A decision must be made on Madigan

The governor of the great state of Illinois has been under fire for some time, but we question why.

For, as Sen. Obama has been the candidate of change, Rod Blagojevich has been a governor of change.

We believe the tempest that has enveloped his administration has done so not because of "Pay to Play," neither because of incompetence, but due to the fact that as a child of the "American Dream" he does not suffer from the history that has stymied Illinois government for decades.

It has been said that blacks are the only constituency that he has not alienated. We say not so.

The politics of Illinois have led us to failing schools, bridges, and economy, and we believe that Gov. Blagojevich's concept that Illinois must be governed will lead us into the realization of the hope that is provided to Illinoisans through our Constitution.

He has made some decisions that have not been popular but he is a governor of action.

The old ways have not allowed 561,021 public school students to reach grade level, have kept open dilapidated and out dated prisons, could potentially cause our bridges to fall into the rivers as the Minnesota bridge fell into the Mississippi, among other things.

Solution-based criticism would be a good thing. We have seen the media quote that Madigan and Daley don't support the funding streams for the Governor's capital budget, but we have yet to hear their constructive solution to the funding of the capital needs of the state of Illinois.

Sour grapes seem to be the diet of choice for the Speaker of the House, Michael J. Madigan, but olives of the branch of peace would be much sweeter for the citizens he is constitutionally, sworn to serve and protect.

Senator Obama has said that the Black community must provide its own leadership to solve the institutionalized tempest that looms over it, and we agree.

We cannot expect the neocolonialist (Michael J. Madigan) and his agents (our black state representatives) to provide change for our community.

The solution to the violence in our community is "Forty Acres and a Mule" not free "Government Cheese."

We are the New Chicago Black Leadership Coalition, an unchartered group of black leaders who desire to not focus on one individual but our entire community throughout the state of Illinois.

We are of the mindset that is best quoted of Harriet Tubman in that: "We would save more Negroes if they actually understood they were slaves."

Thus we want the Illinois state representatives to make a decision: Will you continue to tell the Mike Madigan that his suit is wonderful or will you tell king the truth that he is actually naked.

James T. Smith

Executive Director

Servants of the Word Youth Outreach Center

Chicago

Member, New Chicago Black Leadership Coalition