A Tale Of Two States
Published by Al Adomite on October 3rd, 2008
I have a little time to get caught up on blogging this morning. I noticed these two articles, from the Belleville News-Democrat (AP) and the LA Times.
Still not a great time to be an Illinois vendor:
Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes says in a new report the state finished the first three months of its budget year with a mountain of unpaid bills and record delays in payments. [...] As of Tuesday, the report said, more than $1.8 billion worth of bills were sitting in the comptroller’s office that couldn’t be paid because the state didn’t have the money. A year ago at this time, Hynes’ office had nearly $1.4 billion in bills waiting to be paid.
The state’s backlog is now 42 days, beyond the time it takes the agencies to process paperwork to the state comptroller.
Things are less-than-great in California, where Governor Schwartzenneger has been battling tough deficits and gloomy budgets:
The state of California is the biggest of several governments nationwide that are being locked out of the bond market by the global credit crunch. If the state is unable to access the cash, administration officials say, payments to schools and other government entities could quickly be suspended and state employees could be laid off.
California needs $7 billion from the federal government to stay on track…which is the entire problem of the $700 billion bailout for the banking and insurance industries, and the $25 billion - almost unnoticed - bailout of the auto industry.
It’s almost unknown what next step by the federal government will bring back equilibrium.
My college roommate is a banker in Denver. We talked yesterday about the municipal bonding business and the increase in lending rates for other sectors. What happens when businesses of all sizes start to default due to lack of any available short-term credit? If it’s hitting taxing entities like the state of California, who else will it affect?
George Will penned these thoughts more than 10 days ago (a lifetime in this market) on the subject:
What, however, is the excuse for the corporate welfare for GM, Ford and Chrysler?
Ford’s assembly plant in Louisville, Ky., is participating in that corporation’s struggles. The Toyota plant in Georgetown, Ky., is flourishing as part of the other American auto industry. It is located largely in the South, employs 92,000 Americans and is not in the toils of the cost structure Ford and GM negotiated with the United Auto Workers union. Lemon socialism — the subsidization of the weak — is supposedly needed lest a U.S. automaker file for bankruptcy, causing the sort of civil disorder and social chaos that accompanied the disappearance of Studebaker, Packard, American Motors and others.
It’s hard for any single taxpayer/voter to understand the entire scope of this crisis, which might explain the bipartisan fretting over the current $700 billion bailout bill. No one knows whether this is the second, last, or just the beginning of government-sponsoring of private industry.
But, as the wise sage George Will pointed out this week, we’re almost 30 years into this “bailout”:
Suppose that in 1979 the government had not engineered the first bailout of Chrysler (it, Ford and GM are about to get $25 billion in subsidized loans). Might there have been a more sober approach to risk throughout corporate America?
It will be interesting to see what happens to California in the coming weeks. I wonder if Midwest “flyover” taxpayers will get some “voting representation” as we’re taxed federally to support the nation’s largest state and state budget? I think the concept of “no taxation without representation” was long forgotten, even by the time California joined the union in 1850.
Filed under National Issues | 1 Comment »Astonishing
Published by Al Adomite on September 12th, 2008
Sorry blogging has been light this week. I had been out in Columbia, MO, for the MU Journalism School’s Centennial celebration. It was wonderful to visit some of my former professors, get a look at what students are being taught in 2008, and see the new technologies being implemented in the classrooms.
More on my thoughts on journalism in 2008 next week.
While I was away, I was astonished to run across this Gallup report, which I even have a hard time believing:
A potential shift in fortunes for the Republicans in Congress is seen in the latest USA Today/Gallup survey, with the Democrats now leading the Republicans by just 3 percentage points, 48% to 45%, in voters’ “generic ballot” preferences for Congress. This is down from consistent double-digit Democratic leads seen on this measure over the past year.
What’s more interesting, is the independent voter segment:
[I]ndependents are closely split, with 44% backing the Democrat and 40% the Republican.
That hardly seems possibly after the past three years for the GOP. What’s more, the “likely voters” test (which is the only one that should ever be published) is even more astonishing:
Republican candidates now lead Democratic candidates among likely voters by 5 percentage points, 50% to 45%.
It leads Gallup to issue this almost unthinkable prospect:
If these numbers are sustained through Election Day — a big if — Republicans could be expected to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Guess that’s why articles like this are showing up in the mainstream now:
Democratic jitters about the US presidential race have spread to Capitol Hill, where some members of Congress are worried that Barack Obama’s faltering campaign could hurt their chances of re-election.
As the pendulum swings. Remember the talks of a “permanent Republican majority” in 2005? Followed by two years of Obama star power in 2006 and 2007. Wouldn’t you love to know who will be on the front cover of Time in the second week of November?
Filed under National Issues | 3 Comments »Finding Justus
Published by Al Adomite on September 12th, 2008
I looked all over for an online version of the Adult Lifestyle section of the News-Democrat for August.
I was thoroughly entertained by the article about seven-term St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus. My grandma is a big fan of his, and there’s no wonder why after reading about his career. I loved this tidbit:
[Justus] get a little twinkle in his eyes when he tells about one successful “scam” back in 1991.
“We sent letters out to people on our warrant list. We had them fill out a form and a questionnaire, and we told them they could win a pair of gym shoes from The Nabber Shoe Company. We got a building over here in one of the shopping centers. When the showed up, we arrested them because they were on our warrant list. We arrested about 80 people that time. It was a lot of fun. It was a big deal for everybody becuase we pulled one over on the bad guys, so to speak,” Justus said.
Great story. But, what I like about the guy is his honesty.
“The young people today and all the problems that exist, I have said that this [county jail] is a monument to neglected young people. And I really do see it that way,” he said. “Then I think our criminal justice system is a miserable failure. I don’t pretend to now what the answer is, but I know this whole system of arresting people and putting them in jail doesn’t work.”
According to Justus, one of the biggest problems with the criminal justice system is “no certainty of punishment.” A symptom of this is the 70 percent recidivism rate at the St. Clair County Jail. One woman, a real life female Otis Campbell, has been back in jail 57 times since Justus became Sheriff in 1982.
“When you stop and think about this, and I’ve put a lot of thought into this, I really do believe we make the quality of life a lot better for some of the people who come here,” he said. “Have you embarassed them? Probably not. We bring them in jail. We feed them. We clothe them. We provide for their medical care. Join the criminal justice system, and we’ll take care of you.”
Wow. It’s a shame that we can’t get some of these guys together - Mearl Justus, Bill Haine, Don Weber, Judges Hackett and Bailey - guys that each have a lifetime of watching and working within the system, and work to find solutions to some of these problems. The taxpayer is putting big money towards rehabilitation of criminals. It sounds like there are more than a few holes in the system.
Filed under County Issues | Comment now »About That Black Hole
Published by Al Adomite on September 7th, 2008
Here’s to hoping this story ends up happy…
Sounds like the premise of a bad sci-fi movie: Big-time physics experiment accidentally destroys the Earth. Scientists really don’t think that will happen when the Large Hadron Collider fires up at the Swiss-French border on Wednesday, but the fact it’s being debated tells you how unprecedented the new device is.
Seven times more powerful than Fermilab’s main particle collider in Batavia, the new facility will smash together intense beams of subatomic protons, producing so much energy that some theories predict it could form tiny black holes. That has led to two lawsuits—one filed in Europe, one in Hawaii—seeking to halt the project and save the planet.
The most far-out fear is that the device’s little black holes could blossom into big ones, with gravity so strong that they swallow first the collider, then the Swiss-French countryside, then the Earth as a whole. Burp.
Not giving into hyperbole…
“In theory, the probability that the LHC will produce pink elephants is not zero,” Lykken said. He said the chances that the collider will spin off dangerous black holes is “in the pink elephant category.”
Yes, the world will end in a tiny display of pink elephants and black holes on Wednesday. Enjoy your weekend!
Filed under Breaking News | Comment now »Song, Sung…Soon?
Published by Al Adomite on September 5th, 2008
Neil Diamond won’t make it to St. Louis on the rescheduled September 10th date either. Now it’s November 2nd.
Diamond, who’s recovering from acute laryngitis, remarked “I want to put on the best possible show for all my St. Louis fans so I’m following my doctor’s advice to take a little extra time to rest my voice. I want to thank my fans and assure them that their patience will be rewarded when I hit the stage.”
We kids purchased 6th row seats for my parents for Dad’s birthday. Hope he gets to see him before he turns another year older.
Filed under Housekeeping | Comment now »Palin Myths and Facts
Published by Al Adomite on September 5th, 2008
Courtesy of FoxNews.com and the WSJ.
On the issue of creationism:
Palin said during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign that she would not push the state Board of Education to add creation-based alternatives to the state’s required curriculum, or look for creationism advocates when she appointed board members. She has kept this pledge, according to the Associated Press.
Palin has spoken in favor of classroom discussions of creationism, in some cases. “I don’t think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn’t have to be part of the curriculum,”Palin told the Anchorage Daily News in a 2006 interview.
I’d love to see a similar myth vs. fact on Obama. I’ve seen some amazing claims come through my e-mail box the past year.
Then, the WSJ sums up the story about her fight against corrupt GOP and oil interests:
Throughout it all, Mrs. Palin has stood for reform, though not populism. She thanks oil companies and says executives who “seek maximum revenue” are “simply doing their job.” She says her own job is to be a “savvy” negotiator on behalf of Alaska’s citizens and to provide credible oversight. It is this combination that lets her aggressively promote new energy while retaining public trust.
This campaign has changed dramatically in the past two weeks. Two great conventions. This should be an incredible next two months.
Filed under National Issues | 2 Comments »What’s The Fuss?
Published by Al Adomite on September 5th, 2008
Not sure why this is really a story. She’s a talkshow host, not a journalist. She’s a successful host, but she is also more in the category of Rush Limbaugh when it comes to media, not Meet the Press.
Oprah Winfrey may have introduced Democrat Barack Obama to the women of America — but the talkshow queen is not rushing to embrace the first woman on a Republican presidential ticket!
Oprah’s staff is sharply divided on the merits of booking Sarah Palin, sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.
“Half of her staff really wants Sarah Palin on,” an insider explains. “Oprah’s website is getting tons of requests to put her on, but Oprah and a couple of her top people are adamantly against it because of Obama.”
Meanwhile, more friends of this blog are featured in today’s Alton Telegraph:
“It’s going to bring out a lot of people to vote that were on the fence,” said Tom McRae, a delegate of Sen. John McCain. McRae, of Bethalto, said the speech from vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin was his highlight.
“Her speech was, in baseball terms, a grand slam,” McRae said.
His brother, Steve McRae, of Edwardsville, shared those feelings. He could “feel the electricity” in the room. He felt she had poise, something he would expect from someone older.
Steve McRae went as his brother’s guest and said the convention is non-stop.
We watched for people we knew on TV and only saw Frank and Susan Watson on Wednesday night.
Filed under National Issues | 4 Comments »Illinois GOP Chided, Pollard Gains Spotlight
Published by Al Adomite on September 5th, 2008
This statement by former Peoria Congressman and House Leader Bob Michel caught the Trib’s eye:
“I’ve always been a party man, strong organizational man,” the 85-year-old Michel told a gathering of Illinois delegates to the Republican National Convention. “And I’ll tell you, let’s face it, folks, our party as an organization in Illinois is wanting.”
Then, Fayette County GOP Chairman Randy Pollard - leader of the GOP County Chairmans Association and a friend of this blog - got bigtime press in the Trib:
One beneficiary of Blagojevich’s problems may be the Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association. The group’s president, Randy Pollard of Vandalia, said what had once been a “good old boy” social network of county chairmen nicknamed “Dog” and “Pup” has undergone a generational change with interest growing in proportion to the troubles facing Blagojevich.
But, I have to say I’m not as hopeful on this statement:
“Right now,” Pollard said, “we don’t have a whole lot to fight about. There’s nothing to fight over. The only thing we can do is come together to work to get something to fight for.”
Just wait to see how much fighting there is in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary (I hear there will be more news on that even tomorrow). Luckily, the intra-party fighting will probably be intense on both sides.
Filed under State Issues | Comment now »Campaign Material Requested
Published by Al Adomite on September 4th, 2008
I’m looking to provide some analysis and feature of local Madison County campaign literature, walkcards, mailpieces, and commercials from the local races this fall.
I hope to have a comparison of the walkpieces from the County Board Chairman’s race sometime later this week. If you happen to get something in the mail on or your door, and you have the ability to scan it and e-mail it to me, please pass these things along.
Thanks.
Filed under County Issues | 1 Comment »The Last Night
Published by Al Adomite on September 4th, 2008
I was greatly underwhelmed by Cindy McCain. And, I have to agree with the CNN commentators that maybe there was too much biography and “introduction” of John McCain, before getting to hear from John McCain.
One other question: What is Donna Brazille doing as commentator tonight on CNN? Did Karl Rove get to do commentary last week during the Invesco event? Sometimes, it seems that the mainstream media folks think their editorial choices go unnoticed.
The biographical video obviously must be designed for an older audience.
Somehow, it feels like we’re back to the Pageant. Why is it that Gov. Palin, the only former Pageant contestant, is the only one who didn’t look like the rest in these two weeks of the the Presidential Pageant?
UPDATE: I was almost asleep when the protester ran down the stairs. It woke me up and then woke up John McCain. He talked clearly for a moment, and now it seems he’s back on track. It just seems like the Leftists keep doing things to get McCain back in the game. He’s on fire right now.
UPDATE 2: It seems like McCain just touched on the substance of how he would differentiate himself from his opponent, as well as outlining a plan on how he would address the economy, healthcare, and education. The media and/or public might not like the plan as much as Obama’s, but he certainly hit on substance in the last half of the speech.
FINAL UPDATE: Good speech, for McCain. Right amount of policy substance. His own description of the fight in the Hanoi prison cell was so much better than the constant references to it by other speakers the last few nights. Talking about how it changed him as a person seemed personal, convincing and real. Like the “serving a cause greater than yourself theme” at the end. He looked really passionate with the “Stand Up, Stand Up” lines at the end. Have to say the “Raising McCain” brought it right back to the Pageant feel.
Probably not a home run. More like a solid double in the gap after fighting off several pitches on a full count. Enough to think this race might make it to the bottom of the ninth, and the next few innings are going to be worth watching.
Filed under National Issues | Comment now »
