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History will not be kind

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Illinois

When Dennis Hastert eventually passes away, he won’t be remembered for being the longest-serving Republican U.S. speaker of the House as much as for his guilty plea to a financial crime in connection with allegations he sexually abused high school students.

When Rod Blagojevich finally assumes room temperature, his corruption conviction will far outweigh his laudable push to make sure all kids had health insurance coverage.

If you do something really bad, that’s what you’re going to be remembered for. History can be rough on people. For well over a hundred years, the rampant corruption in President Ulysses S. Grant’s White House has badly tainted his Civil War triumphs as our nation’s top general.

So, to all the politicians who have so far refused to find a way to compromise and end the longest-ever Illinois government stalemate

Click here to read the rest before commenting, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:17 am

Comments

But do either of these two people care about what history will say about them? Are they, like Blagojevich, too deep into their inflated self view?

Comment by illinoised Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:27 am
Well done Rich. Perhaps your most profound column. Let’s just hope the leaders take it to heart

Comment by One of the 35 Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:39 am
Nice to see so many MENSA members commenting over there.

To the post: I know what to expect from a governor with delusions of grandeur and a speaker whose only obvious passion is keeping his seat and the power that comes with it. In the immortal words if the late, sorely missed Mike Royko, “I may be wrong, but I doubt it.”

Comment by Northsider Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:45 am
Madigan is unpopular statewide; but he will go down in history as the longest serving House Speaker who ruled with an iron hand and was the father of Lisa Madigan.

Rauner will go down as the one-term governor who held up budgets and hurt the needy.

That’s my historical take…

Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:45 am
Seems as though the commenters on your column disagreed a bit. Perfect reflection of the political war that is Illinois politics.

Comment by Niblets Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:47 am
–As I write this, groups of rank-and-file legislators are meeting privately at the Statehouse to try to come up with a solution that has so far eluded their leaders.–

So get on with it, already. You’ve had plenty of time to give it the deep-think.

Mushrooms of Illinois, unite — you have nothing to lose but your manure-filled boxes in the basement.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:52 am
=== Mushrooms of Illinois, unite — you have nothing to lose but your manure-filled boxes in the basement.===

Profiles in Courage are in short supply in the General Assembly. As Paul Green likes to point out, the pols profiled in JFK’s book all lost the next election.

Comment by anon Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 10:26 am
Failing to govern is not an option for officials elected to govern. Inaction is not treated kindly by history. Governors are ultimately responsible for the state of a state.

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus told of how the third servant buried his talent as to not waste it. When the Master returned he banished the third servant for burying his talent.

We have many talent buriers in office, don’t we?

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 10:54 am
I always look forward to your Monday post. You are always to the point and thoughtful. This was one of your best.

Comment by illini Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:00 am
I found this column refreshing. Well said.

Here, were worms and moths will always rule in the end, it is wise to think on a different plane sometimes.

These two should feel like they just got a note from the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

I like VM’s reminder of the parable.

Comment by cdog Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:09 am
And Mitch McConnell will be remembered the most for the current seven year rejection of anything positive, in an attempt to deny POTUS Obama a laudable legacy. And Ted Cruz for trying to shut down the federal government.
Why are key Republicans so committed to imposed inaction>

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:23 am
When you started wriitin’ this one we figured you were headed for a Joe Paterno comparison. Who knew? How long? Were there antics in SPI? DC?
Did other careers bloom because they knew or thought they did?
But then you ran off the road.
Too bad.

Comment by Annoinin' Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:50 am
I love this column. You take basic, day-2-day issues that have been affected by this inactivity and show us how important the politicians are in our lives.

Comment by Belle Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:14 pm
These memories will be extremely vague, whatever they are. Most folks would have trouble remembering their state rep or senator before the present one–if they even know who their present one is. Uh….

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:21 pm
I know it sounds like a nonsequitor, but the eyes of history made me think of our warring Illinois government officials.

Comment by NoGifts Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:34 pm
Grant’s personal integrity was untarnished, but his associates damaged his political reputation.

Revised histories have been more charitable. Grant held office during a difficult period and it is unclear if any of his political contemporaries could have served as president and performed much better.

Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Thanks, Captain Obvious.

Comment by Kahok Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 1:38 pm
“So, to all the politicians who have so far refused to find a way to compromise and end the longest-ever Illinois government stalemate.”

Rauner does not compromise. Tell me how one compromises with one who believes in his way or the highway & does not care who his policies hurt.

Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 2:18 pm
It’s the siege of Leningrad. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad

Comment by NoGifts Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Both of these guys should be viewed as the cons they are. Forever.

Comment by cannon649 Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 8:46 pm
Annonin’ why so mean-spirited today?

Your guy have a rough day at Bristol?

My guys finished 1-2-didn’t see that happening.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 10:37 pm