At RealClearPolicy Matt Paprocki outlines the nature of government in Illinois:
Big money has determined the past three gubernatorial election outcomes in Illinois. Gone are the days of the Illinois political machine and blue-dog Democrats who built patronage armies and rank-and-file majorities. Illinois politics is now, more than ever, a dollars and cents game run by an oligarchy of rich insiders.
That means Illinois is on its way to being a state where special interests can outweigh the voices of the everyday people – unless the people do something about it.
continuing with this example:
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker makes up the first half of that elite group. The wealthiest sitting politician in the country, Pritzker has broken records by spending a total of $323 million on his past two gubernatorial campaigns – approximately $70 per vote in 2022. Then, he spent millions more to ensure which opponent would win the Republican primary: Darren Bailey, a downstate, conservative farmer perceived as easier to beat than moderate Richard Irvin.
If any one person can buy not only their candidacy but also buy their opponent, what true voice do voters have?
He is more optimistic about it than I:
The only way we’re going to stop big money and entrenched partnerships such as the Illinois oligarchy from stealing our elections and rights is to run ourselves. Start small. Run for school board or another local office. Volunteer for political campaigns. Get involved.
