Getting rid of Rod a good start, but ...
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is gone. Good riddance! Hopefully, a bunk awaits him in federal prison next to former Gov. George Ryan.
Despite the 59-0 Senate vote to remove Blagojevich, and some of the impassioned speeches given in support of that action by Democratic leaders of that body, I believe that the Illinois Democratic Party still owes the citizens of this state an apology.
They owe us an apology for allowing a corrupt governor who was being investigated by the Illinois House and federal prosecutors to stand for re-election in the 2006 primary and win against token opposition.
In a state with one-party rule, that's all he needed to stay in office.
They owe us an apology for not allowing "we the people" the chance to recall that corrupt and inept governor on the last general election ballot.
Yes, it would have cost the state money, but how much is saving Illinois the national embarrassment that we just went through worth? Another round of General Assembly pay raises?
They owe us an apology for not changing state law, at least temporarily, to strip the governor of his power to appoint Senate replacements.
And they owe us an apology for not approving a special election to fill that vacant seat in fear that they might actual lose such an election.
Even now, State Rep. Jack Franks is trying to introduce legislation that would move the 2010 gubernatorial primary to just 90 days before the general election in a blatant attempt to keep power.
Removing Blagojevich from office was far too little and far too late.
Matt Lakemacher
Round Lake Beach