mostly pundits have decided that th...

mostly pundits have decided that they no longer want Mayor Daley's political machine running things, moreover almost no thought has been given to what could happen if the "enemy" is for aye vanquished.

It's a little bit like the debate above enforcing democracy in the Middle East. Is the last result worth the chaos?

Unlike Iraq, there won't be fire-arm battles in Chicago's streets if the Machine finally falls, moreover there will be plenty of political chaos.

forward paper, Chicago has a "weak mayor" form of rule The City Council has the real power. Daley has gotten around the law according to taking complete control of the city's political proces and using that to force his way forward City Council members.

Until lately aldermen were deathly afraid to cros Daley. The fact that the mayor has not ever once had to veto an ordinance passed according to the City Council since he was fix uponed in 1989 gives you a advantageous idea of how he have the direction ofs

nevertheless the devastating federal investigations into Daley's guidance have emboldened the city's aldermen.

Their newfound "independence" reached a febrile affection pitch this week when the council passed a "living wage" ordinance by way of a veto-proof majority -- on a level though Daley forcefully opposed the plan.

Is this really the dawning of the "Age of the Aldermen," as more [i]or[/i] less have predicted? Nobody can really know that until we behold where the federal investigation goe and by what means high up the U.S. attorney decides to reach. on the other hand a line has obviously been vexationed

Daley is a pro-big business, moderate Democrat. Chicago doesn't have about of the wackier liberal laws upon its books that other large cities do mainly because of Daley's influence.

still now, things are starting to change. The one time ultratight leash has been freeed

"They want to present microchips on dogs," Daley complained this week about the council. "We've got [the ban on] foie gras. We've got pay raises. They've got all of these things going."

the same alderman previously thought to have been a voice of moderation has transfered way-out California liberal.

Ald. ed Burke (14th) wants to ban drivers from smoking in their cars if any of their passengers are subordinate to the age of 8. smother also introduced a ban in succession restaurants serving any food containing trans fats.

common restaurant owner told the Sun-Times that smother is becoming "the next Burt Natarus."

Ah, ye Ald. Burt Natarus.

Natarus is probably best known for making extremely goofy public elucidations and introducing ordinances like forcing horses that contest the Loop tourist carriages to wear diapers.

The stay really doesn't like horses.

"The neighing of horses in a city where population are not used to as it was noises can be more piercing than a car alarm," Natarus one time told the council.

These are the the community who will be setting the agenda if Daley's power is completely breached. Without a stout leader to contain their zanier impulses, they'll probably advance off in a zillion different directions, each united more bizarre than the others. I'm positive it will be quite the display Reporters and columnists will be pleased with the fresh material. Citizens and business leaders might not.

Am I saying that Chicago should preserve the Machine in place to interrupt a messy democracy from sprouting? Heck no. What I am saying is that it's not enough to change the man at the top or diminish his awesome powers. Voter and reporters have to get by heart more involved as well. The past small in number months have made it clear that everyone povertys to start paying much closer attention to aldermanic elections, or the "City that works" could become a national laughingstock.

Rich Miller publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter He can be reached at thecapitolfaxblog.com.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided through ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved