Blagojevich Case Brings to Light Widespread Culture of GOVERNMENT Corruption...

In defending (sort of) Chicago’s spate of political corruptions, culminating in the recent arrest and indictment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for attempting to sell Obama’s vacant Senate seat, USA Today tried valiantly to come to the rescue (?) with a story about how Illinois isn’t even the most corrupt state in the Union!

(NOTE to the folks at USA Today: “I’m sure you mean well, but you’re NOT really helping!”)

According to the USA Today piece, the top corruption honors apparently go to North Dakota, of all places.

And here, I’d have thought it was New Jersey, or Louisiana, or perhaps even New York – all finely tuned in the art of political corruption and cronyism. The USA Today article goes on to recount a littany of recent past governmental abuses across America's fruited plains.

The USA Today article highlights one undeniable truth – political corruption is almost universal and is deeply imbedded in the democratic process, which is precisely why America’s Founders worked so hard to shackle and limit government, fully aware of its penchant for abuse.

Further, it amplifies and echoes Ronald Reagan’s central theme, “Government is not the solution, government IS the problem.”

There’s really no way to rationally deny that basic truth, when you look at the systemic political corruption endemic in America today.

Here’s an idea, let’s engage in some REAL “reform” and clean up and re-LIMIT government, like this nation’s Founders intended!

Liberal Political Corruption Strikes Again...

...One day before his 52nd birthday, Democratic Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI for allegedly embarking upon a "corruption crime spree" and attempting to benefit from his ability to appoint President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.

At a news conference in Chicago on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called it a sad day for the citizens of Illinois and alleged that the governor tried to "auction off" the Senate seat "to the highest bidder."

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democrat was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

Mr. Fitzgerald said federal investigators had bugged Blagojevich's campaign offices and tapped his home phone.

The affidavit contends Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions. It also says Blagojevich talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

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The affidavit also quotes Blagojevich as saying in one conversation that "I want to make money."

Blagojevich and John Harris, the governor's chief of staff, were each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.

The FBI’s affidavit also charges that Blagojevich sought promises of campaign cash, as well as a cabinet post or ambassadorship in exchange for his Senate choice.

Blagojevich is accused of saying on Nov. 3 that if he was not going to get anything of value for the open seat, then he would appoint himself to the post.

According to the transcripts Blagojevich is reported to have said, "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain."

On Nov. 5, Blagojevich allegedly told an adviser, "I've got this thing and it's [expletive] golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing. I'm not gonna do it."