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In Defense of Chicago Politics
Diana Walker/Time & Life Pictures/Getty
Dan Rostenkowski, the son of a ward boss who became a legendary congressman, on why Gov. Blagojevich shouldn't tar a whole city.
During my career as a public official, I always tried to steer away from the minority of my colleagues who viewed public service as a potential commercial enterprise. They’ve always been there and can be found in state capitols and in Washington.
Springfield, Illinois, is no exception, though I’d also argue that it is hardly unique. When I was in the Illinois General Assembly during the 1950s, I rejected an offer that would have given me a sweetheart stock deal in return for voting to support an expansion of the horseracing season.
I suspect such offers are still being made today. And I wouldn’t be surprised if some politicians found them attractive.
It is painful to recall my situation and, on a personal level, I can sympathize with the pain the governor’s family must feel and can uniquely understand their concerns about what comes next.
At the acme of my career, when I chaired the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax policy, I struggled successfully to restrain myself when a colleague suggested moving forward legislation he thought it would enhance our ability to raising money from oil interests. But such improper suggestions were more likely to come from outside lobbyists than from other elected officials.
As a politician who more than a decade ago was disciplined for breaking the rules, I’m still uncomfortable writing about it. It continues to overshadow the positive things I did, including a lonely battle to write and enact tax reform in l986. Apparently bad news trumps.
Similarly, the current story about one apparently corrupt Illinois politician is used to tar the reputation of all those who serve our state, despite the fact that most do so with distinction.
It is painful to recall my situation and, on a personal level, I can sympathize with the pain the governor’s family must feel and can uniquely understand their concerns about what comes next.
But I find his reported behavior troubling. There’s a big difference between running a sloppy office and staging a personally-beneficial auction to make policy and personnel decisions. That’s what disturbs the public. It bothers me, too.
It would be a mistake, though, to conclude that Chicago or Illinois produced a disproportionate share of bad apples. They’re present in both parties whenever opportunity appears.
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
coloradokarl
Why would people spend millions of dollars for a job that pays $150,000? Obama spent $600 million for a Job that pays $400,000. Altruism,Greed, Power? Your Judgement is my Gift!
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allswell
That's the Chicago way. Get a former congressman who was convicted of corruption and did jail time to defend someone accused of the same. Maybe The O can just pardon everyone of his friends upfront, that way we can avoid the drip,drip,drip over the next four years.
Cicero
"acme of my career"
"suggested moving forward legislation he thought it would enhance our ability to raising money from oil interests."
*cough*getaneditor*cough*
atsegga
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eddieuny
I remember "Rosty's" generous response to President Reagan's address to the nation announcing an attempt to reform and simplify income taxes. Their work together eliminated many deductions and reduced the top rate from (I think) 50% to 28%. As a Republican, even though I was happy that my party got his seat for those two years, I respect him as a legislator who was amenable to logical argument. (Not that you always won with him, but at least you always had a chance to persuade.)
Dreamer4Ever
Sorry Rosten but I don't buy it.
menckenlite
Small minority is unethical? Why do the majority remain silent and allow the minority to smear their reputation? How are politicians different from doctors, police and lawyers who allow the minority to conduct illegal acts and harm the entire membership? Why is snitching a problem for those exclusive clubs?
UP-Bill
I counted about 4 times that we bought the Illinois Toll Road while I lived there from 1973-2003. How many more times have you folks paid for it since I moved away 5 years ago? It isn't just Blago, it is the entire political culture in Illinois.
waypastcool
Why give this crook space? I don't get it.
OLDPUPPYMAX
This from a premiere congressional thug! Further proof that there are two prerequisites to be a democrat/lib: utter hypocrisy and breathtaking shamelessness.
ComeBackGipper
The real lesson of Chicago is that one party rule in any state is bound to turn out as a disaster, both ethically speaking and in terms of effective, efficient government. In California we have had Democrats in control (Don't talk to me about Arnold) for only a decade or so and what is the result? Bloated public spending, waste, and a state held hostage by public unions and their political pimps. This state is bankrupt. Ten years. I can only imagine the crapper that Illinois is after a century of this.
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n--Y--misterdonappman
No wonder Rostenski sees nothing wrong with being a crook - he was and is one!
Ultimately, Rostenkowski was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison, in 1995.
In the Post Office scandal!
valwayne
Is Dan Rostenkowski really trying to convince us that Chicago is a clean as the rest of the nation? I suppose all of those politicians sitting in Jail are figment of our imagination. Blagojevich is probably the stupidest, but the ones that are the most dangerous to the country are the ones smart enough to get away with it, and/or the ones that have thrived in corrupt Chicago politics and are on their way to the White House. Obama should call for immunity for Blagojevich if he truthfully, hooked up to the best lie detector available, tells all that he knows. That would allow the country to know that the muck from Chicago hasn't made its way into the White House. Never happen though....Obama has too much to hide!!!!!!!!!
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