Marco Rubio in 2015
Explaining Why Iran Must Be Stopped
Writing about state and local issues seems inconsequential at a time when American servicemembers are serving in combat – and dying – in order to obliterate the military and leadership of Iran, the world’s foremost propagator of terrorism, including terrorism of their own people.
In the above clip from 2015, Marco Rubio is prescient. He describes with incredible accuracy what would happen if the Iranian regime is not contained. In the clip, he discusses the Iranian threat more than the specifics of the bill that was to hold Iran accountable. The bill passed overwhelmingly, and Rubio voted for it. The deal required strict scrutiny of Iran’s adherence to the agreement. But we know what happened – the Iranian regime ignored it, continued to enrich uranium, build ballistic rockets, and fund terrorism – and subsequent Presidents did nothing or made it worse – like Obama – by sending them literally pallets of cash.
Now, President Trump is handling the situation after others failed to do so.
In just one week, the well-planned military operations by American and Israeli forces have achieved near air superiority, sunk Iran’s navy, destroyed ballistic missile sites, and killed most of Iran’s leadership. There’s still work to do. Sadly, six American servicemembers have lost their lives. Their sacrifice and that of their families will not be forgotten and will not be in vain.
Victor Davis Hanson wrote an interesting piece on Trump’s war posture and strategy. He called it “preventative deterrence” and noted that executing the strategy includes:
- a geostrategy to isolate China
- wars of reckoning – attack is long overdue
- no boots on the ground
- no internationalism
- no nation building
“For five decades, the Iranian street and its unhinged theocracy scared silly the Middle East with its “Death to America” chants, its promise to destroy the Zionist entity, its brag of going nuclear, and its often overt warnings to rip apart the Sunni-dominated Gulf.
But Trump, with help from Israel, finally revealed the theocracy to be a Keystone Kop kleptocracy. The mullahs screamed “Death to America!” but it was Trump’s America that finally brought death to them.”
The article can be read HERE.
IN OTHER NEWS
Governor Pritzker this week is crowing loudly over Illinois’ number 2 ranking with Site Selection Magazine. Site Selection ranks states based on “new projects” coming to the state.
From Site Selection news release on 2025 results:
Every year around this time, Site Selection research and editorial staff perform our own annual ritual: tallying up by state all the corporate end-user/occupier facility investment projects that qualified over the previous calendar year for our proprietary Conway Projects Database, which counts projects involving construction if they involve at least $1 million in investment, creation of 20 new jobs or 20,000 new sq. ft. of space.
Call it the Great American Project Count, a community data exercise that helps employers, area leaders and citizens track economic health and the migration of capital and talent.
Texas was ranked number 1 for the 14th year in a row with 1,406 qualifying projects.
Governor Pritzker’s press release about the #2 ranking included the following statement:
“Once again, Site Selection is highlighting Illinois’ role as a nation-leading hub for business development. This impressive recognition reflects our efforts to foster a robust, future-focused economy that empowers companies to put down roots and grow in Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to our innovative workforce development efforts, competitive incentives, and unmatched infrastructure, Illinois has solidified its position as an economic powerhouse that helps job creators thrive in every corner of the state.”
Notice in the above that Pritzker specifically mentions Illinois’ “competitive incentives” as one of the reasons for companies to come to Illinois. The other advantages, skilled workforce and good infrastructure have been advantages of Illinois for decades.
The tax incentives matter though, just look at the companies Pritzker chose to highlight in his own press release.
Pure Lithium: Relocating its entire operation from Boston to Chicago to manufacture commercially viable lithium metal batteries
Tax Incentive = $4,432,450
Damera Corporation: Opening its first U.S. assembly plant in Greater Peoria, where it will make electric buses
Tax Incentive = $6,459,797
Rivian: Investing $120 million to create a 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park in Normal, an investment that’s already paved the way for other suppliers, such as Adient and OPmobility, to invest in Illinois
Rivian received an initial $50 million in 2016, $827 million commitment in 2024.
2025 Tax Incentive = $5,008,779
Adient Tax Incentive = $4,045,165
OPmobility Tax Incentive =$3,674,000
Cronus Chemicals: Committing to construct a new $2 billion fertilizer production facility in Tuscola
Tax Incentives include: EDGE CREDIT – According to the agreement, unless otherwise determined by the DCEO, the annual credit shall be equal to the lesser of: (1) the sum of (a) fifty percent (50%) of the Incremental Income Tax attributable to New Employees and (b) ten percent (10%) of the Training Costs of New Employees; or (2) one hundred percent (100%) of the Incremental Income Tax attributable to New Employees.
Silesia: Doubling down on its Illinois presence with the opening of a new flavor innovation and production facility in Huntley
Tax Incentive = EDGE Credit similar to above
Epic Pharma Solutions Inc.: Opening its first U.S. facility in Pekin, building on Illinois’ standing as a hub for foreign direct investment and life sciences innovation
Tax Incentive = EDGE Credit similar to above
Site Selection is not the only magazine that ranks best places for businesses. In their latest report, April 2025, Chief Executive Magazine ranks Texas, Florida, and Tennessee at the top of best places for business and ranked IL, CA, and NY at the bottom.
Illinois, New York and California maintain their position as the bottom three states. Despite their economic scale and cultural capital, CEOs continue to cite high taxes, regulatory burdens and rising costs of living as major obstacles.
Most importantly, if the Site Selection is correct, and lots of businesses are attracted to Illinois, why are other businesses fleeing the state? And if it’s true that we have all this new business activity, why don’t we see all that economic activity leading to lower taxes?
An entirely different picture of Illinois is seen in this graph from WalletHub.
According to a new survey released by WalletHub, Illinois has the highest tax rates in the country, including state and local taxes and the highest annual tax rates on median households.
53% higher than the national average!!
Illinois Policy Institute broke down the numbers further and put the tax burden into numbers with this chart.
Absorb the sad statistics here: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/report-illinoisans-pay-nations-highest-combined-state-local-taxes/
So, which Illinois do you live in? The one that feels like you’re getting a good deal or the one that feels the burden of taxes. Certainly, some people and some businesses are doing great in this state, and they can afford to stay here. Others know they are being taken advantage of by politicians who hand out favors to special interests and protect union members in every tax incentive deal and every budget at the state or local level.
Don’t let the Site Selection ranking fool you. While certain businesses have decided to locate here because they are in the EV or Renewable energy market and are getting a warm reception from Governor Pritzker, and other businesses have expanded here because they are in familiar territory, plenty of others are staying away.
Pritzker just proposed another record budget and more tax increases. If we were an attractive state, we should see tax decreases and lower budgets as more people get jobs and off public assistance.
In fact, NINE states are LOWERING TAXES individual income taxes this year.
Let’s see the real numbers Gov. Pritzker, give us a full list of the projects that came to Illinois or expanded here and list every tax incentive local or state that those projects received. And if the picture is so rosy, propose a tax cut.
JOKE
Wealthy elites are bankrolling Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s run for the US Senate despite her campaign’s claim that they are running a ‘grassroots-funded’ race.
She had the nerve to say ‘I’m not taking a dime in this race’ when she has already accepted million$$ in donations from Governor Pritzker and his family, Michael Reinsdorf (owner of the Chicago Bulls), Jerry Reinsdorf (owner of the Chicago White Sox) and billionaire Deborah Simon.
The Congressional Black Caucus is accusing Governor Pritzker of being ‘heavy-handed’ in the race:
And, ICYMI, check out the classless ad that Stratton’s campaign is airing: