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Well...not exactly Blagojevich, but thanks for the shift in atmosphere. Chicago just got windier.
Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich (IL) was indicted earlier this month on political corruption charges; thus continuing the state's long history of "equalizing [political] pressures" and contributing to what makes Chicago the "Windy City."
According to the indictment, Blagojevich tried to (1) "obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions...," (2) "use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of [him and] making their firing a condition of state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with Wrigley Field; and," (3) "[make] efforts to obtain personal financial benefits [...] in return for his appointment of a United States Senator."
But are we really surprised? This latest indictment proves that politics can at some point become a "mano y mano" exchange. I'll admit, I voted for this guy because any politician that promises reform (as they all do) gives us a bit of hope. During that time, the incumbent (Gov. Ryan) made Blago seem unsoiled and fresh. But like dirt...he eventually showed his roots.
Blago (which means "good-natured" in the Southern Slavic language), I'm sure wasn't too enthused when he was phoned at 6 am, according to reports, and told that an agent was at his door to arrest him. I wonder what he was thinking, after he said, "Ahh come on!" I picture Blago in bed with his wife when he gets the call, grabs his fine-tooth comb that he keeps on his night stand for that finely-feathered quaf, gently styles his hair (in case the cameras were outside), shakes his partner-in-crime wife and says, "We're hit! Man down! Man down! Call your daddy and see what he can do for me!"
Come on. Seriously. What politician hasn't tried to pad his/her pockets with political muscling (i.e. if you scratch my back I'll scratch yours), use his/her clout to impose sanctions on anyone who had anything negative to say about their ability to govern, or auction a senate seat? Ok...the auctioning is a new level of corruption, but you get the point.
Why are we surprised? Are we shocked that he was caught or are we amazed that someone pursued justice?
Corrupt political bulldozing has been the natural way of many Chicago figures and politicians back to the days of Al Capone. But certain amendments/laws were installed to aid in curtailing political corruption (i.e. 17th amendment). In September of this year, the Illinois State Senate passed an ethics reform bill that would curve the influence of money in the governor's office. Blagojevich vetoed the bill. Go figure. My advice to Blagojevich: Get a good lawyer because US Attorney General Peter Fitzgerald has been called, "Eliot Ness with a Harvard degree." Or as I like to call Mr. Fitzgerald, "a man on a mission."
Blago promises to fight the charges "until his last breath," which apparently he should have spared when he spoke candidly during 60 days of secretly-monitored conversations. According to the indictment, Blagojevich said that he knew President-elect Obama wanted a particular candidate to take his senate seat but that “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them.”
Yeah, so...again. Are we really surprised?
Well here's one surprise: Blago is not selfish when it comes to his political scamming. He tried to secure high-paying jobs for himself and his wife while using his golden-ticket, senate-seat appointment as leverage. Bravo!
Blagojevich is definitely not just a cog in the "Chicago Machine." He's one of the strong screws.
