patronage [pey-truh-nij]
–noun
3. the control of or power to make appointments to government jobs or the power to grant other political favors.
4. Offices, jobs, or other favors so controlled.
5. the distribution of jobs and favors on a political basis, as to those who have supported one’s party or political campaign: DeKalb became notorious for patronage in Illinois, ranking just behind Chicago and Cicero.
6. a condescending manner or attitude in granting favors, in dealing with people, etc., condescension: city officials cultivated an air of patronage toward politically unconnected residents. [examples added]
Tomorrow’s word: Nepotism.
3 comments
Comment by Kay Shelton on January 23, 2010 at 8:49 am
“Patronage” cannot be defined without including something about Todd Stroger. Check out the latest from the “Sun-Times”
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2007209,CST-NWS-fired23.article
Toni Preckwinkle is in front, with Dorothy ‘Jeans Day’ Brown in second, ahead of Stroger.
In the big picture, what happens in Chicago does affect the rest of us. When trade shows pull out of Chicago, that hurts sales tax revenue all over the place, from less revenue to the state from fewer people landing at O’Hare to hotels to shopping. If more people in Illinois would ‘get’ that, maybe there could be more pressure on Crook County to clean up its act.
Comment by Kay Shelton on January 23, 2010 at 8:54 am
“Nepotism” cannot be defined yet again without including something about Todd Stroger. Despite some flaws, John Stroger at least knew how to keep Crook County running without it being a complete laughing stock, a national joke, and triggering the highest sales tax in the nation (although it was near the top). After seeing the performance of Todd Stroger, it is very obvious to me that the son could not accomplish anything on his own merits. He ran on his father’s name.
Comment by Kay Shelton on January 23, 2010 at 9:03 am
I do not have enough time to describe everything wrong with the billion-dollar budget Water Reclamation District. I have yet to figure out what Terry O’Brien means when he says in his ads he knows how to clean up messes.
Maybe it means what is in Lake Michigan, not the politics . . .
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