...Our reputation as the most corrupt city in the nation just got even worse. Best,

 Forwarded to me via the email bag:)

Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:30:04 -0400
From: jonathan@advocacyincorporated.com
To: (Dear Friend :)
Subject: Derrick Smith

Dear Friend, As you know, State Rep. Derrick Smith was one of several candidates that I invited to the open house I hosted last month. You've probably heard by now that Smith was arrested Tuesday and charged with accepting a $7,000 bribe.

While it was impossible to see this coming, it is nonetheless incredibly embarrassing to have brought him into my home to meet my friends and neighbors, and I apologize for having asked you to support him.

Unfortunately, there aren't good choices for this district on election day. Tom Swiss, the other candidate in the race, is a Republican who has bragged about how he believes he can fool the voters by running as a Democrat.

It's a very sad day for the district that I had hoped to represent in Springfield, and another black eye for Chicago. Our reputation as the most corrupt city in the nation just got even worse.

Best, Jonathan

First message:

Dear Friends, Please join me tomorrow to meet some great candidates for the Illinois legislature and other offices. I'm hosting an candidate open house on Sunday February 19th, 2:30 to 4:30. We'll be joined by:

Patricia Watkins, running for State Senate in the 5th District against Annazette Collins.

Derrick Smith, 10th District State Representative

Ald. Rick Munoz, running for Clerk of the Circuit Court

Debra Shore, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Carlos Claudio, running for Cook County Circuit Court Judge in the 6th Subcircuit

The open house will be at 1836 North Honore, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. Kids are welcome!

This will be a good opportunity to meet and talk with some of the good, progressive people who will be on the ballot on March 20th.

Please RSVP to jonathan@advocacyincorporated.com

Best Regards, Jonathan

Progressives in action [video]--from best regards to best.

Not good enough, Chicago. This as Blago goes to jail while the current Dem Gov Quinn postures. The state's corrupt AND broke. And this is what we get. Ridiculous excuses.

P.S. Emblematic of hometown and its best! product Obama: huge fixed costs for a big staff

Failure on an epic scale, heading our way, America:

Legacy costs are bankrupting Detroit just as they crushed its automakers. Firefighters can retire at 55 and earn 70% of their highest salary plus a 2.25% annual cost-of-living inflator in perpetuity. The result? Employee benefits alone now make up about half of the city's general fund. Health costs have grown by more than 60% since 2008 while the city's pension bill has quadrupled to $200 million.[snip] Getting rid of all 11,000 city employees wouldn't solve Motown's problems.

There are producers--and then there are predators. Political ones.

Related post:  Is it the Barackstar?!!!