It would be another blow for free market politics and another feather in the cap of political royalty. I’m personally sick of politics being treated as a family business.

I’m sure we get more racial division.

He’s Jesse Jackson’s son. ’nuff said.

Eddie,

Blagojevich–not Blagojevitch–I’ve butchered it many ways myself so no criticism, just pointing it out.

Oy! Thanks! Fixed.

Eddie -

Though I confess I do not know much about the Congressman, I shall add my two cents. I perused his record to which your article linked. I would like to read a less biased report of his record; but, I was able to deduce his overall policy, both good and bad.

My principal concern is his proposition of the ”2d Bill of Rights.” While his Articles of Amendment may be thoughtful, I fear this indicates he may not appreciate the function of the General Constitution. The Framework of our Country is not to be meddled with except for those circumstances wanting alternative recourse, e.g., abolition of slavery (Articles XIII and XIV). Much of what was listed as examples of his ”2d Bill of Rights” are not of the stature to warrant amending our General Constitution, nor are they necessarily issues over which our General Government should have Authority, i.e., they are the issues of the Several States. The collective points of his ”2d Bill of Rights” are those more properly associated with Legislation. I may reach two conclusions from the foregoing: 1) he is unaware of the structure of our General Government and what roles Legislation and our Constitution should play within that structure; or 2) he is aware and chooses to, for Political gain, ignore that which is foundational to our Country. I have thought about which conclusion I prefer and am unable to decide. I suppose the former is less dangerous than the latter. However, I fear the latter be the truer given his attainment of a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois (a fabulous law school).

Further, it is clear he has adopted his Father’s unwavering focus on race in our Country. It is not difficult for me to share empathy for our black population and their difficulties in attempting to overcome the vast inequities which have existed, and continue to exist, in our Country. However, it is my opinion that an unwavering focus upon such inequities may have unintended consequences. For example, I and my generation (I’m twenty-four years old) care very little about the color of another’s skin. However, the continual reminder of the atrocities of our fore-fathers may have an embittering effect on my generation. Further, certain policies, principally affirmative action, have a similar embittering effect. I believe it is important to note that my generation is one of the first to grow up with affirmative action affecting our entire lives. I may speak from experience (through the application processes and actual attendance of both Undergraduate School and, currently, Law School) when I suggest there are a number of accomplishments by black students, which are scoffed at, or worse, by white students. Interestingly enough, the students, of whom I speak, are not racist or discriminatory, generally. However, the specter trailing affirmative action causes some to focus on the race of their classmate (I admit I have succumbed to such behavior).

A further, associated point: I was watching a call-in program on C-Span, shortly in time before our National Elections, where the topic in discussion was affirmative action. During the program, a young, black man, who had recently earned his Associate Degree, called in order to share his commentary. He suggested affirmative action is insulting to him. He explained it was insulting because the implication, or possibly explication, of such a policy is the black population is unable to succeed in certain endeavors without a system of preference based on the color of their skin. It was evident to me the young man had encountered the type of suspicion of his accomplishments from his fellow classmates, which I discussed earlier in this paragraph. I could not but concede his point.

Though I digress, it was important for me to provide a background for my next conclusion reached about the Congressman. Though he may believe his focus upon racial relationships within our Country helps black and white people move beyond the ugliness of Slavery and Jim Crowe, I propose it effects a counter-productive result. In that respect, I fear he may be more divisive than he intends to be, or should be, for that matter.

With those concerns addressed, I appreciated his other policies and accomplishments before and during his tenure as a Representative. I do not doubt his intelligence nor his knowledge, given his broad and extensive education. It is my opinion that our Country is in need of progressive and, more importantly, young politicians to seal the fissure present. He has done wonderful things, which have benefitted Illinois and his constituents. Further, it is refreshing he appears to allow his convictions to lead him and not acquiesce to political persuasion. Specifically, the trend in his policies of stimulating state and local environments is what compels me most. It is wonderful to see that a Federal Politician understands the strength of our Union depends, not upon Federal-level initiatives, but upon the strength of the Several States and the collective subdivisions therein. Additionally, the importance he allocates research in the healthcare industry is of inexplicable necessity. Our United States has done so very little in this sector, relative to its potential, that it is worrisome. We are at a time when medical breakthroughs are flirted with our fingertips. The catalyst which our General Government could introduce into that research sector would yield medicinal innovation of the magnitude we have not yet seen.

Lastly, he, apparently, shares with me the belief Abraham Lincoln is the greatest of our Presidents. I cannot dismiss an individual who is such an admirer of President Lincoln. For, President Lincoln, above even a number of our Founding Fathers, possessed an intimate understanding of our Country, its purpose, and its potential. Though, this is more of an emotional factor than intellectual.

Now, I must balance the preceding qualities, negative and positive, to determine whether the ”revered” St. Louis Post Dispatch should endorse Mr. Jackson for Senatorship (seeing as how its endorsement is of such importance due to it being held in such esteem throughout the Nation). Ignoring the stigma bestowed upon him by his namesake, I might support the decision to endorse him. While his father is one of my least favorite public figures, he seems markedly different through his broad-based policies, a departure from his father’s tunnel-vision. Most importantly, intelligence is a priceless commodity, which is of little supply and great demand in our Country’s leadership, for Officers of our General Government and he surely has a fair share. I also believe the greater number of intelligent, successful, black men who deservedly rise to such great levels will accomplish more in establishing equity than any governmental policy. So, go for it; he represents his constituency very well, precisely the duty with which the members of both Houses are charged.