Corruption Knows No Party Lines
August 30th, 2006 | by Ken Grandlund |Despite the fact that the majority of current political scandals spring forth from members of the Republican Party, the GOPers haven’t cornered the market on corruption. Consider the recent actions of California’s Senate President Pro Tem, Democrat Don Perata.
Two days after shelving a package of flood control bills that was opposed by the California Building Industry Association, that same group tossed $500,000 into a campaign committee controlled by the (Dis)Honorable Perata in what has all the markings of a quid pro quo deal. The committee was formed by Perata to promote multibillion-dollar public works bonds on the Nov. 7 ballot. Passage of the measures would certainly mean a fair amount of business to California builders.
“The massive donation came after Perata’s disclosure that he has shelved a package of eight flood-control bills touted as a way to reduce flooding risk in the Central Valley and other low-lying areas.
The CBIA vehemently has opposed two of the bills, designed to increase flood protection requirements for future subdivisions in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river watersheds, and to require cities and counties to accept some financial liability for flooding.”
If that isn’t enough to make you shake your head in disgust and disbelief, maybe this will help.
The wife of Democratic State Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez , won a $125,000 consulting contract earlier this year with the South Coast Air Quality Management District at the same time the smog-fighting agency was pushing legislation to cut emissions on train engines.
In both cases, it sure seems clear that these lawmakers are pursuing their own (and their financial benefactors) personal agendas rather than working towards the best interests of the citizens of the state. At the very least, they are making sure that they get something for their efforts of acting in the interests of special interests.
While BIO is clearly a progressive, mostly Democratic leaning website, don’t let it be said that corruption from either side of the aisle won’t be called to the carpet here. Slimeballs live on both sides of the political spectrum, and from my standpoint, these guys have no business being in public office if this is their idea of serving the common good.
[tag]Don Perata, Fabian Núñez , corruption, politics[/tag]
2 Responses to “Corruption Knows No Party Lines”
By Jersey McJones on Aug 30, 2006 | Reply
Corruption flows to the party in power. In the California house and senate, it’s the Dems.
JMJ
By Liberal Jarhead on Aug 31, 2006 | Reply
Yes, unfortunately, the old saw about power corrupting is very true. While I am a progressive Democrat with no use for the current federal administration, my state (New Mexico) and city (Albuquerque) also have Dem administrations that are pretty nasty. Watch Bill Richardson. He’s winding up for a run at the presidency, and he’s done a good job so far of creating a good image elsewhere, but there’s a reason the political columnists and cartoonists here have nicknamed him “King Bill.” He is every bit as arrogant, high-handed, and corrupt as anybody in the Bush administration. Whether it comes to auctioning off prize jobs to cronies and big campaign contributors or calling the (part-time, with careers and lives outside of politics) state legislature back to Santa Fe for multiple special sessions until they pass the bills he’s demanding, he’s a prize.