And so the surreal criminal saga of former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (“JJJR”, “Junior” or just “Jackson”) has ended. Jackson, 47, a prominent Chicagoan son of the civil-rights leader of the same name for the handful of people who are unaware, was a national co-chairman of President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and an advocate of traditional Democratic Party constituencies. He disappeared in June, and it was later revealed that he was being treated at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder and gastrointestinal issues, although now it appears kleptomania may have been one of the afflictions treated too. He returned to his Washington home in September but went back to the clinic the next month. As Bloomberg summarizes, “he pushed to maintain government support for the poor, including welfare, assistance for heating bills and the Head Start early education program.” He certainly was very generous with other people’s money.
So generous, in fact, that hours ago he was charged with “misusing“, also known as stealing, some $750,000 in campaign funds for purchases including a $43,350 gold Rolex watch, $5,150 for fur capes and parkas, $9,588 worth of “children’s furniture”, Michael Jackson and Bruce Lee memorabilia and much more…
As long as I have a chicken in the pot, I don’t mind if my Congressman “squirrels” a little of my $ away for a cape or two.
I do. Politicians are paid well above average salary. They have outstanding benefits. The Congressional Health Plan, e.g., is far superior to what Joe Blow Public endures. Jackson didn’t need any of the items that he bought. No mention of investments that might produce some jobs. A fur cape? A Rolex? Michael Jackson memorabilia? It was pure greed, and a horrendous example for society. He should have paid attention to the O’Jays.