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The State Journal-Register gets it.

Gov. Blagojevich now promises to “rock the system,” pushing legislation to reform political fund raising in Illinois. That’s great. More power to the governor. But our concern is that he not stymie important reform by demanding only his reforms.

This is a case where the perfect could be the enemy of the good. Blagojevich must not allow that to happen if he truly cares about ethics and political finance reform.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 8:02 am

Comments

“if he truly cares about ethics and political finance reform”Now that is a big “if”.

Comment by So-Called Austin Mayor Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 9:49 am
he hasnt even proposed the specifics yet and everybodys trashing it. people should relax on the criticism until they see the specifics. furthermore, for those of you who say the Governor should return all of the money he raised up to this point, i say thats ridiculous. until somebody proves otherwise, that money was raised by the books. there should be ono unilateral disarming — all weapons should be laid down at the same time.

i cant wait to see this one play out — i predict that there wont be many profiles in courage by the legislators. i hope this cleans it up real good.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 10:31 am
I am not sure how to find this out, but I always wonder how much money the companies that had bids rejected had contributed. I would bet that any company even in the running for a state contract gives money. Not that it matters…

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 10:39 am
everybody gives! thats the stupidity of it all. the percentage of all state contracts that are awarded to contributers is small in comparison to the overall number of companies who have contributed to politicians and didnt get the contract. they contribute to both parties, opponents in a single race, you name it. its completely idiotic.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 10:46 am
I find it funny that neither the Hynes proposal nor the Senate GOP proposal effect contributions to legislators at all. We’ll see what they do when they take a look at Blago’s proposal and it effects all the money legislators get from special interests. That issue is equally important and wont be so easy to vote for!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 11:30 am
I think everyone knows by now that there are NO specifics, because this is another one of those poll driven blurts that follow two weeks of negative press. The best reform would be for Gov. Blagoof to put the fundraising army on furlough.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 12:34 pm
Hey, how about instead of “rocking” system just fixing it? Or — dare I say — reforming it?

The proposals floated thus far may be “modest” but they also have a good chance of succeeding. This, in comparison to the gov’s grandiose initiatives — mortgaging state buildings, books for every kid, mandatory service for high schoolers — that never ever amount to anything except two percentage points in the poll of the day.

And, no, thinking “big” doesn’t count. It never has and never will.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 3:09 pm
Fixing the system? You mean the way the system has been fixed for the last three decades before Blagojevich? No big ideas? Since when are people elected to think small ideas? We need our elected officials to take bold steps like the Governor has with the tease of outright campaign finance reform that he gave us. If you and the other cynics had your way, Blagojevich would be no different that the Governors who proceeded to drive the state into the ground before him. And dont think the blame has rested entirely with Governors past, just as blame and praise arent exclusive to Blagojevich.

The legislators have been part of the problem as well. Now, they will have the chance to be part of the solution. Whoever said that the Governor has proposed something that cant be passed believes that the legislature has limits on what the amount of reform that they themselves are willing to accept. What do they mean when they say “something that cant pass?” Does the Governor propose this, then go to the office of each legialator and threaten their life? Dont the legislators pride themselves on their independance? If this is the case, lets see them prove it.

Somebody explain to me how what Blagojevich has done is an empty gesture. If the legislature is willing to go all the way, then the time has arrived for the big idea to become reality.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 8:48 pm
An empty jesture? How about his bluster about gun control? Now that downstate hates him, he has avoided any discussion of gun control issues. Teased us with a little taste of a “Sweeping ethics reform initiative”? Again it is just another burst of hot air from one of Roddy’s orifices. If his reform has as much bite as the ethics pledge and “test” the state workers were required to take, wow, the state is in for a BIG change. Gimme a break, Blagozo is just an empty suit with an emptier head.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 9:34 pm
To the 8:48 anonymous- “We need our elected officials to take bold steps like the Governor has with the tease of outright campaign finance reform that he gave us.” Please- which is it- a bold step or a tease? The empty promises that this Gov has made would make the average legislator blush and the public has started to figure out exactly what he is all about. Simply getting his name in the news is the goal- not any real substantive results. Yes, the legislators need to be held accountable-if only their district’s voters would do THEIR job and vote out those that need to be replaced.

I personally think that Roddy will submit something that will get good headlines- and great editorial page write-ups from liberal papers- and promptly found to be unworkable. Here is the conundrum- do we really want to be in a situation where only rich people can run for higher office? How about ONCE you have won office- a hard cap be put upon those companies that perform services, etc. to the state. Roddy may have pulled the ultimate coup (prior to his upcoming election) by advocating a change in the fund raising laws- and be 10-12 million ahead of everyone else before it starts! As to the concerns about legislators receiving fundraising dollars from the same companies, contractors, etc.- the individual legislators DO NOT negotiate the various contracts, purchases, etc….that is done by and on behalf of the GOVERNOR! It is still a major item for discussion, but, not on the same dangerous “slippery slope” that we see now from this administration (can you say tollway, bogus ethics tests for state employees while the dep gov leaves her job to become a “consultant,” selling the states naming rights, etc., etc., etc.).

This gov has created more enemies in two short years than anyone that I remember. (Can you say Dan Walker- act II?) Anything can happen- and has- but you will be hard pressed to REALLY find a dozen (non appointees) who honestly trust the guy or think that he is on the right track.

Comment by EvilTerry Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 10:38 pm
I’m just anxious to hear the “dead on arrival” rhetoric when the governor releases his plan… that just won’t work this time.

And it’ll be especially fun to hear what weasel Watson has to say.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 12:34 am
This is beautiful politics. The gov was wise to wait as long as he did. And the Gov has the General Assembly exactly where he needs them for action. Let’s review:

Bill dies in committee- Gov wins
Bill dies in GA- Gov wins
Bill passes GA- Gov wins

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 12:41 am
I’m tired of hearing the BS about Hynes and others “taking a stand” with their executive orders. These executive orders cover just the tip of the iceburg, considering the entire political finance system in Illinois needs an overhaul.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 12:48 am
Interesting that there were no complaints during the pay to play years of Ryan, Edgar and Thompson. And anyone who denies it happened is ridiculous (or a repub).

The Repubs have no room for criticism on this. Maybe the Trib should take a look at the Ryan years. If he was selling licenses, why wouldn’t he sell contracts? No doubt he found more money in contracts.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 12:59 am
In case everyone has forgotten, the Dems control both houses and the Gov’s office. They DON’T need the Republican votes to pass the “new and improved” ethics law that will come from Roddog. Thus, please don’t blame any of the minority leaders- Watson or Cross- for the Gov’s inability to pass a law.

Comment by EvilTerry Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 8:10 am
There was pay to play under Repubs. Not as much, though. Rod has taken it to the highest level the state has ever seen. Nobody has come even close to his fundraising totals. And he’s the guy who said he was going to “change the way we do business.”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 8:20 am
Hey, our wonderful, progressive dynamic Governor has “changed business as usual”. As 8:20 anonymous states - “Rod has taken it (fundraising) to the highest level the state has ever seen.” So there all of you complainers, he has made changes. Excuse me while I go v*m*t.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 3:22 pm
Rich- I just thought of a possible reason why the various boards and commissions are left unfilled while they “conduct a thorough search for the best possible candidates.” Perhaps they are having troubles finding enough people willing to cough up the $50,000 fee necessary to BE qualified?

BTW, have you had an opportunity to speak with any IDOC employees regarding their thoughts on their new bosses? I am sure many people would be shocked if they saw the quality of personnel that has been added into this agency. Unless, of course, the general public hasn’t noticed. The fact is the only requirement necessary to be either a Warden or Assistant Warden is to be a former Sheriff, a former Sheriff candidate, or be related to a Democratic County Chairman. God help us when (not if, but when) the next series of problems begin. A lot of good people could get hurt.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 9, 05 @ 10:35 pm
Good campaign finance reform would ban
Chris Kelly from doing fundraising
probably Tony Retzko too

BUT certainly ban the money from Gambling interests treat them like a utility

Did the governor return the money from the Duff’s or Hired Trucks?

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Mar 12, 05 @ 4:09 pm