Public Oversight wrote:
The best way to fight political corruption is to elect honest politicians.
For example, the state of Illinois had honest government for 14 years under federal prosecutor Jim Thompson as governor and another 8 years under Jim Edgar. Then George Ryan started selling licenses to unqualified truckers and Rod Blagojevich's corruption turned Illinois into a national laughing stock.
The 43rd Ward of the City of Chicago was one of the most corrupt under alderman Paddy Bauler. Then a group of young people moved in and did not want to pay twice – first paying taxes and then paying the alderman – for city services. They threw out Bauler and elected Bill Singer who was scrupulously honest. After that, if you weren’t squeaky clean, you didn’t dare run for office in the ward.
Crown Point was honest when both Jim Forsythe and Dick Collins were mayor. Then James Metros was elected and “What’s in it for me?†became a standard question at all meetings. Klein and Uran were worse.
There are honest politicians such as Sue Landske and Larry Blanchard. The best way to fight political corruption is to elect honest politicians.
There is only one best way to fight political corruption: "Elect honest politicians."
When honest men or women step forward, fight for them.
Ethics ordinances are worthless. They can always be avoided by dishonest politicians.