>Spate of corruption stains otherwise thriving DC<
#1
03-22-2014, 09:44 AM
>Spate of corruption stains otherwise thriving DC<
I find the below very `Sad 
Member's, do you think the area you live in is Corrupt ?
Member's, do you think the area you live in is Corrupt ?
Yes, this is where the Capital of our country is located.
I hope that "we the people wake `up & demand
integrity from our representatives/politicians .
iI hope that "we the people wake `up & demand
integrity from our representatives/politicians .
I want our children to have a better/safer world
to live, love & pursue their happiness.
to live, love & pursue their happiness.
Please get involved in your communities to make it
better. You can't complain, if you are doing nothing
to make it better for you, your family, your state
and your country.
better. You can't complain, if you are doing nothing
to make it better for you, your family, your state
and your country.
Thanks for reading & I hope it inspires you or someone 
I care > do you ?
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World March 21, 2014
Spate of corruption stains otherwise thriving DC
I care > do you ?
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World March 21, 2014
Spate of corruption stains otherwise thriving DC
Photo: AP Washington Mayor Vincent Gray speaking with reporters after filing paperwork to run for a second term at the Board of Elections in Washington. Gray often calls the District of Columbia "the envy of the nation" for its robust economy and fast-growing population, but some say the local government he leads — plagued by corruption, pay-to-pay politics and disengaged voters — is a stain on the city's progress.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mayor Vincent Gray often calls the District of Columbia "the envy of the nation" for its robust economy and fast-growing population, but some say the local government he leads — plagued by corruption, pay-to-play politics and disengaged voters — is a stain on the city's progress.
The latest bruise to the city's reputation involves Gray, who is under federal investigation. Prosecutors say he knew about a $668,000 campaign slush fund that helped him get elected in 2010, and while Gray has not been charged, five people involved with his campaign have been convicted. Separately, three former members of the D.C. Council have pleaded guilty to felonies, including bribery and embezzlement, in less than 2 ½ years.
The latest bruise to the city's reputation involves Gray, who is under federal investigation. Prosecutors say he knew about a $668,000 campaign slush fund that helped him get elected in 2010, and while Gray has not been charged, five people involved with his campaign have been convicted. Separately, three former members of the D.C. Council have pleaded guilty to felonies, including bribery and embezzlement, in less than 2 ½ years.
The district is far from unique among cities that have suffered through a spate of criminal activity, alleged or otherwise, but the recent crimes are unprecedented for the local government.
Some believe corruption has been enabled in part because many residents maintain political loyalties elsewhere or pay closer attention to the federal government, the city's largest employer.
"We suffer the serious handicap of a citizen base that is only marginally invested in our success," said Johnny Allem, a 40-year veteran of city politics who worked as a spokesman for former Mayor Marion Barry, who was elected to a fourth term in the mid-1990s despite a drug conviction. "Too many of our residents and citizens consider themselves travelers passing through."
Ron Faucheux, a veteran Washington-based pollster and the president of Clarus Research Group, said: "You have some people who make a living off of politics who live in Washington, D.C., and can't name their own member of the city council."
For those paying attention, there's plenty to gawk at. On Jan. 1, 2011, the day Gray was sworn in, Kwame Brown took office as D.C. Council chairman, Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. began a second term and Michael A. Brown was halfway through his term as an at-large councilmember.
Three years later, Thomas and both Browns — who are unrelated — are gone. Kwame Brown pleaded guilty to bank fraud and resigned. Michael Brown admitted to taking bribes from undercover agents posing as businessmen seeking city contracts, and Thomas embezzled more than $350,000 in city money intended for youth programs.
"There's no evidence that Washington, D.C., is more corrupt than other major American cities," said Mark Rom, a Georgetown University political scientist. Corruption, he said, is often "invisible, so we don't really know how much is going on in different places before it gets exposed."
Just last month, former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin was convicted on 20 corruption charges, and last fall, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison for corruption. But those cities aren't under the thumb of Congress, which has the final say over Washington's budget and laws. City residents only gained the right to elect their mayor and council in 1973, and some say the city's fight for greater local autonomy and voting representation in Congress has been hurt by the failures of local leaders.
Last year, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., compared the district's requests for greater autonomy to teenagers seeking more spending money from parents. Mica chairs a House subcommittee that oversees district government.
The latest trouble has opened up the district to mockery once again, much as Barry did when he was videotaped smoking crack cocaine in an FBI sting operation in 1990. Barry's first three terms, from 1979-1991, were plagued by financial problems and a struggle to deliver basic services. His predecessor, Sharon Pratt, struggled to manage a government that had become bloated, resulting in historic deficits.
Shortly after Barry returned to office in 1995, Congress stripped him of most of his powers and put a control board in charge of the city's finances.
Since Barry's tenure, the city has undergone a remarkable turnaround. Crime has plummeted, neighborhoods have been transformed and the city's real estate market is booming. Buyers are snapping up multimillion-dollar condos in a glitzy downtown development called CityCenter. The city is gaining more than 1,000 new residents a month, according to Census figures.
Since Barry's tenure, the city has undergone a remarkable turnaround. Crime has plummeted, neighborhoods have been transformed and the city's real estate market is booming. Buyers are snapping up multimillion-dollar condos in a glitzy downtown development called CityCenter. The city is gaining more than 1,000 new residents a month, according to Census figures.
On Wednesday, developers gathered with Gray and other elected officials to cut the ribbon on a massive project to transform the city's Southwest Waterfront into a boardwalk with apartments, hotels and offices.
"There's almost a surreal quality to the fact that the district is doing very well, while city hall continues to have this cloud," said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who was elevated to the chairmanship when Kwame Brown resigned.
"There's almost a surreal quality to the fact that the district is doing very well, while city hall continues to have this cloud," said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who was elevated to the chairmanship when Kwame Brown resigned.
In Gray's case, U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen has said only that those already charged represent "the tip of the iceberg." The man who admitted funding what prosecutors called Gray's "shadow campaign" was Jeffrey Thompson, an influential businessman. He owned a firm that held the largest contract in city government, worth more than $300 million annually, to manage the care of Medicaid recipients.
Gray has acknowledged that Thompson supported his campaign because he was worried about the future of his government contracts if then-mayor Adrian Fenty was re-elected. Critics say that kind of horse-trading is altogether too common.
Tom Davis, a former Republican congressman from northern Virginia and an advocate for district voting rights, said corruption doesn't help the city's case for autonomy. He said citizens must hold elected officials accountable.
"The voters have not seemed to care in the past," Davis said. "We'll see what happens in the mayor's race."
in the past," Davis said. "We'll see what happens in the mayor's race."Last edited by Space; 03-22-2014 at 10:01 AM.
#2
03-22-2014, 11:44 AM
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Brockville Ontario
Posts: 3,052
Informative post and interesting reading material. I try to stay away from political conversations as in the past I have come across some folks that have too much passion for the subject, yet sit around and do nothing about it but complain. Regardless of the politician unfortunately whether they mean to do good or bad, they have been painted with a brush, through history's events that will always portray them as potentially being corrupt, or corruptable as it's true, everyone has their price.
#3
03-22-2014, 12:08 PM
> Please post peacefully > Thank You from `Space<
Informative post and interesting reading material. I try to stay away from political conversations as in the past I have come across some folks that have too much passion for the subject, yet sit around and do nothing about it but complain. Regardless of the politician unfortunately whether they mean to do good or bad, they have been painted with a brush, through history's events that will always portray them as potentially being corrupt, or corruptable as it's true, everyone has their price.
Hello `Ken,
Thanks for being the first to post on this subject
It was on my web home page & I read it & it was sad . I also do my best to avoid the conversations about politics & I was hoping my words may inspire others or some to get involved in their communities. (That was one of my purposes on this thread) & I was hoping that it would not turn into a battle of thoughts & opinions.
My excuse or reason is that I haven't had the time to get involved, but I hope to when I settle down in life. I want a better world for the ones I love & for my children `if I am blessed with them.
I have been called twice for jury duty, but have always been excused
Every attorney can't believe I'm over 18 years old (LOL) The price one pays to not show their age. I've always voted since I was 18, & did my homework on each candidate, but they still haven't did much
I don't like the shape our country is in & our debt is just 2 large to comprehend. I know that I've always paid my taxes & obey the laws of our country (except some traffic laws) >
I shall cease my motor-typing & thoughts. I just finished a long shift & hope to see the sunlight 2day...
Thanks again `Ken for all your contributions to the MCF..I enjoy your words/thoughts & your adventures in life.
Get Involved > Do something to make it better
for the ones you love 4-Sure
#4
03-22-2014, 12:14 PM
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Brockville Ontario
Posts: 3,052
I totally agree with you trying to inspire people to take an active approach in selection of government and keeping an eye on what they do "for the people" I am totally all for that, because if we don't speak out we don't have the right to complain.
As always Space, your posts are very thought forming and inspire people to think out side of their own box, which is never a bad thing.
I have been around people that have almost come to blows when talking politics, so after those experiences (yes on more than one occassion) I try to shy away as everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone has a right to express their opinions.
So as always please keep your thought provoking posts coming as I always enjoy reading them
As always Space, your posts are very thought forming and inspire people to think out side of their own box, which is never a bad thing.
I have been around people that have almost come to blows when talking politics, so after those experiences (yes on more than one occassion) I try to shy away as everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone has a right to express their opinions.
So as always please keep your thought provoking posts coming as I always enjoy reading them
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