Instead, Quinn chose to defend the status quo (which, being Illinois, means skyrocketing taxes and reckless spending) by leveling a broadside at New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who had the audacity to run a marketing campaign in Illinois aimed at winning over that state’s overtaxed companies.

But Christie had just gotten started. Exuding confidence that his state is on the right track, he then traveled to Illinois, meeting with corporate leaders receptive to his vision of bettering a business climate through spending reductions, pro-growth initiatives, and a pledge not to raise taxes.

Predictably, Quinn took issue with Christie’s aggressive approach. “I don’t believe …governors should be kicking each other in the shins,” he said.

Of course not.  That just wouldn’t be politically correct. And making the sin mortal is that Christie’s actions invoked competition among states.

It’s truly a sad note when competition --- the bedrock of America which created the most prosperous nation in history --- is reduced to “kicking someone in the shins.”

Instead of fixing his state the right way, though, Quinn would rather criticize a governor who dared to put the interests of his people over government; a leader who understands that freeing business from the shackles of government leads to lower costs, increased productivity, and the only thing that can jumpstart an economy --- jobs.

*****

Under Quinn’s reign as Governor and Lt. Governor, Illinois’ situation has become dire.  Its deficit this year alone is $15 billion --- so bad that it can’t pay its vendors.  And that doesn’t take into account the incomprehensible $80 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, earning Illinois first place in that category.

So of course, the answer for Quinn and the Democrats in power (who control both legislative chambers by significant margins) is twofold:

1)    Borrow $15 billion to pay the $15 billion owed.  The only problem is that the deficit will still stand at… $15 billion. Maybe that’s Illinois’ “new math,” but the fact remains that even if the deficit is financed at a lower rate, the amount owed hasn’t changed.

2)    Raise taxes at a staggering rate.

To state that Quinn accomplished Point Number Two is a masterpiece of an understatement. He has just signed into law a whopping 67 percent increase in the state income tax, along with similar jumps in business taxes.  When combined with national taxes, Illinois now has the fourth-highest overall corporate income tax in the industrialized world.

The key difference between the two Governors is that Christie can attract businesses to his state, despite New Jersey also having one of the worst business climates in the nation.  Why? Because Christie is turning things around by running his state like a business, mandating that it operates within the same constraints as the private-sector: control labor costs, increase efficiencies, and don’t spend money that isn’t there.

Even though he is vastly outnumbered by the tax-and-spend Democrats who control the Jersey legislature, Christie’s bully pulpit, take-no-prisoners attitude has already paid dividends: the Garden State is moving in the right direction on the business climate list.

And that has business taking note.

*****

Here’s what leaders like Quinn don’t understand.  

If they were confident in their ideas and vision, they wouldn’t have to whine about other elected officials “poaching” business in their state. It’s why governors in South Carolina, Arizona, Texas and yes, even New Jersey, don’t worry about such things. Their message is simple: we’re in the game all the way, and we’ll do whatever it takes to get --- and keep --- you here.  

The Founding Fathers inherently knew that competition among states was necessary for the Republic to thrive, and designed the country accordingly.  That vision worked then, and, if we don’t bow to political correctness, it can work now.

Governors can and should be competing with their counterparts, and not just for a meaningless Super bowl bet.  But most don’t, either because their business climate is too hostile, or they are worried about bruising egos.

In either case, that amounts to unacceptable failure. And with the volatile electorate demanding solutions, not excuses, that’s not a good position in which to be.

*****

"I don't know why anybody would listen to him," Quinn said of Christie. “I don't need that kind of advice from that guy."

But since his state is losing another congressional seat because Americans are finding greener pastures elsewhere --- a trend that will now accelerate because of Quinn’s mammoth new taxes --- here’s a piece of advice to the Governor:

Maybe you should.  

Common sense dictates that people gravitate to places they sense are on the right track. And for the first time in a generation, Americans are viewing New Jersey as a land of opportunity, not just the butt of late-night jokes.

Which has Chris Christie smiling, because he knows what Pat Quinn doesn’t: the real joke is on Illinois, and New Jersey will be laughing all the way to the bank.



Chris Freind is an independent columnist, television commentator, and investigative reporter who operates his own news bureau, www.FreindlyFireZone.com
Readers of his column, “Freindly Fire,” hail from six continents, thirty countries and all fifty states. His work has been referenced in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, National Review Online, foreign newspapers, and in Dick Morris' recent bestseller "Catastrophe."
Freind, whose column appears nationally in Newsmax, also serves as a guest commentator on Philadelphia-area talk radio shows, and makes numerous other television and radio appearances, most notably on FOX.  He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it