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In Defense of Chicago Politics
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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.
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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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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.
"acme of my career"
"suggested moving forward legislation he thought it would enhance our ability to raising money from oil interests."
*cough*getaneditor*cough*
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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.)
Sorry Rosten but I don't buy it.
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?
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.
Why give this crook space? I don't get it.
This from a premiere congressional thug! Further proof that there are two prerequisites to be a democrat/lib: utter hypocrisy and breathtaking shamelessness.
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.
My goodness! Mr. Dan shares at least one trait with Blogo -- absolute shameless brazenness. At least he did not say "I am not a crook". Just that "I am a better kind of crook." What frightens me is that these guys are all so incredibly stupid. Just think what a really intelligent person could do with an elected office.
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!
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!!!!!!!!!
"As a politician who more than a decade ago was disciplined for breaking the rules, I'm still uncomfortable writing about it."
Apparently so. Disciplined = convicted and jailed.
C'mon Beast. What's the matter? James Trafficant not available to lecture us about public service?
Are you kidding? Rosty defending Illinois politics? Give me a (Blago word here) break. To his point on Reagan.Reagan's ethics were forged in part in his move away from Illinois. Had he stayed he may have learned a modicum of corruption is just the the "Chicago Way".
Nature has a subtle way of warning us of impending disasters, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, etc. Is nature trying to warn us today? See the evidence at, http://stopthepresses2.blogspot.com
What the BLEEP? How did this BLEEPING BLEEPhole get to write a column? This worthless BLEEPING jerk off is what's wrong with Chicago. Yes, Chicago, not just the politics of Chicago. People in this city developed a perverse pride for the various criminal enterprises dressed up as Chicago, Cook County and Illinois government. Politicians know this and willfully rob them blind. As long as the garbage is picked up every Wednesday and the steets are plowed in the winter.
ComeBackGipper, the last Governor was a Republican, so I can't see your arguement.
Dan Rostenkowski was an able public servant, one whose good deeds far outweigh the mistakes he made.
But it's obvious from reading the reaction to his article that some people are just mean to the core of their souls; incapable of judging the totality of a man's public life.
There isn't anything you can do about people like that; they're just poor shriveled souls, whose only delight in life is adversely judging those who are, in every other way, vastly superior to them - as was, and is, Dan Rostenkowski.
I have lived in Chicago all my life. Chicago is corrupt top to bottom. The reason why we have so many crooked politicians is that the majority of the citizens are okay with the corruption.
Blago is no worse than any other politician. Mayor Daley is the ringmaster. Blago is small time.
The middle class left Chicago a long time ago. Chicago is left with minorities and yuppies. Yuppies don't care because they don't raise families here - they move to the suburbs when they get married and the minorities are trapped.
We are paying for our corruption. Chicago is crumbling fast. We are the murder capital of the US, our schools are terrible and Chicago will file bankrupcy within 5 years. I have this on very good authority.
Regardless of Dan's past indiscretions he has a point. Many politicians are honest and follow the rules. It doesn't serve a useful purpose for the media or general public to tar an organization for the felonies of some individual members. It is useful to have this conversation though as it will provide some resolve to curtail similar activities of those that are tempted and weak but basically honest.
To deal with the incorrigible we should have a good tracking system and transparent government - no more black budgets and secret programs at any level of government. It's our money they are spending and our lives they affect - we should be able to make valid judgements on who to elect based on their real track records. as someone said sunlight is the best disinfectant. I believe they were talking about laundry but it certainly applies to the dirty laundry of our politics and government these days. Push for more transparency and support feedback to those that make decisions for us. Maybe the bad apples will decide to work in other areas like corporate america instead of Government America.
Blago has indeed set a new low, but I do agree with Congressman Rostenkowski, Illinois is not the most corrupt state, nor are politics the most corrupt field. It is field though, where every interest group comes to lawmakers with their hand out, looking for something to benefit their members. Thus, temptations are everywhere. But unlike those in other fields, politicians are "Public Figures" so when they stray, its front page news. Some of the posters here seem a bit bitter towards Rostenkowski, whose crime was breaking some House rules. I'm sure posters like jconniff have NEVER bent any rules, and must hate all the goodies that Rostenkowski , Daley and other Chicago politicians brought to our state.
atsegga
The Borgen Project has informative statistics on addressing global poverty.
$30 billion ends world hunger
$550 billion is the US Defense budget.
Never happen, ever. As long as you have tinpot dictators and a corrupt UN it will never happen. Reality hurts.
Thank you.
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