Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TopCat who wrote (485852)	6/4/2009 8:29:34 PM
From: TideGlider	Respond to of 1574406

Democrat corruption skills continue: Our view: DiMasi indictment exposes corrupt system Former House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on multiple corruption charges, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But there is no need for a trial to know that things are bad — very bad — at the Massachusetts Statehouse. DiMasi is the third speaker in a row to face corruption charges. His predecessor, Thomas Finneran, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was placed on 18 months probation. Finneran's predecessor, Charles Flaherty, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and ethics violations. Tuesday's indictment, on seven counts of mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy, is just one more indication that, as the 19th-century historian Lord Acton said, "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." There are few statehouses where the power of the speaker is more absolute than in Massachusetts. He can reward or punish the rank and file with chairmanships, committee assignments and office location. He can block the initiatives of House members who get out of line, or grease the wheels for those he likes. And the Democratic majority is so overwhelming that it is considered routine that whatever the speaker wants, the speaker gets. Indeed, the fear of the speaker's power is so great that DiMasi, already under the ethical cloud that led to this week's indictment, was re-elected speaker last January by an overwhelming majority — only 24 out of 160 members didn't vote for him. The majority included Linda Dean Campbell, D-Methuen; Michael Costello, D-Newburyport; Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill; Barry Finegold, D-Andover; William Lantigua, D-Lawrence; Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover; and Harriett Stanley, D-West Newbury — in short, every area Democratic representative but David Torrisi, D-North Andover. Just weeks later, DiMasi resigned. And after that vote there were hugs and high-fives all around, as if everything was normal. Unfortunately, it was normal. That is because the Statehouse has become a world insulated from those that our elected representatives have sworn to represent. DiMasi's only comment after the indictment was that every decision he made at the Statehouse was, "in the best interests of my constituents and of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Unfortunately, he and far too many of his colleagues apparently think that what is good for them is good for the state. And as long as one-party power remains unchecked in Massachusetts, it is likely to stay that way, no matter who is in the speaker's chair. eagletribune.com