Yes, we all know that politics is a bloodsport in Illinois. But it's worse than that. Forget the ends justifying the means: In recent years in the Land of Lincoln, all there has been is means. And meanies. And of course the Democratic kind, Blue Meanies. Yeah, just like in the Beatles movie "Yellow Submarine."
Which is why Illinois is one of ten state the Pew Center says is facing "fiscal peril."
Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, a Republican who is running for governor, thinks we ought to focus on governing, as the Decatur Herald & Review points out in an editorial:
Ryan was discussing ethics reform and commented that he thinks legislative leaders should not be allowed to drop huge amounts of money into political campaigns. The key, he said, is the difference between good government and politics. Ryan said when House Speaker Michael Madigan fights to continue to control huge amounts of campaign contributions that he can use to influence individual legislative races, "That's not about good governmental policy, it's about politics."
The paper looks at the need to focus on governing in Illinois:
But the pendulum has swung so far in favor of politics that's it hard to find anyone worrying about the proper role of government. Politics has government so buried that it takes a mine shaft to even find a debate that's centered on what's right for the people of this state.
Politicians and others can disagree about the best way for the government to serve the people.
But when policies and practices only serve the politicians, we have a big problem.
Which has been what those "meanies" have been doing. Let's get Illinois back on track.
Related post:
Marathon Pundit endorses Jim Ryan for Illinois governor
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