Jarrett was considered to be a top contender, being personally hand-picked by Obama. However, she has stated that she is not interested in filling the vacancy, but would prefer to be one of Obama's cabinet members in the White House. Another leading candidate for the position is Jesse Jackson, Jr. Polls have shown that Jackson received 43% of the popular vote, compared to Tammy Duckworth's 31%. Further, Duckworth is strongly being considered for another position---that of VA Secretary, which would automatically rule out her acceptance of Obama's vacancy.

Jackson's popularity is due in large part to his exceptional congressional record. Careful to avoid wasteful spending, Jackson has consistently supported such important causes as colleges and universities, housing and healthcare programs, and grants to aid policemen and firemen.

Noting the "frosty" relationship between Gov Blagojevich and her father Michael Madigan, Lisa Madigan practically ruled herself out as being the governor's choice. Senator Dick Durbin does not favor the retiring State Senate president Emil Jones, saying that Jones would only be considered "a caretaker". Luis Guitierrez has said he would only be interested in completing Obama's two year term which would end in January, 2011.

Blagojevich has expressed a concern that Obama's replacement should run an additional four years giving him a six year term. This of course rules out Guitierrez who has no desire for a long term commitment.

Several minorities favor Schakowsky saying "she will support their causes".

Both Jackson and Schakowsky campaigned for Obama's presidential nod, and both Jones and Jackson have stated they would be honored if the governor selected them as Obama's replacement. Many African Americans also favor Jackson because like Obama, he is black. But while sentiment runs high in the African American community to elect Jackson, Jackson himself has stated that race should not be a factor in the selection process. Durbin and Guiterrez have also eliminated the impact of race on the governor's selection.

Obama has stated that his choice for replacement would be someone who is qualified, and "passionate about helping Illinois" families and fulfilling their dreams'. Major qualifications include: the person must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for at least nine years, and an Illinois resident. Ultimately, however, Obama has left the decision up to Blagojevich.

On Thanksgiving Day, Blagojevich and Danny Davis shared a meal together with people at a Chicago homeless shelter. While the governor hinted at Davis as being his choice, he assured the press that he has not yet made a selection. However, the governor did say that Davis was a "good, decent man", and that these were rare qualities in a politician. The governor concluded by saying that Davis was "a strong candidate for the position".

Both Obama and Blagojevich say they want Obama's replacement to be qualified and capable. Additionally, Blagojevich wants someone who's in it for the long haul, not just a "seatwarmer". Blagojevich is expected to make his decision before the end of the year.

It is a well known fact that Senator Obama and Pastor Wright share a close relationship. But should that relationship affect our feelings for a presidential candidate who promises to bring about necessary changes to our nation? And should we allow these feelings to influence our selection of the next person to hold the highest office in the land?

Of course we are all aware of the "mud-slinging" tactics used by all politicians to take the public's eyes off their own flaws, and focus on the flaws of their opponents by marring their opponents' reputations. And, as many Black pastors have stated, “its not about Pastor Wright.” Rather it is about “taking our eyes off the prize.” The prize being, an alleviation of society's ills brought about through the election of a Black president.

In both 1984 and 1988, the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a prominent religious leader, was the first Black man to run for president of the United States. While Rev. Jackson was unsuccessful both times, he forever changed the face of Black politics. Black people discovered what we can accomplish when we present a united front.

For several years, Pastor Wright has been preaching controversial sermons, many centered around political issues. For example, Pastor Wright has stated that the government lied about “weapons of mass destruction.” He also stated that in regards to the terrorist attacks of 911, “America bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, during World War II, killing thousands of innocent women, children and babies, and never even batted an eye! So, how can America plead not guilty and play the victim regarding the 911 attacks?” And these are just a few snippets of Pastor Wright's sermons.

Additionally, Pastor Wright maintains that in Biblical times, Roman soldiers captured and tortured Paul of Tarsus, one of Jesus' principle disciples. Further, two of Jesus' other disciples, Peter and John, were persecuted and imprisoned. And finally, Jesus, Himself, suffered persecution, ridicule, harassment, torture and eventually crucifixion, at the hands of corrupt judges. In light of these Biblical truths, we can see that politics indeed played a large role in religious matters.

Some opposers of Pastor Wright argue that politics have no place in the church. They prefer to close their eyes to reality and deny the inevitable role politics play in religion. Sadly, many of Wright's opposers can't see the connection. They argue, "what does one have to do with the other?" Most feel that politics should not be a church concern, and should be left out of the church. In short, they want Pastor Wright and the church to ignore politics altogether, and completely shun its ramifications on society.

However, as the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., his future successor, Pastor Otis Moss III, Rev. Meeks (Salem Baptist Church), Rev. Arthur M. Brazier (Apostolic Church of God), and so many other Black pastors know, politics and religion are inevitably tied to each other. Politics are necessary to deal with the issues and problems we are facing as a congregation.

This is especially true regarding the Black congregations. Black people as a whole, are an oppressed, humiliated, population who have suffered the injustices of inequality and unfair treatment for centuries. To us, the Black church, which stresses the importance of black pride through its sermons, promotes self-esteem and uplifts our spirits through its gospel songs, is a beacon of hope. In short, it provides a panacea, absent from the lives of a people long denied.

Opposers argue that no politician can solve the world's problems; only God and His Precious Son Jesus can do that in the afterlife or the New World. While this is true, a well-meaning politician can help to alleviate some of the issues. In many instances, he can and will make decisions that will positively affect our educational system, increase healthcare benefits for all, decrease criminal activities, improve the economy, provide fair housing, feed the hungry, and eliminate some of the poverty.

We all know that God's New World, with Jesus as His Reigning Ruler, is the ultimate answer to the aforementioned ills, however, both God and Jesus knew that man would have to learn how to govern himself. God knew we would have to find a way to live in this present world.

Yes, we need to live for God, but we also need a temporary fix. We know that politics is not a permanent solution, but is sorely needed in this world, in order for man to survive to make it into the New World. We will never make it into the New World, if we don't find a way to survive in the present world. And, that is a fact opposers of politics in the Black church, will have to acknowledge.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has expressed a grave concern about the rising costs of seniors' medications. Therefore, he is proposing a prescription pooling program, whereby all 1.5 million of Illinois seniors are invited to participate in a purchasing club. In this club, seniors are to pool their resources together in order to appeal to pharmacies to get them to lower their prices. If all seniors unite to negotiate for lower prices, the pharmacies are expected to be more willing to lower their prices in order to stay in business. Our governor believes that if American seniors are allowed “free access to the market place”, drug prices in Illinois will decrease as much as 20 to 30 percent.

In his proposal letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, our governor has requested them to join him in making the prescription pooling program work by importing drugs from Canada, and he wants permission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to do this. Our governor feels that one way this might work is through the internet.

Thus far, however, the FDA has been reluctant to permit drug importation from Canada. According to the FDA, they cannot guarantee the “safety” and/or the “legality” of drugs shipped across the border; they have expressed the concern that some of the drugs might be “fake”. Further, they say they cannot assure the “quality” of these drugs, some of which might possibly involve shipments from “third world countries”.

However, our governor says the FDA is being contradictory because he knows that every year for the past ten years, Americans have crossed the border to Canada to buy prescription drugs. He also knows that the FDA is aware of this and have not taken steps to prevent it. Additionally, none of these individuals have been harmed from buying these drugs, which they know are less expensive than those here in America. Our governor believes that the issues of safety and legality raised by the FDA is really a “smoke-screen” to hide their real motivation. He stated that the pharmaceutical companied have a lot of lobbyists in Washington who are working for them. These lobbyists are maintaining the expensive drug prices posed on Americans. Thus, Americans are paying for the huge profits made by the large pharmaceutical companies.

Walgreen's, the nation's largest pharmaceutical company is currently working to alleviate some of the expenses of senior's prescriptions. In conjunction with Medicare and Medicaid, they are offering seniors a discount drug card. The enrollment forms for the card became available in May, and the card offers access to all of Walgreen's 4,000 plus pharmacies in over 40 states.

The program, which just became effective in June, is supposed to offer seniors somewhere between 10 and 25 percent savings on their medications. Seniors who meet certain criteria, (less than $12k for singles and less than $16k for couples) will also be eligible to receive $600 worth of annual credit.

In addition to being the nation's largest pharmacy, Walgreen's is also the most accessible, with many staying open 24 hours a day. Other Walgreen's discount card benefits include: easy transfer of prescriptions among their stores; the most drive-thru stores; mail service; automatic and anytime refill service, including internet and phone service in case of emergencies; and personal health care tips and prescription history. All of these great services and features put Walgreen's in a unique position to offer discounts.

However, one senior I spoke to does not like the discount card. She said seniors have to pay $30.00 per annum to purchase the card, and it is really not worth it, because there is a “catch”. If your medicine changes before the end of the year, the card will not cover the costs. Therefore, you have lost $30.00. (She is currently taking “Lipitor”, a cholesterol medicine which costs between $80 and $90, alone. She further stated that she knows a lot of seniors get together and board a bus to Canada to buy their prescriptions, because as our governor expressed, Canadian drugs are much less expensive.

Another senior I spoke to is also benefiting from Canadian drugs. Her insurance man informed her that he and his wife were getting these drugs. She has been taking them for three weeks, and feels that Canadian drugs are of the same quality as the ones here in Illinois. Thus, she also supports Governor Blagojevich' statements.

For too long American consumers have essentially been supporting the large pharmaceutical companies, while Canadian, French, German and Italian consumers “skate by”. Americans need to enjoy the same privileges as these foreign consumers. Governor Blagojevich has acknowledged that giving American consumers access to this “free market” may create a “see-saw” effect, whereby prices may rise in other countries. However, he still believes that Americans have been treated unfairly.

Governor Blagojevich said Illinois is the first state in the nation to give it's seniors freedom of choice about joining a prescription pooling program. But he feels this is a choice long denied. He has been working with Governor Pawlenty in Washington, and truly feels his prescription pooling “idea will ultimately prevail”.