Comments on: Get your Senate seat on eBay

By: BlueJay

BlueJay — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:21:27 +0000

Freaking BUSINESS buys its way into government all the time. I find the shock and outrage about this rather silly in that light.

As Governor, it was his prerogative to pick who ever he wants to fill the seat. It isn’t ETHICAL. But I can’t see how it is illegal.

By: The_Truth

The_Truth — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:08:33 +0000

The only sad part is that he got caught. He was just trying to feed his family during these tough economic times Bush has left us.

By: Predestined

Predestined — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:55:16 +0000

You think Blagojevich is bad? You must have missed his predecessor. Not sure about him being a dirty politician, but he was as weird and dumb as dirt.

By: GMC70

GMC70 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:03:27 +0000

When the phone is tapped by a federal prosecutor. As I said, did you thing contractors’ associations are social clubs?

There’s more to it than that. Certainly, part of governing is a certain amount of quid pro quo; after all, there is a reason it is distasteful to watch laws (like sausage) being made. At the same time, however, at some level, such give and take becomes more than just usual gov’t machinations and becomes corruption and influence peddling. Blagovech’s acts appear to be clearly and well beyond anything that is defensible as the usual process of governing. But just where is that line?

By: brian_nuevo

brian_nuevo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:53:54 +0000

gonna be a Governor seat for sale soon too

By: bth

bth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:40:30 +0000

I’d love to have recordings of all the behind-closed-doors meetings about the WaterWalk.

By: beber

beber — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:38:54 +0000

“Just when does the usual political log-rolling/deal-making become corruption or bribery?” –

When the phone is tapped by a federal prosecutor. As I said, did you thing contractors’ associations are social clubs?

By: bth

bth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:35:58 +0000

Steven Chu, director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as his energy secretary

Could indicate a revival of nuclear power.

By: fleettwood

fleettwood — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:31:11 +0000

Ah, Chu!

By: Phantom

Phantom — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:29:06 +0000

Another savvy appointment by the Obamanator!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081210/pl_nm/us_obama_energy_2

By: fleettwood

fleettwood — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:57:39 +0000

“Money flows where nobody knows……”

And, love flows where Rosemary goes and nobody knows like me.

By: Phantom

Phantom — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:32:28 +0000

When he’ a dem. and rove sics the atty gen. on him.

By: GMC70

GMC70 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:22:14 +0000

http://volokh.com/posts/1228850357.shtml

The thoughts of one considerably more learned than I on the subject.

Just when does the usual political log-rolling/deal-making become corruption or bribery?

By: GMC70

GMC70 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:14:09 +0000

Ah, Capn. Just when it’s thought you can’t get any smaller and less petty, you manage to do so.

Human nature, indeed, is unchanging; but the culture of what is acceptable behavior can change quite a bit from time and place. It Chicago, well, it’s clear what the culture accepted. Ya think Mayor Daley is squirming today? I’m guessing so . . .

Any thoughts on the more interesting conundrum?

By: ANTI

ANTI — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:07:54 +0000

Money flows where nobody knows……

By: bth

bth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:05:34 +0000

On a smaller scale – the GOBN in Wichita. I wonder how much money gets funneled to the ‘correct’ contractors for things like the Arena etc.

By: CapnAmerica

CapnAmerica — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:27:13 +0000

But . . but . . . but . . . GMC, I thought your position was that humans are the same everywhere and at all times.

So, how can Chicago be any worse than anywhere else?

I am deeply appalled that Rod Blagetc. calls himself a Democrat. He should be stripped of office and tried to the full extent of the law.

Same as Sen. Larry Craig . . . who’s still there, btw.

By: GMC70

GMC70 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:13:41 +0000

Yup. Corruption is a way of life in Illinois; Chicago politics hasn’t change much in years. It’s amazing that he was as brazen as he appeared to be; it just goes to show how “normal” he apparantly thought that sort of thing was.

However – some food for thought:

Where is the dividing line between “selling” a seat, or a vote, or an appointment, and the usual political log-rolling that is a normal part of life in legislating/governing? Is that line as clear as we like to think, or is it rather gray?

By: bth

bth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:51:16 +0000

“American_Way
Posted December 10, 2008 at 12:47 pm | Permalink
Yes. So very, very sad.

A true story of
a truly dirty democrat.”

Yes, one who followed a truly dirty Republican in the governor’s mansion there.

By: American_Way

American_Way — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:57:33 +0000

“Contrast and compare ”

Sounds like a neat trick. Why don’t you post it Phantom?

By: Phantom

Phantom — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:49:01 +0000

In a similar situation.

By: Phantom

Phantom — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:48:36 +0000

Obama calling for the gov’s resignation. Contrast and compare to what a bush response would’ve been.

By: American_Way

American_Way — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:47:11 +0000

Yes. So very, very sad.

A true story of
a truly dirty democrat.