Illinois Democrats passed a whopping 66% increase in state income taxes in a lame duck session. Governor Pat Quinn congratulated his party members: "A lot of them are my friends and we worked together in campaigns and we believe in working together in important things that help children," Quinn said when reporters caught up to him after the Senate vote.Asked if there was a lot of horse trading to win support, Quinn said "not really. Everybody voted their conscience."They also increased business taxes 46% in a state where the tax base has been disappearing for a decade.Not a single Republican voted for the measure - even those who were retiring or defeated in the November election. And this is cause for congratulations and celebration? In the cloud cuckoo land of Democratic politics in Illinois, you betcha.And don't let anyone tell you that this is for "deficit reduction." In order to get the support of black lawmakers, Quinn promised to spend a billion...(Read Full Post)