Politics As Usual

Why is it that WE THE PEOPLE expect something different when all we have is the same ole band of degenerates in public office?

Now we have the new Senator from Illinois, Roland Burris, being caught in a potential perjury scandal. Sorry folks, life long politician equates to life long liar. It is just that simple, or at least it seems to be.

In case you are a parallel universe and have not kept up with such reports, here is a quick overview of what we currently know.

First of all you have the now former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, who was allegedly trying to sell President Obama's vacant senate seat to the highest bidder. Then we add the former Governor's brother, Robert Blagojevich, who apparently was the point man in all this mess. Robert apparently called Mr. Burris and asked for campaign finance assistance. The dollar figured being bandied about in the media is $10,000. Mr. Burris declined to help due to the fact that he was seeking the vacant senate seat. Smart move by Mr. Burris don't ya think.

Rod Blagojevich was indited by the State Senate of Illinois for his actions related to the federal investigation. The actions then shifted to the State House in Illinois where Rod Blagojevich was put on trial for impeachment. One of those who testified against the governor was Mr. Burris, who had just taken the oath and had been seated as the junior senator from Illinois.

Now here is where things get a little hazy.

While being questioned by the State House's Impeachment Committee, Mr. Burris did not say anything about having contact with Robert Blagojevich prior to his appointment as President Obama's successor. Then on February 5th an affidavit sent to the Illinois State House democrat leadership where Mr. Burris admitted that he did have three phone conversations with the former governor's brother. This sets us up for the old familiar political game of they said, I said. The Illinois GOP (that is Republicans for those that don't know) has stated that this amounts to perjury by Senator Burris and that he needs to resign. Mr. Burris states that he simply answered the questions he was asked and that no one ever asked him about his contact with Robert Blagojevich. In short, he was never given the opportunity to come forth with the information about the contact he had with the governor's brother.

Senator Burris has stated that he has no intention of resigning from the senate. For that matter why should he? He fits right in with the rest of the group. I always thought that our elected officials and those appointed to serve in the government were held to a different standard. Apparently the standard they are held to is different. It is a lower standard.

Mr. Burris, don't you think that the Illinois House Impeachment panel might have wanted to hear about the governor's brother contacting you about campaign fundraising help? Are we to believe that you never had the opportunity to put forth that information during the impeachment process? Transcripts of Mr. Burris' impeachment committee testimony clearly shows that he was directly asked about speaking to Robert Blagojevich. Now I am pretty dense Mr. Burris, but wouldn't a phone call be contact. Or are we using the Clinton defense; "it depends on what your definition of contact is"?

Let us be real Senator. The only reason that you submitted the affidavit to the Illinois House was you were told by Robert Blagojevich's lawyer that it is possible that at least one of the phone conversations you had might have been taped. This is nothing more than a politicians attempt to cover thine own ass.

Some people may not like those of from the republican party. But one thing you must admit. If this were a newly appointed republican senator, would he be allowed to stay in office? The answer is no.

If William Jefferson were a republican he would have been run out of office. If Charles Rangle were a republican he would have been removed from office. But I guess Mr. Burris does just fit right in with those in the House and Senate. Particularly those with ties to the democrat party.

Its time to clean house people.