Sarah's Social Action Snapshot: The Rod Blagojevich Awards

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington just released their list of the most embarrassing re-elected members of Congress. Since these awards are for Congress, and poor Rod Blagojevich is only the Governor of Illinois, he doesn't qualify. But, as he seems to have been one of the more outrageous politicians of last year, I'd like to ensure he's given the top honor by re-naming the awards after him. No, I'm not referring to just the embarrassing news that his special Paul Mitchell black hairbrush needed to be ready for action at anytime by his aides and was referred to as "the football" but his more sinister behavior that led him to try to auction Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Top winners in the "Blagies" include Rep. Michele Bachman (R-MN) who invoked the ghosts of Senator Joseph McCarthy by saying President-elect Obama was anti-American. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) who was tied to the Jack Abramoff scandal continued to be ensnared in bribery charges last year that he steered earmark funds to family and friends who donated to his Political Action Committee (remember how often John McCain brought up the sins of earmarks? I guess Young didn't listen). Across the aisle, one of the Democratic Party's icons, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), was outed as possibly violating House ethics committee rules and campaign finance laws. I think all winners should receive a custom-made hairbrush inscribed with their name.

While it's amusing to read about these politicians who thought they could surreptitiously pass below the radar, it's important for citizens like you and me to make sure they're held accountable. Takepart with Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to learn how you can make our government open and accountable to all citizens.

(this post originally appeared on Takepart)

Comments

[cinder]

I 100% agree. The Democrats should be ashamed also that they don't hold Charlie Rangel to account. We're supposed to be a party of change! Great post Sarah.

[TIMLHOWE]

Why are all these people bla me this situation on anyone other than the illinois politicos that put blago in office?

Remember, Emanuel told The New Yorker magazine over the summer that he, Wilhelm and Obama met once a week during the 2002 race to p lot campaign strategy for Blagojevich.

Blago. Rezko. Daley...so­on enough they will all be linked.

Think about that...

[TIMLHOWE]

Why are all these people blame this situation on anyone other than the illinois politicos that put blago in office?

Remember, Emanuel told The New Yorker magazine over the summer that he, Wilhelm and Obama met once a week during the 2002 race to plot campaign strategy for Blagojevich.

Blago. R ezko. Daley...so­on enough they will all be linked.

Think about that...

[TIMLHOWE]

Why are all these people blame this situation on anyone other than the illinois politicos that put blago in office?

Remember, Emanuel told The New Yorker magazine over the summer that he, Wilhelm and Obama met once a week during the 2002 race to plot campaign strategy for Blagojevich.

Blago. Rezko. Daley...so­on enough they will all be linked.

Think about that...

[OzChicago]

Wooohooo..­..great article ! Serious issues but presented with humor and grace. Link to Citizens for Responsible Ethics is great - be angry but also do something about it...like MLK Jr said, there can be no great dissapointment where there is no great love.

[Sarah Newman - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes,CREW and other groups are doing fantastic work to clean up DC.

[mariandc]

Thanks Sarah for giving us the name of a group that watches over the ethics of our leaders. I am glad we can now be part of this process and have a real democracy!

[sassiedog]

I nominate Tom "Monsanto" Vilsack for a Blagie.

[Sarah Newman - Huffpost Blogger]

Good one--Vilsack is definitely a darling of the biotech industry. He might need a couple of ears of GMO corn instead of a hairbrush.