Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. &  Governor Rod Blagojevich clearly need a few tips on getting the best bang for your buck.

As we know, there are many creative ways to make money. You can invest in stocks, invest in real estate or start your own business. The list goes on. But in Illinois our politicians consider these concepts so outdated. They like to pride themselves for “thinking outside of the box.” Unfortunately that creativity generally leaves the truly creative within a box of another kind — a cold cell block.  They’re creative, just not too smart.

So yesterday was just another winter day in the Windy City. as our very own Governor Rod Blagojevich was led away by FBI agents from his home for corruption charges. While I try to avoid politics as much as possible and keep the discussions on the numerous ways to create wealth, I just can’t resist commenting on his creative thoughts on how to become a millionaire.

Living just two blocks away from the Chicago Blagojevic home, I’ve always wondered what goes on inside that house every day — now due to the convenient surveillance tapes I no longer have to wonder.

Today, our esteemed Governor Blagojevich is “upbeat” and back to work just one day after his arrest.  And you thought going to work after embarrassing behavior at an office Christmas party was uncomfortable. Lucky for him he has company in the FBI’s attention today. Our ever honorable Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. confirmed that he is indeed Senate Candidate 5 — the individual Blagojevich was caught talking to on the FBI surveillance tapes about his willingness to pay money in exchange for Obama’s vacant Senate seat and $1 million in campaign contributions. Whoops.

So the FBI seems to be getting the best deal — 2 for the price of 1.  And who can say that anyone is truly shocked?  What would a political decision in Illinois be without handshakes full of money? What surprises most Illinois residents is not that Blagojevich was arrested. Everyone knows when you sign up for a political position in Illinois that corruption and eventual imprisonment is a job requirement. The shock value of this story is that the man was making deals when he knew his conversations were being monitored for another investigation he is currently under. We blame him not for his corruption but for his stupidity. We can tolerate the criminal politicians who run our state and city, just not the inept.

So it’s clear that Blagojevich is obviously just not cut out for the job.  If you haven’t mastered the Illinois way of “pay to play,” you don’t deserve to serve… yourself that is.

I wish I could credit the person who stated after Obama’s election win that, “Maybe now Illionis will be recognized for someone other than Al Capone.” Well, they got their wish. Although I imagine they are now wishing that the glory days of Capone’s corruption and swindling as a means to get the job done (St. Valentine’s Day Massacre) was back in Chicago visitor’s minds — at least Capone tourism pays. And you know how Illinois folks like to make a buck.

It’s not all bad news for Governor Blagojevich. Luckily he won’t have to decorate his cell all by himself. Illinois has a wonderful tradition of mentor/mentee partnering in the state prisons. He will be warmly greeted by his predecessor, former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who is getting the top bunk ready.

I’m sure they’ll have plenty to share. Maybe they can work together on Blagojevich’s presidential bid for the 2016 presidential race that he plans to run for. I’m sure the next Illinois Governor will have begged the President to pardon him by then — another fine Illinois tradition.

And poor Jess Jackson Jr.  He was so close to being able to buy himself the Christmas present that he always wanted.  Apparently he didn’t read the memo on proper instructions for how to “pay to play.”  Amateur.