by Brain E. Sleet

So, welcome to the Grand Overview. On my blog I hope that we can start a discussion about what’s going on in the city of Chicago. Not the traditional back and forth or gossiping about who’s doing what, but more the why? And to question is it right?

What I have learned doing life and politics in Chicago is that there is generally too much focus on some caricatured belief of what the Chicago Way is… We don’t believe that we can change business as usual, so we accept it, and many people in the system start to legitimize it. The more we argue that the same ole business as usual is a sensible thing, the less people believe in the system and the more people wash their hands of the entire process. Or on the other hand we demonize the powers that be, and legitimate conspiracy theories and negativity when we are too afraid to get involved and actually fight for a system that makes sense.

So for me the best introduction is to tell you what I believe. I believe that some times there is a right answer and sometimes there is not. I believe that sometimes it is best to agree to disagree. I believe that there is such a thing as stupid opinions and questions. I believe in government, I believe that we pay too much money in taxes and fees every year to not pay attention to what happens locally. I believe that a city with the highest sales tax in the nation should not be in the position where the streets are in decay, the schools are underperforming, and violence is running rampant, all while still needing furlough days and the sales of public assets in order to make ends meet. I don’t believe that passing down elected offices to friends and family is in the best interests of anyone. I believe that people who advocate the radical overthrow of the government as the only solution are not serious about change. I believe that this is the way it has always been done is not a good enough answer. I believe that all those who serve in public life, even our disgraced former governors began with good intentions. But I also believe that good intentions do not matter nearly as much as results. And I believe that good people, when they stand up together, with enough hard work can change the world.

I have an opinion on a lot of things. I don’t expect you all to agree, and feel free to disagree, I fight for my ideas hard but in the end its all love.