muon2
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« on: September 29, 2012, 10:31:02 PM » |
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This thread strikes me as taking some strange turns. There should be no question that Chicago has a long history of machine-style politics. In this case machine politics means a tight control over the election process through a hierarchical system of ward bosses and precinct captains. Some would place its origins back in the Lager Riots of the 1850's, but virtually every historian would agree that its modern form under the Cook County Democratic Party began with Anton Cermak in 1931.
The connection of machine politics and corruption in Chicago also has a long history. A vote buying scandal led to the unseating of a US Senator from Chicago in 1912. Political machines historically run on patronage, but modern laws make a lot of patronage illegal. Federal investigations into Chicago politicians have been recurring with regularity over the last few decades: from the Greylord convictions of Cook County judges in the 80's to Blagojevich in the 2000's and many others with Cook County connections in between.
If someone wants to reference "Chicago-style politics" there are a wealth of instances of corruption to point at, and no need to tie it to to other claims such as racism.
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