He also said there is "a culture of corruption that is preventing government from dealing with the real needs of our nation."
Durbin was directly referring to the Republican Party, which has controlled the legislative branch of the federal government since 2003, and the executive branch since 2001. Of more recent vintage is the Jack Abramoff Scandal: The crooked ex-lobbyist had ties to both parties, but his GOP connections were more extensive, and for Republican politicians on the receiving end of money linked to Abramoff--more lucrative.
But the senator from Springfield has a short memory if he thinks the Democrats are the squeaky-clean party.
During the eight years of the Clinton administration, besides Monica, there was seemingly a continuous parade of scandals on emanating from 2400 Pennsylvania Avenue. Has Durbin forgotten Filegate, Travelgate, the Whitewater Investigation, Pardongate, Kathleen Willey, Chinagate, and numerous others? We should also throw into the mix the post-2001 Clinton embarrassment of Sandy "How did those documents get in my pants?" Berger.
Durbin represents Illinois, the nation's fifth-most populous state.
Did you know that Illinois is people-wise, the biggest state in the US with a Democratic governor and a Democratic majority state legislature? How are things going in Durbin's Blue Illinois?
First-term Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration is being investigated by federal prosecutors for trading political contributions for state jobs. That's not all that's being looked at in Springfield, the state capital (and of course Dick Durbin's hometown).
The Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Transportation have also attracted the inquisitive gaze of the Feds.
And juicy state contracts have ended up in the hands generous Blagojevich campaign contributors, igniting a "Play for pay" culture in Illinois.
The skeptic of course will ask:
Hasn't Illinois always been run this way?
Isn't Blagojevich's predecessor, Republican George Ryan, currently on trial on various corruption charges?
Maybe on first one, and a definite "Yes" on the second.
But during his 2002 campaign for the office he now holds, Blagojevich told voters he would end "business as usual" in Springfield. In his 2003 inaugural address, Rod told the state he would "govern as a reformer."
Up in Chicago, where Durbin owns a condo, that city's mayor, Democrat Richard Daley, is in charge of an administration that also keeps federal prosecutors busy. The city's water department is overflowing with corruption (and convictions), and a colossal failure at privatizing city services, the Hired Truck Program, ended up as gravy-train of graft that has led to 26 convictions so far.
On Friday, Chicago City Clerk James Laski, also a Democrat, became the highest ranking city official charged, and the 39th overall, in the Hired Truck Scandal investigation.
So when Senator Dick Durbin talks about a "culture of corruption," he really shouldn't limit his gaze to the Republican Party.
Technorati tags: Illinois dick durbin Blagojevich Corruption Abramoff Richard Daley
No comments:
Post a Comment