Politics, Chicago Style

In the January 24th issue of the New York Post was a short column entitled "Replacing Michelle". Here it is, word for word...

"Some employees are simply irreplaceable. Take Michelle Obama: The University of Chicago Medical center hired her in 2002 to run "programs for community relations, neighborhood outreach, volunteer recruitment, staff diversity and minority contracting". In 2005 , the hospital raised her salary from $120,000 to $317,000 -- nearly twice what her husband made as a Senator.

Oh, did we mention that her husband had just become a US Senator? He sure had. Requested a $1 million earmark for the UC Medical Center, in fact. Way to network Michelle! But now that Mrs. Obama has resigned, the hospital says her position will remain unfilled. How can that be, if the work she did was vital enough to be worth $317,000?

We can think of only one explanation: Senator Roland Burris's wife wasn't interested. Let me add that Michelle's position was a half time, 20 hour a week job. And to think they were critical of Blagoyovich's wife for taking $100,000 in fuzzy real estate commission!"

So let me review that for you:

1. While her husband was an Illinois state senator, Michelle Obama was hired for a 20-hour a week job at UC Medical Center for which she was paid $120,000 a year.

2. Her husband became a US Senator and her salary at the UC Medical Center was raised to $317,000.

3. Shortly after becoming a US Senator, her husband got Michelle's employers (UC Medical Center) a $1 Million earmark grant.

4. When her husband became President of the United States, and Michelle moved on to the White House, her position at the hospital was eliminated.

See any connection?