Corruption

It is so hard not to be so cynical about corruption in politics. As a former Illinois resident, it was never a surprise when the newspaper would release details about a politician under investigation. Even the great will fall as in Rostenkowski. We had at least two former governors end up in jail - Walker and Ryan. The latter took the prize with his drivers license for dollars scam as secretary of state. A lot of people shrugged it off at the time as just typical government. The current governor, Blagojevich, is under investigation. Mayor Daley has had so many people in his administration arrested and jailed that it still shocks me that he hasn't been indicted. We can't forget the entertainment for many years in the Chicago area - Betty Loren-Maltese- former mayor of Cicero. The best Halloween costume I have ever seen in Chicago was someone dressed in drag as Betty.

I do think New Jersey trumps Illinois for corrupt politicians. Sharpe James was found guilty today. James, the former mayor of Newark and State Senator, was busted for the usual 13 counts. This guy had sleaze written all over him. Just watch the documentary, Street Fight, to see how he handled one of his last mayoral campaigns. I was just waiting for my former mayor to be indicted for something. As I moved away from NJ, Stack was being investigated for guess what? Yep, corruption because of some questionable grants. One of the beautiful things that I still receive in the mail are the infamous Stack mailings (readers of my former blog will know what I am talking about). There was a great one earlier this week where he attacks people who are saying he accepted questionable donations in a 2005 campaign. Uh huh. Who isn't dirty in NJ politics? The Hoboken mayor practically crawls with dirty money.

It just isn't the same in Oregon. I kinda miss the fun.