Corruption in Politics

So, as you're prolly aware by now, the Governor of Illinois was alledgedly planning on selling the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. The guy apparantly had legal bills, and who knows what other money troubles that made him consider selling out the democratic process. It's a pretty classic scenario...you get in over your head, and then decide the only way to get back out of the pit is to take a few roads you'd never otherwise consider.

At least, one would hope selling a Senate seat isn't on the first page of options for a state Governor.

However, you have to remember this is America. We have a long and colorful history of corrupt politicians. It's human nature...when you think you can make some extra cash, you do so. Especially when it's significant money and you don't think you can get caught. There are exceptions...but they really are exceptions. For every judge who gets bought off by Vito Corleone, there's a Russel Crowe who actually turns in the $1,000,000 in drug money he finds in the trunk of a car.

But at the same time...what do you think?? How rampant (or not) do you think corruption is today? Do you think that you can get a parking fine dropped by slipping the meter maid a $20? Did you ever watch some guy walk free from his fifth DUI? Watched a Congressman vote for the most irrational bill with weak backup?

E-mail me, leave a comment, give me a call or text...whatever. Let me know how corrupt you think our society really is, and I'll post the replies next Thursday. Till then...adios!

Mary Jo Kilroy Finally Wins Seat

So I'm a lil late to the game, but the 15th Ohio Congressional District has a Representative. Mary Jo Kilroy managed to win, by a margin of 2,311 votes. That's not much at all, when you consider the number of votes cast: 304,000.

It was enough to beat the automatic recount law, however. In a local, country, or district election the margin needs to be 1/2%. In any statewide race, the margin drops to 1/4%. I didn't know that! Thanks to the Moritz College of Law over at OSU for having such a clear post on the issue.

Stivers, in a truly classy move, conceded gracefully and without much comment. I'm quite pleased, because I see this as further indication of a new shift in politics. It seems like the partisan lines are blurring more and more. The electorate is coming together more, making it harder to get a clear winner. The voters in this past election are less interested in voting with their party, it seems. The concern is more about who will go to Washington and take care of their consituent.

Now THERE is a novel concept, hm?

I like liberal Republicans. I also like conservative Democrats. Because they aren't radicals...they're a lot closer to what I believe in. Hopefully this trend continues, eh?