The Mother's Milk of Politics is Corrupting Absolutely

Dan Walker[*]

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There is today a “clear and present danger”[1] that political contribution corruption threatens the integrity of our political system.  The time for action has arrived.  This Essay explores the extent of pay-to-play corruption and its implications for campaign finance law. 

I.  The Pay-to-Play Corruption Epidemic

Let us start with Illinois, where I served as governor.  Chicago and Illinois have long been known for scandals, both private and public.  According to a recent Chicago Tribune editorial, Chicago is the most corrupt city in the nation and Illinois one of its most corrupt states.[2]  For many decades, Chicago was known for Al Capone and machine guns.

Now, Illinois is known for something entirely new: attempting to auction a seat in the U.S. Senate to the highest bidder.  Recently impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich’s taped, expletive-filled telephone conversations involve blatant, large-money deals between him and various candidates for the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.  Said the governor in a recorded conversation: “I’ve got this thing and it’s [bleeping] golden and . . . I’m not just giving it up for [bleeping] nothing.”[3]