5 % while the republicans are trying to hold the line and make cuts. I don't know about anyone else but I'd rather not pay the state another five dollars for every thousand I make. Simply because the state created to many programs over stretched themselves.

The biggest concern for state workers is that taxpayers won't notice. If there is a bright side to the current economic environment, it's the pressure on State Governments to reduce costs and cut waste.

Quinzy: Heck in PA, our Governor Ed Rendell wants to raise taxes by .5 % while the republicans are trying to hold the line and make cuts.

So he can guarantee future votes by offering state workers interest free loans. Don't we all wish, we could get the same.

What? Government functionaries expected to work? When did this happen?

Dont ever vote for anyone from Illinois (I know it's too late)...republican or democrat.

I don't know what's worse their corruption or stupidity.

MFL: Dont ever vote for anyone from Illinois (I know it's too late)...republican or democrat.

I don't know what's worse their corruption or stupidity.

Hey, they're not that bad. I mean, sure, the last two governors we had either are in jail or will be shortly... but that's no reason to judge an entire state.

Just the idiots that elected them...

/Voted for Write-in: NOBODY for Governor last time around as my way of having a No Confidence vote. Probably got my ballot thrown out, but oh well.

Wife works for a partially state funded non-profit addiction center. Courts are still sending them clients on a daily basis, even though by 1pm tomorrow they might be shutting their doors. They're one of the few to make it this long. I honestly don't think legislators understand the shaitstorm they are creating.

BTW, they had a closed door session yesterday before leaving to watch baseball. What did they accomplish you ask? They secured their own pensions, and passed approval for a pay increase...their pay.

I think it's time for an impeachment party.

Was 6000 Obamasexuals enough to drown out the boos?

MFL: Dont ever vote for anyone from Illinois (I know it's too late)...republican or democrat.

I don't know what's worse their corruption or stupidity.

neppyman Hey, they're not that bad. I mean, sure, the last two governors we had either are in jail or will be shortly... but that's no reason to judge an entire state.

Just the idiots that elected them...

/Voted for Write-in: NOBODY for Governor last time around as my way of having a No Confidence vote. Probably got my ballot thrown out, but oh well.

lol.

The only politician that I see worth a shiat right now in this state is Dan Rutherford. He's a pretty impressive guy. (despite being on Mancow)

We may not have money to pay the workers or the time to pass a budget but we certainly have time to spend 31 billion (albeit it needed to be spent).

If Quinn would stop being an idealog and allow some cuts and the repubs need to allow some tax increases. Lets increase the income tax to 5% and make up the rest with cuts. Come on legislators get it done so you can get back to your districts and we can kick y'all othe backside.

Government hack employees were always so smug because they didn't have to produce anything that made a profit and they still got paid.

/not any more

Man On Pink Corner: That's OK. Your legislature won't waste any time passing new gun control laws after Patient #28 goes off his meds and hoses down a Wal-Mart.

Honestly, I'm more concerned about them committing petty theft (like stealing a Twinkie from a convenience store) and getting a felony charge for it because of our lame Three Strikes bullshiat.

I've seen it happen.

Then the taxpayers get to pay for them to spend 15 years in jail. Much cheaper than paying for mental health care, right?

The lawmakers have one job to complete-- passing the budget. If they are unable to do this in a timely manner, they should be treated as any member of the public who violates the law. At the end of each days session, they should be taken away in handcuffs to a lockup. And then released only for the next session
Now that would make a great photo op for these taxaholics who take credit for everything good and none of the responsibilty.

E Pluribus Manure- out of many, muck.

neppyman: MFL: Dont ever vote for anyone from Illinois (I know it's too late)...republican or democrat.

I don't know what's worse their corruption or stupidity.

Hey, they're not that bad. I mean, sure, the last two governors we had either are in jail or will be shortly... but that's no reason to judge an entire state.

Just the idiots that elected them...

/Voted for Write-in: NOBODY for Governor last time around as my way of having a No Confidence vote. Probably got my ballot thrown out, but oh well.

LOL! IL oh IL have to love the politics! Meanwhile hear in Belleville our wonderful mayor is basically forcing out the Salvation Army homeless shelter and any produce stands that have been here for decades. It is "ruining the local business and aren't regulated." Fark him, on my last election the only spots I had a choice to vote was: County Coroner, State Senator, Pres, and I think maybe the state congressional seats. Basically I got to vote for one idiot instead of a choice. Close the homeless shelter by East St. Louis=not a good idea.

queenstacela: LOL! IL oh IL have to love the politics! Meanwhile hear in Belleville our wonderful mayor is basically forcing out the Salvation Army homeless shelter and any produce stands that have been here for decades. It is "ruining the local business and aren't regulated." Fark him, on my last election the only spots I had a choice to vote was: County Coroner, State Senator, Pres, and I think maybe the state congressional seats. Basically I got to vote for one idiot instead of a choice. Close the homeless shelter by East St. Louis=not a good idea.

I almost forgot to mention that the only homeless shelter in town (other than the Salvation Army, which is full) is run by the Mental Health Center. It's closing because of this.

At least it's warm outside now...

Not going to be pretty when winter rolls around, though.

Man please, have you guys been hearing about the shiat happening in the NYS legislature for like the past 2 decades? These guys are amateurs, search for recent news about the New York State Senate if you want to see how the pros do it.

Needs to be said:

"I come in peace", it said, adding after a long moment of further grinding, "take me to your Lizard."

Ford Prefect, of course, had an explanation for this...

"It comes from a very ancient democracy, you see..."

"You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?"

"No", said Ford, ... "nothing so simple. Nothing anything like so straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."

"Odd", said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."

"I did", said Ford. "It is."

"So", said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't people get rid of the lizards?"

"It honestly doesn't occur to them", said Ford. "They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates to the government they want."

"You mean they actually vote for the lizards?"

"Oh yes", said Ford with a shrug, "of course."

"But", said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"

"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard", said Ford, "the wrong lizard might get in"

field marshal tania: Man please, have you guys been hearing about the shiat happening in the NYS legislature for like the past 2 decades? These guys are amateurs, search for recent news about the New York State Senate if you want to see how the pros do it.

Sounds like Pennsylvania's having their share of shenanigans too. These guys really think that voters are stupid, which I suppose is true, but they seem to forget that the Internet does not forget (or forgive...), and that their opponents next election cycle can use this against them.

I predict heavy losses for incumbents, regardless of party affiliation.

neppyman: queenstacela: LOL! IL oh IL have to love the politics! Meanwhile hear in Belleville our wonderful mayor is basically forcing out the Salvation Army homeless shelter and any produce stands that have been here for decades. It is "ruining the local business and aren't regulated." Fark him, on my last election the only spots I had a choice to vote was: County Coroner, State Senator, Pres, and I think maybe the state congressional seats. Basically I got to vote for one idiot instead of a choice. Close the homeless shelter by East St. Louis=not a good idea.

I almost forgot to mention that the only homeless shelter in town (other than the Salvation Army, which is full) is run by the Mental Health Center. It's closing because of this.

At least it's warm outside now...

I want to add that they aren't doing this for budget restrictions...he is just a fark head, that was just reelected and no there was no real choice against him. Stupid politics being tied up in the local Catholic high school and it graduates but that is another story....
Not going to be pretty when winter rolls around, though.

MFL: Dont ever vote for anyone from Illinois (I know it's too late)...republican or democrat.

I don't know what's worse their corruption or stupidity.

And I thought Florida had the market on stupidity.

C'mon, Illinois...you're slacking!

seems to me a universal strike would be in order. no exceptions for vital and emergency services.

Looks like they came up with a plan Link (new window)

"Get further into debt and not pay what we owe."

What brilliant economic strategists we have running the fine state of Illinois. Glad I don't live there.

I (luckily) got paid yesterday, but it's a constant fight to keep my workplace open. Sometimes I think it'd be a blessing if they closed it down- I am frequently mandated to work over 70 hours a week, and am so bogged down with stress and its accompanying health issues that it seems I'd be better off living in extreme poverty. I just hope I keep getting paid/don't get laid off until my husband graduates from school. There are so few jobs around here that pay more than minimum wage. If a lot of uninvolved, uninformed people get their way- we're totally effed: the closure of this DHS facility would result in a total economic downfall for my region.

Don't really know what I'm getting at here. Seems like all IL state employees are living in fear. I'm going crazy just trying to keep my head above water.

gamepolice: Typical for Illinois, the sad part is that no one seems to care in the legislative branch here.

Really, Obama was a huge anomaly not only in caring, but in being smart and capable. The state senate are half ass losers for the most part. The state reps are a complete and total joke. I've met several of each, seriously, you could carve better people out of soap bars.

The sad thing about Blago is that even his lame ass really was superior to most of those clowns.

kb7rky: MFL: Dont ever vote for anyone from Illinois (I know it's too late)...republican or democrat.

I don't know what's worse their corruption or stupidity.

And I thought Florida had the market on stupidity.

C'mon, Illinois...you're slacking!


inexperienced illinois senator