With a single exception, however, the politics practiced by the White House “Chicago mafia” is not consistent with the Chicago machine. It is not close to what we Chicagoans have come to know and love/hate. For example, everyone calls out Rahm Emanuel because he yells and swears and bullies to get the job done — when he gets it done. But that ain’t the Chicago way. Not at the top. The true Chicago organization man, though he knows all the banned lyrics, does not need to use them, or even... 

Last week I wrote that one way the federal government could show it was serious about the budget deficit would be an across-the-board pay cut of 10% for all civilian federal workers. Although the savings would be only about $15 billion per year (roughly 1% of the budget deficit) the “cut” would send a clear signal to our creditors that policymakers were concerned about the deficit and were willing to take on sacred cows. It seems like I touched a nerve. No article I’ve ever written has generated... 

This is exactly the sort of thing taxpayers can easily get their minds around… The Illinois Department on Aging plans to move from two state-owned locations in Springfield where it pays no rent into a private office building where it will lease space for more than $530,000 a year. The department said the move was in the works before the state’s financial problems hit and that it will enable all department employees to be in one location. OK, hold it right there. “Before the state’s financial... 

Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-IL Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-MN Illinois Democrat Dan Lipinski told The Weekly Standard that he will not vote for the  Senate healthcare bill unless the pro-abortion sections are removed. When asked if Lipinski was open to supporting the Senate healthcare bill if it lacked the Stupak language, the Congressman’s spokesman Nathaniel Zimmer replied: “No. Congressman Lipinski will not vote for a health care bill that provides federal funding for abortion.” And Lipinski isn’t... 

Dear Mr. Obama: CBS radio news this morning ran a clip of one of your recent speeches.  In it, you criticize insurance companies because they “ration coverage … according to who can pay and who can’t.” Further pondering of your point leads to see fascinating possibilities.  Not only insurers, but all producers who greedily refuse to supply persons who don’t pay should be set aright.  Now I’m sure that you don’t ration the supply of the books you write according to any criteria as... 

Illinois is facing a massive budget deficit and a structural problem with State Pensions that are crippling the State’s economy.  So what better time for the incumbent media to take up a mind numbing campaign of “gotcha” to go after Bill Brady, the Republican nominee. Eric Zorn is beyond the pale of a professional journalist, simply cutting and pasting Pat Quinn’s campaign statements as a substitute for substantial thought.  Zorn (or is it Quinn?) catches Brady opposing...