An Open Letter to the President
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Dear Mr. President:
I know that you are unlikely to listen to me as I’ve never voted for you, routinely called your adventure in Iraq a travesty, and referred to your Administration as a bad joke on the American people. But I believe that for the good of the nation, we can agree on one thing. Don’t let George Ryan out of prison.
The former Governor of Illinois was convicted of using his office as an ATM machine and filing fraudulent tax returns to cover it up. He received trips, money, and campaign contributions from state contract holders. He, without remorse, steered contracts to friends and associates. He was among the most corrupt officials Illinois has ever had, and when you consider that 4 of the last 7 Illinois Governors have served prison time that’s really saying something (and Blago will likely make it 5 of 8).
But most importantly, you cannot let the deaths of the Willis children go unpunished. The Willis family was simply driving down the highway when a piece of metal flew off of a truck and into their van. The van exploded trapping their six children inside. All six children were killed in the accident. The truck driver should never have been on the road. He bribed an official in the Secretary of State’s office to get his license. Governor Ryan was Secretary of State at the time and it was later learned that there was a statewide system of bribes for driver’s licenses and that the bribe money was going into Governor Ryan’s Gubernatorial campaign fund. It simply defies logic that he would not have known about the systematic rot. Given what we know of his term as Governor, it seems prescient.
As far as I (and many other Illinoisans) are considered, Ryan deserves to spend the rest of his time in prison. Commuting his sentence, as his lawyer former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson suggests, would show that you can do whatever you please as long as you have friends in high places to bail you out. I’ve criticized your Administration for doing the same thing several times and I hope that in the last months of your Presidency you consider the message that sends to historians about your Administration.
I have no sympathy for George Ryan, as this letter suggests. Governor Thompson claims that it is punishment enough for him to lose face and that he shouldn’t have to do prison time. For the sake of the Willis family and all the others that were hurt as a result of Governor Ryan’s actions, I plead with you to let Mr. Ryan face his punishment. Send a message that Governors and public officials should not be for sale. Talking tough about crime and punishment is one thing, actually letting justice rule is another.
Please Mr. President, let Governor Ryan serve his time.
Sincerely,
Kirk Walsh, Registered Voter