Red state politicians are evil people. That fact has already been decided.

Oh, you betcha!

This is based on convictions. That means the blue states cover things up much better then the red states, which if you think about it that way, they are more corrupt. If you think that a blue politicians are less corrupt, you are insane in the head.

"That means the blue states cover things up much better then the red states, which if you think about it that way, they are more corrupt."

A perfect demonstration of the concept known as "reverse factology".

Here is a fact for you Dave. Based on total numbers, FL is the most corrupt and the NY is the second most. All this means is that you can read a study your way and I can read it differently. Any study can be read and interpreted in any way that makes you look right. The final conclusion should be that there is too much corruption.

"This is based on convictions. "

You mean you can't just try them on FOXNEWS???

I never realized Notre Dame was a state.

I wonder what conspiracies could possibly take place in ND? Sheep and cattle grazing payoffs for the right to graze on public land?

Sidebar: I read a few weeks ago they're finding oil up there.

North Dakota is the most corrupt state?

Meh, Ted Stevens prolly bribed them to say that.

Actually, considering these results were postulated based on per capita conviction rate doesn't this story really mean that ND is really the worst state to be a corrupt politician?

See, in a really corrupt state everybody gets payed off and thus nobody gets convicted.

I never realized Notre Dame was a state.

~Old Whiskey Sour

More like "a state of mind".

This is based on convictions... --#3 | Posted by phinphan

I didn't see red/blue as relevant, but had the same concern about the measure. Also, the restriction to convictions of public (vs. private) entities masks a lot. (E.g., it's well-known that in a lot of NY apt buildings you have to "tip" the maintenance people if you want to get anything fixed.)

This is based on convictions. That means the blue states cover things up much better then the red states, which if you think about it that way, they are more corrupt.

#3 | Posted by phinphan

Having spent most of the first 37 years of my life in Massachusetts where corruption is the rule I can attest that you are correct.

North Dakota beats this?

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as of 2006 when Blago's predecessor, George Ryan, was sent to prison for racketeering 79 elected officials had been convicted of corruption in the past 30 years. Among the perps: 27 aldermen, 19 judges, 15 state legislators, three governors, two congressmen, one mayor, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a stolen pear tree. Especially in this holiday season, it's so very important to keep traditions alive for the kids. In a sense, Blago did it for the children.