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jeffk · 05-05-2008, 09:27 AM

He was arrogant and stupid.
He was caught.
He was fined.
His job is in jeopardy.
He is publicly embarrassed to the people who know him and interact with him.

Consider politicians at higher levels who get away completely with stuff a lot worse because they have so much power and powerful friends. And who often judges such high level politicians? Their own colleagues who worry that their own transgressions will someday come to haunt them so they practice extreme leniency, hoping it will be given to them when needed. Even when placed before the electorate such people have the money and power to create spin that turns outright theft into an "accounting error". Remember Rep. Jefferson who had $90,000 of bribe money in his freezer? That case is 2 years old and hasn't come to trial yet. Jefferson was claiming that Separation of Powers didn't allow the "Executive" law enforcement to search his "Legislative" office. Remember the howling by all the other legislators who wanted to protect their rights to conduct their illegal activities in private?

Locally a town rep can be called to task by an ordinary citizen that has common sense and a belief in fair play and decency. Why, even this forum can be used to draw attention to local lake politics! Do you think an ordinary citizen or even a dozen of them can have much control of a US Rep or Senator?

Local control isn't perfect, just better than the alternatives.

05-05-2008, 09:27 AM	#4
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,162 Thanks: 205 Thanked 431 Times in 248 Posts	And yet ... He was arrogant and stupid. He was caught. He was fined. His job is in jeopardy. He is publicly embarrassed to the people who know him and interact with him. Consider politicians at higher levels who get away completely with stuff a lot worse because they have so much power and powerful friends. And who often judges such high level politicians? Their own colleagues who worry that their own transgressions will someday come to haunt them so they practice extreme leniency, hoping it will be given to them when needed. Even when placed before the electorate such people have the money and power to create spin that turns outright theft into an "accounting error". Remember Rep. Jefferson who had $90,000 of bribe money in his freezer? That case is 2 years old and hasn't come to trial yet. Jefferson was claiming that Separation of Powers didn't allow the "Executive" law enforcement to search his "Legislative" office. Remember the howling by all the other legislators who wanted to protect their rights to conduct their illegal activities in private? Locally a town rep can be called to task by an ordinary citizen that has common sense and a belief in fair play and decency. Why, even this forum can be used to draw attention to local lake politics! Do you think an ordinary citizen or even a dozen of them can have much control of a US Rep or Senator? Local control isn't perfect, just better than the alternatives.