RAHMWATCH: That $30 million campaign fund is apparently not enough, as Rahm uses taxpayer money to push his ever-ready image with 'Snow Command' propaganda story
Most registered voters have already received two or three mailings from the Rahm Emanuel campaign reminding us that a quarter century ago, while Chicago's 2015 mayor far away from the USA, a young alderman voted with Harold Washington to raise taxes so the city could provide essential service to all the city's neighborhoods. So as of the end of January, "Republican" voters have been receiving a mailing headlined: "You know what's BIG about Chuy Garcia? He voted for the biggest property tax increase in Chicago history. Then he got into BIG trouble."
What Rahm's million dollar mailings to Republican registered voters claims is that Chuy Garcia voted for a large property tax increase. When? On September 24, 1986! That vote took place during the days when Harold Washington was in his first term as mayor and had just achieved a City Council majority to begin thwarting the racist "Vrdolyak 29" bloc in City Council. The infamous "Council Wars" were just receding at that time, nearly 30 years ago. And Rahm Emanuel was preparing for a different kind of wars, but that's another story. The attack on Garcia continues, but we won't go into it here.
The only thing that must be said is that the historical context is far from clear in the screaming mailers being pushed into mailboxes across the city by "Chicago for Rahm Emanuel." (This reporter's home has already received three of these mailing, since we have two registered voters in the house -- one of whom once registered as a Republican as a kind of joke; the "Chuy raised taxes! mailing is to the "Republican").
Recent press reports say that Rahm Emanuel's campaign fund now had more than $30 million.
This photo was sent to reporters by "The Mayor's Press Office" and paid for by the taxpayers of Chicago. The photo caption supplied by the Mayor's Press Office is supposed to read: Photo Caption: Mayor Emanuel briefed on snow and ice removal operations.. Photo Credit: Patrick Pyszka // City of Chicago
But the $30 million is apparently not enough as Chicago's mayor becomes more and more insecure in his position. Several times during the past two weeks, voters have been deluged with slick mailings by Rahm attacking candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.
But first, a look at the propaganda paid for by the taxpayers on behalf of the Ever-Ready-Rahm version of February 2015.
So on January 31, 2015, on the eve of what might or might not be the largest snowstorm so far this winter, the "Mayor's Press Office" distributed a propaganda piece on behalf of Rahm Emanuel. The press release included a photograph showing the mayor, collar open and wearing a sweater instead of his suit, ready to be the General in charge of "Snow Command." Reporters had been told earlier that the media event would be taking place at Snow Command, but that there would be no "media availability" following the photo op.
Press release issued at taxpayers' expense touting Rahm's readiness for snow challenges. Just to make sure nobody missed the story...
The press release reads as follows:
MAYOR EMANUEL BRIEFED SATURDAY ON CITY PREPAREDNESS FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. January 31, 2015
CONTACT: Mayor�s Press Office. 312.744.3334. press@cityofchicago.org
Mayor Rahm Emanuel was briefed this afternoon by Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles Williams at Snow Command on the City's preparedness for this weekend's snow and ice removal operations.
�Mother Nature has been kind to us so far, and our snow plow drivers and City crews have, and will continue to do a tremendous job throughout the winter to keep our streets paved, plowed and passable," said Mayor Emanuel. "City crews remain on alert and are prepared to respond to snowfall again overnight and tomorrow."
Safety is the City's top priority, and motorists are urged to be patient and cautious when driving during inclement weather, and to drive according to the conditions.
To view the snow fleet in real time, visit www.chicagoshovels.org. ; For additional updates on snow removal efforts, follow the Department on Twitter @Streetsandsan.
Photo Caption: Mayor Emanuel briefed on ?snow and ice removal operations.
Photo Credit: Patrick Pyszka // City of Chicago
As everyone familiar with the dirty work of Chicago elections knows, the really nasty stuff is usually saved for the last ten days before the voting. Even though the February 24 municipal election is on more radars than usual for a municipal election, most voters who will actually be voting in this election are just waking up to the fact that it's happening and that Rahm Emanuel has some serious challengers. Substance is maintaining a collection of mailings from across the city in what we are calling our BULLSHIT BOX so that we can use the materials for show and tell in the future as more and more people jump into democracy, Chicago style. Anyone wanting to share their favorite mailbox stuff -- either for the mayoral contest of from your ward's aldermanic campaign -- should send it to us by snail mail: Substance, 5132 W. Berteau, Chicago, IL 60641.
Some lesson plans go beyond what you can learn in a university course on "public policy" and we appreciate the materials that can be used by present and future students of Chicago democracy.
