Lawmakers have made notable strides in ethics
As the group that triggered the official investigation into Speaker Jim Black's corrupt campaign financing, Democracy North Carolina applauds the 2007 General Assembly for taking specific steps to change the political culture in Raleigh. The legislature, especially through the new leadership in the House and the influence of progressive/moderates in the state Senate, adopted measures that elevated the needs of ordinary citizens over the interests of wealthy lobbies.
New election laws promise to expand opportunities for voters and non-wealthy candidates, while other laws dramatize a new willingness to challenge the power of narrow special interests with large PAC accounts. Implementation and refinements in the ethics laws also illustrate a commitment by a significant majority of legislators to fulfill their calling to deliver honest service on behalf of we-the-people.
We thank them for that service.
Bob Hall
Durham
The writer is executive director, Democracy North Carolina.
Comments (3)
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Is this supposed to make me feel better about the NC State Legislature?
Posted on August 7, 2007 8:21 AM
I've read this letter three times and keep getting hung up on the "ethics laws also illustrate a commitment by a significant majority of legislators to fulfill their calling to deliver honest service" bit.
I have never in my adult life needed any type of rule or law to keep me from stealing. Ever. Mr. Hall, why should we, as you do, thank the legislature for admitting that they are, at their cores, unethical and will break the law without rules to keep them in check?
Disgusting.
Roger
Posted on August 7, 2007 8:33 AM
I've been through this matter before. These are politicians. Most of them come from the ranks of lawyers. Are you searching and hoping to find a sense of ethics? The easiest thing lawyers rids themselves of are ethics!
In today's news there is the story of Sen. Fletcher Hartsell. He was a lawyer before becoming a politician. He is now accused of helping a former client and friend, (as if a lawyer has any friends), Keith Wayne. Keith Wayne is boss of Wayne Brothers, a large construction and developement company. This is taking place in Kannapolis concerning the just now approved annexation of land. Now, let's track the hidden gob of cash that preceeded this act of Senatorial business. But, then it's a very natural thing for lawyers to accept cash under any circumstances. Just don't confuse them with, why. They don't know. Just another rant from the Dog. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've got a sorry attitude about these power/cash hungry guys. The Dog's outa here.
Crime Dog
Posted on August 7, 2007 12:28 PM