I'm also from Illinois and have some thoughts on this subject. It may be why Obama wants to change - Illinois has lost a lot of jobs shipped over seas. There are areas with high unemployment - like Michigan, Ohio and other states that have lost factory jobs.

As to the murder rate - I attach a link that explains Obama protested Bush's cuts to the police departments in the Federal Budget (I think the money is going to Homeland Security which is why I get patted down for my total knee replacement everytime I fly). http://obama.senate.gov/press/060224-obama_joins_loc/

As to the rating of the health issue, please note Florida is 46 - 14 below Illinois. Maybe health insurance for all will improve all the states' ratings.

Illinois had Republican governors for 30 years before the current governor took office. If the pension plan needs to be blamed on someone, I would suggest you start their since the problems started in the 70's when they quit fully funding the pension fund.

I am not really blaming either party for the problems Illinois has. I think it is a countrywide issue with our job problems, healthcare issues, etc. I am proud to be from there - the Midwest produces hardworking individuals who are of the old school of use it up, wear it out. I think a lot can be learned from them. Bottomline - Obama did not create their problems and I think if you really reviewed it, you would agree.

Surely you are intelligent enough to realize your comments are based upon faulty reasoning, and in fact some of your comments are not accurate. Please educate yourself prior to posting. Thank you. (You: Puter, perhaps; guru NOT)

Looks like the other countries of the world can sit and watch our GREAT citizens of the United States of America throw stones at one another. Greed and corruption has gotten us where we are. No checks and balances to correct it either.
So....since you all know who the culprits are....or think you know....then you can help correct it, by finding out the REAL facts and voting appropriately.

Puterguru
You are right on. Right now Illinois is run by Democrats. Gov Blago gets no respect from his own party. Daley wants his brother to run for gov, Madigan wants his daughter to run, Jackson Jr wants his wife to run ,all Democrats helping nobody but themselves.
Lord Obama had a hand in getting Todd Stroger in office. Look up Stroger and some of his doings.. Just the kind of change we do not need.
We do NOT need obama.

Originally Posted by The Great Fumar

Chicago is full of wonderful people , unfortunately they are eating soup !!!

How do you explain that all of the oversight committee's in congress are chaired by democrats ....And what about Barney Frank who chairs the Banking Oversight committee , Where was he in all this , Hopefully he will be thrown behind bars.....Dems have a lot of explaining to do before they are allowed to pad their bank accounts........

Fumar:
Boy I'm with you. perhaps we have to wait until after the elections and the crooks are done with Obama's campaign

This is totally unreal....

You people couldn't see the truth if it hit you in the face.

The Republicans were in charge of Congress for the Clinton years and then in total control when Bush reached the White House. The Dem's took over again less than 2 years ago and Barney Frank should go to jail.

Who was in charge of the Commerce Committee? McCain
Who was in charge of the Banking Committee? Gramm

The Repub went to war, cut taxes for the rich, spent like drunken sailors and deregulated everything in sight.

And now its the Dems fault.


Sick.....

real classy response Oshunluva

Originally Posted by oshunluva

Barney Frank who chairs the Banking Oversight committee , Where was he in all this

Barney was probably getting a Lewinski somewhere that was recommended by Bill Clinton,

I believe Senator Larry Craig was involved with this project.

Originally Posted by The Great Fumar

Chicago is full of wonderful people , unfortunately they are eating soup !!!

How do you explain that all of the oversight committee's in congress are chaired by democrats ....And what about Barney Frank who chairs the Banking Oversight committee , Where was he in all this , Hopefully he will be thrown behind bars.....Dems have a lot of explaining to do before they are allowed to pad their bank accounts........

So Barney Frank did it... 8 years of Republican control in Congress and 6 years of complete control and the Dem's did all this in less than 2 years.

Somebody is smoking something...

Originally Posted by oshunluva

Barney Frank who chairs the Banking Oversight committee , Where was he in all this

Barney was probably getting a Lewinski somewhere that was recommended by Bill Clinton,

Don't think so Barney Frank plays for the other side.

Originally Posted by JUREK

Puterguru
You are right on. Right now Illinois is run by Democrats. Gov Blago gets no respect from his own party. Daley wants his brother to run for gov, Madigan wants his daughter to run, Jackson Jr wants his wife to run ,all Democrats helping nobody but themselves.
Lord Obama had a hand in getting Todd Stroger in office. Look up Stroger and some of his doings.. Just the kind of change we do not need.
We do NOT need obama.

I don't live in IL but if I remember correctly didn't the last Republican Governor of IL have to resign for corruption?

I believe the former governor is still in prison -

A corrupt republican? Why doesn't that surprise me?

Originally Posted by Rokinronda

A corrupt republican? Why doesn't that surprise me?

The list of corrupt politicians includes noted folk from all political parties. it seems that power begets greed in some, membership card notwithstanding.

What is all really shows is that congresspersons (House and Senate) keep getting re-elected based on name recognition and not for accomplishing anything other than getting face time on television. We all are to blame if we don't hold our congresspersons - regardless of party affiliation - accountable to DO something other than mimic what comes from the party's national leadership. If all you want is your congressperson to have a particular party affiliation - even if the person is a slug - then your "employee agent" in Congress is being paid not to represent you, but instead "the party." Which is more important?

Steve Z - Again I must agree. The problem with this country is the re-elected do-nothing congress. Great Post