Enough Is Enough

I ran across a notice that our newspaper along with many others throughout the state are devoting the front page of Thursday's paper to an editorial on the budget impass. It jogged my memory that a little less than a year ago I introduced my family to the powers that be in the State of Illinois for the same antics that are still ongoing (you can see my post here Get It Together ). I may not have a front page of a newspaper to dedicate to an editorial, but I do have an opinion on our situation.

Governor Rauner:

You are failing. You are choosing to put your energy into fights that are going nowhere fast. You had and have the opportunity to help correct the budgetary issues in our state. You could have accomplished much in leading our state in a new direction, but instead of taking an approach that could accomplish that, you have tried to strong arm your way through. It's not working. As a Republican, you are hurting the party. As a leader you are dividing, threatening, and quite frankly using corrosion in an attempt to get your way. Unfortunately, you're proving that you too are just as corrupt as those that preceded you.

Now you're choosing to try to continue to blame state employees and quite frankly screw them for the budget issues. Let's call a spade a spade shall we? It's not the state employees fault that the Legislature failed to do their job. They failed to make a budget. They've failed for years to fund pensions. These are failures that the employees are not responsible for. Now you're failing. You're failing to compromise. The strong arm approach will in no way benefit our state. If you push to a strike, who wins? You? The employees? Those losing services? Families? No, we all lose. Swallow your pride. Realize that this isn't some trophy for you to hang on your wall or another notch on your belt of accomplishments. These are REAL people and REAL lives that you're affecting.

I realize that compromise is a necessity from both sides and I don't take that for granted. As a leader, you have a duty to set an example. To be in the forefront of situation and work for the good of all involved. Honestly your approach isn't one that exemplifies the traits of a good leader.

Members of the House and Senate:

Stop. Just stop. Stop falling lock step with your party. It's embarrassing. You're not there to fall in line. You're there to represent. Do that. Represent your constituents without fear of what will be taken from you by your party leaders. We didn't elect you to represent them or your own interests, we elected you to represent us. You're not. You're failing and failing miserably.  As a whole you too are embarrassing. You too should be ashamed of yourselves.

Your failure to reach a budget because of your pride, your corruption, your fears of those higher up than you is utterly ridiculous. You have went one entire year without a budget. You stand to have schools shut down, people laid off, and a state (which you are supposed to proudly represent) in shambles.

As an elected official, I would be embarrassed to have my name hanging on a door that I've failed so miserably to fulfill my obligations to. Your names hang on the State of Illinois as representation of the citizens you're supposed to represent. Again, REAL people, REAL lives your affecting.

At this point, I'd like to reintroduce you to the family that's going to be hurt by the failures of the elite. I introduced them a year ago, but just in case you forgot, I'd like to remind you. Again, please feel free to share with your colleagues so that they can see the REAL people that your failures affect.

Maui, age 8. She will be starting third grade this fall. She loves art, soccer, swimming, Star Wars, and playing with her sisters. She's smart, fearless, beautiful from the inside out and loves Jesus with all her heart.

Brylynn, age 2. She has just started coming into her own. She has the best personality and facial expressions that you'll ever find. She is smart as a whip, beautiful, loves Mickey Mouse, Bubble Guppies, and Star Wars Rebels (mostly because her big sister does). She's a free spirit and marches to her own beat. She recently decided that she loves to go swimming.

Aspen, age 18 months. She's a little chatter box. She loves to give kisses and is a social butterfly. She's our little wanderer. She's silly, beautiful, and sweet. She has no fear and loves to be read to much like all of her sisters. She loves playing in the sand and water.

Afton, age 18 months. She's determined. She always is on a mission and won't stop until she gets it done. She gives the best hugs, won't go unnoticed, is beautiful, and oh so funny. She loves to slide and go on four wheeler rides.

Rob, age 42. He's one of the many employees who's lives you're toying with. He's a great daddy and husband. Works hard and does more around the house than anyone realizes. He loves Tennessee Volunteers football and St Louis Cardinals baseball.

Holly, age 33. I'm the wife and mom to these wonderful people. I'm an elected official who tries hard to do the job I've been elected to do (yep, elected and choosing to do the job). I love my family, house hunting, Cardinals baseball, and being in the country.

 

We are a REAL family that your political games are hurting. There's thousands more. Look at us. Look at them. Look at yourself and decide. Decide if lining your pockets, protecting your pride and your position, and political maneuvering is really worth destroying families like mine.

 

Enough with the political games. Enough of your pride. Enough of your threats. Enough is enough. Do your job. You get paid and paid well to do what you're so painfully failing at. Get it together Springfield, we're depending on you.