State of Disturbia - A Mayor's move

Let's not mince words any longer. Mayor Daley is a dictator. Elections are held, but only because of the calendar

We used to sneer at third world countries and the U.S.S.R or Iraq when they deigned to hold 'Elections' because we knew there was no actual electing going on. We used to raise hell about the poll tax and other forms of voting discrimination that took place in this country against people of color for many years.

But here we are as assets waiting to be hocked to the highest bidder. Or the lowest bidder who can come up with the money now.

I point to the fantastic article by Rick Telander in the Chicago Sun-Times - http://www.suntimes.com/sports/telander/1608451,CST-SPT-rick05.article. So eloquently written I was breathless as I finished. When you fear for your life, your family, your business, your reputation and your housing situation with the notion of standing up to this man, you know you are deep into a dictatorship.

If you are a tavern owner and you want your liquor license renewed, you better get on board. If you are a school teacher, you better promote the Olympics for 2016 or you will be out of a job. Will an Alderman stand up to him? One has by beating the machine candidate he replaced. Just one.

But my point is not to condemn the man for his consolidation of power, corruption and greed into a single entity with no ultimate responsibility. My point is to wonder why he hasn't expanded his realm as a prelude to increasing the coffers of his own empire.

There are neighboring cities just needing to be incorporated by eminent domain. Secession from the state should be on the table. An annexation of territories from neighboring Indiana and Wisconsin. A toll booth system set up for downtown traffic. $5 to get in. $5 to get out, plus a 6.75 state tax. Plus a 2.0 percent county tax. Plus a 2.0 city tax. Plus a 1.5% street use fee. There are ways to increase revenue, yet time and time again over 20 years he has failed to take advantage of his power. Would a real dictator stop at 95 and Western? No Evergreen Park as a municipality is gone and becomes just another Neighborhood. And Oak Lawn had better keep an eye out.

Would a real dictator allow its citizens to use a public access beach for free? No, they would be charged a $10 viewing fee just to enter and then another fee to use the water. A real dictator discriminates freely. Another prime example is the children. Oh, we want to build a future for our children. We want our children to grow up happy, blah, blah, and blah. A 1.5% tax on each individual school child based on the family's income, payable up front at the start of each school year or the children will not be allowed to register. No payment plans. No discounts because of where you come from. No discounts because of the color or your skin or the language you speak. If you have children of divorced parents, you pay 1.5% per child for each parent. If you have no parents yet live in a house with multiple adults - Grandma, grandpa, Uncle, Auntie. Tax. Tax. Tax. Tax at 1.5%. Think of the guaranteed income you would have each and every year.

Figure a base 65,000 salary at 1.5% times 500,000 kids. Just a start but you have close to 325,000,000. Budget problems solved and you are doing it for the kids.

Think about it Mr. Mayor. Your time in the kingdom could be coming to a close in the next 10 years. Young knights will be looking soon at your throne as not a symbol of reverence, but an obstacle on the way to their conquest.