In the early hours of Dec. 9, the U.S. Attorney’s office and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Democratic Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich at his home on the north side of Chicago. The charges brought up included allegations of corruption and “pay-to-play” politics in which the governor would accept or shake down campaign contributions in exchange for political favors or state funding.
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But the most notorious accusation against Blagojevich is his alleged attempt to sell off the vacant U.S. Senate seat left behind by President-elect Barack Obama. The appointment of that seat is the sole responsibility of the Illinois governor, and federal investigators say that Blagojevich was prepared to give up that seat for a position as Secretary of Health and Human Services, an ambassadorship, jobs for friends and family, or—of course—campaign contributions.
Though three previous Illinois governors have been indicted, with two serving time for similar charges of corruption, Blagojevich is the first sitting Illinois governor to be arrested at his residence. (Chicago Sun Times, Dec. 10)
Though Blagojevich has allegedly been making criminal deals for years, it was only after he made enemies of Bank of America, the Chicago Tribune, a major hospital chain and many others that federal investigators intervened. The governor was not taking on the corporations on behalf of workers, but to enrich himself and to promote his own political career.
When Republic Windows and Doors closed down its Chicago factory after Bank of America refused to extend credit to the company, the workers, who had received only three days’ notice of the shutdown, began a heroic six-day occupation of the factory. At a rally in support of the workers, Blagojevich told reporters that “the State of Illinois will suspend doing any business with Bank of America” until the bank agreed to give the workers their due. He said he was also prepared to seek a temporary restraining order to push the courts to make Bank of America comply with the provisions of the Warren Act, a federal law that guarantees the rights of workers to receive any owed severance or vacation pay.
State steps in to defend capitalist interests
The idea of retaliatory measures being taken by the capitalist state against an insubordinate politician on behalf of one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world is not altogether unbelievable. Up until the arrest of the governor, the Republic workers’ struggle was the top news story for days in Chicago and one of the top national news stories. After the arrest, the workers’ struggle all but disappeared in the mainstream media. The intervention of federal investigators came on the heels of Blagojevich’s statement against Bank of America.
Capitalist politics is synonymous with crime and corruption. Politicians who work for and are directly funded by the highest corporate echelons in the United States are prone, if not obligated, to have money dictate what policies will be enacted instead of the demands and needs of workers and oppressed peoples in this country. Blagojevich’s corruption is not an exception to the rule—but his arrest is.
Thousands of capitalist politicians are guilty of being paid to support the interests of a tiny minority of society. Most expect to use their administrative positions to enrich themselves. In Blagojevich’s case, powerful players in the country decided to remove him from office for overstepping his place in society and expecting too much in return for his elected position.
Under the rule of the bankers and corporations, elected officials—especially prominent ones—serve in government only as long as they serve the interests of the rich. Usually, they are defeated in elections in which their opponent gets more contributions and more favorable media coverage. At times, the capitalist state will intervene to remove from office those who, like Blagojevich, forget who is in charge and cross the boundaries stipulated by the capitalist class.
“Pay-to-play” corruption is but the most blatant example of the illusory nature of U.S. democracy, where the rich can buy votes and influence while the workers essentially remain politically powerless. Such activity should not be accepted and workers should stand and unite to rip the reins of control out of the hands of the bourgeoisie and the corrupt puppets whose strings they pull.
