GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH
Illinois Governor Blagojevich is not guilty. He is charged with federal crimes, but at this time, is not convicted and is innocent of all charges. Still, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says the charges against the 51year old represent a "truly new low" ... and that Blagojevich's "conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave."
Abraham Lincoln once stated: When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.
Evidence shows that numerous politicians don't follow Lincoln's religion.
In Illinois ... since the 1970's, three ex-governors have served prison time for a variety of crimes: bribery, tax evasion, bank fraud, kickbacks and other corrupt acts. Their names: Otto Kerner, governor from 1961-68 ... Dan Walker, governor from 1973 to 1977 ... George Ryan, governor from 1999 to 2003. Another Illinois governor, William Stratton ( 1953-1961) was indicted on income tax evasion, but was acquitted.
Other states have their problem governors. Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards was convicted of racketeering for taking political bribes and before him, Governor Richard Leche ( 1936-1939).
Other governors who ran into legal trouble either while in office or afterwards: Ohio Governor Bob Taft, Alabama Governor Guy Hunt, Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker, Arizona's Fife Symington, Connecticut's John G. Rowland, Maryland's Marvin Mandel, Rhode Island's Edward DiPrete, Tennesse Governor Ray Blanton and West Virginia's Arch A. Moore.
The list of politicans breaking laws includes 5 U.S. Senators ... most recently Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. I won't burden you with the criminal list of U.S. Congressmen or state legislators, mayors or other elected or appointed public officers at any and every level of government.
You get the picture ... and it's not pretty.
Did all of these politicans have an inherent flaw that suddenly surfaced ... did they have larcency in their hearts from the beginning ... is it arrogance, stupidity ...did they just think they were "entitled" to more than the rest of us?
There are probably numerous answers to each individual case, and yet, a singular answer to each individual case.
What is fundamentally clear ... is each believed that he "couldn't be touched" and was "above the law".
There is a line in the Frost-Nixon interview which is now a movie where David Frost asks Richard Nixon about illegal acts. Nixon states basically, If the President does it ... it is not illegal.
That one line says a lot about these politicans who decide they can do anything they want and walk free.
Some of these politicans who are elected, appointed by the voters ... think they are "annointed".
We will wait to see where the allegations against Governor Blagojevich go ... but in the meantime, there's way too much evidence that far too many politicians need instruction in ethics and character.
I'm reminded of an anonymous quote stating: Reputation is what the world thinks a man is; character is what he really is.
What do you think?
Although the governor of Illinois is accused of crmes that in past generations would have been nearly unthinkable, it is a sad commentary on the state of political affairs today that the case of Governor Blagojevich is not unusual. Governors from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have engaged in crimes in recent years. Corruption seems to run rampant in government. That is why it is imperative that we, the people, become fully engaged in the political process. If we are to weed out these corrupt politcians, we have no choice. We deserve much better than what we have gotten!
This is believeable, this is the way politics work.What's so astonishing? Politicians are Gangsters, that's how most of them have arrived where they are,"No business man is without sin",no politician is without corruption.People are amazed that ONLY this ONE is being exposed.Where there is money and power there's got to be corruption,if not he'd be a dead duck instead of a lame duck.
What I want to know is, how do people like this get elected into office? In a world that says character doesn't matter... I think we have learned a lesson here... maybe? Where are the political leaders we need that possess good, Godly, moral values? Where are the ones that honestly care about their country or state? George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." I believe this with all my heart.
I am an investigative reporter in California and have seen my share of corruption within the Los Angeles Government. In most cases, "blind eyes" are turned and those in power are never prosecuted because "rank" certainly has its privileges. I applaud the F.B.I. for their investigation into the IL Governor and for those investigations of past politicians who were found to be corrupt. It is true- Gov. Blagojevich has not been proven guilty and it will ultimately be up to a jury to decide his fate. I think it is about time the citizens of Illinois are entitled to a Governor who will stay out of jail, don't you?
Well, it just goes to show you what goes on inside politics. He's not the first, just one that was careless enough to do his bidding over the phone. Think of it this way: If he's the Governor and is indicted on a wide variety of charges, can you imagine how many precinct commiteemen, mayors, aldermen and judges are of the same mindset? I know its not all of them, but just imagine the possibilities.
Sad but reality.
Blagojevich deserves to be in his own state prison system that he suppossibly overhauled. HE is as rotten asanyone in the prison system.I knowthat the poor people in this state hasn.t a fighting chance.He should have to live the rest of his life at the poverty level,maybe he could thentry to understand what the poor live through. But he should have to serve a day in prison for every dollar he has cheated the people out of!!!!!
I am an investigative reporter in California and have seen my share of corruption within the Los Angeles Government. In most cases, "blind eyes" are turned and those in power are never prosecuted because "rank" certainly has its privileges. I applaud the F.B.I. for their investigation into the IL Governor and for those investigations of past politicians who were found to be corrupt. It is true- Gov. Blagojevich has not been proven guilty and it will ultimately be up to a jury to decide his fate. I think it is about time the citizens of Illinois are entitled to a Governor who will stay out of jail, don't you?
I have lived in Vandalia since I retired from USAF IN 1984. I worked in Vandalia Correctional Center for 23 years through Governors good and bad and this Governor Blagojevich has really ruined this state. From the attempt to close Vandalia Correctional Center to chasing businesses out of the state he has been bad for Illinois. Also his fight with his party and a running battle with Senator Watson and the use of Illinois monies. His use of Illinois monies for the flights back and forth from Chicago, not living in the capital all a cost to the taxpayers of the State. It appears to me that the Governor thought this was his Playground and his rules and could not be touched.
This is a very sorry day for the State of Illinois.
Thank You
The American voter is uninformed and easily lead.
I believe the media is a contributor to the problem, they should STOP trying to elect politicians and start reporting all the facts regarding their background and platforms, let the voter make a decision on the facts.
Stop generating news stories and just report the news.
I encourage the media to use the bully pulpit to encourage STRONG penalties for misuse of tax dollars instead of glossing over their favorite candite misuse.
It's probably about time to invoke Thomas Jefferson's rule about changing governments. I'm not advocating anarchy, but it's probably time 'we' overthrow our current government process and start over.
I hope that all of the liberal media is happy that they shoved Obama down everyone's throat and did not report any information on the man. Rev. Wright, Rezko, Ayers, his birth certificate, etc. should have been investigated--but no, the media feels that they are smarter than the "average Joe" and wanted Obama in office. Illinois is an extremely corrupt state and it's unknown why Chicago felt the need to vote for Blagojevich for a second term. We who live below I-80 are being raped to pay for the wants and needs of the Chicago area. This is extremely unfair to the citizens of Illinois.
How can we know a man’s character? Mom always said that you can never know anyone even after living with them for 40 years. Still we seem to take elected officials at face value.
In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” Atticus Finch tells Scout that she has to put herself inside a person’s skin and move around a bit before you can know who that person is.
How can we know who a person is? We can read about them in the paper or listen to the news to find out; but we only get the information provided to the reporter. We can read biographies but who collected the information. Hey! I know we can request information filed in government records.
We use the computer to spy on our neighbors and to spread gossip and all kinds of other information but we do not look into the backgrounds of the people we pay to run our country.
When was the last time anyone set down and read the voting record of a candidate for congress? Why don’t we as the employers request all legal documents on these individuals? Are we allowed to look? How do we go about it?
The answer is if we can find out the size of underwear the guy next door wears from the computer we can use it to research a applicant for our highest offices as well.
We shouldn’t buy a car sight unseen so why elect a person just on other peoples say so alone?
I think Governor Blagojevich should but ousted as
soon as possible. I also think He and any other
political figure should lose ANY and ALL of their benefits,ESPECIALLY a life time salary which is on the backs of the tax payers. I also feel all the laws and mandates he has created should be investigated to see just how much Blagojevich has benefited. I am sick to death of all the corruption!!
WELL well well-- Old Rod IS a "FRIEND" of Osama Obama!!!!! Where is our country headed-- This is simply politics at its finest-- All should note that it is the Democrats who seem to be the best at it!!!! I really wonder if Oprah divided her war chest to others to avoid laws and put the Least Experienced Person -- towards the white- house-- he is not there yet-- any more indictements???? What a great country we live in!!!!!!
Why does your "so-called investigatory reporting" exclude the fact that the Governor is a DEMOCRAT and that O'Bama worked very hard to get Blagojevich elected - this is out of his own mouth - why are you not reporting that O'Bama, Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, Rahm Emanuel, etc. were all in the same Chicago political machine together. Are you all Dems there at KMOV???????? I dare you to give the folks the whole truth - not just your biases.
The Lord is my source and whom I have to depend. Man should look up to God and follow his footsteps. The evil days are here and we must focus on prayer. Pray for the leaders in high places. Thanks!
where is my comment???
we keep hearing that the state is now in debt so far that we will never see the light of day for a long long time. Why does the Governor keep speding money on items light all the speeding cameras that are being put up around the area on hwy 270 there have been 4 new cameras put in and then at 270 and 255 south bound there are 6 new cameras then come around onto 55/70 west bound and more cameras. These are not cheap to put in and are costing us more and more money that we don't have. We have the State Police who have been doing a great job at catching speeders, thats what part of thier job is. If we cannot afford to pay for daycares that are state funded how can we pay for the cameras and the people who monitor them? Really he needs to step down and take his medicine like the rest of us.