Why is Thad Glad?

As the 2018 election approaches, I hear calls in Illinois and across the nation for a #BlueWave.   If you are angry at Trump and Republicans for the Kavanaugh nomination, immigration policies, trade wars, expanding debt and deficit, the Putin bromance and Russian collusion, stealing the election from Hillary or any number of other transgressions, vote enthusiastically for Democrats for Congress.

In Illinois, please think twice as you consider your votes for state offices.  Remember that the original #BlueWave crested in Illinois nearly two decades ago and there is no sign of recovery.   In the election of 2002, Democrats gained control of both sides of the General Assembly and have held them since.   Aside from Bruce Rauner’s term, they also held the Governor’s office since 2003.   During four consecutive years, including two years during each of the Quinn and Rauner administrations, Democrats also held veto proof super majorities in the legislative branch.

I admire Democrat values that support freedom and equality, the middle class, the dis-empowered and the environment.    However, as a Naval Academy graduate, Marine veteran, manager at a Fortune 500 company, and board member for a non-profit I also value accountability for performance.  I know that the most basic leadership responsibility is to ensure the sustainability of one’s organization.   While Illinois Republican politicians should not get a free pass, it’s clear to me that since the 2002 #BlueWave, Democrats in control of Illinois are most responsible for our dire fiscal situation.  Consider the following:

• Official pension debt of over $130 Billion for which payments consume nearly 25% of the budget and excludes growing public sector retiree healthcare obligations
• More than $26 Billion in outstanding general obligation bonds
• $7.8 Billion in backlogged bills
• With near junk credit rating, 5% of budget is spent on debt service
• Despite a 27% income tax increase in 2017, there are multiple reports that our celebrated balanced budget is not actually balanced

As I write this, I am thinking about those in who prudently evacuated in advance of the arrival of hurricanes Florence and Michael.  While humans cannot control natural disasters, perhaps voters can take action to weaken the power of the coming 2018 #BlueWave before evacuation from Illinois becomes the best option.