News-Record.com

I fear my comments may turn this into an exercise in "us vs. them" finger-pointing. I honestly don't mean them that way.

But it's fair to point out that the misuse of transportation dollars you mention has happened almost entirely under the watch of the Democratic Party. Democrats have controlled the State House for 100+ years and, except for a brief period during the Reagan years, controlled the Governor's Mansion for that time, too.

So I have to be a bit skeptical that Richard Moore, a Democrat, will be able to deliver on this promise. He may intend to, but will he have the meddle to stand up to his fellow Democrats when they come calling for their piece of the pie? The current administration certainly hasn't.

I think if I'm looking for a real watchdog for the taxpayers, I'd look to the Republican Party.

It's very prudent to be skeptical.

However, Moore's statements are significant because he's pointing out the shady way things are done under his fellow Democrats. He's staking himself out on the right side of the issue and implicitly inviting voters to hold him accountable.

You never heard Mike Easley talking like this.

A Republican governor likely would battle harder against the Democrats in the legislature, but that could be perceived as partisan politics. It would be hard to dismiss a Democratic governor on those grounds.

Regardless of party, though, I'd favor a candidate who makes the best case for cleaning up Raleigh and making state government get more bang for the buck.

State Rep. John Blust sent me this email, which I'm posting here with his permission:

I am very happy to have Secretary Moore join me in the fight to clean up state government - even if he is coming late to the fight. I have already filed bills or proposed amendments to bills in the past to end the slush funds and the "wasteful and self-serving practices of the legislature." In 1997, when the Senate took up a bill to reform the state Board of Transportation, I offered an amendment to prohibit those on the Board or wanting to be on the board from contributing to campaign. The bill was threatened to be pulled in its entirety if I did not withdraw my amendment, which would have stopped any changes from happening. I filed a bill last session, HB1118 to change the so-called "equity formula" for highway funding. So Moore's help will be greatly appreciated!

I hope he will not treat this proposal like Lt. Governor Perdue treated her proposal early last year for a citizen's government efficiency commission modeled on BRAC. When no one else introduced a bill to implement the idea, I received no help or assistance from the person who came up with the idea. I hope Secretary Moore will be helping to push these ideas in the short session in May.

One might say, in Barack Obama fashion, that I am the candidate of change! When it comes to reforming the legislature and state government, I have dared to have "the audacity of hope."

Is this not the same Richard Moore that rearranged the Party Theatre contracts to take care of his rich friends first and screw the taxpayers?
Is this not the same Richard Moore that use the folks of the Parton Theatre to have a fund raiser for him that raised over $30,000 for his campaign?

Party should be Parton.

I think if I'm looking for a real watchdog for the taxpayers, I'd look to the Republican Party.* just saying

Keep looking! After 8 years of Bush and 6 years of Republicans in Congress. That Is like appointing the Fox in charge of security at the chicken coop....

And what makes you think their minor leaque team in North Carolina would improve their Major leaque Team?

One might say, in Barack Obama fashion, that I am the candidate of change! When it comes to reforming the legislature and state government, I have dared to have "the audacity of hope."* John Blust

Strange! As a Republican, one would have least hope you would have quoted Ron Paul for having the audacity to make your party have hope and "real" change, insteaded of some Democrat who will expand the state beyond your wildest neo-con dreams....

Mr. Clark, the cat got your liberal tongue?

The Randy Parton Theater debacle has nothing to do with liberal or conservative. As best I can tell, Moore's role has to do with his position on the Local Government Commission, which approved the town of Roanoke Rapids' plan to borrow money for the project. State Auditor Les Merritt, a Republican, joined Moore in voting for approval.

It looks like a misjudgment, and that's a fair issue to criticize Moore for. Corruption? Doesn't look like it.

Here's a summary from the N&O:

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/869677.html

Maybe the Republicans wouldn't do any better, Connie. But after more than a century of the Democrats in charge, shouldn't we at least give them a chance?

How does that explain his $30,000 fund raising.? ( should be public record) I do not give a flip enough to check it out. When you live in North Carolina , you expect your tax money to be used for every sham that comes along. You also expect the newspapers to defend it. He also rearranged the contract according to several newspapers and one tv station. Lt Gov. Perdue also seems to have a friends involved in it. I do not want to sound ugly but the NO makes your paper look sane. I also do not see where I called Richard Moore corrupt.

DARRYL KINNEY 7301 98TH AVE
UNITD
KENOSHA.Wi. 53142 April 28,2008

MEMO ADDRESSED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE

I am a citizen of the United States and have been addressing several Senators with the issues and problems to follow
including Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama as well as several others and will in the near future be speaking in front of
you all because of Americans being held hostage by Navy personnel from Great Lakes Navy base as well as by
veterans used to Stalk and intimidate by the abuse of Power of the IRS and the United States Dept. of Justice. I
have been taken out of and kept from employment by them as they attempt a hostile search for money, i have my
phones tapped and computer hacked by government personnel spending alot of government budget following me
everyday for at least 8 months, all my family and past associates has been paid by them to create some ftctious story
because of a conspiracy, initated by the FBI from Chicago and brought to Wisconsin. All of this is a clear violation of
my Civil Rights and also the rights of my daughter who has been questioned and harrassed at school by them, she
is 5 years old. I have had to replace my computer 3 times because they are camped upstairs and i listen to them thru
the vents as they call themselves strategizing but not very well if I hear your every attempt to play on American
citizens.My family has had their cars as well as i have tampered by them in and attempt to get us or me to spend
money, they have raised bills above normal, been in my garage leaving lights on in an order to do so stopped my
emails from reaching their intended destinations and faked as the recipient, they have acted as operators and
fake being the person I called on the other line, I have been told by the police that they would not do anything
because they know who it is which is fither showing the attempt to keep me hostage. I have filed lawsuits and will
continue because I believe even that was manipulated by them as everything and everyone else has been, I have
talked to the security chief after calling the Chief of Great Lakes Navybase, no cooperation, Bush is who I believe
brought this because of corrupt judges from Chicago, after I brought this out to officials. American citizens who are
not terrorist being treated as if they are, I say send some more troops to war since we have so many of them to follow
people around everyday, someone is reimbursing them for this large price tag of surviellance. I see the plan must
be to discredit or in gov. terms attempt to burn me or ruin my career because they have some corrupt people in
the government.
sincerly,
Darryl Kinney 7301 98th Ave. UnitD
Kenosha,WI 53142 262-237-1310