Our View: Don't drag the needy into politics
On his way out of office, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich called a news conference in which he shared the stage with needy citizens and talked about the help he was able to give such people. It was derided as a stunt and a disgusting one at that. How dare the disgraced governor use these people to further his cause and deflect criticism?
But yet again, the people who need help the most are being thrust into a political spotlight, as Blagojevich’s replacement, Gov. Pat Quinn, fights for support for his state budget plan. Perhaps Quinn isn’t constructing a stage for a Blago-like sideshow, but he’s seized every opportunity to point out how horrible it would be if social services were cut if the income tax weren’t raised to help close a $9.2 billion deficit.
There was talk of a doomsday scenario, in which police would be laid off and teachers would be out of work. Care for the disabled would be cut, too. We’ve heard from social service workers as well as the people in their care. Of course, the state’s taxpayers don’t want the services provided to cease.
We’re a day away from the budget deadline, and again, the people of Illinois and their paychecks are being used as pawns in political negotiations.
Maybe there will be an agreement. Maybe there won’t. Either way, it’s been another year of unfortunate and disappointing budget talks. And it’s been implied that the state’s residents would be letting down their neighbors if they didn’t get on board with a governor’s plan to take more of their money. As if it’s the fault of the taxpayers that the state is in such a difficult situation.
It’s not.
Of course, politicians will fight for their plans. There will be promises and threats and calls of sacrifice. That’s to be expected. But keep the state’s needy out of political rhetoric. Otherwise, it’s no better than the Blagojevich show.
