Why should we be surprised that a Senate seat was for sale in Illinois? Illinois politics is one of the most corrupt in the nation. Stolen elections, the Chicago machine, corrupt ex-governors, the problem nevers seems to end in this state. Besides corruption, the only other constant you can count on every year in Illinois is the collapse of the Chicago Cubs in their never ending futile pursuit of a World Series title.

The allegations against Governor Blagojevich, described as a political corruption spree by the federal prosecutor, include trying to SELL the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. There are plenty of conversations on tape from federal wire taps to support the allegations,  so he has about as much chance of getting out of this mess as OJ Simpson did in his recent trial. Can anyone say: plea bargain?

Taxpayers should keep in mind the incredible risk of corruption in the public sector when there is so much power and influence in the Beltway. When the new administration comes to power, they are promising to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure projects in all 50 states.  It is bad enough to see 3 flag men, 5 supervisors, and 1 worker fixing a pothole on a local state road. When you have BILLIONS of dollars being thrown at federal projects in an attempt to "fix" unemployment, corruption is just waiting to happen. Perhaps, Obama should appoint a "Corruption Czar" to go along with a "Green Czar" and a "Car Czar" in the next administration.

In conclusion, we have a new suggestion for the seal of the state of Illinois: