According to today's USA Today, Illinois is only the 18th most corrupt state in the union, based on federal crime convictions per capita. Yes, we have machine-style politics, greased palms, and it's probably easier to go to prison if you're an IL governor than a murderer... but we're not even in the big leagues of corruption.
We really have to try harder!
The #1 most corrupt state -- North Dakota.
Well that makes sense -- there's nothing much to do up there except practice corruption and freeze to death.
But seriously, USA Today reports that N.D. has 8.3 convictions per 100,000 people. Even Alaska and Louisiana fare worse than IL. We have only 3.9 convictions per 100,000 people.
Maybe the truth is we are just better at concealing our greed and corruption. After all only 3 of our governors in the last 35 years went to prison. Several got off scot-free!
And we even had a year recently when not a single Chicago alderman went to jail! Now if that doesn't restore your belief in miracles, then you are just too jaded for words.
We may be #18 today, but it's a solid 18 with a bullet. If he keeps working at it, Patrick Fitzgerald can uncover a huge cesspool of corruption with trails leading all through IL.
In 2009 we should easily break the top 10. We might even give ND a real run for the money for the #1 slot.
By the way, Nebraska -- the Corn Husker State -- is #50 with less than 0.5 convictions per 100,000 people.
If you'd like to check out the stats, go here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-10-corruptstates_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday Red Bullets
** All the pundits have diagnosed Gov. Blagojevich (D-IL) as a nut case, sociopath, lunatic, crazy person. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but Blago is as sane as all the other IL politicians. This is how IL politics is done. Don't let the Obama cult of personality fool you. Obama is the exception that proves the rule.
** Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) apparently didn't listen to his father closely enough. Identified as "Senate candidate 5" -- the one who allegedly offered $1 million for Obama's seat -- "Jr." as he is known in these parts is steadfastly denying the allegations. His deft denial, however, is classic Jackson. His attorney confirms his denial, but slyly added that Jackson still wants the Senate seat. The attorney, James Montgomery, said, “He’s campaigned for it, he wants it, he’s qualified for it.” And the Jackson's have quick and easy access to the $1 million, too. I'm just saying...
** The investigations continue and the body count grows. One of Blago's deputy governors quietly resigned yesterday. No explanation why. Also Blago's attorney, Bill Quinlan, has been questioned by the Feds.
** What happens next? The calls for Blago's resignation are mounting, but he will not fall on his sword. Only Republicans do that; Democrats have to be torn from office kicking and screaming. Although there are calls for impeachment, it probably will not happen in the special session of the IL General Assembly next week. The main heads of the Dems in IL are remaining strangely silent and a new Assembly convenes in January. Any impeachment action might occur then.
** Can Blago still appoint an IL senator? Sure can! But the Sec. of State Jesse White would have to confirm the appointment (unlikely). The Senate would have to seat the appointee (possible), but then they'd probably vote to expel him/her. Most likely: a special election in February '09. Expect Jackson Jr. to be on that ballot.
** What happened to Chicago's 2016 Olympic hopes? Hear that giant flushing sound? Remember the FBI's Robert Grant quote of the day from Tuesday: "If [Illinois] isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's one hell of a competitor." YIKES!
** If you have not read the complaint, read it here: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/
I'm having a hard time selecting my "favorite" section. I enjoyed his musing about being appointed an ambassador -- that's sort of classic. The whole thing will give you a good look inside the way IL politics really works. If you live in IL, it just makes you sick. If you don't, it'll make you glad you live elsewhere.
** Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) apparently didn't listen to his father closely enough. Identified as "Senate candidate 5" -- the one who allegedly offered $1 million for Obama's seat -- "Jr." as he is known in these parts is steadfastly denying the allegations. His deft denial, however, is classic Jackson. His attorney confirms his denial, but slyly added that Jackson still wants the Senate seat. The attorney, James Montgomery, said, “He’s campaigned for it, he wants it, he’s qualified for it.” And the Jackson's have quick and easy access to the $1 million, too. I'm just saying...
** The investigations continue and the body count grows. One of Blago's deputy governors quietly resigned yesterday. No explanation why. Also Blago's attorney, Bill Quinlan, has been questioned by the Feds.
** What happens next? The calls for Blago's resignation are mounting, but he will not fall on his sword. Only Republicans do that; Democrats have to be torn from office kicking and screaming. Although there are calls for impeachment, it probably will not happen in the special session of the IL General Assembly next week. The main heads of the Dems in IL are remaining strangely silent and a new Assembly convenes in January. Any impeachment action might occur then.
** Can Blago still appoint an IL senator? Sure can! But the Sec. of State Jesse White would have to confirm the appointment (unlikely). The Senate would have to seat the appointee (possible), but then they'd probably vote to expel him/her. Most likely: a special election in February '09. Expect Jackson Jr. to be on that ballot.
** What happened to Chicago's 2016 Olympic hopes? Hear that giant flushing sound? Remember the FBI's Robert Grant quote of the day from Tuesday: "If [Illinois] isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's one hell of a competitor." YIKES!
** If you have not read the complaint, read it here: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/
I'm having a hard time selecting my "favorite" section. I enjoyed his musing about being appointed an ambassador -- that's sort of classic. The whole thing will give you a good look inside the way IL politics really works. If you live in IL, it just makes you sick. If you don't, it'll make you glad you live elsewhere.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Land of Lincoln or Land of Corruption?
Gov. Blagojevich (D) of my home state (IL) is charged with a "political corruption crime spree." Why am I not surprised?
In IL, if you are a politician that is not under investigation, you probably should be investigated. Political corruption is a way of life in IL. The IL "combine" does not refer to farm equipment -- it's the term used to describe the machine politics that spilled out of Chicago into Springfield (the state capitol).
The "nice" thing about political corruption in IL -- it's bipartisan! Our previous governor, a Republican, is serving time in prison for a licenses for bribes scandal. His greed led to the deaths of a van of innocent children who were literally burned to death. Their van struck some debris that fell off a truck driven by someone who paid a bribe to get a trucker's license in IL. Now George Ryan spends his retirement in prison.
Three governors in 35 years went from the governor's mansion to prison. The others probably escaped by being only slightly more artful in their corruption.
Gov. Blago was just plain ham-handed. Beside the blatant attempt to literally sell the open Senate seat, Blago and his chief of staff reportedly attempted to shake down dozens of people for campaign contributions. The most shocking accusation was his threat to withhold funding for the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago because the CEO was not fast enough in coughing up a $50,000 campaign "contribution." Apparently, that's the price tag for making sure innocent children get the critical medical care they need in IL.
Selling favors and contracts, seeking a Cabinet position and a board of directors spot for his wife, Blagojevich was way more interested in padding his post-governor lifestyle than in serving the people of IL. Most politicians are greedy, but Blagojevich has taken greed to a completely new level.
As bad as all that is, he is recorded on tape musing about appointing himself to the vacant Senate seat. His approval rating in IL is in the single digits, so he thought that jumping to the Senate would give him a chance to improve his image and run for prez in 2016.
If it isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor," said Robert Grant, special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago office.
The people of IL are not surprised though -- this is what we live with every day. There's an unwritten agreement between the people and the pols -- as long as they don't go overboard in their corruption, the people will turn a blind eye to it. Apparently, Blago couldn't be satisfied just sticking a couple of fingers in the cookie jar -- he had to break the jar open, grab all the cookies and then demand even more -- all the while denying that he'd done anything wrong.
Grant had the privilege of standing outside Blagojevich's home about 6 a.m. Tuesday and calling the sleepy governor to say federal agents were outside, waiting to arrest him quietly. "I could tell I woke him up," Grant said. "And the first thing he said was, 'Is this a joke?' "
Even knowing that he was under investigation for the last 2+ years, Blago continued his blatant and obvious selling of anything he could lay his hands on to fill his insatiable money lust. When it all fell down around him like a house of cards, he asks, "Is this a joke?"
Sadly, Blagojevich was elected governor on the reform ticket, promising to clean up the state and end business as usual. He managed to get re-elected even though the clouds were forming over his head.
In his own words: "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain," Blagojevich allegedly said on tape. "You hear what I'm saying? And if I don't get what I want, and I'm not satisfied with it, then I'll just take the Senate seat myself." Obama's Senate seat, Blagojevich allegedly said, "is a [expletive] valuable thing. You don't just give it away for nothing." Then, on Nov. 5, he allegedly said, "I've got this thing, and it's [expletive] golden and, uh, I'm just not going to give it up for [expletive] nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And I can always use it, I can parachute me there."
In the midst of all this is the irony of Sen. Dick Durbin's request last week for President Bush to pardon or commute the sentence of former Gov. George Ryan. I suppose that was Durbin's way of suggesting that they make room in the prison system for IL's current governor and his aides.
I agree with what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said yesterday: Lincoln is, indeed, turning over in his grave, if not, spinning.
In IL, if you are a politician that is not under investigation, you probably should be investigated. Political corruption is a way of life in IL. The IL "combine" does not refer to farm equipment -- it's the term used to describe the machine politics that spilled out of Chicago into Springfield (the state capitol).
The "nice" thing about political corruption in IL -- it's bipartisan! Our previous governor, a Republican, is serving time in prison for a licenses for bribes scandal. His greed led to the deaths of a van of innocent children who were literally burned to death. Their van struck some debris that fell off a truck driven by someone who paid a bribe to get a trucker's license in IL. Now George Ryan spends his retirement in prison.
Three governors in 35 years went from the governor's mansion to prison. The others probably escaped by being only slightly more artful in their corruption.
Gov. Blago was just plain ham-handed. Beside the blatant attempt to literally sell the open Senate seat, Blago and his chief of staff reportedly attempted to shake down dozens of people for campaign contributions. The most shocking accusation was his threat to withhold funding for the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago because the CEO was not fast enough in coughing up a $50,000 campaign "contribution." Apparently, that's the price tag for making sure innocent children get the critical medical care they need in IL.
Selling favors and contracts, seeking a Cabinet position and a board of directors spot for his wife, Blagojevich was way more interested in padding his post-governor lifestyle than in serving the people of IL. Most politicians are greedy, but Blagojevich has taken greed to a completely new level.
As bad as all that is, he is recorded on tape musing about appointing himself to the vacant Senate seat. His approval rating in IL is in the single digits, so he thought that jumping to the Senate would give him a chance to improve his image and run for prez in 2016.
If it isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor," said Robert Grant, special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago office.
The people of IL are not surprised though -- this is what we live with every day. There's an unwritten agreement between the people and the pols -- as long as they don't go overboard in their corruption, the people will turn a blind eye to it. Apparently, Blago couldn't be satisfied just sticking a couple of fingers in the cookie jar -- he had to break the jar open, grab all the cookies and then demand even more -- all the while denying that he'd done anything wrong.
Grant had the privilege of standing outside Blagojevich's home about 6 a.m. Tuesday and calling the sleepy governor to say federal agents were outside, waiting to arrest him quietly. "I could tell I woke him up," Grant said. "And the first thing he said was, 'Is this a joke?' "
Even knowing that he was under investigation for the last 2+ years, Blago continued his blatant and obvious selling of anything he could lay his hands on to fill his insatiable money lust. When it all fell down around him like a house of cards, he asks, "Is this a joke?"
Sadly, Blagojevich was elected governor on the reform ticket, promising to clean up the state and end business as usual. He managed to get re-elected even though the clouds were forming over his head.
In his own words: "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain," Blagojevich allegedly said on tape. "You hear what I'm saying? And if I don't get what I want, and I'm not satisfied with it, then I'll just take the Senate seat myself." Obama's Senate seat, Blagojevich allegedly said, "is a [expletive] valuable thing. You don't just give it away for nothing." Then, on Nov. 5, he allegedly said, "I've got this thing, and it's [expletive] golden and, uh, I'm just not going to give it up for [expletive] nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And I can always use it, I can parachute me there."
In the midst of all this is the irony of Sen. Dick Durbin's request last week for President Bush to pardon or commute the sentence of former Gov. George Ryan. I suppose that was Durbin's way of suggesting that they make room in the prison system for IL's current governor and his aides.
I agree with what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said yesterday: Lincoln is, indeed, turning over in his grave, if not, spinning.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
It's Always Darkest Before The Bottom Falls Out
The Chicken Little syndrome is in full effect in Washington, DC. The sky is falling; the end is near; time to circle the wagons and nationalize everything in the private sector because only the federal government can save us now.
Or so we are being led to believe. The "too big to fail" mentality has gone extreme.
Congress is proposing taking a 20% stake in the Big 3 automakers. Not content to allow the genuises who have for decades refused to rethink, revamp, restructure and retool themselves, Congress believes that it can take over and do a better job of producing cars that America will buy.
Anyone remember the Edsel?
Now we have the President-elect Obama telling us that it's going to get worse before it gets better. Talk about managing expectations!
So to help the incoming prez wants to resurrect an old failure -- the public works programs of FDR. Not content with rebuilding roads and bridges, the incoming administration has set its sights on "modernizing" schools as well as "giving every American access to an electronic medical record as part of an “economic recovery plan."
FDR's WPA was a bureaucratic inefficient mess that ate up massive resources with minimal productivity. Time and again the private sector has proven it can do a better quality job at a lower price than the federal government can.
Yet one can't tell that to the Obama administration.
Let's expand the government's role beyond anything that was envisioned by the Constitution. As Ed Morrissey writes in his blog, Hot Air, "The federal government should work on interstate highways and its bridges, and state governments should remain responsible for their transportation infrastructure." I totally agree.
As for health records on the Internet, that's already happening under HIPAA, so I'm not sure what more the Obama administration thinks it can do. It just demonstrates that this incoming administration is willing to turn a blind eye to history in an attempt to sell "change."
This kind of "change" when the country is tettering on the edge of financial disaster is nothing short of madness. It's like a person declaring bankruptcy and then rushing out to apply for more credit cards and loans to continue a wild, reckless spending spree. Ed Morrissey summarized it best when he wrote:
Recreating the WPA and proposing even more massive spending programs in the face of our precarious financial condition and debt load finds its equivalent only perhaps in the apocryphal fiddling of Nero while Rome burned.
Or so we are being led to believe. The "too big to fail" mentality has gone extreme.
Congress is proposing taking a 20% stake in the Big 3 automakers. Not content to allow the genuises who have for decades refused to rethink, revamp, restructure and retool themselves, Congress believes that it can take over and do a better job of producing cars that America will buy.
Anyone remember the Edsel?
Now we have the President-elect Obama telling us that it's going to get worse before it gets better. Talk about managing expectations!
So to help the incoming prez wants to resurrect an old failure -- the public works programs of FDR. Not content with rebuilding roads and bridges, the incoming administration has set its sights on "modernizing" schools as well as "giving every American access to an electronic medical record as part of an “economic recovery plan."
FDR's WPA was a bureaucratic inefficient mess that ate up massive resources with minimal productivity. Time and again the private sector has proven it can do a better quality job at a lower price than the federal government can.
Yet one can't tell that to the Obama administration.
Let's expand the government's role beyond anything that was envisioned by the Constitution. As Ed Morrissey writes in his blog, Hot Air, "The federal government should work on interstate highways and its bridges, and state governments should remain responsible for their transportation infrastructure." I totally agree.
As for health records on the Internet, that's already happening under HIPAA, so I'm not sure what more the Obama administration thinks it can do. It just demonstrates that this incoming administration is willing to turn a blind eye to history in an attempt to sell "change."
This kind of "change" when the country is tettering on the edge of financial disaster is nothing short of madness. It's like a person declaring bankruptcy and then rushing out to apply for more credit cards and loans to continue a wild, reckless spending spree. Ed Morrissey summarized it best when he wrote:
Recreating the WPA and proposing even more massive spending programs in the face of our precarious financial condition and debt load finds its equivalent only perhaps in the apocryphal fiddling of Nero while Rome burned.
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