POL, Democrats prediliction toward big government

Chicago Defender (Mema Ayi):

Commissioners Wednesday began to tackle a looming $70 million budget deficit and the consolidation of county departments, as well as plans for the 2007 budget, which [Acting President of the Cook Couny Board Bobbie] Steele said she hopes will be ready before she leaves office in December.

"I've met with every elected official to let them know they need to help," Steele said. "Let's look across the board at all of our departments in terms of bringing up revenue."

Maybe Steele should direct them to also consider ways to cut expenses?

Remember, for people not getting government pay raises median household incomes are declining. At some point there's going to be a revolt against paying higher taxes to keep the same level of services while household incomes decline.

This seems like a good time to share an anecdote about State Representative Deborah Graham.

In 2003 I ran for school board in Oak Park and River Forest. A community group organized a candidate forum for all local candidates. Graham came to visit with the candidates. She and I got to talking.

I explained to Graham why I thought the states should take the lead in raising the minimum wage. I favor agressively raising the minimum wage and subsidizing the small businesses in the downstate counties with especially high unemployment rates.

Graham said that she favored raising the minimum wage so these Illinoisans would pay more taxes.