Walter's Perspective: George Ryan's Prison Sentence
CHICAGO (CBS) - I feel sorry for George Ryan and Lura Lynn, and I used to think George ought to be let out of prison to be by her side. But I've changed my mind.
I still feel sorry for the Ryans, but I think it's right that George is not out, because the most important reason he's in is to remind our public officials that there is a price to pay for stealing our trust and our money.
Too many politicians don't live by the rules. They're enriching themselves at our expense because they believe they're too special to get caught.
And many more of them don't get caught than do.
That's why George Ryan has to stay in prison, to remind his pals in politics they're just like everybody else.
And to protect us from those who think they can do as they wish because nobody tells them what not to do.
As nice as it would be to help Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, it's not worth it to us to have leaders of government thinking they can steal from our lives and get away with it.
We can't afford that. Our children can't afford it.
