Ill. Gov Got $80K From Road Builders

[elleng]

Source: AP/NYT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich raised at least $80,000 from firms with state road contracts last summer and fall -- including $10,000 the day after the governor announced a $1.8 billion tollway project mentioned in criminal charges against him, records show.

An Associated Press review of Blagojevich campaign contributions from July through November shows donations from 15 firms that hold millions of dollars in current contracts from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the state Department of Transportation, or both." >>>





Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/01/13/us/AP-Illinois-Governor-Road-Builders.html

[Radical Activist]

1. the tip of the iceberg.

There's much bigger and worse going on than that if they look into it more. If you look at the Guv's last few campaign finance reports it's full state contractors, plus engineering and construction companies giving four and five figure donations.

[catnhatnh]

2. I am never surprised to find a politician is a whore...

...merely dismayed to find what CHEAP whores they are....

Damn, that rolled off the tongue easily, If I remember to I'll make that my sig line...

[exboyfil]

3. CBS had an excellent story on how Democratic leadership

in the Senate has avoided, and in some cases engaged in outright deception, to avoid reporting on financial interests related to earmarks.

That kind of stuff should make folks take pause as we channel more and more of the economy through Washington and the state houses.

[angrycarpenter]

4. they put Siegelman in prison

on far less than what they have on him.

[AngryAmish]

5. Roadbuilders, asphalt dealers, ironworkers,laborers and operating engineers...

All of these form a nice little clique to divvy up road projects in Illinois.

Illinois roads should be bout a foot thicker than they are and mostly concrete. Illinois goes through vicious freeze-thaw cycles that chew the hell out of the roads. Thicker concrete roads with good concrete get chewed up less. Compare Wisconsin roads to Illinois. Wisconsin (with clean politics) has thicker concrete roads.

However, this is more expensive up from and makes for fewer jobs and fewer projects. And the roadbuilders, asphalt dealers and the unions do no want good roads. They want to continually take the taxpayers money. So they give lots of money to Illinois politicians (it is bipartisan - there is no difference between an Illinois D and an Illinois L). Roads get topped with a layer of asphalt that need constant repair. Cheaper up front but much more expensive over time.

You should see the roads this winter. They are awful everywhere. All of this from political corruption.

This is not just Blago - it is everyone in power.

They are all just turds floating in the same bowl.