The Political Bailout

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris has produced a fascinating sequence of events. It seems that one attempted illegal act begets others. This intern allows others to think that that naked, illegal actions are permissible because the intent in noble. Senate majority leader Harry Reid and Illinois Secretary of State have both said that they will not allow the seating of Roland Burris to the vacated US senate seat. It is not within Harry Reid's power to refuse a lawfully appointed interim Senator. The legislature of Illinois could call for a special election. That would remove Blagojevich from the appointment process and make him irrelevant in regards to any senate appointment. This seems like a very simple, expedient, and lawful option. The reason that the Illinois legislature will not have a special election is that the Democratic party fears that the people of Illinois could actually vote to be represented by a Republican. Certainly that is not a choice the Democratic party are willing to let the people make. So Harry Reid says that he will refuse to seat Burris. Burris seems qualified, certainly more qualified than Caroline Kennedy. Reid is demonstrating either his arrogance or contempt for the Law. Burris should be seated and those who oppose his appointment should take the issue up in the federal courts. The reason is once again that we have a culture where there should be no consequences. Buy a house you cannot afford-- no problem. Poorly manage a company-- the taxpayers has your back. Well, we see the same attitude in the Blagojevich case. The Democratic machine raise money and supported Blagojevich to ascend to the office of Illinois Governor, Now that he has gone of the reservation- the Democratic party wants to call a political mulligan or bailout. The impression is that the Democrats do not want to live with the consequences of their actions. Seems to be a pervasive and growing problem in the US.