Do you think it is possible, the way the system is set up (especially in places like Illinois), for an honest person to get nominated and/or elected? Seriously, I wonder. It seems that those who play fair have no chance.
I think the system is part of the problem. How do we fix this?
"I think the system is part of the problem. How do we fix this?"
With great difficulty. The Pub Party in Illinois is fractured, pretty much split in two between the "moderate" element and the conservatives. Judy Barr Topinka and former Governors Jim Edgar, George Ryan and Big Jim Thompson are examples of the more liberal wing of the Pub Party (the Rockefeller types, for lack of a better comparison). The conservatives always put up too many candidates against each other which ends up splitting the conservative vote. I think the system will only be "fixed" if the conservatives unite behind one candidate early enough in the primary game so that perhaps a conservative primary candidate will actually win, rather than a RINO.
I think too many Pubs in this state believe that they have to put up a RINO or the Pub Party won't stand a chance to win, as there are so many Dems in this state, primarily in Chicago, but with some in certain parts of rural downstate also. So we keep ending up with pro-abortion, pro-gay socially liberal RINO candidates. But at least they are usually more fiscally conservative than any Dem candidate is, which is a good thing, . Blago is another sneaky fundraising crook, who wheels and deals, but will undoubtedly win again in November because we once again have put forth a RINO candidate, more RINO than some of our previous RINO's, and also a prior crony of now convicted George Ryan, which will be the kiss of death as the Dems will point this out at every turn.