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Health & Fitness

Political Merry-go-round

The Illinois 5th Congressional District is represented by Mike Quigley. Before him there was Rahm Emmanuel, Rod Blagojovich and, until 1996 Dan Rostenkowski. Rostenkowski was a political powerhouse. As Chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, he was instrumental in writing legislation that affects us financially to this day.

But, sometimes with power and position, ego makes a man feel invincible, untouchable and above the "little people". He had power, and he used it. His position came with perquisites, and he exercised them. One privilege was called the "Franking" privilege, whereby a Congressman could send out mail for official business without having to use a stamp. A relatively small-potatoes perk, you might say. But "Rosty" as he was known, decided that he would also use his access to free mailing to further his political ambitions and used his "official" mail for political and personal mailings.

In 1995, the abuse became so egregious that Congress began to investigate the practice, and in 1996, "Rosty" plead guilty to mail fraud, lost his position as House Way & Means Chairman and US Representative and went to jail... all over misuse of official postage.

During this past holiday season, it has been reported that the DiMaria family Christmas cards went out bearing the "indicia", (postage meter stamp), of the Village of Morton Grove. It has also been shown that the village, (that's you, Joe Taxpayer), paid for the post election victory party.

Small potatoes???  Don't the politicians ever learn?

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