Chicago Politics

Fred Garvin's picture

Obama Senate Seat For Sale?

I wonder what kind of position barry would have given this sleezeball in return for the Senate seat if the feds hadn't nailed him.

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cogitoergofay's picture
Submitted by cogitoergofay on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 5:31am.

This case follows on the case of Sen. Ted Stevens: Sweeping Tolerance to Corruption in one generation. The recent case involving Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska offers us the opportunity for an instructive case study comparison. If one compares Sen. Stevens case to that that of U.S. Senator Tom Dodd 40 years ago, one can see that the public in general and both political parties in particular have become incredibly tolerant to public corruption.

Some of you are going to accuse me of being a broken record by even mentioning the Congressional retirement plan. But, it is startling given the corruption of Blagojevich. With what Congress gets in salary and pension, you would think they would take it and avoid being corrupt. No. Look at the huge boost in retirements for Congress in 50 years. In January 1953, Harry Truman walked down the steps of the White House, carrying his bags to his car, driving he and wife Bess back to Missouri. He had served 7 1/2 years as President, 6 months as VP, 12 years in the US Senate. He ended the wars in Europe and Japan; he sanctioned the nation state of Israel; he laid the ground work for the Civil Rights Act; he integrated the military; he was influential in integrating baseball; he started the Secret Service and yet Harry Truman drove back to Missouri with a pension of ZERO ! Blagojevich served the bare minimum of 3 terms in the US House and when he is 62 he can draw a pension of $150,000 a year for life plus insurance. Notice the "served six years in Congress" in the news reports? 6 years is the majic number. Even Lynn "Do-nothinger" Westmoreland, who is now paid $170,000 a year, will earn $150,000 a year for life if he can make the five year minimum in 13 months.

Stevens was convicted of receiving gratuities from multinational corporations in the form of resort home improvements. Blagojevich and Stevens were apparently brazen in his disregard for the risk. Former Senator Dodd (father of US Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut) used a relatively small amount of campaign money to put a new roof on his house.

Stevens and Blagojevich join the long list of politicians from both parties and even up to the US House and Senate whose despicable behavior has been tolerated by the public and, in a spirit of bipartisanship, both political parties. Rep. Jefferson (D) with the cash in the freezer; Rep. Foley (R) with the perversion for House interns--- the list goes on and on. Atlanta Mayor Campbell got a relatively light sentence for unabashed string of cash shakedowns of city contractors.

The difference from one generation ago is obvious. Tom Dodd was scolded by the Democrats, censured by the US Senate and threatened with prosecution by the Nixon White House. America was shocked. A few short years later, Nixon was shamed into resignation. Fast forward a generation and you see a public that is not only unconcerned about a President that commits sodomy in the Oval Office and commits federal perjury, but he is re-elected to another term.

Nowadays corrupt conduct is usually resolved with high pitched YouTube denials and emotional displays; by a barrage of lawyers; and finally a huge severance package and/or multimillion dollar book offer. Even locally--- look at what the PTC Development Authority did and the entire affair was never fully investigated and, in fact, the City voted to bail out the bank loan that was used in large part to benefit the insiders.


The Wedge's picture
Submitted by The Wedge on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 4:41pm.

Whether you voted for Obama or not, do you think that wishing ill upon him would be good for the country? He doesn't float my boat, politically speaking, but do we need a muckraking investigation that proves to be fruitless except to weaken? If they got him in print or tap, then so be it go after him legitimately. But if not, let it be over quickly without innuendo. We have too much at stake to play gotcha politics. Here is one conservative (or conservitard for you Sniffles) who is praying for a clean, thoughtful, and prosperous administration from the president-elect.


Submitted by Spyglass on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 4:04pm.

Ya don't say!!

JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 1:32pm.

Fred, Fred, Fred...

Obama wasn't giving Blagojevich anything. They are political enemies. Read something besides Drudge.

Here's a transcript of a recorded conversation which I can't quote here because of the language Blagojevich uses describing how furious he is that Obama won't deal with him.

Blago calls Obama a ...

I am doubly delighted by the story. It proves Obama's integrity and Blagojevich is on the way out (hopefully to prison) making Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn Governor!


Fred Garvin's picture
Submitted by Fred Garvin on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 3:52pm.

Hillary and barry were political enemies too, and he nominated her as SOS. The governor calling barry an mf doesn't prove that they were enemies, and just proves that Chicago politics "stinks like a whorehouse at low tide**".

Barry was brought to power in this cesspool, and I am sure that there is more to come out in all of this.

**Sean Connery, The Untouchables


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 4:12pm.

It never ceases to amaze me how completely impervious you are to facts. It's a wonderment. Have a nice day.


Fred Garvin's picture
Submitted by Fred Garvin on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 9:25am.

You have only provided opinion, no facts.

Here's a few facts - Axelrod stated that barry spoke with Blago regarding replacements for his Senate seat, barry denies speaking with Blago.
Here's another fact - barry came to power in the same corrupt Chicago political cesspool that Blago was swimming in.

Obama's chickens..........have come home............to roost.


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 10:08am.

You write, "Obama's chickens....have come home....to roost" as if you expect some consequences. I'm predicting it is a non-issue for Obama because he was not involved except to rebuff Blagojevich (to his credit).

What are the voices telling you?


dawn69's picture
Submitted by dawn69 on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 1:50pm.

Blagojevich is the sleeze ball here, has nothing to do with Obama. Just makes me wonder how someone so obviously deviant and lowly could get elected in the first place.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:10pm.

Our country is corrupted. I'm surprised this ever got out. Someone must have had it in for this clown. Today's trend is to cover it all up and ignore the dishonest act while pretending like nothing happened. Our gumament is full it. Eye-wink


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:27pm.

Patrick Fitzgerald got him! The prosecutor of Scooter Libby fame.


Main Stream's picture
Submitted by Main Stream on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 1:13pm.

You just can't trust any politician with hair like that. It doesn't even move.


hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 5:00pm.

Cy's hair doesn't move either, unless he picks up the bag he keeps it in.

I yam what I yam....Popeye


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 4:56pm.

Go easy on the hair thing,.....please.

Anyways, if convicted, he needs to go to that special hotel were Duke Cunningham and George Ryan are located and where Stevens is going.

-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


The Wedge's picture
Submitted by The Wedge on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:09pm.

Is there a more corrupt state than Illinois? The previous governor, Ryan, in jail for 6 years for corruption. This governor now going down. Unfortunately, Chicago style politics are most likely in more than just Chicago. It is sad becuase it shows corruption regardless of party or affiliation. I agree, don't trust any politician. It would behoove us to take out as much money and power from these positions as possible.


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 6:23pm.

Try New Jersey or Louisiana for starters.

I'm sure New York would make the top ten list as well.

D.C. not being a state is in a class by itself.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 9:07pm.

I don't think even Louisiana's Edwin Edwards or that Judge Perez (Plaquemines Parish - I think that was his name) was corrupt enough to fit in with the Illinois / Chicago Political Mob Scene.


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 9:11pm.

Git, did you forget about Rep. William Jefferson with the $90,000 in ice cubes?


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 10:11pm.

Only momentarily. And let's not forget David Vitter's escapades.

Hmmm... Illinois - Louisiana?

Illinois? Louisiana?

Let's call it a tie.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:17pm.

It would behoove us to take out as much money and power from these positions as possible.

Did you not mean to say prostitutes instead of positions? Puzzled

I think they just alotted themselves billions to carve up among themselves.


hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 4:58pm.

You slander the hookers comparing them to a politician, at least the hookers are honest about what they're about to do to you.

I yam what I yam....Popeye


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 8:50pm.

I owe the hookers an apology. They do indeed possess far more integrity than our should-be-tarred-and-feathered grandstanders.

And speaking of politicians and hair; you owe Cy an apology. He is not a politician therefore he can wear his hair in any way he so chooses. On his head or in the bag.


Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:48pm.

Politicians are scum, lower than bovine manure.....

How could you diss hookers that way??

Just when you think you know someone........at least you apologized.

dawn69's picture
Submitted by dawn69 on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:41pm.

"Politics is the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bares a striking resemblance to the first." - Ronald Reagan

At least the hookers are only going to take you for the money you have in your wallet - not the money you're going to make. I think the Chicago machine has syphilis.


The Wedge's picture
Submitted by The Wedge on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:30pm.

I cannot believe that we allow this kind of corruption over and over again. Most people get angier over a football player throwing a game on an illicit bet than on political corruption. Yep, most politicians are from the oldest profession. A truism that I have learned over 4 decades: Never trust a politician or anyone in HR.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:45pm.

Senator Craig lost his appeal in the men's room sting case. That's a good thing. It's not even safe to let your kids go to a public restroom alone. Or with you for that matter.

If I ever encounter that kind of activity, I'm going to hurl the trash can over the top of the stall and flee while laughing my.......


The Wedge's picture
Submitted by The Wedge on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:51pm.

for people who possess "wide stances" at urinals. They are up to no good. Also those who choose a close stall to you when there are others available further away. They are up to no good.


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