Deficits, Cruelest Tax of All - 2010

Far too many voters fail to recognize that not only are deficits a tax, but deficits are far and away the cruelest tax of all. Deficits have caused the Dollar Index to fall from 250 in 1981 to 75 in 2008. Deficits are caused when a taxing body allows expenditures to exceed taxes collected. Deficits cause our Government to either borrow enough money to cover the deficit or print enough. This increases the size of the dollar pool by the ratio of the deficit to the budget, and decreases the value of the dollar by the ratio of the new dollars created to the dollars already in circulation. Deflating the dollar instead of increasing taxes is unfair to most, especially the poor, because their taxable liability on a minimum wage may be -0-, and the little money they have to spend is further deflated following each deficit. Since 1981, every year a Republican President was in office there has been a deficit. This must stop. A deficit is best described as a Republican back door tax on the poor and middle class, to counter Democratic taxes on the rich.

For centuries, U S currency, as well as all industrial nations, was tied to precious metals, namely Gold and Silver. If it was coinage, it was made of one of those metals or a combination of them. A $20 Gold coin contained $20 in gold. A silver dollar contained $1 in silver. When we started using paper, each bill was a note backed by Gold or Silver held by the U S Treasury. Today it is legal tender, backed only by $12 Trillion of debt.

The value of the products we buy has not increased, but the cost has. The value of Gold has a constant value. I will try to explain using two commodities most are familiar with. In 1946 the price of a new full sized 1946 Buick Super 4 Dr. sedan was $1,300 give or take a couple dollars. Gold was $35 an oz. If you divide $35 into $1,300, the cost of the car was 37.14 oz’s of Gold. Today a full sized 4 Dr. Buick Lucerne, with more bells and whistles than you will ever learn to use (if you are in your 80’s), is priced at $35,000 give or take. Gold today is quoted at $1137 per Oz. give or take. Divide $35,000 by $1,137 equals 30.78 oz’s of gold. The new Buick would cost 17.1% fewer dollars today than in 1946 had our dollar held it’s 1946 value.

Now let’s look at farmland. A 160-acre farm bordering Shannon on the west, sold for $200 an acre in 1946. Now divide $35 into $200 equals 5.71 oz of gold per acre. Now we multiply 5.71 oz by $1137 and we have $6,492 per acre, basically what it would fetch on today’s market. How many in Washington, D.C. understands this is what deficits do? How many times did we see ‘W’ Bush on TV say, “I’m not concerned about deficits I’m concerned about the economy?” He didn’t have a clue there was any connection.

Our Nation shifted to a ‘supply side’, sometimes referred to as ‘trickle down’, economy pushed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and continued through 1992. During those 12 years our deficits increased dramatically. In1993 President Clinton discontinued that policy and reduced our deficits every year in his first term. In his second term he had ever increasing surpluses. In 2001 Our Supreme Court ruled President George W. Bush President and he re-instated the ‘trickle down’ policy again. By September of 2008 our nation was bankrupt and forced to give up Capitalism in favor of Socialism by taking control of some Banks, Insurance Companies and Brokering businesses.

Kenneth Moll

Shannon, IL

Patriots . . .

It is a sad day in Mudville. How can this happen? We had a health care bill crammed down our throats that 70% of American citizens were against. It is over 2000 pages long. It took millions of dollars in bribes and pay offs to get it to barely pass. When has a  government program ever stayed within budget? This is not about health care as much as it is about a Socialistic take over, another dependency on Big Brother to take care of us from cradle to grave.

When I make a dollar I can spend it and get a dollar’s worth of goods. When I give it to the government for an entitlement they keep up to 80 cents to administer the program and I get 20 cents worth of goods. But doesn’t it make you feel good that we created more government jobs? More jobs that suck up more of our taxes. More jobs that mean more votes for the liberal progressives. And so the beat goes on. Pretty soon there will be a minority working for private business that pays all the taxes to support all the new government jobs. Business cannot remain competitive with all the new taxes, so they head to China where there are no unions, OSHA, or EPA.

We need government, but not to this extent. Who is going to pay the bills? The Democrats have gone socialistic. Many of the Republicans have gone moderate. Thank God that finally the Republicans are starting to get it and stood 100% unified against this Health Care Bill. Thank God there were 32 Democrats that did not bow to the bribes and pressure of Obama, Reid and Pelosi. It is NOT the time for us conservatives to give up. It is not time to support any liberal Republican or Democrat.

When the RNC calls me now for money I tell them like Ronald Reagan told his party, the Democrats, years ago. I did not leave you, you left me. I will give more $$ this election than I have in the past, but it will not be to any party. It will be to a conservative candidate that has a chance to win! Rise up, don’t sit there like usual and think that it will work out.

The way bad things come about is for good people to do nothing. Support the Rockford Tea Party April 6th. { go to http://www.rockfordteaparty.org/TEA_PARTY_EXPRESS.html }  There will be thousands that feel the same as you do. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Green Party, and Independents, lets us unify in this endeavor. We do not agree on all things, but we do agree on this: our government is to overpowering, too big, too intrusive, too much taxing and spending. 

For now this is still America! For now this is still government of the people, by the people, and for the people! For now we the people still have the power by the vote, and we are going to use it this November!

Bill Dietz

Stephenson Co. Tea Party

(We meet second Thursday of each month - April 8, 7 PM. 111 E. Mason St. Lena IL. Dietz’s Old School Apartments. Guest speaker for April is Ron Kane, Stephenson County Tax Assessor)

A Vote to Change America #1

Regarding Mike Kocal’s “Connecting the Dots” commentary (Prairie Advocate, March 24, 2010), I totally agree that this horrible piece of legislation is a disaster for the country in every way. It makes all of us property of the state. Therefore, what we will get will be Veterinary Medicine. If our treatment will not be cost-effective in the opinion of a bureaucrat, then in the words of Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary for Clinton “We’ll let them die”.

As was pointed out on Fox News this morning by a doctor, “I will no longer be able to follow the Hippocratic Oath because a bureaucrat will tell me how to treat patients, therefore I will reluctantly leave the practice I trained for and love”. Get ready for a tsunami of this.

I would also like to address what you said about making voters out of illegal aliens. That is exactly what they intend to do. It’s called Universal Voter Registration and the Brennan Center for Justice has a paper on this Progressive/Liberal nightmare online. It’s 12 easy pages and every citizen of this country should be aware of it and read it.

http://brennan.3cdn.net/27dfe0578eaa840369_glm6bne8d.pdf

It outlines a scheme for putting voter registration in the hands of the Federal Government with automatic registering of everyone found on various databases, including “income tax records, Dept. of Motor Vehicle Records, Census Records, records of a National Health Care System” (although in this paper they say we don’t have one. We got it yesterday).

I lived in Chicago. I’ve seen vote fraud up close and personal. I’ve seen dozens of people vote from what I knew were vacant lots. I’ve seen the same people vote over and over with different names each time. I was a poll-watcher and was warned by a Chicago cop to stop objecting if I wanted to reach my home that Election night. If we get Universal Voter Registration there will never be another honest election in the USA.

Think it can’t happen here? Don’t kid yourself. It’s being worked on now to try to prevent any chance of the Democrats losing the House and repealing the bill - and the ones they’re going to pass next.

Congressman Manzullo, please read it and use your office to investigate.

Note - When you Google this you will find that John Fund of the Wall Street Journal exposed this last December. Unfortunately it contained one big error. He said Barney Frank and Chuck Schumer were working on  it. It wasn’t Barney Frank, it was John Conyers, but that was enough that the loony left got the story killed everywhere.

Larry Farrell

Mount Carroll

A Vote to Change America - #2

Dear Mike:

I read with interest your article on health care reform and I object to some of your comments.

First, I’ve been hearing from conservatives like John Boener and now you that the Democrats have ignored the will of a majority of Americans.  I heartily disagree with this statement.  I would argue that we have heard the complaints of polled Americans, and the complaints of the ultra-conservatives who have simply made more noise or perhaps got more news coverage than the rest of us.  I am one of the many, many Americans who need insurance coverage.  For the past 10 or more years I have worked for employers who did not provide it, primarily because of cost.  Now that I am over 50, it’s an even tougher battle to get coverage at all, let alone at a cost I can afford.

Second, you mention that health insurance is not covered in the Constitution.  Is car insurance?  It seems to me I am required to buy it if I wish to drive a car.  How is that different than being required to buy health insurance?  I don’t like the provision either, and I think it’s the product of too much influence by insurance companies, but I see the logic.

Third, fascists?  Really?  “a political philosophy . . . that exalts nation and often race above the individual and stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition”?  Really? 

And what is your position on Medicare?  How does that fit in?  I can’t help but notice that a lot of folks complaining about the health care bill are those who are already receiving their health insurance from the government.  Would you do away with that?

You also imply in your article that the Democrats will pass some sort of legislation to allow illegal immigrants to become citizens, apparently so that they will vote for them.  Again, really?

At this point, I am inclined to vote for anyone who is NOT Republican.  I’m sick to death of their refusal to participate in anything as well as their penchant for putting out blatantly false information as a scare tactic.  They are not interested in my well-being; they are mad because they are out of power and determined to obstruct anything that isn’t their idea.  To openly wish a sitting President to fail, to state publicly that they will not participate in the health care debate . . . these are things that are not in my best interest.

I’m not happy with the health care bill, but it is a starting point.  I do believe that Medicare and Medicaid are good and necessary things but that this type of coverage needs to be available to everyone.

And I do not believe that we are fascists.

Thanks for listening.

Cheryl Heldt

Lanark, IL

Preservation in Morrison

The homes and buildings, and the very lay of the land along the Lincoln Highway gateway corridor to our community, with the core of our unique downtown business area, provide an ambiance and magnetism that has real curb appeal.  We hear this frequently from travelers and visitors to Morrison.  The City Council greatly values what this means to the community as a whole.  This is the intent of the Historic Preservation Ordinance:  to set a stage that is attractive to those who potentially want to live and work in a town that cares about how it is perceived.

I would like to clarify a few of the points raised by members of the community who are constructively concerned about the Morrison Historic Preservation Ordinance of April, 2009, and its effect on properties within the District.  

What the “new” ordinance does not require:

• No application, hearing or permit is required to paint or make basic repairs to your home or property.

• No application, hearing or permit is required to tuck-point or otherwise repair exterior brickwork or foundations.

• No application, hearing or permit is required for the repair of existing siding, windows or doors.

• No application, hearing or permit is required for the repair or replacement of an existing roof of the same or similar material.

• No hearing or permit is required for any interior work at all.• 

What the “new” ordinance may require:

An application, hearing and permit are probably required for additions, replacement of windows, doors, change of roof lines and decorative features, or exterior re-siding of a different material, any of which are visible from the street and would significantly alter an existing appearance.

Permit requests for replacement of windows or doors that generally maintain the same or original openings and design in general appearance will very likely be approved.

Permit requests for additions that maintain the character of the building will very likely be approved.

An application, hearing and permit are required for the demolition of a building. Structures beyond reasonable repair and economic viability will likely be approved for demolition by the Historic Preservation Commission, and, thus far, each such application for demolition has been so approved.

An application, hearing and permit are required for the construction of a new residential or commercial building, but please note that, Historic Preservation Ordinance or not:

Houses must be built within the permitted front, side, and rear yard setbacks so as not to infringe on their neighbors’ enjoyment and use of their property - “new” Historic Preservation Ordinance or not.

Commercial buildings must also be built within the required setbacks, and provide sufficient parking and internal “stacking” space for autos waiting for a drive-up facility, so as not to infringe on their neighbors’ enjoyment and use of their properties – “new” Historic Preservation Ordinance or not.

Commercial buildings must address infringements on their neighbor’s properties by means of visual buffering from auto headlights and excessive building or parking lot lighting, and additional storm water runoff from the paving-over of turf or bare ground - “new” Historic Preservation Ordinance or not.

Absent the Historical Preservation Ordinance, steel-clad, pre-engineered buildings would be permitted anywhere in a commercially zoned district as long as they met the setback, parking, lighting and buffering requirements.  

Absent the Historic Preservation Ordinance, those residential properties located in the Highway Commercial zoning district on East Lincolnway (established by ordinance in 2005) from Jackson Street west to Bartlett could have been demolished and replaced with any sort of commercial building as long as it meet the standard zoning regulations.

Absent the Historic Preservation Ordinance, a new residence or commercial building could be built within any area of the district of a nature and design that detracted from the character of the neighborhood and thus devalued the worth of the surrounding properties.

There are continuing questions and controversy regarding the implementation of the “new” Historic Preservation Ordinance and its attendant regulations. Not only was the requisite formal “Notice” published in the local media as required, the new law itself gave each owner of a property within the District an opportunity for comment on the rules or the means to opt out of the district. Additionally, because we wanted to be courteous and forthcoming, each occupant was sent by mail an individual notice of the ordinance’s adoption, which included a reiteration of the ordinance’s provisions.

Furthermore, the City of Morrison’s Historic Preservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Board and City Council did in fact hold a total of thirteen properly published and noticed open meetings with consideration of Historic Preservation regulations clearly stated on their agendas and subsequently discussed in those corresponding meetings.  

The group reviewing the City’s land development regulations has been discussing the benefit of a public forum, an open house with table discussions, and a public meeting to share their findings and recommendations.  The group will be publishing these via the City’s website and other media, and soliciting feedback to the site by means of e-mail or a blog site that would afford everyone an opportunity for an equal voice in a discussion format that is respectful, representative and constructive, without being insulting to the contributors.

In conclusion, the reasons for adopting the historic preservation regulations include: 

Protecting well-maintained properties from being degraded by remodeling projects of low quality, workmanship and design. 

Eliminating negative impacts by low-cost commercial buildings on adjoining residential and commercial properties.

Preventing the loss of a streetscape that gives the sense of place that is visually attractive and a noteworthy presence for this community and its economic growth.

Garnering the financial rewards that can come from federal, state and private sources to those in a community that initiates the kind of plan initiated by your City Council.

Sincerely yours,

Tim D. Long 

Morrison City Administrator

Let’s Step Back . . .

Just before Mayor Flack left office, the City had a meeting to raise liquor licensing. Think about this: We are paying the same fee as we did when the depot, railroad and military were stationed here. The fee has not gone down, but the customer base has vanished. So before going to the Savanna Council meeting, I did my homework. I called Morrison, Fulton, Galena, etc. to see how many police they had, how many vehicles they needed, and the type and percentages of problems their town experienced.

Savanna wanted to raise the licensing and buy new police uniforms! We were already feeling the economic crunch. I said at the meeting that Galena had a policeman and 1/2, and one vehicle. I said they could afford their uniforms if they would get rid of some of the seven police cars they owned. It would save maintenance, licensing, insurance, etc., and might inconvenience them somewhat, but they could drive themselves to the police station in their own car. Think of the savings $$$. We as business owners try to cut corners and tighten our belts during times like this, and they should, too.

After that meeting, I had walk-thru’s where on a Friday and Saturday night, the police would come and step inside the front door and look at my customers. When I asked Mr. Neville why they were doing this, he said they would have been here before if they knew that I had a bar. It doesn’t take a detective to figure out the bar had been here for roughly eight years, and obviously no police calls. I called the Mayor and complained because they were a little harassing, and he said he would take care of it, and he did.

Now Mr. Moon says he has a $100,000 stash. My question is, why didn’t they buy new uniforms out of that rat hole? Why come to us one more time? Let’s not forget the $300,000 they have saved, obviously for hard times like we are in now. This new building will last the City for “50 years.” At this rate there will only be a population of about 10 people, just enough to fill those offices in the new building. Let’s not forget, by that time, the police roll will probably be up to 30 officers, enough to have 3 officers per person. In the meantime, did anyone notice there is another business closing on Main St? Do you even care?

How many other stashes do you have? Is there money set aside to entice business & industry to Savanna? Is there even a committee set up for this purpose? Do you even care? As one of the “lazy downtown business owners,” as Mr. Mayor nicknamed us, I would think this should be a top priority. I would have a larger customer base, as I am sure all the other “lazy business owners” would.

Remember when you were a kid and read about the king and his subjects? The king would be gnawing on a turkey leg in the castle, and his subjects would be holed up in their little huts, chewing on a dry piece of bread. King Larry will be holed up in that $700,000 city office, while the rest of us try to figure out how to keep him in these luxurious digs.

Let’s remember, it’s never too late. Just because you made one mistake, don’t let it snowball. Sell the building: at that price you could never move it easily. Take the money from the building and entice another business to locate here. Let’s not forget the sewer and water perks you could easily furnish for several years.

Remember “Shop Savanna”? Why would you pay for a study to a company from out of town, when we have Mr. Lindeman that knows the Codes, and accomplished craftsmen in town that would RE-SPEND that money in town? Do you even care?

Penny Gharst

Savanna, IL

Horror Story

Out of curiosity, I attended the “Open House with No Questions” on Saturday March 20, 2010 at the proposed site of the new Village Hall.  There was a great photographic display showing all of the problems with the Old Village Hall.  Once again, the City Council is acting like a Judas Lamb leading everyone down the path they want them to walk.  What should have been shown is a photo of the leaky roof on the old building next to a collapsing sewer line on Bowen Street and then the question asked “Which do you think should be given top priority?”  If the roof leaks, fix it!  Then they could have shown a photo of the crowded office space next to a photo of the antiquated, 67 year old sewer plant on the verge of falling apart with the question “Which do you think should be given top priority?”  How about a photo of the broom closet restroom off the Council Chambers next to a photo of all of the decaying and crumbling streets in Savanna with the question “Which do you think should be given top priority?” For $600,000 +, I’ll provide port-a-potties with fur seats. That figure would fix a few of the streets or maybe the collapsing sewer line.  Let the people who put you in your positions as City Leaders make the decision.  The $65,000 engineering fee for this project is three (3) times what some of the people in this town make in a year.  You should be ashamed even thinking about spending this kind of money on a building to provide more space when the town in crumbling around your ears.  Maybe you just don’t care!!

I drove down Main Street yesterday and saw fourteen (14) businesses either vacant or “going out of business”. The City Council wants us to “Shop in Savanna”.  There aren’t that many places left in which to do any shopping.  Even the kids on “Are You Smarter than A Fifth Grader” can figure out that when a business goes under or leaves town, the sales tax goes with it.   From the bridge, down Main Street and out Chicago Avenue to the Methodist Church, there were sixteen (16) homes for sale signs.  At this rate, there won’t be any shopping in town because there won’t be anyone left to shop!  People,  Savanna is a town in crisis.  Maybe the City Council in not smart enough to realize it, maybe they just don’t want to admit it or maybe they don’t want you to know it.  Something has to be done to attract new residents to Savanna.  If new residents come, new businesses and already established businesses with begin to thrive once again.  A new City Hall is not going to do it!  We need attractions such as the new skateboard park that is coming, and the Historical Society’s Museum. We need a fully functional infrastructure—water, sewer, roads etc.  These are what will attract new residents, not a new Village Hall.

By the way, the City of Savanna sold the medical building for $125,000.  They brag that they bought it back with new heating and plumbing systems for the same price and pat themselves on the back on what a great deal they got.  When they sold it, they sold an entire building for $125,000 and bought back only half a building, because the basement can’t be used for anything but storage.  Maybe it wasn’t such a good deal after all.  If Chief Moon expects to store his environmentally sensitive evidence, in the basement he’s going to have a problem.  It’s not a question of if water will get into the basement, but when?  After all of the money is spent on the new building, not a cent will have been spent doing anything with the old City Hall.  Even if they tear it down, where will they get the money?  All of this money could be spent on critical problems, not on creating more space for a few.  Again, they are sacrificing the entire city for the benefit of a few.

Oh! You may want to know that the total just increased another $40,000-$50,000.  This money was set aside for communications between the old and new Village Halls!!! With the money they are spending on the new Village Hall (and the figure keeps going up for some reason) they could fix all of the problems in the old building and maybe have a dollar or two left over to buy one another a beer. This entire project is becoming a joke!   The City Council knows that grant monies have all but dried up.  I doubt very seriously if the City of Savanna/City Council has enough borrowing power to borrow enough money to fix all the problems we have.  If they don’t, where are they going to get it?  And believe me, probably sooner than later, they are going to need it.  

I know at least some of you feel the same way I do.  I’m asking you to stand up and let yourself be heard.  I can’t do it by myself.  I need help.  Let the City Council know how you feel.  If something isn’t done and done soon, the crisis Savanna is in will turn from a joke into a horror story.  The City Council is spending money like there’s a never-ending source.  Savanna’s infrastructure has been ignored long enough. Sooner than later, parts of it are going to fail.  When that happens, you’re going to see a City facing bankruptcy or forced to levy one HELL of a tax increase because grant money from the State has all but dried up.    By then, it’s too late to do anything but complain about your taxes.  Now is the time to let them know how you feel.  Maybe the City Council will ignore the problems, hope nothing happens and let the next administration take care of them.  This, too, is a possibility, but I can’t afford to take that chance, can you?  Maybe, like the City Council, you don’t care or are just going to ignore the problem, but I find that hard to believe.

J.D. Gundlach

Savanna, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative 89th District

It’s Thursday afternoon, March 18th. My cell phone rings while we are on the floor debating bills. I don’t wish to have my concentration interrupted, so I’m determined to get rid of whoever it is. “Good afternoon, this is Jim.” “Jim, this is Pat Quinn. Could you come down to my office?” “Of course Governor, I’ll be right there. I quickly check to see what bills are coming up next and ask Lisa to lock-out my vote switch.

I’ve told you before that I like and respect this Governor. Philosophically, we differ on many issues. But after six years under a Governor who had no time for legislators, this past year with Governor Quinn has re-instilled in me how the process should work.

The Governor is lobbying hard for his 1% surcharge (income tax increase) for education and we had a good one-on-one dialog. Eight years as a Winnebago School Board member and two as Board President left me with a good understanding of how hard funding education can be even in good economic times. Today, I can’t even imagine how our school boards and administrators are coping.

On March 22nd, Representative Bill Black (R-Danville) passed House Bill 4886 after extensive debate on the House floor. If it makes it through the Senate and to the Governor’s desk, it will allow a school district to operate on a four day school week if they so choose, while ensuring the required 880 hours of student instruction is met with a certified teacher. The plan must be developed by school board resolution and approved by the State Board of Education. The school in Bill’s district, who suggested the legislation, has shown that it can save more than 20% in maintenance and overhead costs by shifting to a four-day schedule. There’s one thing about hard financial times, good imaginations reveal some innovative ideas. I, of course, supported the bill.

Here is my point - more and more each day we become a society of entitlements. Sunday’s historic vote in Washington DC, on healthcare cements my point. School districts, in particular, along with many social service agencies, rely on state funding. Some of the programs they offer are on the chopping block. The number of calls and requests I receive to please support such-and-such a program is literally off the charts. “Please don’t take away our funding.” Here’s reality - the state has a $13 billion shortfall. Even if the Governor’s 1% tax increase goes into effect, it still leaves a $10.2 billion shortfall. You do the math. The axe must fall somewhere. But don’t forget, state funding isn’t the only answer out there.

In the mid 80’s I had the privilege of chairing Citizens to Continue Quality Education (CCQE), in the Winnebago School District. Our district was in a financial crisis having just failed to pass an education referendum for the third consecutive time. Everything that was not required by the state was cut. A devastated community with kids in school just couldn’t let that happen, so we approached the school board and asked how much it would cost to put the programs back at a bare bones level. The figure we were given for our small district was $150,000 with a commitment to get the money within three weeks. Everyone said “no way. It’s not possible.”

With help from the press we got the word out. In 13 days we raised $184,000. I will never forget my good friend, our Superintendent, the late Bob Colborn, breaking down in tears as we gave the board the good news. Dedicated people with a purpose can make amazing things happen.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at . You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.