U.S. Politics

[Strike Eagle]

it does seem the merger with County and City seem to be good to an extent, however I'm not familiarized with the whole St. Louis area stuff. are you for, against or just so so about it?

well it's a very complex matter, I'm 50/50 on the subject

I support it the merge for the simple fact, it would eliminate the 2 jurisdictional systems (City & County policies) and merge the jurisdiction under 1 professional system. it would eliminate the multiple court system (city/county), executive/mayor system, the 2 court systems, and merge SLMPD into St. Louis County Police. it would undergo as "Metro Govt" meaning you would have a "Metro Mayor", a person that has control over both St. Louis City and St. Louis County, you would have the Metro legislature which would be easier to enforce ordinances, pass laws, and approve of a centralized budget. the city and county would appoint up to 33 council members so both sides have a fair voice, and that the 88 municipalities would become "municipal districts".

Missouri wanted a state vote on it, there was various opposition from both St. Louis City, a few County officials and a couple municipalities. the reason there was a big portion of opposition is because many Missourians who don't live near our area literally has no idea about St. Louis politics, most just come here for sports and that's it. the vote should of stayed within County-City voting region, since it will EFFECT US not the rest of Missouri in a major way.

 

[Jaeger]

Rep. Lauren Boebert improperly used campaign funds for rent, utilities

The campaign was reimbursed for the $6,000 in prohibited "personal use" expenditures after Boebert "self-reported the error," her spokesman said.

www.nbcnews.com

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., improperly spent thousands of dollars in campaign funds on rent and utilities, her campaign acknowledged this week in a filing with the Federal Election Commission, but it said the money had been paid back.

The FEC had asked Boebert's campaign treasurer in a letter last month for more information about $6,000 in payments that had been listed in her quarterly filing as a "personal expense of Lauren Boebert billed to campaign account in error." The filing said the money had already been paid back.


The letter warned that "if it is determined that the disbursement(s) constitutes the personal use of campaign funds, the Commission may consider taking further legal action. However, prompt action to obtain reimbursement of the funds in question will be taken into consideration."


In a filing this week, the campaign said the money had been sent to a person named John Pacheco at the same address as Boebert's restaurant, Shooters Grill. The eatery in the town of Rifle is best known for its armed waitresses.

Boebert communications director Ben Stout said the "funds were reimbursed months ago when Rep. Boebert self-reported the error.

The FEC prohibits using campaign funds for personal expenses. It defines personal use "as any use of funds in a campaign account of a candidate (or former candidate) to fulfill a commitment, obligation or expense of any person that would exist irrespective of the candidate's campaign or responsibilities as a federal officeholder."

Penalty can include letters reminding candidates of their obligations to financial penalties.

Asked about the new filing, FEC spokesman Myles Martin said, "We cannot comment on specific candidates or committees.

 

[Strike Eagle]

@CHICITY why does Chicago/Chicagoans hate Trump so much, I've always seen Chicagoans bash him, but never understood why they hate him to the level they do

 

[Jaeger]

@CHICITY why does Chicago/Chicagoans hate Trump so much, I've always seen Chicagoans bash him, but never understood why they hate him to the level they do

a lot of it does with his bashing of the city and Trump Tower.

when it comes to Trump Tower, he hired various local construction firms, electrician companies and list goes on. once the tower was completed, he disliked the tower, he sued banks he used to provide him financial support to build his tower (Banks paid him $770 million), and he was also given a break, so he doesn't have to pay $270 million, $270 million was "forgiven unpaid debt". He however does blame Chicago itself that 48 condos, and a $30 million penthouse haven't been sold, 3 levels of retail space remain vacant, and a 2 star restaurant closed.

Trump also believes that a $1 million refund needs to happen due to 3 levels of vacant space, he also was recently approved a $300K property tax reduction due to the vacant lot, which has angered so many

Donald Trump is owed $1M tax refund on Chicago skyscraper

An Illinois appeal board ruled that Donald Trump is owed a $1 million property tax refund on Trump Tower in Chicago, but Cook County has filed suit to block payment.

therealdeal.com

Donald Trump gets a $300,000 tax break on Trump Tower after Fritz Kaegi slashes assessment

The former president got the property taxes on Trump International Hotel & Tower this year after Kaegi agreed the skyscraper’s vacant retail space makes it less valuable.

chicago.suntimes.com

however due to the latter, the $300K property reduction, people are now asking questions and raising eyebrows due to the Ex-Illinois director in control over reviewing Trump's property taxes apparently deleted emails and files regarding Trump's taxes

Complaint that state official pushed for Trump tax break ruled ‘unfounded’

But the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General also found Mauro Glorioso improperly deleted emails and other files on the case and said he shouldn’t be rehired by the state.

chicago.suntimes.com

Trump also disliked Rahm, that was an obnoxious scene in itself. Rahm declared Chicago a "Trump Free Zone", meaning he didn't want Trump to visit the city. what's even funnier in 2011, Trump donated $50,000 to Rahm, when Rahm was running for City Mayor

Trump Gave Rahm Emanuel $50K

Blog points out Trump’s dollars helped get Emanuel elected.

www.nbcchicago.com

 

[Strike Eagle]

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert Introduces Articles Of Impeachment Against President Biden & Vice President Harris

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert announced on Friday, Sept. 24, she introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

denver.cbslocal.com

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert announced on Friday, Sept. 24, she introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She says the administration failed “to ensure the national security of the United States and its citizens” with regard to the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The congresswoman, a Republican representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, says she felt it her duty to introduce the articles due to what she describes as the president giving American-made weapons to and aiding enemies. She also accuses the administration of colluding with the Taliban.
“And let me be clear, Vice President Harris is complicit in all of this,” she said, in part, in a statement included in a news release. “His (Biden’s) indecision, incompetence, and mental failings cost American lives, and Kamala had a duty to step up and remove Biden from office. ”

Boebert goes on to say the vice president failed to avoid a catastrophe and points to the 13 U.S. servicemembers who died in suicide bombings in Kabul during the evacuation of citizens and U.S. forces.

Boebert accuses Biden of colluding and conspiring with the Afghan president to lie to the American people, as well as, giving a list of Americans in Afghanistan to the Taliban.
She also blames the administration’s “hastily ordered” drone strike for the deaths of 10 Afghan civilians.

Reps. Andy Biggs, Jeff Duncan, Ralph Norman, Louie Gohmert, and Jody Hice co-sponsored Boebert’s articles of impeachment against the president. Rep. Ralph Norman also co-sponsored the articles of impeachment against the vice president.

Boebert’s announcement also drew mockery and criticism after a graphic in her news release contained a typo which read: “IMEACH BIDEN.” The graphic was also featured on her website. Her office issued a corrected news release moments later, and the graphic on the website was also later corrected.
On Tuesday, Boebert submitted a report to the Federal Election Commission showing she paid utility and rent bills with campaign funds.

It is against the law to use campaign funds for personal use. Officials with the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center said using donors’ money to pay rent and utilities is a “flagrant violation.”

In an email to CNN, her spokesman Ben Stout said the funds in question “were reimbursed months ago when Rep. Boebert self-reported the error.”

 

[Jagdkommando]

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert Introduces Articles Of Impeachment Against President Biden & Vice President Harris

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert announced on Friday, Sept. 24, she introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

denver.cbslocal.com

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert announced on Friday, Sept. 24, she introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She says the administration failed “to ensure the national security of the United States and its citizens” with regard to the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The congresswoman, a Republican representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, says she felt it her duty to introduce the articles due to what she describes as the president giving American-made weapons to and aiding enemies. She also accuses the administration of colluding with the Taliban.
“And let me be clear, Vice President Harris is complicit in all of this,” she said, in part, in a statement included in a news release. “His (Biden’s) indecision, incompetence, and mental failings cost American lives, and Kamala had a duty to step up and remove Biden from office. ”

Boebert goes on to say the vice president failed to avoid a catastrophe and points to the 13 U.S. servicemembers who died in suicide bombings in Kabul during the evacuation of citizens and U.S. forces.

Boebert accuses Biden of colluding and conspiring with the Afghan president to lie to the American people, as well as, giving a list of Americans in Afghanistan to the Taliban.
She also blames the administration’s “hastily ordered” drone strike for the deaths of 10 Afghan civilians.

Reps. Andy Biggs, Jeff Duncan, Ralph Norman, Louie Gohmert, and Jody Hice co-sponsored Boebert’s articles of impeachment against the president. Rep. Ralph Norman also co-sponsored the articles of impeachment against the vice president.

Boebert’s announcement also drew mockery and criticism after a graphic in her news release contained a typo which read: “IMEACH BIDEN.” The graphic was also featured on her website. Her office issued a corrected news release moments later, and the graphic on the website was also later corrected.
On Tuesday, Boebert submitted a report to the Federal Election Commission showing she paid utility and rent bills with campaign funds.

It is against the law to use campaign funds for personal use. Officials with the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center said using donors’ money to pay rent and utilities is a “flagrant violation.”

In an email to CNN, her spokesman Ben Stout said the funds in question “were reimbursed months ago when Rep. Boebert self-reported the error.”

didn't know a senator could introduce impeachment articles against the US President..

is Boebert a good senator or is she another pro-Trumpist that still won't let go of Trump-Era?

 

[Jaeger]

didn't know a senator could introduce impeachment articles against the US President..

is Boebert a good senator or is she another pro-Trumpist that still won't let go of Trump-Era?

she is a pro-Trump supporter.

as a good senator, I'm not familiar with her policies that much, but she mostly relies on the small town communities in Colorado, but most Coloradoans I know says she isn't the greatest so idk

 

[Strike Eagle]

@LAFD why is Illinois failing so much? I have never truly understood the failures of the state, and was always told mix reports of them growing and them faltering

 

[Jaeger]

@LAFD why is Illinois failing so much? I have never truly understood the failures of the state, and was always told mix reports of them growing and them faltering

Illinois is failing because of political corrupt and high tax problems. but it's also a lot more complex than what most believe

1. Politics: everyone knows Illinois's capital is Springfield, but the true unofficial capital is Chicago, literally if Chicago is not going to gain anything potential for them, they refuse the bill/proposal. which is part of the reason why we are seeing a huge number of Southern, Western and Northern Illinoisans leaving in numbers right now, tired of the Chicago politics as most call it

2. Finances: this is very hot topic. Illinois at one point, was trying what most states were doing, boasting about their states to attract businesses. here's where it fell apart, Illinois, alongside Chicago, offered high pensions. with people realizing these high pensions, people flocked but the state began failing to pay said pensions, and to make up for it, they introduced various taxes, liquor tax, water bottle tax, sugar tax, tollway taxes etc. of course Cook County & Chicago is where the state makes most of the "revenue" from, the other areas of Illinois are getting sick and tired of it with the taxes.

3. Chicago's CPS: Chicago's Public Schools have always been somewhat of a mess, but it's getting worst. aside from really well off financed schools on the Northside, most schools are half emptied, graduation rate is at 55%, they recently lied about graduation rate being ~84% (which is a lie since 26% of the poorly funded school's students can't read, or do mathematics). CPS also did a 4yr contract that will cost $9.5bn for taxpayers with no major reform and not only Chicago, but some state funding goes to this which is another major blow. City also hired Pedro Martinez from San Antonio, and gave him a $60k raise ($340k a year) to manage and "turn this problem around"

CPS CEO to hire two San Antonio schools officials as his top deputies

Patti Salzmann is expected to be named the district’s new chief education officer as soon as next month, and Ken Thompson is set to take the chief operating officer job this week, sources said Monday.

chicago.suntimes.com

4. Bolstering Claims, Poor attraction ideas: Illinois and Chicago both are notorious for making bolstering claims on various topics. the most recent is JB Pritzker wants to turn Illinois into a major "Silicon Valley for Electric Vehicles", he says that because Rivian and Lions EV manufacturers have setup facilities in Illinois (Normal & Joliet), and talked with Stellantis but Los Angeles just had a major auto show, and guess what (SoCal is becoming an EV manufacturing Mecca already, with several agreements signed). Chicago mentioned it will become the "new" Silicon Valley, and has been sucking at attracting more tech companies, with only Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Salesforce being the #4 for them. Chicago also claimed to become the "2nd strongest financial hub" for the US, right now, Los Angeles is booming with more financial companies expanding there and FinTech companies' startups there, in fact Los Angeles may surpass NYC in the next few years.

5. lack of investments: this one is for all of Illinois (see #4), but this one is specifically for Chicago. Downtown and the Northside are booming, but the South and West sides are failing to see the same fruitful growth, in fact PepsiCo and JPMorgan just announced to invest in the neighborhoods. only way Chicago attracts businesses is by giving them taxpayer money to expand and property tax breaks

JPMorgan Chase Commits $150 million to Chicago’s South and West Sides to Advance Racial Equity

Firm’s philanthropic investments and business commitments to provide economic opportunity for Black and Latinx communities and support an inclusive recovery in Chicago reaches $800 million

www.jpmorganchase.com

$5M PepsiCo program to create job pathways for 3K young people on South, West Sides

Partnering with six Chicago organizations, PepsiCo on Monday launches its $5 million “PREP by PepsiCo | Stronger Together” initiative, seeking to create career pathways for 3,000 young people on the South and West Sides over the next five years.

chicago.suntimes.com

6. Corruption: Lightfoot has been making efforts to combat this problem specifically, but corruption is still king in Chicago. most Aldermen claim to "care" about their wards, but there has been several who sold off affordable housing spots for new condos and luxury apartments because the company was going to donate to their campaign. Chicago also lacks a Charter, most cities have a municipal charter, which helps powers and functions the city, Chicago also lacks a city controller, which a controller is elected for a 4-year term, that helps the city manage the budget more efficiently.

 

[Strike Eagle]

@LAFD, do you think there is anyway of them fixing the corruption in Illinois and Chicago?

 

[Khafee]

@LAFD, do you think there is anyway of them fixing the corruption in Illinois and Chicago?

They could bring democracy?

 

[Jaeger]

@LAFD, do you think there is anyway of them fixing the corruption in Illinois and Chicago?

complicated question to be honest, but there IS some ways to fix this
Illinois
1. expose and eliminate conflict of interests: adopt a model that will expose these conflicts
2. banning general assembly members from lobbying, so outright ban lobbying
3. rebalance the power structure, allow every legislator have a yay or nay vote on bills
4. empower citizens to act, allow citizens to introduce amendments of the constitution.
5. term limits, it was already passed for a 10-year term limit, I believe we need a 4-year term limit rather than 10 but it is still a start

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Chicago
1. create a municipal charter and city controller so the city can run more efficiently and the budget can be managed better
2. deprive aldermen from having power in terms of zoning laws, add more aldermen and create 2-year term limits
3. quit allowing aldermen to fight for lobbying interests for outside jobs, start introducing fines

 

[space cadet]

@LAFD, do you think there is anyway of them fixing the corruption in Illinois and Chicago?

Chicago has been currupt since the beginning, it's to ingrained

 

[Jaeger]

Chicago has been currupt since the beginning, it's to ingrained

while I'm not going to defend Chicago, we have had ~30 aldermen sentenced to prison from corruption, I think a lot of people tend to forget that Philadelphia and Houston are also starting to see the same amount of corruption as well.

 

[Strike Eagle]

Chicago has been currupt since the beginning, it's to ingrained

I know Chicago had corruption, just did not how bad it really was until now, it just amazes me. at least I learned something