Usually the reason I curse the state that I live in (Illinois) is the cold mornings when it is 15 degrees and I am walking my dogs or walking to the train. Unfortunately, I have a new reason this week.
I live in what could possibly be called the most corrupt state in the nation. Even law enforcement officials concede this point. The latest corruption takes the cake.....
The governor of Illinios conspired to sell the vacant senate seat of our next President Barack Obama. His request was a job after he is done being governor and a seat on organization boards which would guarantee a pretty hefty income.
His actions were referred to as a crime "spree". Not an actions but a coordinated set of illegal actions. A coordinated SET!!!
On the tapes (they actually wiretapped his phone) he said he had considered appointing himself to the seat as a prelude to running for president in 2016.
Clarence Page was asked if the governor was the most corrupt person in the world to which he answered to the effect that Robert Mugabe was far and above the most corrupt person in the world but the governor was catching up quickly!
I know politics is a pretty messy game but I was shocked by this.....and I don't get shocked very much.
When candidates meet with a sitting governor to buy a senate seat, something has gone wrong with our political system and, even scarier, with people in general.
I hope that the governor will be impeached and the senate seat will no longer be appointed but elected. But can we assume in this current political situation an election would be free from corruption? No such luck.....
A few thoughts to consider
What would your solution be to assigning this seat?
Should the IL constitution change to allow an election for a vacated senate seat rather than it be appointed by the governor? (IL governors don't have a great track record.)
If not, should the previous senator pick his or her replacement?
Will this hurt Chicago's chances to host the 2016 Olympics?
Talk amongst yourselves.....
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8 comments:
I think David Mamet says it best:
"I am from Chicago, and, so, having been disillusioned with politics at an early age I do not become involved. The only reason I vote is because they pay me."
From what I am hearing, the only good reason why Illinois might not hold a special election for the vacant senate seat is that they cannot afford it.
Another sign of the times.
Jonathan,
It is a horrible sign of the times...you can't appoint someone because the governor is corrupt and then the election is problematic because there is no money left. Ill is in a sad state and the people that truly suffer are those who hold no power.....
I'm from downstate IL...it's not so bad down there (has its problems, of course, like anywhere else). But the Chicago area tends to overrule downstate, no matter what, due to sheer population. Give the rest of IL a chance. We're good eggs.
I agree with you Michael. I just thought it was disconcerting that IL may not be able to afford new elections. (My sarcasm is apparently hard to detect in print.)
Anyway, I thought you might find the following link entertaining. It's a ranking of law schools by corruption charges (yes, Harvard and Yale top the list... no mentioned of Columbia there :0)
http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2008/12/announcing_the_2.html
It looks like the Illinois Supreme Court has decided not to remove Blago, and we are in for impeachment hearings.
What do you think of the Court's decision?
Some would say that Blago's corruption has been so blatant, he should be removed now by any means.
Others say that he deserves a fair hearing. And that removing him without a hearing would set a bad precedent.
What do you think?
Interested in YOUR thoughts.
Jonathan,
No matter how angry I am at what Blago has supposedly done, I think our justice system needs to work in every case. He is innocent until proven guilty. If we make justice no longer blind, that will change our whole judicial system. The system which I do believe is flawed still is the best one out there.
I think he will be proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt though.
No wonder Mamet turned conservative.
Of course, I used to work in Waterbury, Conn., which is like Chicago East when it comes to jailed politicians, so who am I to talk.
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