Illinois Gov. Takes Bids on Senate Seat

It wasn't on eBay, but apparently a big piece of Barack Obama memorabilia was up for grabs recently. Today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by federal authorities on charges of corruption after FBI wiretaps uncovered a conspiracy to allegedly sell off the Senate seat left vacant by the President-elect. Is anyone out there sticking up for Blagojevich? Not quite:

"I live here in Illinois. I am not surprised at all. I am not sure you can be a politician in Illinois and not be a crook." -- kcmama2003

"Blago was under investigation for several years now and decides to make statements about selling Obama's seat I believe in the last month.  How stupid can he be?  There is something wrong with this man." -- mom2annie2007

"Yeah, Chicago politics. They're something, alright ... this is the fourth (out of seven) IL governors to be indicted. Sweet. Just the man's grandstanding yesterday over the window company was so outrageous, and now this. They have it on tape ... gotta love it. I know it's speculation, but any guesses on who Senate Candidate #1 in the indictment is? I certainly have mine..." -- trishst

"Not only is the guy an apparent crook, but a stupid crook. He was already under investigation for lots of stuff and then tries to pull this. [US Attorney] Fitzgerald is going to hang him out to dry." -- sydney1977

"It doesn't matter which political party he belongs to. It sounds like there is plenty of evidence of corruption, and he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Crime is crime whether it is committed by a Democrat or a Republican." -- sopall1953

"Makes me want to never vote again - now it will be 1 and 1 for the convicted governors here." -- jaybee458

 

The Illinois political track record seems to have gone downhill since the days of Lincoln, but with all of the scandals lately (think Edwards, Spitzer, Foley, Stevens ... insert the name of your favorite disgraced politician here!), you have to wonder if there isn't a dishonesty epidemic making the rounds in our elected officials. Does power always ultimately corrupt? Let me know what you think about this latest fiasco and your suggestions for getting rid of government corruption.