Abuse of Power

Apart from being very busy the last few days, I've also been at a bit of a loss regarding what to write about on Citizen. The presidential campaign has given us no shortage of truly amazing misbehavior and hypocrisy, but I feel like I've beaten up on the McCain campaign so much that pointing out every last brazen transgression would be piling on (not to mention exhausting). So I'm thankful to a reader in the great state of Massachusetts for passing along some news that is simultaneously amusing and depressing, and therefore utterly comment-worthy:

A Massachusetts state senator has been arrested for allegedly accepting $23,500 in bribes from constituents and others with business before the legislature. The FBI has this poor soul on film stuffing $100 bills into her bra after a surreptitious meeting with a confidential informant. Read the Boston Globe story, and see the picture, here. 

What I found most amusing were the reader comments that followed the Globe article, particularly one that states that the accused lawmaker, Diane Wilkerson, first ran for her seat representing Boston's Roxbury neighborhood as a proponent of reforming corrupt government. I've seen this movie far too often living in New Jersey, aka the government corruption capital of North America (though I have to admit Alaska is giving us a run for our money lately). Especially in cities, preaching "reform" is usually just a way for one scoundrel to replace another at the controls of the great government graft machine. Even those who sincerely want to eliminate corruption and abuse of power usually fall victim to the same irresistible tactics — chiefly, handing out contracts and jobs to contributors and supporters instead of to the most qualified recipients — once they get into office and face re-election. 

I hate to sound like a cracked vinyl disc here, but the only thing that can eliminate graft, corruption and abuse of power by our elected representatives (or at least keep it to a minimum) is the steady, consistent application of scrutiny and electoral power by ordinary citizens. So pay attention out there, and be on the lookout for Benjamin Franklin peeking out of your local state senator's blouse.