Wednesday, August 6, 2014

New York: Capital Of Corruption

Yeah.  Right.
Photo by buffalonews.com
(Editor's Note:  Read the entirety of this article on WayneDupree.com - home of #TeamNinja!)

To say that New York politicians are ethically challenged is not exactly going out on any limb. I mean, we are the proud home of the likes of Anthony Weiner. Pols brazenly take money, and even try to rig mayoral nominations.  We even had a former politician who was arrested and convicted for soliciting dirty money from an undercover agent in order to pay for his attorneys fee from his last corruption charge.  No, I did not make that up, his name is William Boyland.  Look it up.   

Past politicians always talked big about cleaning up the Albany cesspool, but nor much resulted.  Even Eliot Spitzer promised to be a "F---in' Steamroller" on ethically challenged pols, before becoming known as Client No. 9. 

But still, hope springs eternal.  So when Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) created a Commission to Investigate Public Corruption under the state's Moreland Act to "probe systemic corruption and the appearance of such corruption in state government, political campaigns and elections in New York State", good government advocates and everyday citizens heralded the news. Maybe, just maybe, this was the turning of the wretched tide. 

Hell, even MSNBC Called Out Cuomo!
Photo - NY Daily News' Daily Politics
The Commission was to be, in the Governor's own words, totally independent” of political interference.  It was empowered to issue subpoenas, to examine witnesses under oath and was tasked with  reviewing the adequacy of existing state laws, regulations and procedures involving unethical and unlawful misconduct by public officials and the electoral process and campaign finance laws. The ultimate end goal was to make recommendations to toughen and improve existing laws and procedures once the Commission wrapped up its 18-month span. Laudable, right?

But like the lizard says in those insurance commercials, "Fughedaboudit, this is New Yawk!"

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