tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post2774888012239829887..comments2024-03-26T09:42:38.709-05:00Comments on ArchitectureChicago PLUS: I'm Voting for Miguel del ValleLynn Beckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03759748613223711212noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-2580360184986037002011-02-25T00:37:10.844-06:002011-02-25T00:37:10.844-06:00I voted for Miguel too. Adios!I voted for Miguel too. Adios!Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-5046504770380384182011-02-22T18:37:43.614-06:002011-02-22T18:37:43.614-06:00I honestly think the only real reason for Emanuel&...I honestly think the only real reason for Emanuel's sales tax proposal is so that he could run commercials saying he'll "cut taxes."<br /><br />He seems to have seriously exaggerated the possible annual savings for a typical family, claiming it's $160 or $200 when it's closer to $20, as Eric Zorn and Mark Brown have shown. Not a good sign.CBlacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-61100061684136911332011-02-22T16:25:05.739-06:002011-02-22T16:25:05.739-06:00The other thing I just remembered. Correct me if ...The other thing I just remembered. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think currently I pay any taxes on such services as hair cuts. If Rahm's tax passes, will there have to be an entire new bureaucracy to set up tens of thousands of new vendors, track their payments, monitor compliance, etc? Would we even break even on the administration costs?Lynn Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759748613223711212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-45679503643798761222011-02-22T10:48:37.781-06:002011-02-22T10:48:37.781-06:00The devil, of course, is in the details, of which ...The devil, of course, is in the details, of which few have been forthcoming. What is a "luxury" service? A haircut? Getting your nails done? Your cable bill? Enrolling your child in a private school? The concept of "luxury" is a bar that could be set quite low. Without the details, I can see any number of scenarios in which the middle class would wind up paying more.Lynn Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759748613223711212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-77959262330851942542011-02-22T10:25:18.801-06:002011-02-22T10:25:18.801-06:00"you conveniently leave out that Del Valle wa..."you conveniently leave out that Del Valle was appointed to his position by Mayor Daley"<br /><br />Carfree: fair enough, but I think Del Valle's given a plausible, thoughtful explanation for his decision to take an appointment from someone he's spent time in considerable opposition towards. And from what I've heard he's done a good job in the position.whet mosernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-70298689117351486942011-02-22T10:20:23.921-06:002011-02-22T10:20:23.921-06:00"Rahm is undoubtedly smart, but his campaign ..."Rahm is undoubtedly smart, but his campaign hasn't been - it's been all but totally devoid of specifics or ideas (save the sales tax idea, the sales tax, of course, being the most regressive tax available. If Todd Stroger raises the sales tax, it's a crime; if Rahm does it, it's ok?)"<br /><br />While I cast my vote as you did for similar reasons, I think you're misunderstanding Emanuel's tax plan, which I support in the abstract but don't know if I support in reality because... it's still in the abstract.<br /><br />Anyway, what Emanuel wants to do is lower the sales tax on <i>goods</i> (by 0.25%) and apply the sales tax to "luxury" services.<br /><br />It's actually kind of a problem, if you buy the Center for Budget and Tax Accountability analysis--Illinois doesn't tax services, unlike a lot of states, which means that as we've moved towards a service economy the city and state have lost out as consumer spending evolves.<br /><br />And I think it's fair to argue that goods costs are more important to the poor and middle class than services are.<br /><br />So I think Emanuel's plan, in the abstract, is actually a reasonable idea. In reality, such as his plan exists at all, the effects of the sales tax cut on poor and middle-income families have been wildly overstated by the campaign, as Eric Zorn and Mark Brown have pointed out.<br /><br />But generally speaking: it's a step in the right direction.whet mosernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-42375958325180639712011-02-22T09:34:45.224-06:002011-02-22T09:34:45.224-06:00unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of delusio...unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of delusion I'm referring to.<br /><br />Rahm showed up for our rally. He likes the arts. Ergo because he likes the things I like, he's the best choice. Because he's known for using his middle finger, he's tough, and therefore the best choice.<br /><br />We don't need tough. We need smart. Rahm is undoubtedly smart, but his campaign hasn't been - it's been all but totally devoid of specifics or ideas (save the sales tax idea, the sales tax, of course, being the most regressive tax available. If Todd Stroger raises the sales tax, it's a crime; if Rahm does it, it's ok?)<br /><br />I have a hard time understanding how you can even convince yourself with these arguments, much less anyone else.Lynn Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759748613223711212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-33221979246927975502011-02-22T08:56:07.793-06:002011-02-22T08:56:07.793-06:00Right on with "Carfree Chicago." Lynn, ...Right on with "Carfree Chicago." Lynn, you missed the boat on this one. Miguel is a nice enough and fair guy but he is too milquetoast to be effective at bringing anyone together.<br /><br />And Rahm is the only one with a background in the arts. Do you really think Braun, del Valle and Chico care less? Meanwhile, at various Preservation Chicago activities and even at those silly rallies for Marshall Field's, Rahm's relations were there.<br /><br />Sorry, Lynn, your first dud in my book. Hopefully the last.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-51270872886997944892011-02-21T22:40:51.015-06:002011-02-21T22:40:51.015-06:00"What we do need is a very deep bench, drawn ..."What we do need is a very deep bench, drawn from the best minds of the city, and a leader who can bring them together and keep them focused."<br /><br />Funny -- I agree, and that's exactly why I'm voting for Rahm. I think you have Rahm pegged totally wrong. He will be a strong leader, but he will be nothing like Daley. I've been sick of Daley for years and couldn't wait for his ouster to come. I wouldn't be voting for Rahm if it would mean more of the same. It won't be "his way or the highway," and he won't just get stuck on silly fancies that he'll try to ram through like Daley. Rahm is actually incredibly intelligent, and he'll bring in the brightest minds to make the city a better place. I know too many people who moved away from Chicago because nothing interesting happens here. I think many of these bright people will come back when they see a new environment where great things can actually happen in city government and policy. Miguel del Valle is great, but I just don't buy that he has the leadership it takes. He'll get run over by Ald. Burke and the like, rather than balancing the power. I also just don't believe he'll be able to usher in reform as quickly as Rahm. And let's not pretend like Del Valle isn't also a product of the machine. While you point out Rahm and Chico's connections, you conveniently leave out that Del Valle was appointed to his position by Mayor Daley.<br /><br />I have total respect for people voting for Del Valle (can't really say the same for Chico or Braun), but I still maintain Rahm will make a better Mayor and a better Chicago.Carfree Chicagohttp://www.carfreechicago.comnoreply@blogger.com