You ever notice how those makeover programs on television are all the same? Whether it’s people or houses that are being restyled and refurbished, the emphasis is always on making them look better than they did before. As far as we know, there’s not a single show that instructs viewers on how to make themselves less attractive or how to make their houses look uglier.
Why is that? Is it lookism? Is it because no one in his right mind would want to do such a thing, and no sane person has any interest in seeing how it might be done? Is there no demand for degradational tutorials?
It’s kind of a shame, because there are certain people living among us who are really good at ruining things, and they could be featured in how-to programs, too – in case there’s anyone else out there in TV Land who wants to follow their foolish examples.
Illinois trial lawyers, for instance, and the fellow travelers in the legislature could star in a series called “This Old House and Senate,” explaining in minute detail how to turn one of the most prosperous states in the union into an economic basket case in only a matter of years with exorbitant taxes, onerous regulations, and predatory courts.
Here’s a promo for the program: “Is your state doing well? Are your citizens happy? Annoying, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you rather be like Illinois? Well, okay then, keep watching this program and follow our example. Soon, your state will be just like ours.”
A whole episode might be devoted to Senate Bill 1596, which would reverse a 2015 state Supreme Court decision and amend the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act by lifting restrictions on when occupational disease lawsuits can be filed.
Supported by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the proposed measure seeks to overturn law that time-bars workers’ claims against former employers, as decided four years ago in Folta v. Ferro Engineering.
John Pastuovic, president of the Illinois Civil Justice League, said the legislation essentially creates unlimited liability in the state's civil court system. "It also has the effect of eliminating insurance coverage and driving more businesses out of state and more businesses into bankruptcy," he said.
Unlimited liability. That’s what we need. That’ll make Illinois more appealing for job makers.