Posted by
Lynn on Thursday, December 11, 2008 5:03:51 AM
Fast on the heals of a bizarre national election we're now confronted with the shameful political shenanigans boiling over in the Land of Lincoln. I'm sure Ol' Abe is rolling in his grave at the antics of Governor Rod Blagojevich and company. You'll note I state "and company." We don't know the full extent of this latest political comedy.
Blago was roused by an early-morning greeting from the Feds. They suggested he quickly dress so as not to wake his sleeping daughters. Definitely not the typical scenario when taking a politician into custody. Normally, arrangements are made through their counsel for surrender to authorities. Blagojevich was deprived of this standard. We have to wonder why.
With a cast of interwoven Illinois associations including Antonin Rezko and yes, even Barack Obama - the question must be posed: Just how deep does the corruption run this time? Jesse Jackson's namesake rushed to a public statement defending his innocence after being identified as Candidate Number 5, denying any involvement in Pay-to-Play; Obama uhmmed and ahhed his denials of any recent discussions with Blago as well. That's right Boys, quickly disassociate yourselves from a gang member dumb enough to get caught, lest ye too be judged accordingly.
Their words are of miminal comfort to Illinoisans; we know the routine. If they see you standing over the body with a smoking gun ... deny, deny deny.
Character after character in this tragic play are calling for the Governor to resign. If a special election is mandated for his replacement, it will be at a cost of $25 to $30 mil to weary taxpayers. With bailouts for the banking and auto industries on the docket, along with numerous states standing in line for handouts, when does the well run dry? I believe it's already tapped to the max. What's next?
We can only watch and wait. Sadly, our tolerance for shocking events is at its highest threshold ever.
We in Illinois are holding our collective breaths as one of our own, so to speak, is about to settle in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We remain hopeful that the tides of change will flow and save us from impending doom. However, tearing the rose-colored specs from our eyes we should acknowledge the fact our country faces multiple major issues. Perhaps the most difficult issues of all time. What's more, we are expecting a mere mortal and his staff of chosen advisors to resolve those seemingly insurmountable issues as if by magic.
Ahh, if it only it were so. Sorry Folks, Puff the Magic Dragon has exited the building. We have to remember, the new President - like those before him - is but a man. My gut tells me that's not going to be sufficient this trip. The hole dug by greedy corporate execs and politicians is a black bottomless pit. It's going to take a Supreme Being to fix this one, and we know there's no politician capable of walking on water - except in his own mind. Maybe that's where the Illinois Governor went awry; he strolled arrogantly across deep water and was finally dragged under. As the mobbed-up guys would say, he got sloppy.
He allegedly solicited payment for appointment to Obama's vacated Senate seat. His greed has and will continue to drive Illionois - the State he was elected to serve - deeper into that black hole.
Thanks Blago - what a Guy! But what the heck, Americans are used to it ... in fact we've come to expect it. We need to set the bar higher for our elected officials. As a nation, we're severely divided in our opinions - thus the dirty politics will continue. I can't help but wonder ... have we jeopardized our own liberties with our divided political demands, our lack of unity and expectations of entitlements? We can no longer afford to take issues at face value. Sitting back and accepting what has become the norm will be our end. American's have been asleep at the wheel while those we elect to high office feather their coffers. Meanwhile, their constituency - the citizens of America, paddle furiously to keep their noses above water.
Yo Barack - grab that magic wand. You can bet you're gonna need one.