2008 Woodie Awards
If you want a reason to vote, look here
Matthew Schroyer
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Editorial
A struggle of monumental, perhaps even elephantine proportions is gripping the state capitol. Lawmakers are nearly exchanging blows on how to spend the state's tax money, and how to get more of it.
OK, maybe it's just business as usual for Illinois politics; a dark alley where the American dream has met a grizzly demise on more than one occasion.
Let's examine the crime scene.
At center is Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan, both Chicago Democrats.
In short, Blagojevich, along with Senate President Emil Jones (also from Chicago) have a plan to increase spending on education and establish healthcare for every Illinoisan. To pay for it, they intend to expand gambling and business taxes, bringing in $5 billion.
Nay, says Madigan.
Madigan wants to end some tax breaks for businesses and bring in $1 billion.
Neither side wants to meet in the middle. To get their points across, each side has engaged in some fairly childish behavior.
Blagojevich suddenly demanded the Illinois House voted on a limit for the size of a gun clip to create infighting among Democrats. Madigan refused to meet with Blagojevich, but suddenly showed up with a large number of lawmakers at his doorstep. All in the name of making each other look bad to the voting public.
A circus can't run on peanuts alone. Since July 5, when special budget sessions began, taxpayers have shelled out an estimated $211,000 a week in Senate operating costs, compared to the typical $26,000 a week. This, for talks that go nowhere.
Why should John or Jane college student care?
As a state-run university, SIUE gets nearly 58 percent of its financial support from the state. As the Alestle reported July 11, an emergency budget of $5.2 million was given to the university for the month of July. This paltry sum ensures the university will largely operate as usual for the time being.
It is only a matter of time before the state legislature comes down from its temper tantrum and compromises on a budget. For now, students (along with the remaining 12 million Illinoisans) should be up in arms that politicians are playing chicken, allowing education to suffer collateral damage.
It's unfortunate that students have to suffer the whims of wayward lawmakers, but what should we expect when we don't vote in midterm elections? Only 23 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 stepped up to the polls, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. For comparison, 59 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds in Illinois voted in the 2004 presidential election.
It's nigh time that voters, including student voters, take their right to vote seriously and put these clowns in their places. Pay attention, because this is why we vote.
OK, maybe it's just business as usual for Illinois politics; a dark alley where the American dream has met a grizzly demise on more than one occasion.
Let's examine the crime scene.
At center is Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan, both Chicago Democrats.
In short, Blagojevich, along with Senate President Emil Jones (also from Chicago) have a plan to increase spending on education and establish healthcare for every Illinoisan. To pay for it, they intend to expand gambling and business taxes, bringing in $5 billion.
Nay, says Madigan.
Madigan wants to end some tax breaks for businesses and bring in $1 billion.
Neither side wants to meet in the middle. To get their points across, each side has engaged in some fairly childish behavior.
Blagojevich suddenly demanded the Illinois House voted on a limit for the size of a gun clip to create infighting among Democrats. Madigan refused to meet with Blagojevich, but suddenly showed up with a large number of lawmakers at his doorstep. All in the name of making each other look bad to the voting public.
A circus can't run on peanuts alone. Since July 5, when special budget sessions began, taxpayers have shelled out an estimated $211,000 a week in Senate operating costs, compared to the typical $26,000 a week. This, for talks that go nowhere.
Why should John or Jane college student care?
As a state-run university, SIUE gets nearly 58 percent of its financial support from the state. As the Alestle reported July 11, an emergency budget of $5.2 million was given to the university for the month of July. This paltry sum ensures the university will largely operate as usual for the time being.
It is only a matter of time before the state legislature comes down from its temper tantrum and compromises on a budget. For now, students (along with the remaining 12 million Illinoisans) should be up in arms that politicians are playing chicken, allowing education to suffer collateral damage.
It's unfortunate that students have to suffer the whims of wayward lawmakers, but what should we expect when we don't vote in midterm elections? Only 23 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 stepped up to the polls, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. For comparison, 59 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds in Illinois voted in the 2004 presidential election.
It's nigh time that voters, including student voters, take their right to vote seriously and put these clowns in their places. Pay attention, because this is why we vote.
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