January 10, 2009 2:52PM 

# Too Close for Comfort 

By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) 

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[NPR reports ](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99147690)on the Illinois legislative debate about impeaching Gov. Rod Blagojevich:

> Their case for impeachment goes beyond criminal allegations. They say he abused the power of his office: bypassing the Legislature to create new programs he couldn’t pay for; circumventing hiring laws to give jobs to political allies; and misappropriating taxpayer funds.
> 
> 
> “He has snubbed his nose at that oath of office and, therefore, snubbed his nose at the people and the constitution,” said Republican Rep. Mike Bost.

It’s a good thing for presidents that members of Congress don’t apply such standards in Washington.

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics) 

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