Dec 11 2008
Another Note on Blago and Illinois Politics
Just wanted to take an opportunity to make one more quick observation.
Has anybody heard a Chicago or Illinois politician actually criticize Blago for his actions? Think long and hard. And yes, I’m including Obama.
Nobody has said flat out that what Blago did was wrong. Their comments, it’s my opinion, have been very carefully worded, so that people would assume that they thought Blagojevich was wrong. On the other hand, they could be (and I think are) talking about the whole situation as much as his actions. Let’s look at a couple of quick examples:
“This is a crisis of confidence.” Lietuenant Governor Pat Quinn
“This is a sad day for Illinois.” Barrack Obama.
These two comments (one from somebody who hates Blagojevich) could be as much about him getting caught as him being corrupt in the first place.
Two theories on why these comments are being made this way. First, the individuals don’t want to be seen as criticizing other Chicago politicians for this. Not only should they be sticking by the Democratic side, but if they criticize Blago for corruption, what does it say about every other less-than-straight Chicago Democrat?
Second, and more sinister, they know that they have less than clean pasts themselves. Whether in this particular investigation or in separate issues, they know that their own misdeeds could eventually come to light. And they don’t want to look too hypocritical if they get caught.
I know that sounds perhaps too negative, BUT, one of the candidates under consideration was already identified as Valerie Jarrett, a key Obama aide, and another (the most controversial) as Jesse Jackson, a major figure in Chicago politics. So who knows who else will be implicated in this or other scandals in Illinois politics.
Illinois politics are American politics. I wonder why people are surprised… For all of Obama’s talk about change - and don’t get me wrong I think he’ll do a lot of good for the country - expecting politics to be clean is not a one-step process. It would require a lot of angry Americans, all mad at the same thing.
The President–elect condemned Blagojevich’s alleged crimes.
“I do not think that the governor at this point can effectively serve the people of Illinois. I — the legislature is going down to Springfield to make a determination as to how to resolve this issue. I think they’re going to come to the same conclusion. I hope that the governor himself comes to the conclusion that he can no longer effectively serve and that he does resign,” said Obama.
http://www.week.com/news/local/36004269.html
Just sayin’
Cheers
Eh, yes, all politics is a little bit like that. But Chicago and Illinois politics are especially bad. he real problem with it is that, as you said, it would take a lot of people very mad at the same thing.
What’s to be mad about in Chicago? Yes, it’s all supported by absurdly high taxes on gas, cigarettes, and sales, but, the city runs well. Its education and public transit system went through amazing overhauls recently. The streets are tree-lined. For a city its size, it is very family and dog friendly, and quite beautiful. It’s a city that works. And quite frankly, given the choice of living where I live now with the way the city looks, and (well, actually, probably not even) corruption-free politicians, or going back to Chicago and its nepotism, I’d take Chicago any day.