I e-mailed a friend and told her that in Illinois, state statute should prevent someone running for governor unless he or she already faces an indictment.
She replied that the state came up with a new slogan: “Illinois, where our governors make our license plates.”
And so it goes in the “Land of Lincoln,” as in “Honest Abe,” where the odds of finding an honest governor equate to hitting the Lotto.
Now the state where I grew up lacks a governor, barely got a U.S. Senator and lacks the ability to convince anyone that the next gubernatorial candidate, regardless of party, can change the persistent pattern of corruption that taints the governor’s mansion.
Yet, back home, no one seems surprised. Why would they?
The same alleged wheeling and dealing that got Gov. Rod Blagojevich in trouble, impeached and awaiting two trials — one in the Illinois Senate and another in federal court — was used by U.S. Senate leaders, including one from Illinois — to seat a replacement for (then) President-elect Barack Obama.
It seems Blagojevich faced trouble doing anything without getting a campaign contribution for it. And when the opportunity arose for him to appoint a U.S. Senator, well, he apparently wanted something for that, too.
Gov. Bill Richardson, D- N.M., a presidential also-ran and for a while a cabinet choice for Obama, faced similar accusations: campaign contributions for state contracts.
Ah, those words again: campaign contributions.
“This is a grave and sobering time in the history of the state of Illinois,” state Rep. Lou Lang, a Democrat, told the Associated Press.”
He got it partly right.
This is a grave and sobering time for our country. Despite some honest efforts to change the system — at all levels of government, including campaign finance reform in Illinois — the political system remains ostensibly a corrupt one.
It hinges on bartering for money and power. And the citizenry pays the price over and over again.
And so the questions become, “How do we fix it?” and “Where do we even start?”
One thing remains clear: apathy offers no solution.
Perhaps some of you can provide answers or at least places to start the discussion.
I have lived in the Land of Stinkin' all my life. I also happen live in Crook County (oops, I meant Cook County) where Todd Stroger spent our tax dollars like a drunken sailor on leave. It's not only our illustrious past and present governors who royally screwed their Illinois constituents, but also the likes of Mike Madigan, John Cullerton and Emil Jones to name just a few key anal orifices in the Illinois Legislature. No wonder Illinois is a laughing-stock!
Thanks for visiting the site. I hope you make it a regular stop. Well, not much has changed in "Crook County" since I posted the blog almost a year ago. The mayoral primary/election will be a real sitcom. Newark, N.J., has nothing on the Windy City! Happy holidays! Mac
How he got on the Letterman show and pull a straight face claiming his innosence is beyond me.
Hello: Thanks for the post. How he got on Letterman with any face escapes me!
Kudos, Mac! Gov Blag makes me proud to be an Illini. Nothing like living in Florida (where we can't get voting right) and having grown up in Illinois (where Govs are seemingly more like the Daly family). And everyone wonders why I halted my national future in politics ten years ago!
Keep up the great work, Mac!
One trial down and one to go for Mr. Blagojevich (who, by the way, still contends he's innocent and the "wronged" party.)
Thanks for the post! I understand from news reports that he managed to get on the governor's jet for the trip back to Chicago from Springfield before the vote to convict, so the flight was free and "legal." Now, that's an honest man. I do not expect a different result in the next trial, but it will take a lot longer. ESPN should have used the Illinois Senate versus "Boygo" as No.1 on its Top 10 plays of the day — 59-0. Ouch! Mac McKerral
Tough to figure what goes on in the mind of the Illinois governor. I am sure he'll write a book and fill us all in. Mac McKerral
Jeez. Blagojevich even considered Oprah. She's done some good things, but hold on, she's no Caroline Kennedy.
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