Illinoisans are being manipulated by the Chicago and Springfield media once again, or rather, still. Things aren't as bad in Illinois as those irritating fiscal conservative watchdog groups insist they are. Despite the state's pension obligations growing more and more every year while thousands are abandoning the state each year – now that a Democrat regime will be determining the state's finances, things are going to work out just fine.
Just fine, they say.
That's what Illinois' sheltered Chicago Crain's writer Greg Hinz hints at and what Springfield media ruler Rich Miller is conveying on behalf of their Democrat colleagues, Wirepoints analyst Mark Glennon writes.
Glennon's thesis – as audacious as it is to challenge the liberal minds of Hinz and Miller – was bolstered by Stephen R. Strahler of Crain's writing a piece yesterday entitled, "A sliver of good news on Illinois pensions."
You see, there's good news for Illinois taxpayers – the media says it is so. A consensus among those with differing opinions on Illinois' pension situation is developing, the Democrat media says. It's going to be okay now that the Democrats are in control.
No bankruptcy ahead. No state worker pensions threatened. Relax – everything is going to be just fine.
Mark Glennon stays firm with his concerns about the state's finances:
Put the Hinz and Miller articles together. Ask yourself what would be the takeaway for the average reader. It’s that consensus is emerging on the CTBA-Pritzker approach to pensions, and that competing, right-of-center ideas won’t work and aren’t needed.
We say that’s a false narrative. You judge for yourselves.
At the very least, it's wise to get both sides of the story before settling in and waiting for the Democrats – the media, the politicians and the consultants – to turn up the heat while the trusting frogs cook.
