People’s Court

There has been a lot of discussion lately regarding the Illinois and Chicago budget crisis and I felt as though this needed further consideration.  Now the media has been certainly portraying Governor Quinn’s proposed income tax increase as the worst possible scenario (back when this was still on the table, that is), and I believe most people feel that it is.  The main opinion is that an income tax increase would cause strain on the citizens of the state and that the government needs to just cut spending.  Now, besides for the fact that the proposed 2 percent increase would be barely noticeable to the majority of the population (and those in the lower-classes can receive relief through programs such as the EIC), what isn’t really being discussed is that THERE IS NO OTHER WAY OUT.

I am going to use data directly from the State of Illinois Budget Book so there is no confusion or accusation of receiving skewed information from the media.  My goal is to simply demonstrate how difficult and complicated government budgets are and to hopefully give you a small understanding of why tax increases were being proposed (which they’re not anymore due to political pressure, being in an election year and all).

At last count, the deficit for 2010 is at $11.5 BILLION.  Billion.  The total operating budget is $24.8 billion and the total capital budget is $30.4 billion.  To give you a basis for comparison, the 2009 operating budget was at $31.5 billion and revenues were $27.2 billion.

This is taken directly from the governor’s budget proposal:

“The governor’s fiscal 2010 budget proposes increasing the personal exemption from $2,000 to $6,000 [read: tax savings for you].  The budget also proposes increasing the income tax rate by 1.5 [this has since been increased to 2 percent] percentage points for individuals, and 2.4 percentage points for corporations.

This exemption means that a family of four making $24,000 per year would pay no income tax in Illinois.  Currently a family of four making that amount per year pays $480 in state taxes.

It is estimated that the increase will generate an additional $2.8 billion in individual income tax receipts in fiscal year 2010, and $350 million in corporate income tax receipts.”

The goal of the above proposal is to ensure that those that can’t afford to contribute more in income taxes won’t.  And those that are living much more comfortably, will contribute more, but in all reality, not that much more.  2 percent.  Think about that.  If your boss told you that you were getting a 2 percent pay raise, you would laugh in their face.  You know why?  Because that amounts to virtually nothing noticeable.

Now please understand that this does not mean that spending cuts should not also happen.  And they have.  Again—this is taken directly from the budget proposal.

“Spending cuts:

Requiring state employees to take four furlough days:  $36 million

Increasing healthcare contributions for state employees and state retirees: $200 million

Targeted reductions and other efficiencies throughout various agencies: $1.2 million annually

Across-the-board 2 percent reductions in grant programs: $80 million”

These are just a few of the cuts that will be made.  There are many, many more.  However, I want to play a little game entitled: You be the governor.  Here’s how it works.  Below is a snapshot of the operating appropriations for 2010.  I want you to go through and decide where cuts should be made.

Now, there are some obvious areas that I believe most people would agree can not afford any additional cuts—education and public safety come to mind.  Human services includes providing services to the disabled, mentally ill, poor (this encompasses public housing, SNAP benefits), WIC, benefits to children, homeless, and many others.  The reason why this category is so high in Illinois is because the All Kids program offering health coverage to all uninsured children in the state is considered part of this budget even though there is a separate category for healthcare and family services.

Medicare and Medicaid, as well as child support enforcement are under the Healthcare and Family Services umbrella.  Again, I think we would agree that these are important programs that are already stretched and need every dollar they can.  To be fair, perhaps you think these are exactly the programs that should be cut, but then let me paint you a picture.  Let’s say we retract the All Kids program to save funds.  Now we are left with millions of uninsured children, many of whom desperately need health care.  Not only will their parents go into severe debt from healthcare bills, causing a major strain on both families and the economy as a whole, but thousands of these children will actually die from lack of care.

Still want to cut healthcare?

How about benefits to the unemployed and poor?  So I lose my job, and I don’t receive unemployment pay, SNAP or healthcare.  Due to the struggling economy, I am not able to immediately find work.  I have to choose between paying for rent or buying dinner, but eventually, I receive the eviction notice from my landlord.  Where do I go?  If I’m lucky, I have family to take me in.  But many do not have this luxury.  So they end up on the street or perhaps in an already crowded and strained homeless shelter.

So let’s move to Economic Development and  Infrastructure.  Alright–maybe we don’t fix bridges this year, or repair aging pipelines.  Meh.  We can just take our chances and hope we don’t end up with a Minneapolis-type infrastructure disaster.  What about economic development? Seems to me that in a tough economic time, we probably need to invest in attracting businesses that will bring plentiful jobs to the state.

The Environment and Business Regulations includes the Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund, Environmental Protection Agency, Human Rights Commission, Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.  Now I think that you probably scoffed at the Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund, but hold on a minute.  Their purpose is to “assist Illinois drycleaner operators in the
cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination caused by dry cleaning solvents.”  I don’t know if you’re aware, but dry cleaning is actually extremely harmful to the environment.  The chemicals they use are highly toxic.  I’m pretty sure I want them to keep keepin’ on as I don’t particularly want these chemicals in my water.  And if you’re looking at this from a solely fiscal standpoint, they only get $5.3 million a year anyways, which in terms of the total budget, is basically nothing.  The Human Rights Commission protects Illinoisans from unlawful discrimination,  the EPA protects our environment, the Illinois Commerce Commission works mainly in energy and telecommunication–both of which we need.  Aaaaand I think we all agree that the Workers’ Compensation Commission is necessary to protect us from our own workplace.

Believe it or not, the Government Services section encompasses the largest amount of departments and commissions (34 in all), but receives the smallest portion of the operating budget.  (Check out page 343 of the budget to see the entire list.)  Now at about 7.5%, that means they utilize approximately $1.7 billion, which definitely is a lot of money.  HOWEVER, after taking into consideration that these funds are shared by 34 entities (1.7/34) that means if they all received the same amount (which they don’t), it would equal about $51 million for each.  Now, just for the sake of argument, let’s say we determine that we can eliminate this entire budget item (which would be impossible for various reasons), we would only have freed up $1.7 billion of an $11.5 billion deficit.  I’m no mathematician but something tells me it’s not going to be enough.

I am talking in generalities here because it would obviously take volumes of novels to go into the explicit detail needed, but the point I’m trying to make here is that we’re in trouble and while cuts and responsible spending are definitely needed, what’s also needed is a balanced budget that doesn’t risk our livelihood.  At this point, the only way out is to increase income taxes.

Of states with flat rate income taxes (which I am aware is very regressive), we have the lowest income tax in the country.  Just as a comparison, New York State has 7 tax brackets that range from 4 percent to 8.97 percent.  Even at the lowest end they are higher than us.  California has 6 brackets, ranging from 1.25 to 9.55 percent.  While the low end is very low, hang on for a minute, because their exemptions are only $98 for filing single and $198 for married.  In Illinois it is $2,000 and $4,000 respectively and if you recall, the Governor is actually looking to increase those amounts.  Let’s look quickly at our neighbors, Indiana.  They also have a flat tax rate, just slightly higher than ours at 3.4 percent.  But, their exemptions are only $1,000 and $2,000.  And it’s Indiana.  Yuck.

I really hope that you made it to the end here and have learned a little something.  I think it’s really important to have the entire picture before making a judgment, particularly when it comes to government.  The media, politicians and interwebs can get things jumbled and before you know it, you’re watching a video of a monkey mouth raping a frog.  Wait…what?  If you have differing opinions, I’d love to hear them and then I’ll slap you…keeding.

Hey, Chicago, what do you say?

The following conversation took place via text message on April 28, 2010.  The names and content have not been altered in any way.

Smoothlou: “Free tomorrow?  I have a ticket to the Cubs game at 1:20 with your name on it.”

CC: “Ruh roh.  That sounds dangerous.  I’m in.”

Smoothlou: “I asked about a baker’s dozen of friends and family members to go with me, and everyone apparently has some kind of job that they go to or something.  Anyway, not that you were last on my list, but you were my first yes! USA! USA!”

CC: “Is that “job” with a soft “j” like “yob”?  I’m not familiar” (credit for joke: Adam C)

Smoothlou: “It may be an Italian word.  I’m not terribly familiar with the concept.   I didn’t even know what a baseball was until yesterday.  Apparently, 18 vaguely homosexual men duke it out with sticks and balls. Very exciting.”

And thus began my first adventure to the infamous and historic Wrigley Field.

Lou and I met at Rockit where the lovely Jaley is now employed.  We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch that ended with a pitcher of vodka lemonade with the Kool-Aid Man.   Which, for future reference, is much quicker to consume with a straw and perhaps a bumblebee.

We eventually went into the game at approximately the third inning after walking up several steep ramps, during which Lou commented, “Dont worry. It’s only another half mile”.  It felt it.  Oh–and not to ignore the fact that we were carrying our $7 Bud Lights.  God forbid they should offer a beer that doesn’t make my mouth taste like it time traveled to the next morning.

I was slightly disappointed by the lack of representation of douchebags and ball sacks (4th definition down) as making jokes about hair gel, tanning and fistpumps is not beneath me.  However, someone pointed out later that this genre of people have to work to fund their extravagent lifestyle of redbull and vodkas and Ed Hardy apparel.  These things don’t come cheap, people!

Neither Lou nor myself are baseball fans which was really our first mistake.  I only have a basic understanding of the sport although I’m pretty sure it’s not all that complicated.  I referenced my previous blog during the game which the ongoing game illustrated quite well.  That said, it was a beautiful Chicago day and there’s nothing like day drinking in a relaxed atmosphere with a good friend.

In accordance with my lifestyle, after the first beer, needed some vitamin nicotine.  There were “No smoking” signs everywhere, which was anticipated but figured I’d just go outside (which is stupid because we already were outside).  As I reached the gate, just to be sure, I asked the friendly (<—sarcasm) ticket takers if I could smoke and come back inside.  Nope.  I sighed and commented that the rule was silly as you have an entire stadium filled with drunken people, to which the guy said, rather ridiculously, “Havent you ever been on a plane?”.  What?  Uh, yes.  I used to travel often.  But I’m either sleeping or half-asleep and refrain from drinking because I know I’ll want a cigarette.  I’m pretty sure the Cubs people are making outrageous amounts of money on booze and if I’m going to pay the ass-raping prices, I would like to be able to smoke.  But I digress…

At the seventh inning we made the executive decision that a bar would suit our drinking needs better so proceeded to one across the street.  There, I greatly appreciated the glorious selection of delicious beverages and promtly ordered a Blue Moon to wash the taste of blowing a trucker (aka Bud Light (joke credit: Smoothlou)) out of my mouth.  While I’m not a fan of Wrigleyville bars, this one had a rooftop deck that was great for a day such as this.  Being half a pitcher of happiness and three beers in makes for random dancing and ridiculous pictures as evidenced here.

The douchebags were roaming freely at this bar and I even got to witness one special breed yell “Hey mama” at several chicks walking by.  Jaley joined us after work and here, in brief summation, was the remainder of the evening (it was only 5:00 pm at this point):

Go back to my house; drunkenly do Jaleys makeup; sing “Just a Friend” on the red line; go to Bin; drink wine; walk to blue line; Jaley looks for her CTA pass for about 10 minutes; CC dances and sings to Michael Jackson while awaiting the train; stranger gives CC dirty looks; go to Double Door; assault photobooth; go to Crocodile; assault free pizza. End.

In conclusion, I had a rather marvelous time.  I do believe that any future attentence of a Cubs game should be accompanied by someone that actually likes the sport.  Part of the excitement I feel at Bears games is brought on by the collective enjoyment of the action and that piece was clearly missing from my Cubs experience.  That and they lost 13-5.

Craig’s Lies

Come June 1^st, I will be leaving my lovely apartment on the north side and embarking on a new adventure with a new roommate.  I have done extensive apartment hunting in my time, and since I am beginning this search once again, I thought I would share some of my insights with the people of America (you’re welcome).  Sort of a handy dictionary that will translate apartment ad terminology into real world speak.

Charming: This adjective seems nice and will often prompt a click on the ad, however, beware.  “Charming” typically translates into “old and musty”, as in, “The stench in this apartment will charm you into a foggy haze”.

Renovated: Refers to the fact that it has been so long since any real updates have happened, that the original structure is considered to be completely different from it’s original glory.  Example: If I have a friend pee on my wood floor, it is “renovated”.  Similar to “rustic” or “classic”.

Great location: Near high levels of gang activity and hoards of annoying homeless people.  You might want to buy pepper spray at Sam’s Club.  Scratch that—just go for the taser.

Vintage: Old, worrisome stains in odd places, apartment equivalent to a 70-year-old hooker.  You will most likely incur an injury from the precariousness of the aged fixtures—falling through the floor, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.

Luxury: Pretty nice but in a horrific and dangerous neighborhood.  You can smell the desperation.  “Your neighbors will probably kill you but you’ll have granite countertops!”

Cozy: If you have furniture, don’t bother bringing it here unless it is constructed of popsicle sticks.  Nothing besides yourself will fit in this apartment.  You’ll be sleeping standing up.

What a deal!: Only for those that are extremely broke and have no standards.

Great for students: This place is already a piece of shit so if you have copious amounts of parties where your friend’s projectile vomit everywhere, it would actually be an improvement.

Spacious: BYOEverything.  It looks spacious because there isn’t anything included in this apartment.  We don’t believe in appliances so hopefully you don’t care about things like refrigerators, ovens or windows.

Updated: We found an oven circa 1996 on the street and threw it in the apartment.  Vast improvement considering there wasn’t one previously.

Beautiful: Make sure you’re ‘shrooming when you check this place out so that this descriptor can be correct.

Nice: This place is so bad, this is as positive a word we could muster to lie about it.  Similar to when you ask a friend, “Is this guy you’re setting me up with good looking?” and they respond, “He’s really nice”.

Clean: It’s been Swiffered once and the meth smell is almost completely gone.

Another useful tip: Whatever neighborhood the ad claims the apartment is in, it will actually be in the nearest dirty and dangerous one.

America’s pastime or snoozetime?

Once upon a time, I dated a guy that was a hardcore Sox fan.  He had season tickets thus, I often accompanied him to the games when one of his buddies was not able to attend.  I happen to be a lifelong Cubs fan however, I’m a cubs fan in the same way that many people are Christian or Republican.  I was raised that way. The difference being that I’m really just a lukewarm fan, not just of the Cubs but of baseball in general.

Now anyone that knows me is aware of my deep affinity for the Bears.  And by “deep affinity” I mean “fervent obsession”.  Those that have had the ill-fated opportunity to watch a Bears game with me…well, I’m sorry.  Your hearing will return.  Maybe.  Anyways, this love for football never transferred over to baseball.

The beginning of the 2010 baseball season is upon us and with it, an increasing number of Facebook and Twitter updates reflecting this with high enthusiasm.  I see these and sigh audibly.  Part of me really wishes that I shared in this excitement but I just can’t summon it.  I mean, I’ve been to games and I have had fun when I’m there, but it has more to do with the collective energy of so many fans in one place and the excessive amounts of beer rather than a love for the game.  I just don’t get it.  That said, I am an ardent Chicago sports fan so I’m always pulling for our teams, and you really can’t even live in the state, let alone call yourself a Chicagoan without choosing a team—Cubs or Sox.

Here’s how a game plays out to me:

The batter begins to make his way to the base at a snail’s pace, swinging the bat in the air a few dozen times, making him look like an epileptic freak about to turn on somebody.  He inevitably spits, the most cliché of all the baseball moves.  I imagine that there is a correlation between the amount of saliva a player expels from his mouth and his penis size, that being, the more it happens the more he has to prove.   Although, let’s be honest.  They’re all taking steroids so their manhood is already compromised.

While this is happening, the pitcher is acting like an impatient horse on the mound, also spitting and flailing his arms about.  The pitcher grabs his crotch a few thousand times, I’m assuming because it’s itchy from all that grabbing and makes what seems to be inappropriate gestures to the catcher.  Yeah, yeah.  I know.  They’re signaling pitches or whatever.  But you know they throw in a “I’ll pitch you something… like a tent”, from time to time.  Just to spice things up.

After about five minutes of this, the batter finally makes his way and prepares to step into the box (that’s what it’s called, right?).  But before he does so, he swings the bat a few more times—just in case the four dozen previous times weren’t enough, and he tries to look menacing to the pitcher.  He steps forward and now the pitcher stalls, I think because he’s trying to catch the batter by surprise which is ridiculous because he’s standing right in front of him and is clearly paying attention.

The pitcher at long last throws the ball and more often than not, it doesn’t result in anything interesting happening.  It’s a strike or a walk, or the batter hits a fly, or he hits it directly to an outfielder who catches it immediately.  Then this excruciatingly lengthy process begins again.  Sometimes they hit a grounder (again, I just placing baseball terms I’ve heard and putting them where I imagine they would go) and even though they know they’re going to be out, these overweight, elderly gentlemen attempt to heave their beer guts over to first base also at a pace that is exceedingly slow for professional athletes.

Speaking of which, baseball is really the only sport in which the athletes can be fat.  Even golfers have to stay thin because a protruding belly would get in the way of their swing.  The majority of football players are all in superb shape (and yes, I am aware that some of them are not but they still have incredible strength and would pound the shit out of you).  Baseball players are a veritable collection of borderline-obese, lazy assholes that stand in one place and swing a stick occasionally at a ball.  It isn’t that far off from golf when you think about it except that golfers have to actually have an aptitude at precision as their equipment tends to be much smaller than those commonly used in baseball.  (I’m making sweeping generalizations here and this is clearly a hyperbole for those of you that are going to attack me with examples of when this does not hold true.)

Now I’m not trying to say that baseball is all bad.  Sometimes you have a really good player that will bring some action with them and make it more exciting.  But—with there being no salary caps in the sport, too often teams are horrendously mismatched making you feel like you’re watching Mike Tyson fight a rhythmic gymnast.

My other issue with baseball is that there are far too many games.  How can a fan keep up?  Football is great.  16 regular season weeks.  You can devote your Sunday to the games, eat like a baseball player all day (ha) and relax.  Baseball games seem to be endless.  They don’t just play each team once but three times in a row.  Sometimes they even play the same team in multiple series.  And forget about the playoffs.  What are there?  7 potential games per round just to figure who is going to the World Series?  I would literally have to develop an Adderall addiction just to keep up.  This is far too big of a commitment for me.

In football you get one chance.  One.  That’s why the playoffs and Superbowl are so exciting.  You have no choice but to play with everything you’ve got because there’s no second chance.  It’s now or never.  That kind of drama I like.  Baseball—the attitude seems to be, “Well, I’m having an HPV flare up and was dealing with some indigestion from that burrito I had earlier.  But whatever.  We’re going to play again tomorrow so it’ll be fine.”  I’m not saying this is what actually happens, just what the, or my (if you prefer) perception is.

I know at this point I seem like a complete baseball hater.  I really am not.  It’s alright.  I don’t loathe it the way I do tennis or golf.  I just don’t understand how people can get so hyped about it.  I find it akin to getting thrilled about Mondays.  “Fuck yeah!  It’s Monday!  It’s really slow and boring, and there’ll be 51 other Mondays this year just like it, and nothing that happens today really matters or means anything…but let’s get this party started!”  On the other hand, perhaps this is the existential optimistic attitude.  Getting amped about something that is usually so boring and occurs so often that it’s easy to become apathetic.  But some people move past this to see the greatness of…um, whatever it is that they deem as remarkable about the sport.  At the end of the day, maybe we could all learn a little something from baseball fans.

Ain’t no free lunch

I’m going to assume that you (the reader) are my friend, and as my friend, I’m going to ask for a favor right now.  Regardless of your personal opinions of this particular subject, I would really like for you to read what follows this plea because it is especially close to my heart and important to not just me, but all of us.  This is something that is currently and will continue to affect all of our lives for years to come.  Here we go…

I have been lucky enough to have my government administration class this quarter be taught by the infamous David Orr, Cook County Clerk and one-time City of Chicago Mayor.  We have had a myriad of incredible speakers each week, from the president of SEIU to the 49th Ward Alderman.  This week, I knew that our guest would be Ed Burke, Alderman of the 14th Ward, but I had no idea the magnitude this particular visit would be.

“Those who know Chicago politics know there’s one man who’s more powerful than Mayor Daley, Alderman Ed Burke.”

Let me give you a brief biography of Ed Burke: He has been an alderman in the Chicago City Council for more than 40 years, which he currently holds the record for in consecutive terms.  Ald. Burke is also the Chairman of the Finance Committee, arguably the most powerful committee in the city.  I could continue, but I think you get the idea.  I highly recommend reading the links above if you’re not familiar with his work.

Now, I’m not trying to start a debate about whether Ald. Burke is an effective or good politician.  Whatever your personal feelings are about his brand of politics, there is one undeniable fact: this man knows Chicago politics, budgeting and the realities of such better than anyone else in the state.  Nay, in the country.  This is important in order for you to understand the heaviness of what he said this evening.

After speaking for approximately thirty minutes, mainly about the history of Chicago (he’s a history buff and author), Ald. Burke opened it up to the class for questions.  Mind you, this is a graduate level public administration class, so people were pretty tough on him.  One woman asked him about the budget crisis and what alternatives Chicago has for increasing funding.  His response was basically that he has attempted to introduce innovative fees such as the commuter tax to close the budget gap which was not received well.

This seemed a bit odd to me.  As a Chicago historian, compiled with his extreme level of power, it seems that he would develop a solution and force policy through to fix the city’s budget problems.  So I asked the following question:

“You’ve said that you have tried to introduce policy to solve the budget crisis to no avail and that raising taxes is really the only solution at this point.  While these ideas are nice, what do you realistically see happening to our future?”

Ald. Burke said pointedly that due to this being an election year, it is unlikely that an increase in taxes would happen.  He continued to state that he felt things would continue down the road we are currently on (read: a widening budget gap) until we finally hit rock bottom and the only way out will be a federal bailout ala New York style (quickly: in 1975, the feds bailed NY out of their severe budget crisis by offering them an annual $2.8 billion loan for three years. Total: $8.4 billion).

Now, I have been personally affected by the economic crisis and I knew that it was bad.  You can’t turn the corner without hearing all about it for the millionth time (if I only had a nickel for everytime…).  Call me naive, but I honestly believed that this was a temporary situation and in a couple of years, we’d all look back at this as that silly bump in the road that forced us all to shop at Jewel instead of Whole Foods.  I think it’s the Cubs fan in me that always thinks the next win is just around the corner.

But when Ald. Burke said “FEDERAL BAIL OUT”, it was liked being slapped in the face by my airbag all over again.  Holy.  Shit.  We are in trouble.  This is like a death sentence.  Between the time that the city stalls to find a viable solution and a federal bailout, this city will see suffering like it’s never known.  Think Chicago fire proportions.

Ironically, a few weeks ago, Forbes named Chicago one of the top ten most miserable cities to live in.  I baulked at this title and even engaged in a twitter discussion with my dear friend, bokeen, about why this is invalid.  I’ve been all over this country and I’m sorry, but NO CITY even comes close to the rich culture, history and architecture Chicago has to offer.  I love this city with reckless abandon and will defend it till my last breath.  So to hear about it’s potential impending disaster puts a fear in my heart that calls for something to be done.

Now let’s explain a few things.  Firstly, I constantly hear people talk about how the city should make more cuts, and stop wasteful spending.  As someone that has devoted six years of my academic career to government, I can say with certainty that this is no longer the answer.  Yes.  We need to work towards eliminating needless spending and taking a long, hard look at our budget.  However, the deficit is too large for simply making cuts.  We HAVE to increase funding.  There is no other way.  We could debate all day long as to what is the most appropriate way to do this and there are a multitude of opinions.  But the bottom line is the city and state’s income is down, and if you’d still like to not just receive services from the government but continue our legacy as one of the greatest cities on Earth, then something has to be done.  Services cost money.  Snow and trash removal, street maintenance, safety and fire, social services…these things aren’t free.

Doing nothing means that our city will disintegrate, people will move away, jobs will leave and the beautiful city we once knew and loved will just be a distant memory.  I refuse to let this happen.  So I need your help.  Firstly, I’d like to hear your opinions on this matter.  I think an open and honest discussion about your thoughts, fears and hopes are a good start.

Next, what I’d really love is for you to write your representatives and tell them you support…well, whatever you support.  I personally hope that you will ask them to work towards increasing income tax in Illinois.  Without going too far into this topic, know that in Illinois, we have a flat 3% income tax.  It is highly regressive which is unfortunate but it is also one of the lowest in the country.  Quinn has proposed a 2% percent increase which honestly, is virtually nothing for most of us.  And if you make under $30,000, that’s what the EIC is for and you won’t pay income tax anyways.  You know why politicians don’t want to get behind this even though they all know that it’s the solution?  Because they think YOU will vote them out of office if they do so.  So let them know what your thoughts are.  Politicians and officials do listen when people make noise.  And I know we have it in us to save this city.  For the love of god, we believed the Bears were going to make a comeback until game 13.  This has actual repercussions and we have the chance to change history.  We can and will come out of this stronger and better.

In the immortal words of Buffalo Springfield: I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound, Everybody look what’s going down.