"Former State Senator and Republican Cook County Board President candidate Roger Keats and his wife Tina are leaving Illinois to live in Texas. They bid farewell to their Illinois friends in a Wilmette Beacon article (March 2011) and with this letter this weekend, saying they're 'voting with their feet and their wallets':
"GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK
"As we leave Illinois for good, I wanted to say goodbye to my friends and wish all of you well. I am a lifelong son of the heartland and proud of it. After 60 years, I leave Illinois with a heavy heart. BUT enough is enough! The leaders of Illinois refuse to see we cant continue going in the direction we are and expect people who have options to stay here. I remember when Illinois had 25 congressmen. In 2012 we will have 18. Compared to the rest of the country we have lost 1/4rd of our population. Dont blame the weather, because I love 4 seasons.
"Illinois just sold still more bonds and our credit rating is so bad we pay higher interest rates than junk bonds! Junk Bonds! Illinois is ranked 50th for fiscal policy; 47th in job creation; 1st in unfunded pension liabilities; 2nd largest budget deficit; 1st in failing schools; 1st in bonded indebtedness; highest sales tax in the nation; most judges indicted (Operations Greylord and Gambat); and 5 of our last 9 elected governors have been indicted. That is more than the other 49 states added together! Then add 32 Chicago Aldermen and (according to the Chicago Tribune) over 1000 state and municipal employees indicted. The corruption tax is a real cost of doing business. We are the butt of jokes for stand up comics.
"We live in the most corrupt big city, in the most corrupt big county in the most corrupt state in America. I am sick and tired of subsidizing crooks. A day rarely passes without an article about the corruption and incompetence. Chicago even got caught rigging the tests to hire police and fire! Our Crook County CORPORATE property tax system is intentionally corrupt. The Democrat State Chairman who is also the Speaker of the Illinois House (Spkr. Mike Madigan) and the most senior alderman in Chicago each make well over a million dollars a year putting the fix in for their clients tax assessments.
"We are moving to Texas where there is no income tax while Illinois just went up 67%. Texas sales tax is ½ of ours, which is the highest in the nation. Southern states are supportive of job producers, tax payers and folks who offer opportunities to their residents. Illinois shakes them down for every penny that can be extorted from them.
"In The Hill Country of Texas (near Austin and San Antonio ) we bought a gracious home on almost 2 acres with a swimming pool. It is new, will cost us around 40% of what our home in Wilmette just sold for and the property taxes are 1/3rd of what they are here. Crook County's property tax system is a disaster: Wilmette homes near ours sell for 50% more and their property taxes are ½ of ours. Our assessed home value was 50% higher than the sales price. The system is unfair and incompetent.
"Our home value is down 40%, our property taxes are up 20% and our local schools have still another referendum on the ballot to increase taxes over 20% in one year. I could go on, but enough is enough. I feel as if we are standing on the deck of the Titanic and I can see the icebergs right in front of us. I will miss our friends a great deal. I have called Illinois home for essentially my entire life. But it is time to go where there is honest, competent and cost effective government. We have chosen to vote with our feet and our wallets. My best to all of you and Good luck!"
2 comments:
I'm right behind ya!!!
San Antonio, although the murder capital of the world per capita, is one of the most wonderful places to reside.
Home as well to a major Drug Cartel, known as the Mexican Mafia!
Not bad guys if you're used to dealing with Illinois Politicians. As matter of fact, I prefer em!
I've lived there before, and guess what all my loving friends?
Although I know I will be missed by the vast many, (choke, choke,) I too, am presently looking at property once again, to return to beatiful Texas.
No income taxes, no worries....
Just lots of "Heat" y cold beer. I already "Hablo Espanol!!"
Lots of wide open country to let my Harley's run wild!
Bring your bike down too Gus....head south on I10 S of San Antonio, until I tell ya to STOP!
I'll keep one on ice for ya Roger!! You've been toughened up by the folks here in the Political arena here in Illinois.
Down in Texas, you won't have to look far for friendly foke.
Just a little reminder fer ya....
Texas, where men are men, and the sheep are nervous!
See ya soon!
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
They'll take his,probably,large tax-payer funded pension with him too. Boo-hoo don't want to give any of it back. Probably end up double dipping at another trough like so many of "them" do.
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