Even though this is appearing on April Fools' Day, it is no joke.
Odd perhaps, but not a joke.
Ray Stangler, a retired teacher from Schaumburg, has started an organization he calls Most Corrupt State to try to start a movement to clear up some of the bad stuff he says is happening in state government.
He is offering license plate frames that say, "Most Corrupt State." If you don't like that, he also has "Reduce Real Estate Taxes As Fast As They Went Up."
"Anyone can purchase either type of license protectors in any increment of 100 at the price of 65 cents each plus shipping," Stangler said. "With shipping it probably is about $1 each."
So your minimum investment would be about $100.
Then he is asking you to turn around and either sell them at cost or at a slight profit. He hopes that major retailers will stock them, just as they do the support ribbons for various causes.
He thought that some club or organization might make the license plate frames a fundraising campaign. Selling them for $2 a piece should be easy. He mentioned the Boy Scouts, an organization that stresses honesty.
With the license plate frames you can try to embarrass your elected officials.
"Purchase and place one of these license plate protectors on your Illinois plate and send a picture of your plate to your state representative," Stangler said. "Demand that ethics law be passed."
His organization's Web site is www.reformourmostcorruptstate.org.
"People need something to feel like they are fighting corruption," he said. "Everybody's against it."
Well, maybe, except for the people benefiting from it.
Stangler is calling on federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, FBI and U.S. Justice Department and Illinois law enforcement to work together to form a permanent agency to fight state corruption. He also wants a hot line for people to call to report corruption.
Stangler said he ordered 1,000 of the license plate holders so there would be some in stock when orders come in. He makes nothing on the deal.
You can order from 4 All Promotions in Connecticut. The phone number is 866-732-3386.
Stangler said corruption seems to have been a way of business in Illinois government for a long time, but it is time to put a stop to it.
"It's so depressing if you think about it," he said. "We have to start someplace."
Maybe someplace is your bumper.
Wally Spiers' column runs five days a week. Have a column idea? Call Wally at 239-2506 or 800-642-3878; or e-mail: wspiers@bnd.com
