Posted by
Bert Chapman on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:00:31 PM
A few years ago, former Illinois Governor George Ryan left office in disgrace following a corruption scandal, and last year received a prison sentence for his crimes. Unfortunately for Illinois citizens, his successor Rod Blagojevich didn't learn from Ryan's sins. Blago, as he is called, was arrested this morning for a sordid list of crimes including seeking payment for filling the U.S. Senate seat created by "Messiah" Obama's election to the presidency. Hopefully, Illinois voters will demand Blago's immediate resignation and impeachment. Can you imagine how ethically tainted a Blago appointed U.S. Senate replacement would be? Will any Obama Senate replacement be seen as untainted by ties to Obama and the Chicago machine? Sadly, Illinois political culture is increasingly coming to resemble the historical excesses of Louisiana and New Jersey politics and even the depths of corruption achieved in various third world countries.
What will be interesting to find out in days to come is to what extent Obama and his people were aware of Blago's crimes. Those deluded simpletons voting to elect Obama President failed to realize he is part of the corrupt Chicago political machine infrastructure which produced Blago, Tony Rezko, Jesse Jackson, Emil Jones, and numerous other cretins. To think Obama would stand up against his patrons and financiers and promote real political openness and ethical reform is the height of naivete.
We should not be surprised to see Obama attempt to replicate Chicago's corrupt political structure on the banks of the Potomac.
His appointment of Rahm Emanuel, an Clinton Administration alumnus, and notoriously hard-nosed political operator as his chief of staff is a clear sign that Obama intends to adhere to Chicago political ethics while he's ensconsced in the Oval Office.
Instead of practicing a mythical "change you can believe in", Americans need to ask themselves "Is this the "change" you wanted?" as we witness replays of Blago-like behavior in the years to come.