Posted on 01/17/2006 5:52:28 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate said in the Democrats' weekly radio address Saturday that "honest leadership will help all Americans."
He also said there is "a culture of corruption that is preventing government from dealing with the real needs of our nation."
Durbin was directly referring to the Republican Party, which has controlled the legislative branch of the federal government since 2003, and the executive branch since 2001. Of more recent vintage is the Jack Abramoff Scandal: The crooked ex-lobbyist had ties to both parties, but his GOP connections were more extensive, and for Republican politicians on the receiving end of money linked to Abramoff--more lucrative.
But the senator from Springfield has a short memory if he thinks the Democrats are the squeaky-clean party.
During the eight years of the Clinton administration, besides Monica, there was seemingly a continuous parade of scandals on emanating from 2400 Pennsylvania Avenue. Has Durbin forgotten Filegate, Travelgate, the Whitewater Investigation, Pardongate, Kathleen Willey, Chinagate, and numerous others? We should also throw into the mix the post-2001 Clinton embarrassment of Sandy "How did those documents get in my pants?" Berger.
Durbin represents Illinois, the nation's fifth-most populous state.
Did you know that Illinois is people-wise, the biggest state in the US with a Democratic governor and a Democratic majority state legislature? How are things going in Durbin's Blue Illinois?
First-term Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration is being investigated by federal prosecutors for trading political contributions for state jobs. That's not all that's being looked at in Springfield, the state capital (and of course Dick Durbin's hometown).
The Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Transportation have also attracted the inquisitive gaze of the Feds.
And juicy state contracts have ended up in the hands generous Blagojevich campaign contributors, igniting a "Play for pay" culture in Illinois.
The skeptic of course will ask:
Hasn't Illinois always been run this way?Maybe on first one, and a definite "Yes" on the second.Isn't Blagojevich's predecessor, Republican George Ryan, currently on trial on various corruption charges?
But during his 2002 campaign for the office he now holds, Blagojevich told voters he would end "business as usual" in Springfield. In his 2003 inaugural address, Rod told the state he would "govern as a reformer."
Up in Chicago, where Durbin owns a condo, that city's mayor, Democrat Richard Daley, is in charge of an administration that also keeps federal prosecutors busy. The city's water department is overflowing with corruption (and convictions), and a colossal failure at privatizing city services, the Hired Truck Program, ended up as gravy-train of graft that has led to 26 convictions so far.
On Friday, Chicago City Clerk James Laski, also a Democrat, became the highest ranking city official charged, and the 39th overall, in the Hired Truck Scandal investigation.
So when Senator Dick Durbin talks about a "culture of corruption," he really shouldn't limit his gaze to the Republican Party.
To: wmileo
Here is some of the filth of the real Dick Durbin. The so called non partisan group, the Aspen Institute is one of George $oreA$$'s oldest ngos which hates America, a strong America and our military.
Groups fund Durbin's trips to exotic places
Lincoln Courier ^ | 61605
Posted on 06/16/2005 10:24:16 AM PDT by ambrose
Groups fund Durbin's trips to exotic places
BY DORI MEINERT
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON - In January 2004, Sen. Dick Durbin and his wife spent six days in Honolulu at the expense of the privately funded Aspen Institute think tank where he attended a conference on U.S.-China relations.
Durbin and his wife, Loretta, traveled to Venice, Italy, where they spent 14 days in August of the same year [2004] for a conference on U.S.-Russia relations, also paid for by the Aspen Institute.
The Illinois Democrat also visited South Africa on the tab of other private groups last year [2004], according to his personal financial disclosure statement released Tuesday. Durbin also traveled to India and Bangladesh in February 2004 in a trip that was mistakenly left off the report, his staff said. He planned to file an amendment later Tuesday.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., requested a 30-day extension on his filing deadline.
While such privately funded trips are legal, members of Congress have found their free travel increasingly criticized in light of the recent controversy surrounding trips by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay that allegedly were paid for by lobbyists.
Durbin favors trips by the nonpartisan public policy group, Aspen Institute, because each trip has an in-depth focus and lawmakers can concentrate on issues without being lobbied, Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said.
"These trips have enriched my understanding of key issues and made me a more engaged legislator," said Durbin in a statement issued by his office. "Were it not for travel, I probably would have an interest in these things, but not a passion for them."
It's an added bonus if his wife is allowed to travel with him.
32 posted on 06/16/2005 4:11:57 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
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