And Good Riddance...

In my opinion, one of the most visibly corrupt, self-serving governors today has been Illinois Democrat governor Rod Blagojevich.  One can't go 20 miles down an Illinois tollway without reading a monstrous sign that states something to the effect of, "Open Road Tollway (courtesy of) Governor Rod Blagojevich" (as if he himself footed the bill). 

Democrat Rod Blagojevich took the reins in 2003, vowing to run a clean show after the ethically- (and mentally) challenged Republican governor George Ryan went down in flames of corruption.  But instead of delivering a promise of ethical virtuosity, Illinois voters got more of the same... in spades, up to the point where Governor Blagojevich is awaiting indictment on selling the vacated Obama U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder. 

Updated at 8:57 a.m.: On the issue of the U.S. Senate selection, federal prosecutors alleged Blagojevich sought appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate.

Blagojevich and Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.

Blagojevich and Harris, along with others, obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state jobs and state contracts.

"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement.
"They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism."

It is my hope that as Blagojevich enjoys his perp and frog march, that my former fellow Illiniosians will make a wiser choice for a replacement.  But given their penchant for electing political machine candidates, I won't hold my breath.