Politics has always been a dirty game

Why all the uproar over Hot Rod Blagojevich? Do you think Blago is the first politician to expect something in return for granting a favor? If so, you're both naive and uninformed.

Blagojevich did what politicians have been doing since the beginning of time. He had power over something of value and he expected something in return. And the truth is, most of the time this process is perfectly legal.

Granted, Blago nudged the process to the melting point and he'll probably pay a hefty price for his profanity-laced attempt to extort cash for a senatorial appointment. But when Congressman William Jefferson of the great state of Louisiana pocketed $90,000 from an African businessman in return for favorable legislation, there was not nearly this amount of outrage. Jefferson was indicted as Blagojevich will soon be. But Jefferson didn't leave the scene until last month when he lost a re-election bid.

So quit picking on the Chicago boy. Heck he was just doing what comes natural in the Windy City. And he comes from a long, long line of Illinois pols who practice the politics of bargaining in their own self interest.

Every single state in the union - including our own Show-Me State - has had politicians caught in the exact same situation as now faces Illinois once again. Yet the public is reacting with great disdain as if this is some new occurrence.

I'll admit the Blago saga has a bit more drama. There is a chance that Jesse Jackson Jr. may be up to his armpits in the controversy and there is an outside chance that the President-elect may have some passing knowledge of the situation. So yes, that adds some drama to an otherwise ordinary political under-the-table practice.

But the same goes on in the business world every day. You do a favor for someone and expect a favor in return. Is it the same as elected officials? No but in name only. Otherwise it's a distinction without a difference.

Four of the last eight governors in Illinois have ended up in prison. So why are we in such a state of concern when it happens once again? Remember it was not too long ago that Missouri had a fine gentleman run for governor but end up in prison instead. Doesn't anyone recognize politics is a sleazy business? What is it they say about power and corruption?

Here's what tickles me the most. The well-informed talking heads on television news all have their britches in a wad with their outrage over Blago and the boys. These news folk are acting as if this is the first breach of political power in the history of mankind. Don't they pay attention to their own broadcasts? At some level of government, this is a daily event.

When the well-coifed Illinois governor finally sees the cell doors about to close around him, he'll start naming names. That's when the fun begins. It always does!