Question: Which state is more dysfunctional, California or Illinois?
The contenders:
1. In the West Coast corner is California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that "we're heading towards a financial Armageddon." The governor issued a press release reporting that the state is $14.8 billion in the red, which is more than $3 billion worse than the figure that was used as recently as Tuesday.
Top state officials say California's financial picture is so bad that the government's ability to issue bonds may freeze within weeks. They speak of a scenario in which California loses its ability to pay for public works projects, a turn of events that could cost as many as 200,000 jobs. This of course, is all at a time when political leaders are offering proposals to funnel money into infrastructure projects as a means to help those who are already unemployed to find work.
2.In the Midwest Corner is Illinois. The state is home to Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich, who along with his chief of staff, were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of a mind-boggling degree of corruption.
The federal allegations against the Illinois governor include conspiracy to sell Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder and to extort the Tribune Co. into firing members of the Chicago Tribune's editorial board.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a news conference Tuesday in regards to Illinois that "if it isn't the most corrupt state in the United State's, it's certainly one hell of a competitor."
Fitzgerald's quote was good enough to make The Daily Show's "moment of zen." But what do you think San Bernardino? Does California have more problems than Illinois? Or is it the other way around?
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
OK there is a striking difference between California and Illinois. Dysfunctional if not a fair description for either state (government).
Illinois is just blatantly corrupt. They wear their corruptness like a badge of merit. If you are a politician and work in or represent Illinois, you are simply proud of it and everyone knows and accepts the fact that you are just doing what has been done since before the Al Capone days. Only the faces have changed, NOT the way they do business.
In California, they are close to being dysfunctional but not quite there yet. Here you find a bunch of law makers who work with the theory of spite. If one parties individual brings to light a great idea the other party automatically say NO! They don’t even read it or consider what may be gained from it. This childish approach to government is just the way California governs itself. Regardless of who is Governor, the two political parties refuse to work as a team for what is best for the people they represent…the voters. These parties can not agree on what day it is much less a state budget. They just keep collecting their pay checks and continue to agree to disagree. This must be OK as the voters keep these same law makers in office allowing them to conduct business as usual.
So, which form of government is better?