Not to be all preachy, but the worst part is that we don't get shit in return for those taxes except more taxes. When we lived in CT, it was also a tax-suffocating liberal wet dream, but the public services received were worth it. There was little need to send your kid to private school, and the public parks and reserves were immaculate. In Illinois, you're taxed to death and don't get shit for it, other than crumbling roads and a gay pride parade.

#ThatsCub

Not to be all preachy, but the worst part is that we don't get shit in return for those taxes except more taxes. When we lived in CT, it was also a tax-suffocating liberal wet dream, but the public services received were worth it. There was little need to send your kid to private school, and the public parks and reserves were immaculate. In Illinois, you're taxed to death and don't get shit for it, other than crumbling roads and a gay pride parade.

Texas is higher than Vermont and California is 8th from the bottom? Fake news. Sad! Pathetic losers!

I still remember when CT had no income tax. It was a big deal when they added one. Now their taxes are crazy, but hey they're milking Grenwich hedge fund guys, so good for them. I saw an article this weekend, and CT used to be the tax haven of the NE.

Nebraska has higher property taxes when it comes to rural ground. Also taxes equipment as property if I remember correctly. Had friends bitching about it. Was stunned to hear what they pay per acre.

Well its some of the best agricultural land on the planet.

#ThatsCub

Not to be all preachy, but the worst part is that we don't get shit in return for those taxes except more taxes. When we lived in CT, it was also a tax-suffocating liberal wet dream, but the public services received were worth it. There was little need to send your kid to private school, and the public parks and reserves were immaculate. In Illinois, you're taxed to death and don't get shit for it, other than crumbling roads and a gay pride parade.

Newper, that is one of the main reasons I advocate for small government. There is no amount of money that will satisify the beast. The state is $35B in debt, has over $100B in unfunded pension obligations, and $10B or so behind on its bills. Our schools are starved of adequate funding, our roads in shambles, Metra with no capital budget, etc etc. How much is enough?

The citizens of Illinois have the power to rise up and change this. They do not have the will though. Fixing this or our country as well requires pain. No one likes pain especially when it is felt by themselves personally i.e. pocketbook.

The citizens of Illinois have the power to rise up and change this. They do not have the will though. Fixing this or our country as well requires pain. No one likes pain especially when it is felt by themselves personally i.e. pocketbook.

Couple of things-

States cannot file bankruptcy. This was an issue back in the 1930's, and because states are considered sovereign entities, federal bankruptcy law does not apply to them. I suspect it would take something similar to what is being done in Puerto Rico to provide relief, meaning an Act of Congress.

The state constitution expressly prohibits meaningful pension reform. Every attempt has been shot down by the State Supreme Court. And let's be honest, pension reform is simply code for cutting benefits guaranteed to workers.

The answer, as it always is, is to live within one's means. But no one will accept meaningful cuts. So it is on the backs of taxpayers. And yes, with a shrinking population base, it makes the job that much tougher.

Couple of things-

States cannot file bankruptcy. This was an issue back in the 1930's, and because states are considered sovereign entities, federal bankruptcy law does not apply to them. I suspect it would take something similar to what is being done in Puerto Rico to provide relief, meaning an Act of Congress.

The state constitution expressly prohibits meaningful pension reform. Every attempt has been shot down by the State Supreme Court. And let's be honest, pension reform is simply code for cutting benefits guaranteed to workers.

The answer, as it always is, is to live within one's means. But no one will accept meaningful cuts. So it is on the backs of taxpayers. And yes, with a shrinking population base, it makes the job that much tougher.

Here's the thing that annoys me. It's great that people get fed up with Democrat states where they are taxed to death and move to more economically friendly states. However, the problem is that those morons leaving the state then come to our states of economic freedom and start voting for the same types of assholes who made their previous state a shithole to begin with. Heck the Illinois citizens fleeing to Texas and Arizona are a prime example of this. We welcome you coming to our low tax states, but stop trying to vote for politicians who want to raise taxes.

Here's the thing that annoys me. It's great that people get fed up with Democrat states where they are taxed to death and move to more economically friendly states. However, the problem is that those morons leaving the state then come to our states of economic freedom and start voting for the same types of assholes who made their previous state a shithole to begin with. Heck the Illinois citizens fleeing to Texas and Arizona are a prime example of this. We welcome you coming to our low tax states, but stop trying to vote for politicians who want to raise taxes.

This is a problem that is far bigger than just the state. The government is basically dominated by interests from special interests and too big too fail type entities that have to get theirs first even if it means the ship sinks.