The Class Wars of Politics

A recent documentary concerning prostitution has aired on CNBC. In the wake of several political scandals involving high-priced call girls, it is the responsibility of the media to investigate such stories. It would seem escort services, like many other businesses in America, use the federal government as their bread line. Washington politicians seem to be at the mercy of relentless corporate lobbyists, and in the Bush White House they even went so far as to bully some Supreme Court justices. It is difficult for America to surmise where the corruption really is. In the immediate case of the impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich, it seems the balance of corruption seems to be pointed in the direction of the Illinois House of Representatives. In yet another savvy political move Blagojevich held a press conference concerning his impending impeachment. Strongly and without the demeanor of an accused criminal, Blagojevich talked about the legislation he has tried to enact against the wishes of the Illinois House. In a long list of what seemed like reasonable incentives, Blagojevich outlined a case against incumbent Illinois politicians who successfully turned the tables on state corruption. Somehow during the tentative transitional period of Barack Obama’s inheriting the United States presidency, the FBI felt it was necessary to make public illegally acquired phone taps of the governor. There was no case, and until today no formal charges had been taken against the Illinois governor. In a similar fashion to what seems to have become the status quo in politics, the mere mentioning of impending scandal is enough to try the case through the media in the public’s eye. Blagojevich has proven to be smarter than the consort against him, and although he may face eventual expulsion from the Illinois governorship he made it clear it will be in his best interest. Much like many past presidents have felt, how can effective legislation be passed when there is a party stalemate in effect? As was evident at the meeting of President-Elect Barack Obama with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, how can government move forward when democrats themselves seem not to be able to find common ground? Blagojevich made a good case that the Illinois House of Representatives does not have the interests of the people of Illinois at heart and simply is looking out for their own best interests. Isn’t Washington’s Congress the same? Is this not why effective legislation has not been passed in America? Blagojevich’s condemnation is not dissimilar to the treatment of past Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Palin, in a recent interview with John Ziegler, expressed concern over class bias. She, in a reasonable evaluation, remarked simply because Caroline Kennedy was a Kennedy she would be immune from the scrutiny to which she was subjected during her vice-presidential campaign. It seems the media is an able pawn in the class wars of politics.