Kind of Underwhelmed by the Madigoons
I’m having a hard time getting upset largely because I’d lose a lot of friends if I did.
But more to the point, I don’t really find it objectionable that staff to the General Assembly does campaign work when they aren’t working their state jobs. Frankly, as much as I respect Patrick Collins, he’s wrong–there isn’t a more efficient way to do the job because largely they are jobs that are policy or casework oriented–and that work is cyclical and opposite of campaign work. Work in the General Assembly isn’t non-partisan and staff should reflect the general views of those in power.
Politics isn’t inherently dirty. That’s the real problem with Collins message in the article and the assumption of the Fox piece. We may forget that in Illinois, but politics is how we peacefully determine policy. We allow politics in the hiring of General Assembly staff and in the hiring of specific positions in the Executive so the Executive officers can influence policy. That is why we have elections is to determine what kind of policy will be carried out.
If some of them are ghost payrollers or something, by all means expose that. For the most part the Madigan people are working as researchers, doing casework, or otherwise providing support for the Legislative Branch. I don’t understand what the taxpayers lose if they go off the state payroll during slow times.
There are several alternatives such as a non-partisan research staff. That’s a horrible idea for many reasons, but most of all, elections matter. We could hire temporary staff as well, but then you lose continuity when you are in session and frankly we could fill those positions the same way.
February 23rd, 2010 at
If they are going to take time off because it is slow, then they should ALWAYS do that and not just do it when political work needs to be done. The lack of a consistent policy is not helping their cause I’m afraid. They take time off when it is busy, and they don’t always take time off when it is not busy, and that should be a problem for everyone because it more than hints at political shenanigans.
Related to this story is Illinois’ private petition challenge that contributes to this problem. It is not necessary at all. I’m pimping this article far and wide, by Robert Yablon, a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and who previously clerked for Ruth Bader Ginsburg;
“Validation Procedures and the Burden of Ballot Access Regulations”
http://www.yalelawjournal.org/pdf/115-7/Yablon.pdf
Staffers couldn’t work on petition challenges if Illinois didn’t create and maintain the silly system we have that hardly any other democracy uses and no one can really defend.
February 24th, 2010 at
Won’t anyone stop these politicians from following the law?
February 24th, 2010 at
Mike–they are following the law is the thing.
February 24th, 2010 at
ArchPundit,
I believe that was my point, though done with snark.
February 24th, 2010 at
My bad–I just reread it and it’s quite funny now. I’m a little slow now and then.
March 14th, 2010 at
With Democrats like Madigan and Daley, who needs Republicans?