# welch (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover welch. Page: Feed: --- ## [SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: Bailey and the Dinosaurs dominate Republican Day...Podcast preview with Senate GOP Leader John Curran](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/subscribers-only-bailey-and-the-dinosaurs) _2026-08-21 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 21, 2026 ## [THE ILLINOIZE: Confidence or overconfidence for Illinois Democrats on Governor’s Day?](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-confidence-or-overconfidence) _2026-08-20 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 20, 2026 ## [SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: Will they debate?...McCuskey on Welch...Governor’s Day at the State Fair](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/subscribers-only-will-they-debatemccuskey) _2026-08-19 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 19, 2026 ## [THE ILLINOIZE: Pritzker's cash dump...Your questions...answered!](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-pritzkers-cash-dumpyour) _2026-08-18 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 18, 2026 ## [Honest, Hopeful, Grateful](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/honest-hopeful-grateful) _2026-08-17 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ A week after the primary, a few thoughts on outcomes, gratitude, and what comes next. ## [THE ILLINOIZE: Monday Free for All...Storm damage...Funeral home scandal...](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-monday-free-for-allstorm) _2026-08-17 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 17, 2026 ## [Data Centers – analysis by Mark J. Welch (Aug 2026)](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/08/15/data-centers-analysis-by-mark-j-welch-aug-2026/) _2026-08-15 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ Enron. That’s the most important keyword when evaluating AI data centers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron\_scandal How many of the mega-datacenters are owned, operated, controlled and contracted entirely through Enron-style style LLC REIT shell companies, which could default on all environmental, power, water community commitments? Do not assume nor misrepresent names of ultimate customer(s).”… ## [Giving up is unforgivable: a manual for keeping a democracy (2024) by Joyce Vance](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/08/15/giving-up-is-unforgivable-a-manual-for-keeping-a-democracy-2024-by-joyce-vance/) _2026-08-15 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ Giving up is unforgivable: a manual for keeping a democracy (2024) by Joyce Vance https://a.co/d/0a4O5Teh MW: Alas, no action list! Parts of the book were re-hashing information I was long aware of (including Marbury v Madison and the Dredd Scott decision.) The latter half of the book added some new content for me, but again \[ \] ## [The Illinoize Podcast- Independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-podcast-independent) _2026-08-14 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ We have invited all three candidates for Governor to sit down interviews ahead of the November election. [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/211230294/7be9478326a420721079587bc0857965.mp3) ## [SUBSCRIBER PREVIEW: Independent candidate for Governor Collin Corbett](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/subscriber-preview-independent-candidate) _2026-08-14 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ Good morning, subscribers. ## [AI News Summaries & Audio (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/bakk8TFoYxci) _2026-08-14 · **Sponsored**_ Tap an article for an AI summary and an audio briefing. ## [THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...Down on the farm...State Fair opens today...DCFS in legal hot water](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-thursday-free-for-alldown) _2026-08-13 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 13, 2026 ## [Goodreads giveaways won, summer 2026](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/08/12/goodreads-giveaways-won-summer-2026/) _2026-08-12 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ Print Books: What Happened to Liberal Democracy?: Remaking a Politics of Shared Prosperity by Daron Acemoğlu (print) Some People by Parini Shroff Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson Sketch by Ros Hill The First Stop by Tao Wong Murder on the Upper East Side by Gigi Waldorf Total THB, Volume 2 by Paul Pope \[ \] ## [The Privateers: How Billionaires Sold School Vouchers” (2024) by Josh Cowen](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/08/12/the-privateers-how-billionaires-sold-school-vouchers-2024-by-josh-cowen/) _2026-08-12 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ https://amzn.to/4g6F8U0 These are just quotes straight from the book. 1. Today s Voucher Programs Primarily Support Students Who Were Never in Public School2. The Larger and More Recent the Voucher Program Is, the Worse the Academic Results3. Financially Distressed Private Schools Explain Negative Student Results4. The Most Vulnerable Kids Suffer High Voucher Turnover- Or Are Pushed \[ \] ## [SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: Honoring Gov. Edgar](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/subscribers-only-honoring-gov-edgar) _2026-08-12 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 12, 2026 ## [Today, We Take the Next Step](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/today-we-take-the-next-step) _2026-08-11 · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ This morning, I got to do one of my favorite things with my favorite people: go vote with my family. ## [THE ILLINOIZE: The farmer and the billionaire go to the...farm?](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-the-farmer-and-the) _2026-08-11 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 11, 2026 ## [Election Eve](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/election-eve) _2026-08-11 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ We’ve built something worth believing in. ## [557 Miles. Fourteen Counties. 36 Hours.](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/557-miles-fourteen-counties-36-hours) _2026-08-10 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ What I heard on the road this weekend, and what Vermonters are ready for tomorrow. ## [THE ILLINOIZE: Monday Free for All...Pritzker and Welch...Del Mar...Ammons investigation begins](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-monday-free-for-allpritzker-a5d) _2026-08-10 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 10, 2026 ## [There’s Hope in the Trying](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/theres-hope-in-the-trying) _2026-08-09 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ When I first started organizing, I learned pretty quickly that campaigns are built out of very small things. ## [Non-Custodial Crypto Gateway (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/hZEHmNaew5xa) _2026-08-09 · **Sponsored**_ Accept multi-chain crypto, automated fee handling, and trustless escrow with real-time settlement. ## [Four days. Fourteen counties. We need you with us.](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/four-days-fourteen-counties-we-need) _2026-08-07 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ We are officially in the final stretch. ## [THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...Welch responds to LIG report...Insurance rate regulation](https://theillinoize.substack.com/p/the-illinoize-thursday-free-for-allwelch-8d6) _2026-08-06 · Patrick Pfingsten · The Illinoize_ August 6, 2026 ## [One Week Out: Let’s Finish What We Started](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/one-week-out-lets-finish-what-we) _2026-08-04 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ One week from today, Vermonters will choose the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Here is what it all comes down to. ## [Grateful. Fired Up. Ready to Win.](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/grateful-fired-up-ready-to-win) _2026-08-02 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ We just made Vermont history. Now we need your help to finish this. ## [My Friend, Andrew](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/my-friend-andrew) _2026-07-31 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ The best way to support Andrew Champagne is to vote. ## [The Questions I Wish They’d Asked](https://mclarenforvermont.substack.com/p/the-questions-i-wish-theyd-asked) _2026-07-29 · McLaren for Vermont · McLaren for Vermont: From the Campaign Trail_ Campaign forums have covered a lot of policy. But some of the most important questions in an election are about what a candidate believes, what sustains them, and how they will approach the work ahead ## [An apology and correction about Republic 2.0](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/07/21/an-apology-and-correction-about-republic-2-0/) _2026-07-21 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ 25 years ago, I chanced upon a book called Republic 2.0, by Cass Sunstein, and I wrote a fairly detailed critique of the concept that people would actually isolate themselves online and exacerbate tensions and conflict by participating in enclaves and not interacting with those who disagreed: https://www.markwelchblog.com/2002/01/21/54 I was right, and I was wrong. \[ \] ## [Michael Hasty is not a serious candidate](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/07/03/michael-hasty-is-not-a-serious-candidate/) _2026-07-03 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ Michael Hasty is NOT a serious candidate for Missouri District 135 State Representative I assume that Mr. Hasty is sincere (if misguided) in his candidacy, and he won a serious share (45%) of the vote as the Republican candidate in 2024. But he has refused to state any position on the two most significant issues \[ \] ## [The Democratic Platform I’ll Support](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/06/26/the-democratic-platform-ill-support/) _2026-06-26 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ Here is what I want to hear from the candidates seeking my vote this year. I ve been a registered Democrat since 1983. But often, I ve felt much more in common with the Greens and the Democratic Socialists. Here is my list of issues and topics that I want to hear candidates talk about, to earn \[ \] ## [Missouri Amendment 5: Eliminate State Income Tax, Double Sales Tax, Add Service Taxes and a Tax on Rent](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/06/04/missouri-amendment-5-eliminate-state-income-tax-double-sales-tax-add-service-taxes-and-a-tax-on-rent/) _2026-06-04 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ Missouri s Amendment 5 would end state income taxes, double sales tax rates, and impose new taxes on services, including rent. The math behind Amendment 5 does not add up. Missouri s income tax now brings $8.5 billion annually (two-thirds of all state revenue). Missouri residents now pay 8.44% sales tax, on average. \[The current Missouri sales \[ \] ## [Persona-led AI publishing (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/2Q8UxLwACHqV) _2026-06-04 · **Sponsored**_ Generate drafts, schedule subdomain publishing, and keep human review where needed. ## [The Blue Tide Times](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/03/21/the-blue-tide-times/) _2026-03-22 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ The CommunityTogether417.com web site is now hosting a collection of reports edited by Dale McCurry, as The Blue Tide Times. (These are PDF files.) #1 November 24, 2025 The Tides They Are a-Changing (By Dale McCurry)No Free Pass for Burlison and Ilk #2 January 1, 2026 Fear, Loathing, and Black Eyed Peas (A holiday essay \[ \] ## [Springfield’s Rental Inspection Pilot Program](https://www.MarkWelchBlog.com/2026/03/19/springfields-rental-inspection-pilot-program/) _2026-03-19 · Mark Welch · Mark Welch's Perspective_ \[Updated Friday, March 20\] The City of Springfield held two meetings to present its Residential Rental License and Inspection Pilot Program \[PDF\] in the West Central Neighborhood. Inspections have long been demanded by Springfield Tenants UNite (STUN), which finally persuaded the City Council to launch this pilot. The pilot program includes only about 1,500 single-family \[ \]