Eminentoes
Machiavelli’s The Pathetico
Whatever happened to the suavely corrupt Dem pol?
The erosion of standards in modern times extends in all directions, with Americans now witnessing one more distressing cultural indicator: a sharp decline in the cleverness of the country’s crooks. Not even corruption is performed competently anymore.
Pols in Louisiana and Chicago once prided themselves on the effortlessness of their graft. The foul-mouthed frenzy of Governor Rod Blagojevich would have left them deeply disappointed. That’s no way to abuse your office. And they certainly wouldn’t be so gauche as to hoard $90,000, à la ousted New Orleans Congressman William Jefferson, in their freezer.
Earl Long, Huey Long’s brother, issued an authoritative dictum on minimalist communication for crooked pols that the Blagojevichs and Jeffersons were too sloppy to study: “Don’t write anything you can phone. Don’t phone anything you can talk. Don’t talk anything you can whisper. Don’t whisper anything you can smile. Don’t smile anything you can nod. Don’t nod anything you can wink.”
Blagojevich’s idea of a suave aside was to inform an aide that his list of demands to bidders for the sale of Obama’s Senate seat “can’t be in writing.” Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said even his most cynical investigators were “shocked” by Blagojevich, though he didn’t spell out the source of their shock: whether it was the extent of Blagojevich’s corruption, the depth of his stupidity, or both.
Fitzgerald’s wiretappers had a fairly easy assignment. They were dealing with a pol, after all, who had made news in 2006 by failing to notice that The Daily Show was interviewing him for a story. “It was going to be an interview on contraceptives…that’s all I knew about it,” Blagojevich explained to the press afterwards. “I had no idea I was going to be asked if I was ‘the gay governor.’”
What Democratic pols say about each other is always interesting to hear, and Fitzgerald’s wiretaps contribute helpfully to the genre. Blagojevich now joins Jesse Jackson in his high, off-camera esteem for Obama, having called him an expletive that Bill Clinton once used to describe Michael Dukakis.
Obama lucks out with that one, even though he is on record having praised Blagojevich for “delivering” for Illinois. From this cradle of corruption Obama comes and many of those around him differ from Blagojevich not by kind but by degree. They just weren’t stupid enough to get caught, doing covertly what Blagojevich has done openly.
According to press accounts, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley once called Blagojevich “cuckoo” during a dispute. Blagojevich’s rejoinder: “I don’t think I’m cuckoo.” But perhaps one public benefit from Blagojevich’s cuckoo corruption is that liberal special-interest politics is exposed once again for the utter sham that it is.
The indictment has him saying at one point as he scrambles for bids that he wants an arrangement that delivers “good stuff for the people of Illinois” and would be “good for me.” Amongst Democratic pols, the two are usually inseparable.
Blagojevich had all the usual PC demagoguery down, which is the last refuge of corrupt pols, referring to himself as Illinois’ first black governor. That he is fishing around (recorded on the wiretaps) for a lucrative job at the “Red Cross” and a six-figure salary for his wife at a “non-profit” is a nice touch.
Liberal special-interest pols are dedicated to “public service.” But according to the wiretaps, Blagojevich hated public service. Liberal pols are dedicated to press freedom; according to the wiretaps, Blagojevich wanted editors at the Chicago Tribune fired. Liberal pols itch to solve the problem of poverty; on the wiretaps Blagojevich is only interested in solving his own.
The party has descended from the Long brothers and the Daleys to the Blagojevichs, Jeffersons, and Rangels — a change not in the quality of corruption but in the confidence of its execution.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (24) | Leave a comment
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gus| 12.10.08 @ 6:16AM
Blagojevich didn’t think outside the box. He should have been negotiating with President Bush. He could have gotten something in the bloated Dept. of Homeland Security (now there’s a gift that keeps on giving) and gotten a pardon, too.
Rocco| 12.10.08 @ 7:02AM
I am not as sure if it is stupidity as I am that it is just plain arrogance. The hallmark of this generation (the so-called Cry-baby Boom) of politicos, CEO's etc. is arrogance, a sense of elitism and entitlement, where they think everything is theirs by virtue of their superior intellect, wisdom, good intentions, etc. etc. We have allowed a tyranny to establish itself here - the tyranny of a professional political class, totally divorced from reality, and our fellow citizens, fat and happy, let it go on. Never was the quotation from Juvenal truer - "Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, we the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions - everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses." Replace "bread and circuses" with "govt cheese and American Idol/Dancing with the Stars," and there you have it. As Jefferson said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Time to flush these jerks out once and for all, and if it includes our President-elect, then so be it.
stu.b.con| 12.10.08 @ 7:30AM
Hey Gus--not sure what you point is regarding Rod Soparano getting a pardon from W or even the DHS?
Blag's pardon will be only be forthoming when is buddy Barry is in the twilight of his single term administration ala Marc Rich
Alan Brooks| 12.10.08 @ 9:02AM
no, stu.b.con, you forget that Clinton was reelected-- if he could do it so can Barry.
you're underestimating Barry like so many underestimated Clinton. i'll say this a million times: after i was told in '83 the Gipper wouldnt be reelected and of course he was, i knew a decade later Clinton would be reelected as well.
Another Rocco| 12.10.08 @ 9:44AM
Rocco, loved your post and your name as it is also my name. As for political corruption, it is as old as mankind. I am sure it happened during tribe leader elections when our species was still chasing mastodons. Here in Louisiana we once had political corruption mastered. The Longs were perfect examples and for a while we thought our ex-governor, Edwin Edwards had even surpassed their skills but he finally was convicted after three separate trials, each for different crimes. Heck, maybe Hot Rod will be Fast Eddie’s roommate.
Anthony| 12.10.08 @ 9:46AM
This is indeed another manifestation of the absolute corruption that has metastasized the minds and souls of today's Left. Unlike their predecessors, as Mr. Neumayr points out, who were sociopaths who recognized that they were reprobates, and at least had a patina of shame by being a bit more suave and discreet about it, this generation has no such inhibitions. This is full pedal to the metal political, moral and intellectual depravity at its worse. Similar manifestations have been occuring in the MSM, the courts, and of course, Washington, as the new and improved Left, with gleeful determination, run roughshod over the rest of us and our institutions. Question is, when will the rest of us say ENOUGH?
Tim| 12.10.08 @ 10:27AM
It is all part of a Cultural decline.
This decline in morals and ethical standards effects all aspects of our society.
From what we see and read online to what we see play out on our LCD screens to what we hear happens in gang war fare to what we see and hear regarding Union and Political corruption.
In the 1930's Mobsters would kill each other but "rarely" kill the children but now you hear stories where in Mexico entire families are wiped out and headless bodies are left on school grounds. This is sick.
We have reached critical mass in our society and we need to get a handle on this before the whole mess implodes.
The illinois Governor is just a taste of how bad things have really gotten in our society. We would make a huge mistake if we believe this is just an isolated matter.
WilliamInWien| 12.10.08 @ 11:34AM
It is said that many voters in presidential elections do not vote for one candidate, rather they vote against a particular candidate. Why don't we have the best and the brightest running for president (and other offices)? Well, they do not, cannot, work with the likes of the people who run the political parties. As such, we get to choose, in too many cases, between two candidates that are products of this tainted system. It will be interesting to see who gets the coveted Senate seat from IL. And the beat goes on.....
Alan Brooks| 12.10.08 @ 1:00PM
and he knew he was being watched! but Rod was brazen anyway.
Alan Brooks| 12.10.08 @ 10:48PM
heres a flash--
the guv did want to get caught! no way to avoid that; he did everything he could to get busted.
SO whats the motive?
艾瑞克 | 12.11.08 @ 3:08AM
It is actually a question of stupidity. Arrogance alone cannot account for such foolishness. Blaggo makes Daley look like a rocket surgeon. Every citizen of Illinois has know about him for years now, but the state's politics are utterly broken. This Fall, there was a ballot proposition that state law requires be asked every decade or so: should Illinois convene a constitutional convention? Somehow, it failed. Had it passed, Blaggo or some other numbskull might be made King.
Alan Brooks| 12.11.08 @ 3:54AM
i think blaggo wanted to get caught so he can sell the rights to Hollywood, and have Joe Pesci play his character in the film
Rocco| 12.11.08 @ 6:21AM
To "Another Rocco:"
You are absolutely correct. I remember reading Cicero's speech, "Contra Verrem," an indictment of the corrupt Roman governor of Sicily. It has been going on for eternity. And since you apparently live in Louisiana, you have seen political corruption close up. For a time, I lived in Brazil and became familiar with it, as our Latin ancestors would have known it. Although I found it distasteful, it was something that wasn't "in your face" like it has become in this country. Not that I am excusing it or sanctioning it. I do realize it exists, but it shouldn't in this country in the form it does. Here it's pure arrogance. We are declining in much the same way the Roman republic did in Cicero's day, and there may well be civil wars coming in our near future.
Frank Talk II| 12.12.08 @ 2:14PM
This article by the author starts off lamenting the erosion of standards in every aspect in american society. This erosion toward mediocrity in all endeavors begins with the lack of leadership. The third party candidates B. Barr and R. Nader emphasized that there are so called leaders in politics and business, but sadly no leadership. In my opinion, we are experiencing a potential 24 year void of real leadership at the executive levels of government and business. It is unprecedented for a great nation to elect or allow men or women to ascend to positions of great power, one of which is the discretion to send other men and women sons off to war and die. Remember it is not a war if there are no casualties. Starting with eight years of Clinton followed with eight years of Bush II and potentially eight years of Obama none of these men have a home hitting personal stake in the U.S involvement in a war. They are all men who did not sire sons who at least theoretically could face combat nor did these men serve in the regular military. Sorry, reserve duty in the national guard does not count. What a nation we have become. Where are men such as TR, IKE, GHWB or even JEC. I find it very telling that every weekend our most physically fit and abled bodied males are playing games( professional football, college football etc) in this society. Yet, the public rewards these individuals with nauseating adulation and stupendous financial rewards. Begrudgingly, I must give credit to Israel. Though surrounded by its enemies, no one !u#ks with her. Could it be that a warrior's ethos is in the fiber of it's citizens. Is it possible that the requirement of male and female young citizens to give two years of service to their nation in the Israeli military the reason why? Our politicians and business titans, on all sides, talk about duty and sacrifice, yet the positions they seek are more about power and privilege. There is a reason that G. Washington was drafted to be the first president; it was the respect his fellow men had for his character. Unfortunately, if there is truly to be revolutionary and monumental change it generally involves a cataclysmic blood, sweat and tears effort ie war.
Shyster| 12.14.08 @ 2:18AM
Gus...
Ever notice we haven't had another attack on domestic soil in 7 years? So much for "bloat" we can literally live with. Are you always so out of touch with reality? Ooops! Reality isn't the strong suit of folks such as yourself, sorry.
Michael L. Hauschild| 12.14.08 @ 6:30AM
Spot on Frank Talk II. Having been conscripted and in retrospect looking back on that very positive experience, I feel my most important lesson learned was the witnessing and comprehending of the terms duty and valor. Simple service outside of armed conflict, however, is incapable of producing the conditions that create the latter. For example, one of my colleagues was a soldier in the WARSAW Pact in Slovakia. During his service he was never issued a weapon and his only assignment was to sweep the streets of Bratislava with a push broom.
I can not name a single person within our current roster of politicos that I would rather have as leader of our country over Petraeus.
gazinya| 1.6.09 @ 4:58PM
I live in New Mexico. So....have you heard any good stories about our Gov? Oligarch?
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