"Pension Reform", "Pension Reform" -- that's what they're always saying. We hear it in the media; we hear it from the GOP. Hell, we even hear it from a few centrists Dems. The problem is that "Pension Reform" is nothing but a semantic cover-up. What the people using it really mean, is "Pension Cut", "Pension Cut" -- since that's what they'll really proposing. It's just that none of them are honest enough to admit it.

Three billionaires walk into a bar. The first billionaire throws up his hands. "We're broke," he cries. The second billionaire throws up his hands. "We're broke -- all of us," he sobs. The third billionaire throws up his hands but before he can say anything, the bartender rushes over and shouts out, "you guys don't expect me to foot the bill again, do you?" The third billionaire smiles: "How do you think we became billionaires?"

It's amazing (not to mention disheartening) how much the media is only reflecting the views of the banks and financial institutions.

Jessie Opoien (Cap Times):

MILWAUKEE — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia was the keynote speaker. Mike Tate delivered his final address as party chairman. But Russ Feingold was the star of the show on Friday at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's state convention.

The former U.S. Senator laid out a platform for his campaign to unseat Republican Sen. Ron Johnson in 2016, received with cheers, applause and chants of "We want Russ!" [Jessie Opoien, "Return of Russ: Feingold the star at Democrats' state convention", Capital Times: (6/6/2015)]

NPR may call its segment on the Clinton Foundation 'fact checking' but it sounded to me like the good old days of unsubstantiated rumor leading to nothing:

"Fact Check: Is The Clinton Foundation 'The Most Transparent'?"

First, it's not clear correspondent Peter Overby really is looking at how other Foundations are run.

Equally important, the so-called 'transcript' omits the final sentence of the broadcast version which goes:

Peter Overby: "So at least as things stand now, the Clinton Foundation "transparency controversy" [sic] resembles some of the other episodes of Clinton politics: It's a picture that's not terribly clear, shaped by exaggerations on both sides." (Check out the mp3 file).

So the line about "other episodes of Clinton politics" isn't included in the "transcript". Interesting... I wonder why.

It's bad enough to be afflicted with the current Governor here in Illinois. I mean, how can his tenure not end really really badly -- what with his 'war on workers' agenda? But to have people with absolutely no idea of either the state or its dynamics come up with the following prediction:

I’d say it’s fairly likely that if Hillary Clinton wins in 2016 than Rauner is setting himself up nicely for the nomination in 2020.

I don't know where the guy got the script but it doesn't come from the Land of Lincoln.

Stayed till the results came in. Then jumped on the #8 for ride home. See larger photo...

Top of the Charts:

Pretty dumb NYT article title: "Chicago Mayor’s Race Is Cast as a Test of Liberalism".

Fact is, a Chuy victory is pretty much a long shot (though one I'd like to see). Long-shots are no test of nothin' -- except maybe preparing the way for some future narrative along the lines of "Big Liberal Defeat, blah, blah, blah..."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Scott Walker Signs Right-to-Work Bill". Because representation belongs only to those who can afford a lawyer.