Tuesday, December 09, 2008

A Case for Limited Government

Illinois Governor Rod Blagoyavich, a Democrat, was arrested this morning by the feds after a lengthy corruption probe. Soon he may be joining former Illinois Governor George Ryan, a Republican, in jail.

It amazes me the quantity of people who continue to believe they are on the side of the good guys, when it should be abundantly clear that there is corruption among both Dems and Repubs.

Rather than pretend that your guys are virtuous and the other guys are scoundrels, it seems to me far more sensible to be wary of all people seeking power. Additionally, we should grant the least amount of power possible to our government officials such that there is less power available to abuse.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is a good thing that Blago is the only Illinois politician, brought up the Chicago way, who is corrupt. Now we can get on with the change.

Anonymous said...

I would like to know who the 5 offers were from.

Anonymous said...

Follow the money.
If we cut all tax receipts by half we would get fewer scoundrels seeking office and fewer sheep voting for them.

smallgovsam said...

It’s what's called the Public Choice Theory of Economics. Politicians, like everybody, are just as self-interested as the rest of us. When you give a man power, he will use some of his power to advance his own agenda.

It’s not even a partisan, Democrat vs. Republican issue. It’s an evolutionary fact.

Anonymous said...

I was an elected official (representing Denis' district) for 12 years. I was a part-time legislator who ran because I felt it was a civic obligation and I wanted to make a difference in my community. I certainly didn't run for office for power, money or status.

When you read about these career politicians, it makes me reluctant to ever tell anyone that I was an elected official.

Everyone seems to want to paint all elected officials with a "broad brush" and indict any and all who have ever held public office.

Not all public officeholders are power-hungry and greedy as Ol' Blago.

Anonymous said...

And when this abuse of power is perpetrated
by government representatives who carry guns and badges , you've entered an entirely new realm of power abuse