Broken Clock? Time Will Tell.

Only a few days ago, I began to list Illinois politicians whose talents could not possibly have landed them in their current jobs without the benefit of powerful family connections (...think "Prince Harry"). Among those names unapologetically was Jesse Jackson, Jr.

I am not a fan of Junior's. First, if his name were, well, anything else, he'd have a work-a-day job like the rest of us. Second, he sounds annoyingly supercilious when he talks--a problem he's clearly been working on because, at least he now refrains from clearly enunciating EVERY LETTER. But he has a long way to go.

So, why does Junior deserve a blog post of his very own? Hint: it's not because he's entitled by virtue of his name. No, he actually did something momentous by focusing attention on the rampant scandals at Chicago City Hall. What's your favorite? Trucking? Towing? Minority contracts? Safety inspectors? Get in line. And bring your wallet.

The Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune have long reported on the scandalous pigs feeding at the taxpayers' trough. But now Jesse is asking why our docile city council shows not the slightest interest in investigating the corrupt government which it rubberstamps at every turn. He's right to ask. So, darn it, as much as this pains me, I hereby take back every negative thought I've ever had about the Congressman (...which is just about every thought. Ever.) He has asked the tough question that needed to be asked. But, in so doing, he kicked up a dust storm of publicity which our daily newspapers, with their disinterested reporters, apparently could not muster.

This is good for those who demand change. But it begs the question "why?". Most people think it's because The Congressman wants to be The Mayor, and that would be a shame. I just don't see the point in removing one prince of entitlement to install another. Rather, I prefer to believe it's because The Congressman actually believes the high-minded stuff he's spouting about the democratic process. Hopefully, he speaks with a lower-case "d". Otherwise, it wont' be pretty.

Whatever his motives, he correctly points the interrogation lamp in the direction of Mayor Daley and the "Rubber Stamp Brigade". Even if his motives are suspect, I give him a lot of credit. Hell, even a broken clock is right twice each day. But only time will tell if the Congressman has found rare political courage or is is just another broken clock.