T.J. Prebil

Throw us a bone, Quinn!

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Just three days after being sworn-in as Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn signed legislation increasing the State’s personal income tax by a whopping 67%. Why? Because, as 60 Minutes reported recently, Illinois is bankrupt.

Clearly the lagging recession and record unemployment hasn’t helped but should the State’s businesses and citizens be asked to shoulder the load alone?

The State could stay in everyone’s good graces if it would extend a few olive branches, such as:

• Taking after California and requiring all State employees turn in their government-owned cell phones.
• Freezing all salary increases for anyone that works for the State for three years, or until the budget is balanced.
• Eliminating union contracts (yeah, right). Ok, how about refusing to do business with entities unwilling to negotiate on benefits, scheduled salary increases and efficiency guarantees.
• Providing incentives for every State department to save money across the board. In fact, for every $100.00 a department saves, why not let the employees split $5.00 to $10.00 in bonuses.
• Stop nickel and diming people in other ways (e.g. bogus convenience fees on State websites, which actually improve efficiencies).

Equal Opportunity Immigration

Monday, April 26th, 2010

As indicated on the right hand side of this page, occasionally I may write about political issues. This is one such post.

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Contrary to President Obama’s reaction to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s signing of legislation which requires immigrants to carry their alien registration cards with them (among other enforcements), I applaud the Governor’s efforts to take a stand against illegal immigration. Though not a resident of Arizona, I side with the 70% of state residents who believe reform is overdue.

As if protecting U.S. Citizens, controlling drug trafficking, and managing population growth weren’t  enough, fairness to all (who want to come to the U.S.) should be added to the list of reasons why reform is needed.

In turning a blind eye to illegal immigration, which almost entirely consists of people entering from our Southern border, politicians are pandering to a minority group while mocking those trying to enter the country legally.

Having lived in Chicago for 13 years, I’ve been fortunate to befriend people from many different countries who have come to the U.S. seeking new opportunities. In three particular cases – a friend from Bangladesh, a friend from Denmark, and a friend from Australia – I have seen how difficult it is to receive legal authorization. Each friend has followed the the rules, paid thousands of dollars in legal fees, and waited anxiously for the U.S. Government to move their applications along.

So how is it that the U.S. Government can ignore an increasingly dangerous, expensive, and illegal  situation along our Southern border while also enforcing strict guidelines – which it should – for all those trying to enter the U.S. honestly and legally?

Perhaps I’d be more open illegal immigration if someone could explain this to me but, until that day comes, I’m all for protecting our borders and providing equal opportunities for anyone who wants to come to the U.S.

The American People

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

I’m always a little irked when politicians, pundits, and advisors use the term “The American People,” as in the American people want healthcare reform, lower taxes, more/less government, or the American people, in electing President Obama/Bush/Clinton et al., have spoken.

The American people are a fragmented and diverse group who, for the most part, remain evenly split between two political parties, and divided across scores of issues.

In the 2008 Presidential election, for example, 53% of the 125+ million voters chose Obama whereas 46% voted for McCain; hardly a unanimous decision. Tight elections occur all the time and at all levels of government, yet talking heads rarely miss an opportunity to refer to the American people as a united group lockstep with their political views.

It’d be refreshing to hear a politician acknowledge that 50% of their constituents do not share the same perspective on a particular issue. Do so might actually allow for real solutions and progress!

You've Got to Love Democracy

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Yesterday’s Senatorial election in Massachusetts will likely be remembered as one of the most historic U.S. election upsets of all time. In a notoriously blue state, in a vote to replace “The Lion of the Senate” (one of the biggest proponents of healthcare reform), and in an election that would either uphold or break the Democratic Party’s filibuster-proof voting majority, Bay State residents went against a 30+ year trend to restore a slight balance of power in Nation’s Capital.

Had Ted Kennedy not passed away last year or had Martha Coakley been elected as expected, little would stood in the way for Democrats to pass sweeping healthcare reforms. However, this election, which captured the attention of the nation, was an overwhelming statement that the country has had enough. The nation is tired of one-sided policies, excessive spending, broken promises, controversial bribes, and general arrogance.

As I noted several weeks ago, government no longer fears the people. Hopefully Tuesday’s election results will be regarded as a shot-over-the-bow to everyone in Washington, both Republicans and Democrats.

Serve the best interest of your constituents, or find a new job!

Who does the government fear?

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Thomas Jefferson once said “when governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

While I’m not trying make a case for or against the Second Amendment, nor do I believe that we actually live in a tyrannical society, I do feel that those in government today, at all levels, do not fear the people. Decisions are made, laws are passed, and taxes are increased without appropriate vetting, without public input, and without fully understanding long term implications.

Can 203 economists be wrong?

Friday, January 30th, 2009

The CATO Institute placed an advertisement in the New York Times and Washington Post whereby hundreds of economists voiced their disapproval of government’s latest stimulus package. Unfortunately, they were outnumbered by 244 democratic politicians.

If Keynesianism is any indication, it will be long time before the economy recovers.

The Machine!

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

The Chicago Political Machine took big hit today.  Illinois is now batting 100% with with its last two governors facing corruption charges, one of whom is already in jail and another who may be heading that way.  To paraphrase U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, “if Illnois is not the most corrput state in the country, it’s certainly a frontrunner.”

A few thoughts on the auto industry…

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Executives representing The Big 3 were back in Washington yesterday, this time asking for a combined $34 billion in government bailout money. Here’s my take on what’s happening with Detroit and the potential bailout.

• I find it unbelievable that the CEO’s of GM, Ford and Chrysler originally showed up in Washington to request $25 billion in bailout money, they had no plan on how they anticipate using the money. Rightly so, government officials sent them back to Detroit until they had given their request a little more thought. How on earth did these guys get to be CEOs anyway? Not only are they holding they reigns while their companies are falling apart around them, they clearly have real solutions on how to get out of this mess.

• Will the government bailout the auto industry or will they force these companies into bankruptcy? Over the long-term, I believe the only way to help the auto industry is to let the Big 3 fail. Doing so will enable Ford, GM and Chrysler to renegotiate contacts with suppliers and more specifically the UAW union, which may be the single most reason (along with lack of innovation) that these companies are struggling.

• In a recent interview with Bob Schieffer discussing the auto industry, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, never mentioned the unions as a reason why The Big 3 are failing. Clearly, Pelosi is pandering to a significant voter base here but she’s also being shortsighted. Can she really be taken her seriously if she unable to admit the union’s role in the auto industry’s demise for political reasons? Unfortunately, she’s sitting at the head of the decision table.

• Ultimately, I think the government will cave and provide bailout money to the auto industry. They don’t want the political headache of watching 10′s of thousands of people lose their jobs. Time will tell that this route is a short-term fix. When the government concede, however, I hope they heed Douglas Olin’s advice: “isn’t it time for Detroit to turn out a car that gets at least 100 miles per gallon — and to do it in three years? Couldn’t we demand, in return for public money, that management deliver dramatic new fuel economy standards, with appropriate rewards for success and sanctions for failure?.” Amen!

Ah, Chicago

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

You’ve got to hand it the the City of Chicago.  In a matter of 3 weeks, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board approvied raising bus and train fares and City Hall privatized parking meters, resulting in the average parking spot costing $1.00 per hour.  Both increases go into effect January 1st, 2009.

Here’s to a New Year of continued nickel and diming of city residents.  My New Year’s wish for the City of Chicago…operate more efficiently!

Free Speech

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

The first amendment states that congress shall make no law prohibiting the freedom of speech or the right of people to peaceably assemble.

It is no secret that some of the strongest supporters of the first amendment are on the Left (e.g. the ACLU). If fact, there are many minority groups and organizations, doing great things and representing honorable causes, that deserve to be heard.

However, what I don’t understand is why many on the Left are so for free speech when they’re the ones talking but so against it when those with different opinions exercise their first amendment right.

Case in point, recently gay activists disrupted a Sunday mass, McCain supporters were given the finger in NYC during a march and an 8th grader had two very different experiences at school.

To me, these kinds of outbursts and disruptions are not only obnoxiously immature but also unmistakenly hypocritical.