Swim

Now that the midterm elections are over and I can no longer be accused of using this “kingmaker” of a column as a bully pulpit to sway voters, let’s talk about boats.  Imagine Illinois is a boat, and it is sinking.  Not hard, was it?  Our old captain was bad, as were many of his predecessors.  This past Tuesday, we all received a chance to remove this old captain and replace him with a new one with new ideas. 

Educators in Illinois, as well as many other public servants throughout the state, were basically left with two very bad options.  We could vote for the captain that helped get the boat in such bad shape to begin with, or we could vote for the guy who had basically said to us, if elected, he would take a hammer and hit us in the crotch.  Granted, this is some pretty salty language, but keep in mind we are discussing boats.  Sailors are known to use such terminology, especially when discussing pension reform. 

Now, to be precise, our new governor will most likely not physically harm me or any other public employee in the state.  The hammer thing was just hyperbole used to demonstrate why voting in last Tuesday’s election was so frustrating.  It’s over now, though, and I think that when any election ends, regardless of who won, there is often a sigh of relief from everyone except for perhaps those most closely linked to the loser.  After all, now ends the commercials.  Now ends the fliers.  Now ends the anxiety some felt as they wondered, “Who will win?  Who will be our next leaders?”

At least, of course, until next week, when the 2016 presidential election begins.

For those who spoke out against Rauner, and, based on former columns, I supposed I have to put myself in that category, we must remember that a governor is not a king.  Regardless of his goals, he cannot achieve everything he wants.  More specifically, the political currents Rauner finds himself now navigating are unique to Illinois.  They are not the same currents faced by Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, nor former Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana, two fellow Republicans to whom Rauner is often compared.

For those who have championed Rauner, the same holds true.  Being the governor of any state is a tough job, but being the governor of Illinois sometimes leads to prison.  He will need much more than a heavy wallet and a fed up electorate to steer this ship of state back into calmer waters.  Seriously, may God help him.

Although I did not, could not, vote for him, I have to admit that I am curiously unperturbed by the results.  Rauner might very well be a bad idea but at least he is a different idea.  I cannot imagine him shaking up Springfield enough to fix what is so badly broken, but I also cannot imagine him making things worse than they already are.  Although it’s been said before, it’s certainly worth repeating right now:  in politics, in life, things rarely turn out as good or as bad as what we’ve been promised. 

Perhaps his supporters will be vindicated.  Perhaps he will put an end to the abject cronyism and graft for which our state is so vilified.  Perhaps, through his efforts, the economy will be so fundamentally improved that it becomes the envy of other states as opposed to source material for gallows humor.  Who knows?

On the other hand, perhaps his detractors are right.  Perhaps he will lower the minimum wage to disastrous results.  Perhaps Rauner will cut funding to education, gut pensions, and even make babies cry in their sleep.  Who knows?

Regardless, Bruce Rauner is the new captain.  Let’s hope he’s brought a map.