Don't let Madigan off hook on budget

In this era of Donald Trump politics, we will read many half-truths but the recent Democratic ad by J.B. Pritzker for governor seems a bit much to me. It claims that Gov. Rauner cost the state a billion dollars in interest because he did not pass a balanced budget. No mention is made of Speaker Mike Madigan who has had control of the House for over 30 years (over 25 of those years with large deficits) and for which that interest is being paid. He has earned the state of Illinois a reputation of being the worst-governed state in the union.

Madigan has been one of the strongest politicians in Illinois history. There is little likelihood that he will lose his seat until he chooses to retire. He has made himself and friends millionaires with his power over the legislature and public finances. Legislators can set their own rules because of voter apathy,

When Republican Rauner was elected governor, he promised an end to some of the corruption and waste in government which would likely raise the Illinois bond rating which is near junk. The budget battle was clearly between Madigan, who continues his spending and borrowing, and Rauner, who pledged to cut waste and deliver a balanced budget. Clearly Madigan and friends won the waiting game and Rauner had to sign the budget with the spending program passed by the legislature.

Too many people vote for whoever promises them the most. Others do not vote and let the corruption continue. Friends vote for them because they benefit from the corruption.

We get what we vote (or don't vote) for, and reside in the most corrupt state in the union. When will we wake up? Who has written to their rep in the last year?

William McNutt

Des Plaines