Ah, these United States — which is most corrupt?
New Jersey’s a traditional favorite. Chris Christie, the Republican candidate for governor this year, built his reputation as a federal prosecutor convicting 130 state and local politicians of corruption.
But Illinois is a contender: Think ousted Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Now, make room for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Recently, former House Speaker Sal DiMasi was indicted — along with several associates — for allegedly helping a software company obtain $20 million in state contracts in return for lots of cold, hard cash.
The previous speaker left office just before he was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice. The speaker before that had been pushed out after pleading guilty to federal income tax evasion.
This rather consistent level of corruption is a sign of too much power and not enough accountability. Frank Hynes, a Democrat who served in the legislature for 26 years, agrees. He says, “The speaker controls, basically, everything — where you sit, where you stand, how many aides you get, whether you get a good parking space.”
Obviously the Bay State needs term limits — DiMasi had been in office for 30 years. But years ago legislators blocked a term limits amendment just as they’ve blocked all but three citizen petitions for constitutional amendments during the last 90 years.
Massachusetts needs a new revolution, one that puts citizens in charge with an initiative process that politicians cannot ignore.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
9 replies on “Mass Corruption”
Unfortunately most of the populace are mind numbed democrat followers who prefer to let politicians cheat, lie and steal rather than have to make chouices for themselves. Those of us in the minority in this state are at their mercy.
Don’t expect much change from the state that sent Teddy the swimmer back to the Senate. The same one that counts Barney Frank as one of it’s Congressmen. Then there’s Joh Kerry. Hopeless and changeess.
Ron Paul is an example of why I am against term limits. It is up to the people to keep an eye on their congress-critters, etc., and when they don’t abide by their state and uS Constitutions FIRE’EM! Not re-elect them. “Under a true Democracy, the people get the government they deserve.” Edmund Burke. Ours is/was a Constitutional Republican form democratic government, or so I thought.
PS Sally & Bill, your are still divided and conquered. Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin. The majority of them, when elected, show that they are Liberty stealing,collectivist, statist scumbags! What part of liberty scares people. What differences are there in Obama and McCain’s senate voting record? Both are members of the Council on Foreign Relations, Rockefeller’s NWO/one world government crap.
I left that place in 1959, only becasue that was the soonest I could get out. I wouldn’t go back there for a million a year-they’d figure some way to steal it, along with Jugears, and give it to some “poor folk.” I have the misfortune of having two kids still there and I can’t cnvince them to get out. One actually wants out, but he’s married to a lib who thinks the damned place is great. The other is one of those who can’t get moving and when she does, ineertia takes over and she goes in the original line of motion. Oh, well, I can only try. If those who are willingto work all left, maybe things would change, but they haven’t in california, so there’s a huge question there.Besides, it’s cold in that thar place!!!
I live in Louisiana, and we’ve got y’all all beat!
Lord Acton had it right: “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In addition to that, desire for power, an extremely common mental affliction among career politicians, proportionately increases the degree and the speed of the tendency to be corrupted by power. Rep. Morris K. Udall (Dem., Arizona) had it right, too: Its only cure is embalming fluid.
These are the same tax-loving voters who failed to support the ballot initiative last Nov to kick out the state income tax. That would have forced the MA legislature to abandon all the socialist/marxist programs that subjugate the citizenry. They failed to vote out these taxes six years ago also when they had the chance. I guess they love high taxes in a state that once loved liberty. What the hell happened??
[…] either convicted of serious crimes or face charges and are awaiting trial. In fact, in a recent Common Sense I suggest the commonwealth may be giving New Jersey and Illinois a run for their corrupt money in […]