From the Belleville News Democrat (Editorial):

Posted on Fri, Nov. 16, 2007

Can't count on Blagojevich

A legislative committee this week blocked Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to expand tax-subsidized health care coverage for families, and good thing.

The state is already spending on its existing health care programs at a record pace, according to the comptroller. As of Nov. 8 -- about a third of the way through the fiscal year -- the state has already spent about 45 percent of the $6.9 billion appropriated for those programs.

There isn't going to be anywhere near enough money for the programs we already have, much less those Blagojevich wants to add. It was irresponsible to propose an expansion when the state isn't properly managing the programs we have.

Remember all his promises of reforms in the Medicaid program to cut costs and pay for additional programs? Those savings haven't materialized.

That should come as no surprise to anyone who watches Blagojevich. He is incapable of executing ideas, or solving problems.

Consider his failure to solve the Chicago Transit Authority funding crisis. He has been unable to bring lawmakers together , just as he wasn't able to unite them on the state budget earlier this year. And his own Democratic Party controls both the House and the Senate.

Some observers think Blagojevich never expected this latest health care expansion to be approved; he just wanted the headlines from proposing it.

It's no wonder so many people are fed up with the political process. It's guys like Blagojevich who give politicians a bad name.