MUST-CLICK.... there’s a photo of Veon in handcuffs doing the perp walk.
The jobs with the state House of Representatives’ Democratic caucus included good benefits, the prestige of working for state lawmakers and the privilege of working in the grandeur of Pennsylvania’s Capitol.The work involved staying late — sometimes doing nothing and other times doing campaign-related work — but it was offset by compensatory time off. There was variety, too, in the form of travel to far-flung legislative districts during election season, often for weeks at a time.
There also was the potential to be labeled a ‘‘superstar’‘ and earn a year-end bonus paid for with taxpayers’ money.
That, more or less, was the proposition for hundreds of people who worked for then-Rep. Michael Veon and other House Democratic caucus offices from 2004 to 2006, according to grand jury reports that revealed Pennsylvania’s biggest corruption scandal in years.
Call for "Change" in Our Commonwealth
I have seen few other pictures in my life that have been more satisfying than Mr. Veon in steel bracelets. No, it’s not a partisan view (I didn’t mind the sight of Jack Abramoff or Duke Cunningham being hauled away either). I only hope Pennsylvania’s system of justice will serve us better than our political system did. Aside from guilty verdicts for Veon and his associates, stopping this particular corruption will be meaningless if it doesn’t spur a massive overhaul in our state ethics laws. As I said in a previous post, the prosecution of Veon and company leaves me hopeful, but I’m not convinced that even in the midst of this massive failure in state government, our current legislators have the will and/or guts to implement serious change in how they conduct their business. I don’t care if we’re Republicans, Democrats, or independents: nobody that I know enjoys being ripped off. Please, if you’re interested in good government, contact your state legislator and implore him/her to support the strongest possible package of “sunshine” laws and ethics reform. There are seven or eight bills, some of which passed the Senate unanimously last year, that have sat in various House committees since then. Let’s put pressure on Bill DeWeese and Sam Smith in this area. If our legislators won’t change the way they conduct themselves, it’s incumbent upon us to give them a little kick in the a$!. I don’t mind the exercise – do you?
I agree!
Though I can’t speak for our commenters, I know that my goal with Keystone Politics is to encourage good government and root out and publicize corruption so voters can make better decisions.
“I have seen few other pictures in my life that have been more satisfying than Mr. Veon in steel bracelets.”
ME TOO.
All at fault
Certainly at some level, the public is to blame for part of this mess. How can we expect to keep elected officals in line, when many of us have no interest in, or comprehension of the process? In fact, many of my neighbors do not understand the difference between their Congressman and Representative. It is hard to demand any large, sweeping changes in Harrisburg and Washington, when we place such a lack of value on civil education.
I understand that this post may immediately insight some anger, but take some time to ask yourself if your friends, family, and neighbors are aware of the current problems with our Representative Democracy.
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