Corruption in
Office
Unfortunately, once again, another New Orleans elected official has been charged with criminal activity in office. This time it's Councilman-at-Large Oliver Thomas. He pled guilty today of charges stemming from bribes accepted from a "well connected" local businessman. He resigned just hours ago.
This comes on the heels of U.S. Congressman William Jefferson being indicted on similar charges this year. His case has yet to go to trial.
U.S. Senator David Vitter was recently exposed soliciting prostitutes, which is not that big of a deal to me, except for the fact that he has a conservative "family values" voting record and was quoted saying former President Bill Clinton should resign for similar transgressions that were not illegal.
Former Governor Edwin Edwards is still in prison serving time for his conviction of racketeering and malfeasance in office.
It's hard to explain how disgusted, embarrassed and ashamed I am of much of our elected leadership. These are positions of privilege, honor and the highest form of public service. While we were being represented in government, we as citizens have been betrayed, mocked, deceived, robbed and used. And these are just the ones who've been caught. I look forward to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's continuing investigations into the activities of many other elected officials, both past and present.
I am not so naive to think that all political activity can be completely honest, but when corruption becomes so blatantly rampant in our own front yard, it's hard not to question whether integrity and honesty can ever really exist in public office. I hate to think that my optimism is being clouded by cynicism, but it's hard to keep faith and retain hope when you are repeatedly let down. These are the people who came to us and pleaded for our votes to represent us. They are the ones who told us they would be trustworthy and dependable.
The situation raises a lot of questions for me. Can government ever be truly honest? Are there any honest politicians? Does power breed corruption? Do good people go into public service with the best of intentions and get coerced by the powers that be? Does money make all the decisions? Is it possible to navigate the system with honesty and integrity and still survive? Is this just the result of basic human nature and is this sort of behavior what should be expected?
The most important question to me is what do we do about it? It's easy to complain but difficult to come up with remedies. Too many people have the bitching part down, but far too few are interested in coming up with creative solutions. This is our government, made up of our own citizens and paid for by our hard earned money. We must demand better.
This may seem far fetched, but how about allowing governmental business to take place only in each elected official's office where everything (sensitive intelligence excluded) is recorded and presented in real time on television and over the Internet for everyone to witness? Constituents can participate in the congressional voting process and representatives can take their cues from them. Dinners, lunches, golf and yachting adventures are leisure activities and off limits to official work. Public office, public record.
If anyone has any ideas I'd be very interested in hearing them.
Unfortunately, once again, another New Orleans elected official has been charged with criminal activity in office. This time it's Councilman-at-Large Oliver Thomas. He pled guilty today of charges stemming from bribes accepted from a "well connected" local businessman. He resigned just hours ago.
This comes on the heels of U.S. Congressman William Jefferson being indicted on similar charges this year. His case has yet to go to trial.
U.S. Senator David Vitter was recently exposed soliciting prostitutes, which is not that big of a deal to me, except for the fact that he has a conservative "family values" voting record and was quoted saying former President Bill Clinton should resign for similar transgressions that were not illegal.
Former Governor Edwin Edwards is still in prison serving time for his conviction of racketeering and malfeasance in office.
It's hard to explain how disgusted, embarrassed and ashamed I am of much of our elected leadership. These are positions of privilege, honor and the highest form of public service. While we were being represented in government, we as citizens have been betrayed, mocked, deceived, robbed and used. And these are just the ones who've been caught. I look forward to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's continuing investigations into the activities of many other elected officials, both past and present.
I am not so naive to think that all political activity can be completely honest, but when corruption becomes so blatantly rampant in our own front yard, it's hard not to question whether integrity and honesty can ever really exist in public office. I hate to think that my optimism is being clouded by cynicism, but it's hard to keep faith and retain hope when you are repeatedly let down. These are the people who came to us and pleaded for our votes to represent us. They are the ones who told us they would be trustworthy and dependable.
The situation raises a lot of questions for me. Can government ever be truly honest? Are there any honest politicians? Does power breed corruption? Do good people go into public service with the best of intentions and get coerced by the powers that be? Does money make all the decisions? Is it possible to navigate the system with honesty and integrity and still survive? Is this just the result of basic human nature and is this sort of behavior what should be expected?
The most important question to me is what do we do about it? It's easy to complain but difficult to come up with remedies. Too many people have the bitching part down, but far too few are interested in coming up with creative solutions. This is our government, made up of our own citizens and paid for by our hard earned money. We must demand better.
This may seem far fetched, but how about allowing governmental business to take place only in each elected official's office where everything (sensitive intelligence excluded) is recorded and presented in real time on television and over the Internet for everyone to witness? Constituents can participate in the congressional voting process and representatives can take their cues from them. Dinners, lunches, golf and yachting adventures are leisure activities and off limits to official work. Public office, public record.
If anyone has any ideas I'd be very interested in hearing them.
