This is happening across the U.S. One thing I've noticed is that with all of the corruption going on in our state of Wisconsin, the New York Times runs an occasional story, but never provides a comment section. We have new corruptions coming to light almost daily, along with late night, back-door laws either being made, or being done away with, depending on whether Scott Walker's past actions have a chance of coming to light. People should check out Wisconsin newspapers and see what Republicans are doing to destroy the state, be it the state workers, the environment, our college system, or land use, it will serve as a cautionary tale about what election fraud and voter apathy can do to a state. Sorry for being off topic, but this article runs parallel. At least they're prosecuting their crooks in Albany; Walker loaded the courts, and is working to do away with the Government Accountability Board sometime next week.
1
Why prosecute the symptoms, the corrupt politicians? Why not the cause of the disease, Glenwood Management? Why can't capital be touched unless it is a out and out fraud like Enon or Madoff? Because, as one wise commentator put it here, there are no political parties in the USA, only individual candidates and their electoral vehicles. No country without independent political parties can honestly call itself a democracy.
Everyone is wanting to get Cuomo...but let us also look into George Pataki, who built a fortune as a public employee.
1
"The developer, Glenwood Management, relies heavily on lucrative state tax breaks and government financing to build and operate luxury apartment buildings in New York City. "
Why is the state financing, and giving tax breaks to, luxury apartment buildings? Surely the luxury apartment business can afford to pay its own way. That seems like a bigger scandal than anything Silver and Skelos are alleged to have done.
Why is the state financing, and giving tax breaks to, luxury apartment buildings? Surely the luxury apartment business can afford to pay its own way. That seems like a bigger scandal than anything Silver and Skelos are alleged to have done.
5
Because giving to the rich is The American Way. Where are your manners?
2
I'm from Buffalo, sometimes called "the City of No Illusions" (despite the current address).
A narrow focus on small-time corruption by a few legislators is misleading, when big money is untouched and free to act.
Silver's and Skelos's simultaneous falls from power have left a vacuum filled by Governor Cuomo alone. That's not good for whatever remains are left of democratic process in New York State.
We saw the effect on education policy last January when Cuomo pushed a bad policy through the NYS legislature with only token opposition. If Silver were still Speaker, at least he would have made demands that would have hobbled this bad policy. Cuomo is now backtracking from this policy.
Without organizations led by and capable of mobilizing ordinary citizens, we're left with a contest between ambitious politicians representing different interest groups. That's not pretty and is often corrupt. But if this contest is replaced by unilateral rule, that's worse.
A narrow focus on small-time corruption by a few legislators is misleading, when big money is untouched and free to act.
Silver's and Skelos's simultaneous falls from power have left a vacuum filled by Governor Cuomo alone. That's not good for whatever remains are left of democratic process in New York State.
We saw the effect on education policy last January when Cuomo pushed a bad policy through the NYS legislature with only token opposition. If Silver were still Speaker, at least he would have made demands that would have hobbled this bad policy. Cuomo is now backtracking from this policy.
Without organizations led by and capable of mobilizing ordinary citizens, we're left with a contest between ambitious politicians representing different interest groups. That's not pretty and is often corrupt. But if this contest is replaced by unilateral rule, that's worse.
2
"Some lawmakers said this [ anemic legislative session] occurred, in part, because of their concern that investigators may view the normal, transactional nature of politics in Albany as crimes of corruption." By jove they've got it!
1
is this a new flash to the nytimes ?
where have you been for decades to do serious investigative journalism ?
where have you been for decades to do serious investigative journalism ?
4
Educate yourself and vote tomorrow.
2
Makes me wonder which party I can vote for that isn't totally corrupt.
1
You don't vote for parties. You vote for candidates.
5
That is THE problem, people only vote along party lines, you vote for the person running not the party itself. If this is the way you've been voting, please stay home tomorrow. This is why we have the problems we do.
1
What Shelly is on trial for is the tip of the iceberg. He has driven up costs to the people indirectly by blocking any discussion of tort reform because it benefited his law firm and hence his wallet. The cost of the Tappan Zee rebuild is a hundred million more because he refused a vote on the scaffold law. Malpractice costs, asbestos, etc, all kills our state to benefit... him.
He is a crook, but the system that permitted his behavior is at least as bad.
He is a crook, but the system that permitted his behavior is at least as bad.
7
What do you expect when more than half our lawmakers are lawyers???
Perhaps Shakespeare was right.
Perhaps Shakespeare was right.
5
After reading this story I wonder why would anyone want to give government MORE money and MORE power?
6
Well, you're reading about it in this paper and they'll be a trial as compared to a lot of private sector corruption.
1
So legislators were afraid to legislate because they were afraid that the "normal, transactional nature of politics in Albany" might be viewed by investigators as "crimes of corruption." Well, duh! I have found it astounding how relatively normal human beings have been elected to state office and been corrupted quickly by the pervasive culture in Albany. Hopefully the price will be that none of these pretenders to public service will be able to successfully step up to the national political stage.
5
Aggressive, ego-driven, entitled white male behavior responsible for so much needless suffering. And new versions of all these creeps waiting in the wings, walking among us, being born every day.
3
Sorry, Hispanics and African Americans in Albany politics are just as corrupt. Do a little research first and especially at the current leader Heastie.
1
It' great the federal prosecutors are going after the corrupt politicians. However, rampant corruption will remain ever present in Albany because politician, officials, and in general the public have no ethics or morality.
2
Agreed. Walking the line is modus-operandi in New York and extends from politicians out into the business world, or maybe it's the other way around.
This is no surprise at all and shouldn't be to anyone with any common sense. There is a book called the Great Divide and it's a great read that will open your eyes even further into these big shots. This is a court case that will help support Bernie Sanders message of who runs our country. With the way things are now we really don't live in a true democracy. The super pacs are groups of these developers, business owners, investors, and 1%'ers that create laws through their paid politicians. If the politician doesn't support the right policies he/she has no chance in todays politics.
10
All of this going on for decades.
So, where was the media.
The reporting seems to consist of reporting on press conferences.
So, where was the media.
The reporting seems to consist of reporting on press conferences.
9
While these men are presumed innocent, the larger issue is the perception of public government. In law appearances are usually as important as reality. And the appearance of pervasive, ingrained corruption and deep conflicts of interest is something that all or nearly all state legislatures share. State government appears to be a dirty business from the top down. Business gets done behind closed doors. Lobbyists wheel and deal--often for singularly important benefits. Some legislators often don't even show up for work. Bad legislators count on the voters to be asleep at the switch and rely on no term limits to solidify and in short order, to abuse their power. When we do not make our positions known at the polls, we become complicit in this bad behavior. Prosecutors can only do so much. We need to join forces and put the brakes on corrupt and unethical government, pry ourselves loose from inertia and say "no more" on election day.
6
The arrests of Mr. Silver and Mr. Skelos, in January and May, also refreshed perennial calls to clean up Albany.
Be it in NY or anywhere else, calling for any of today's political bodies to clean up its act is about as effective as telling pigs to clean up their sty. To the pigs everything looks and smells fine just the way they are, so why should they change a thing. They'd probably just pass a new law for the rest of us to plug our noses and close our eyes . . . and we'd follow it!
Be it in NY or anywhere else, calling for any of today's political bodies to clean up its act is about as effective as telling pigs to clean up their sty. To the pigs everything looks and smells fine just the way they are, so why should they change a thing. They'd probably just pass a new law for the rest of us to plug our noses and close our eyes . . . and we'd follow it!
6
If these people are convicted ALL ill-gotten gain should be forfeited and some jail time would be appropriate. Send the message that these corrupt activities do not pay.
10
The culture of Albany? the NYT should report some of the corruption happening in Nassau County and in the Town of Oyster Bay. The people in these towns and counties have been milked for profit by corruption ranging form the local municipalities to the county and the state. It's insane, and I think people are starting to wake up to it.
If you read the front pages and headlines of Newsday, you'll understand better the racket that is the Nassau County executive and legislative branch and the corrupt regime of John Venditto (the Town of Oyster Bay supervisor).
If you read the front pages and headlines of Newsday, you'll understand better the racket that is the Nassau County executive and legislative branch and the corrupt regime of John Venditto (the Town of Oyster Bay supervisor).
7
Someone ought to do a real investigation into Mangano and Nassau County, he's as dirty as they come. What a mess he's made.
4
The "crisis of corruption in the state capital"?
Doesn't the term "crisis" suggest that this is an acute situation, demanding all the public's attention and the full resources of the legal and justice system in taking emergency measures to right wrongs and restore good government?
Yet, the "third man in the room," Cuomo, is still functioning as he before and feels free to have disbanded HIS OWN ethics commission, while remaining (uncharacteristically!) silent on the whole mess!
What's needed is for the Feds to take control from the utterly corrupt NYS state government and totally clean house!
Carl Heastie, the current speaker is just as bad as Silver, Skelos, and Bruno!
Doesn't the term "crisis" suggest that this is an acute situation, demanding all the public's attention and the full resources of the legal and justice system in taking emergency measures to right wrongs and restore good government?
Yet, the "third man in the room," Cuomo, is still functioning as he before and feels free to have disbanded HIS OWN ethics commission, while remaining (uncharacteristically!) silent on the whole mess!
What's needed is for the Feds to take control from the utterly corrupt NYS state government and totally clean house!
Carl Heastie, the current speaker is just as bad as Silver, Skelos, and Bruno!
9
Gov. Cuomo pays only lip service to cleaning up the culture of corruption in Albany, since nobody benefits from it more than him and his cronies. While the Moreland Commission could have been a meaningful step toward reform, he cynically used it as nothing more than a political bargaining chip.
Thank goodness for Preet Bharara and his staff. If New Yorkers want anything approaching honest government, they seem to be our only hope.
Thank goodness for Preet Bharara and his staff. If New Yorkers want anything approaching honest government, they seem to be our only hope.
23
The Silver and Robert Menendez cases show the 2 tiered system that Jon Stewart so correctly . If you do favors in exchange for cash for Joe Shmoe you get indicted on corruption charges, if you do favors in exchange for cash for for a corporation that's OK-that's just a campaign contribution.
6
It's wishful thinking to think that exposing corruption will change anything. This culture developed because of the assumption that the government does what it is supposed to. Focusing the public attention to certain regulatory gesticulations will only put power in the hands of others who will one day, also, have to be weeded out. Even if that is 20, 30 years down the line.
3
Yet we have a special election NYS Senate race here in the Binghamton region (to replace Tom Libous who had to resign due to being found guilty on corruption charges) and the candidates are suggesting more "Here's a bag of cash" public risk/private gain economic development ideas. We're going to continue to have major problems with corruption unless and until we fundamentally reshape our approach to government in New York.
7
Same thing in 12866. We have our 1st super PAC. Guess who funds it? The big developers.
I wonder if the trials will be broadcast or streamed.
The only feasible way to deal with the type of systemic
corruption of the depth found in Albany is via political
insurrection within a large enough component of Senate
or House members that would restructure the rules of the game,
or, since that appears as likely as any other miracle from
the heavens, a well financed and politically imaginative bipartisan reform movement from without that is able to seize sufficient power
to force changein how business operates.
But how likely is that within the dying embers of this formerly representative
democracy in which the overwhelming percentage of voters
are incapable of behaving like engaged and informed citizens? People
go on and on about systemic corruption bringing down this or
that foreign government (usually those more hostile to american
economic or strategic interests are so favored), but comparable
grave tones applied to any of the many examples that can be found within
state governments are difficult to detect.
The feeble handwaving response to the Cuomo interference with and disbanding
of Moreland Commission illustrates well why nothing can be changed in this state without
the unimaginable happening, that is, a popular seizure of power
by a bipartisan broad based reform movement.
The only feasible way to deal with the type of systemic
corruption of the depth found in Albany is via political
insurrection within a large enough component of Senate
or House members that would restructure the rules of the game,
or, since that appears as likely as any other miracle from
the heavens, a well financed and politically imaginative bipartisan reform movement from without that is able to seize sufficient power
to force changein how business operates.
But how likely is that within the dying embers of this formerly representative
democracy in which the overwhelming percentage of voters
are incapable of behaving like engaged and informed citizens? People
go on and on about systemic corruption bringing down this or
that foreign government (usually those more hostile to american
economic or strategic interests are so favored), but comparable
grave tones applied to any of the many examples that can be found within
state governments are difficult to detect.
The feeble handwaving response to the Cuomo interference with and disbanding
of Moreland Commission illustrates well why nothing can be changed in this state without
the unimaginable happening, that is, a popular seizure of power
by a bipartisan broad based reform movement.
2
I testified at the Moreland Commission. The day I was to testify, Albany called me and told me NOT to come. I went anyway. At the hearing they called my name. Perhaps they were hoping I would be a "no show". I was there and testified to the horrific and ONGOING corruption I had experienced. The retaliation ever since has been mind boggling. We have NO democracy, no Rule of Law, no Constitution, just corruption that is beyond your worst nightmares and is deeply systemic. New York is the most corrupt state working hand and glove with New Jersey. The rest of the country should be in despair at what is happening with the putrid Albany - Wall Street - Washington, DC corridor. Even if you don't vote for Sanders it's worth listening because he tells it like it is. An evil corruption - Madoff was no outlier.
29
You might like this. http://www.slideshare.net/RichPurtell/corruption-in-new-york-public-cons...
It is a systemic problem. Many, many people are involved in these games other than high level elected officials. They are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg.
It is a systemic problem. Many, many people are involved in these games other than high level elected officials. They are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg.
1
The problem is that the low information lefty voters will give Hillary a landslide win, the left looks the other way and brush off the fact that she his bought and paid for by her Super Pacs and most especially Wall Street. Too bad the left who thinks they are the smartest people in the room will give this woman free reign. She will do nothing much like Obama has done with reforming Wall Street, then they will scratch their collective heads and ask themselves what went wrong, that or blame the republicans. It's what they do.
4
Ombudsperson - please send someone to speak with Ms. Oxman.
For anyone who lives and works in NY and thinks this doesn't affect you - look at your last paycheck, and in particular the 'NY State Tax' line item. Some portion of that, every week, however small, lined the pockets of Silver and Skelos so they could have extra cheese on their whoppers.
8
Preet Bharara could probably spend the balance of his tenure as a US Attorney prosecuting members of the NYS Legislature. It's not much different here in Massachusetts with three speakers having been convicted and a current senior leader named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a jobs-for-budget money scandal.
The system cannot be meaningfully reformed when the same legislators under scrutiny decide what laws they will pass or dilute. Andrew Cuomo has to answer for why he shut down the Moreland Commission - it appears that he has something to hide or that he does not believe he is answerable to the electorate that put him in office - either possibility is worthy of his resignation.
The system cannot be meaningfully reformed when the same legislators under scrutiny decide what laws they will pass or dilute. Andrew Cuomo has to answer for why he shut down the Moreland Commission - it appears that he has something to hide or that he does not believe he is answerable to the electorate that put him in office - either possibility is worthy of his resignation.
14
Silver has a lot of elitist enemies. Single handedly blocking both the West Side Jets Stadium and Congestion Pricing merited this cold served dish called Revenge. There is pretty much nothing to this case of any substance that I can see, other than a lot of prosecutorial grandstanding and speech making about the culture of corruption in Albany that will hopefully sway the opinions, and not the common sense, of jurors.
Silver is a corrupt crook and will be going to jail. Preet Bharara wouldn't bring a case i there was no case. Congestion Pricing was a good idea.
4
You mean like the insider trading case where he just dropped all the charges against six, and moved to void the convictions of two more?
2
No, more like the cases of Patrick Smith Raj Rajaratnam I hope.
Now that Moe and Larry are facing the music, how long before Curley meets a similar fate?
In particular, I'd like to know why that Mooreland Commission investigating corruption was shut down.
In particular, I'd like to know why that Mooreland Commission investigating corruption was shut down.
23
Perhaps Shelly and Dean can get adjoining cells. These crooks along with probably half the assembly in Albany ought to be shown the door. What has transpired in Albany is a disgrace and Cuomo I am sure will be next. When will the voters get wise and vote these turkeys out? Good riddance.
9
Skelos will be convicted. He's a Republican, and persona non grata in liberal Albany. Silver's trial is the key to any substantive change in New York state government. If he is allowed to skate or plead to a reduced charge, then you know nothing will change in Albany. Pay for play will continue, and the bureaucrats will continue to get richer while taxing the rest of us to death.
17
The culture of Albany has been designed by -in great part-REBNY and the real estate interests. REBNY...& the dime a dozen developers have been the scourge of protecting the weak & the vulnerable. Those senior New Yorkers dependent on ethical Dept of Health regulations- which our legislators refuse to update in deference to their campaign contributor "employers"-are out of luck.
They're the reason the a failed Department of Health has not been regulated appropriately...one example is the case of Sentosa-a Nursing Home/Senior Residence consortium with a track record of malfeasance which is being allowed to perpetuate its harmful history on the vulnerable...ProPublica just released expose:
http://www.propublica.org/article/new-york-for-profit-nursing-home-group...
And then there's the case of the Esplanade (three locations) in which the Alzheimers disabled were given mere days notice in a surprise & outrageous DOH mandate.
There's also the Prospect Park Residence issue of 123 evicted seniors (six yet remain) where a real estate developer was abetted by a 90 day DOH permission to dump people who had even just recently downsized and moved there. He sold the building (having purchased it for $40,000,000) for $76,500,000...The DOH says 90 days ids hunky-dory...the legislators in Albany have EVADED ratifying a Bill to require a one year notice.
Can it be that the corruption goes well beyond Silver and Skelos...you betcha'
They're the reason the a failed Department of Health has not been regulated appropriately...one example is the case of Sentosa-a Nursing Home/Senior Residence consortium with a track record of malfeasance which is being allowed to perpetuate its harmful history on the vulnerable...ProPublica just released expose:
http://www.propublica.org/article/new-york-for-profit-nursing-home-group...
And then there's the case of the Esplanade (three locations) in which the Alzheimers disabled were given mere days notice in a surprise & outrageous DOH mandate.
There's also the Prospect Park Residence issue of 123 evicted seniors (six yet remain) where a real estate developer was abetted by a 90 day DOH permission to dump people who had even just recently downsized and moved there. He sold the building (having purchased it for $40,000,000) for $76,500,000...The DOH says 90 days ids hunky-dory...the legislators in Albany have EVADED ratifying a Bill to require a one year notice.
Can it be that the corruption goes well beyond Silver and Skelos...you betcha'
7
Deblasio and his not so progressive staff refused to help the residents of Prospect Park Residence. Then again, this is what happens when the Mayors office is a corrupt patronage mill.
2
Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, said in July that he felt his administration had 'proposed every ethics law imaginable,' and, ultimately, his administration could not legislate morality or intelligence."
You can legislate fear:
1: Every dime of political donations must be publicly traceable to a donor's home address.
2: Reclassify any outside income earned while serving office as direct bribery.
3: Seize assets in the case of a corruption conviction until the debt to the state has been repaid. If a link can be proven between a legislator and an abettor, say, a real estate company, then go after them too. With jail time.
You can legislate fear:
1: Every dime of political donations must be publicly traceable to a donor's home address.
2: Reclassify any outside income earned while serving office as direct bribery.
3: Seize assets in the case of a corruption conviction until the debt to the state has been repaid. If a link can be proven between a legislator and an abettor, say, a real estate company, then go after them too. With jail time.
17
Unless and until Albany's elite lose their pensions if convicted of a felony nothing will change. Additionally term limits will help to reduce their power and their ability to be corrupted. Cuomo likes to control things and that will eventually get him indicted for the Moreland fiasco. The U.S. attorney has him in his sights.
11
If the party affiliations of the defendants mean anything it is that both of our major political parties are implicit in the problem of corruption. The desire for "outsiders" to enter the presidential election reflects an awareness of this but begs the question of how to eliminate corruption in a thoroughly rotten institution. Inserting new, untainted apples in a contaminated barrel will only contaminate the new apples. An independently minded Republican or Democrat will not succeed in an environment that institutionalizes compliance in corruption. If it were only apples we would throw away the suspect barrels and bring in new ones.
A new party or two, started from scratch, dedicated to honest representation of the voters, good government, and independent of the existing power brokers would be nice. If Vermont can elect an independent like Bernie Sanders to the Senate, can a voting district do the same for the State Assembly?
A new party or two, started from scratch, dedicated to honest representation of the voters, good government, and independent of the existing power brokers would be nice. If Vermont can elect an independent like Bernie Sanders to the Senate, can a voting district do the same for the State Assembly?
6
[[Cab New York, NY
If the party affiliations of the defendants mean anything it is that both of our major political parties are implicit in the problem of corruption.]]
Complicit, not implicit.
Complicit.
If the party affiliations of the defendants mean anything it is that both of our major political parties are implicit in the problem of corruption.]]
Complicit, not implicit.
Complicit.
4
Duly noted. Thank you.
By no means should we excuse the corruption in Albany. If found guilty, both Silver and Skelos should be sent away for many years. But one wonders if New York is uniquely corrupt and what would be the result if Mr. Bharara were turned loose on another state capitol.
While three men in a room may be unseemly, one need only look to Washington and the paralysis in the House to see what happens when the entire caucus believes they should have a say in every matter. Governing, of necessity, involves horse trading and that cannot be done in a process involving a hundred or more members with competing viewpoints and interests and open to public and press criticism at every step.
Nor is it clear that the legal corruption of superPACs funded by billionaires is any less corrupt than the doings of Silver and Skelos, who are penny-ante crooks by comparison.
Finally, it must be noted that while Mr Bharara has indicted and convicted a bevy of state legislators for stealing what in some cases was a few tens of thousands of dollars, he has not indicted, yet alone convicted, a single Wall Street CEO. Those who crashed the financial system walked away with hundreds of millions, while settlements were reached by their firms, with the fines being paid by the shareholders, who in most cases are pension funds and 401(k) holders.
While three men in a room may be unseemly, one need only look to Washington and the paralysis in the House to see what happens when the entire caucus believes they should have a say in every matter. Governing, of necessity, involves horse trading and that cannot be done in a process involving a hundred or more members with competing viewpoints and interests and open to public and press criticism at every step.
Nor is it clear that the legal corruption of superPACs funded by billionaires is any less corrupt than the doings of Silver and Skelos, who are penny-ante crooks by comparison.
Finally, it must be noted that while Mr Bharara has indicted and convicted a bevy of state legislators for stealing what in some cases was a few tens of thousands of dollars, he has not indicted, yet alone convicted, a single Wall Street CEO. Those who crashed the financial system walked away with hundreds of millions, while settlements were reached by their firms, with the fines being paid by the shareholders, who in most cases are pension funds and 401(k) holders.
12
Don't think Cuomo is sleeping too well these nights.
19
Interesting juxtaposition of the photo of George Washington with the article about these two cockroaches. Washington was generally against dueling (he lost his former trusted aide and good friend, Alexander Hamilton, in such a way), but he might have made an exception for Silver and Skelos. The irony is that Washington was genuinely grieved to have to carry out the sentence of hanging in the case of Major Andre, a young, daring and charismatic British officer captured in civilian clothing with the plans to West Point on his person. Washington considered Andre to be a gentleman and honorable person, and only his strict code of conduct kept him from granting the young soldier a pardon. I doubt very much that Washington would have thought twice about sending the likes of Silver and Skelos to the gallows if the opportunity presented itself.
10
Corruption? When we have REAL leaders to vote for, and they are in positions of leadership where they have PROVEN they belong, ALL people will start being treated fairly, problems will start getting solved, and being prevented, and not until then. YOU, the PEOPLE, have the power to make this happen. Ignore what you hear from those who want to keep control and power over you for their own selfish and greedy reasons, who try to convince you that what is needed can't be done without them, and YOU do what must be done. Get ACTIVELY involved in the governance of your country, YOU find people who have proven with on-the-ground results that they are REAL leaders (instead of the usual types chosen FOR you to choose from), and elect them. REAL leaders are unusual in our society now (but they DO exist), due to an increasingly, and dangerously insecure and fearful public being so naive and easily manipulated, locked into looking at gadgets "24 7" instead of each other, and with so much emphasis being placed on technology and money. Get out and get to know as much about people as you do about your gadgets. In doing so, you will start to get more confidence in yourselves and will interact with more self-confidence and kindness toward others unlike yourselves. In doing so, you will find YOUR lives getting better, healthier, and far less stressful. As the saying goes, "keep it simple".
5
I am not a big fan of term limits, because typically they are too short. I do think that having legislators in office for forty years begs complacency, if not corruption. Having teams of people taken far from the moral compass of their homes to serve in the state (or federal) government impacts their judgment. Dean and Shelly served well for decades, it is a shame their careers end like this.
4
The trials of two of Albany's top former legislators will likely reveal the sordid underbelly of New York State politics. But let's remember that under the Constitution, these men and Mr. Skelos' son are presumed innocent and may not be found guilty unless their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In the case of state politicians, there is a temptation to rush to judgment. That would not be the right thing to do.
1
Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Difficult to prove by the required standard of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that the public was bilked out of honest services for money earned by way of referral fees and consulting fees. Rarely does a direct quid pro quo exist.
Difficult to prove by the required standard of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that the public was bilked out of honest services for money earned by way of referral fees and consulting fees. Rarely does a direct quid pro quo exist.
2
We have the same in France. Power corrupts, and I would change the wording to 'power over time corrupts' Let us limit politicians to 5/7 years and then no more political office of any kind, period, no exceptions. There is no reason to have lifers in Senates, state governments, city governments, Federal governments. There are always enough good people to take up government offices, and don't say they need 'experience', experience only leads to corruption, job protection, complacency and outright incompetence.
9
There's an expression in America that the state governments are the "laboratories of democracy." Things can be tried out at the state level, and adopted if they work and, if they don't, discarded with only localized damage.
A number of U.S. states have implemented term limits, and it has been uniformly disastrous. Michigan gives an instructive example. Residents there have traded entrenched politicians--some of whom were bad, some of whom were experienced and good and all of whom were subject to popular vote--for entrenched, un-elected staff and career bureaucrats. New legislators stumble into the statehouse without any context or understanding of the institutional history of the place, and are forced out of office a maximum of 6 years later, shortly after they've finally gained the experience, skill and confidence to be effective. For the first term or two, they mostly look to those permanent staff members for guidance, who have become an outsized influence on state politics.
Term limits are a terrible idea. The best cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy.
A number of U.S. states have implemented term limits, and it has been uniformly disastrous. Michigan gives an instructive example. Residents there have traded entrenched politicians--some of whom were bad, some of whom were experienced and good and all of whom were subject to popular vote--for entrenched, un-elected staff and career bureaucrats. New legislators stumble into the statehouse without any context or understanding of the institutional history of the place, and are forced out of office a maximum of 6 years later, shortly after they've finally gained the experience, skill and confidence to be effective. For the first term or two, they mostly look to those permanent staff members for guidance, who have become an outsized influence on state politics.
Term limits are a terrible idea. The best cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy.
Only one thing is certain: we will always get the leaders we deserve. Humans are a useless, venial, cowardly, corrupt, lazy and greedy bunch for the most part. Why does it surprise us when the great and the good turn out to be just like us?
5
and when is the trial for the people who provided and funneled the money to the legislators? there will always be people willing to take bribes as long as people are willing to to offer bribes. it's time to stop the process at the source.
5
I've been reading stories about government corruption for 35 years and I've come to the conclusion that I don't care. What I care about is what laws these lawmakers pass. That's what's most relevant to me. Other countries don't expect their politicians to be icons of moral rectitude. Europe laughed at us over the Elliot Spitzer scandal and resignation. A no-show job is wrong, but against the scope of the state budget it involves an infinitesimal amount of money. I fear that the media's focus on these events helps to undermine the very notion of government in the eyes of naive members of the public, who then are increasingly manipulated by corporations who are not beholden to voters and whose crimes include slavery overseas, poor wages at home, and environmental destruction. A bit more serious than giving someone's son a no-show job, don't you think?
It is hard to believe that, when the people at the top are involved in corrupt and ethically questionable actions, others are not involved as well. In a culture of corruption and loose ethics, sometimes, you have to "share the wealth" to keep people in line. Certainly, others must have had some inkling of what was going on, and they did nothing to stop it. Did they just not want to rock the boat, or was it something else?
3
Every USA state govt has its internal issues but the brazenly open illegality of misconduct happening in Albany is an embarrassment to NYC, which pays and pays and pays into the coffers of NY State,
When I moved to NYC I has no idea just how badly our (cough) Albany State Govt was run.
14
Embarrassment to NYC? Imagine how Upstaters feel when NYC send its criminal element to Albany. Here are just a few of the stellar Legislators you have send to Albany in recent years:
State Senator John L. Sampson (D).
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Malcolm Smith (D)
State Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa (D
State Assemblyman William Boyland, Jr. (D)
State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D)
State Assemblyman Nelson Castro (D)
State Senator Shirley Huntley (D)
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Pedro Espada Jr. (D)
State Senator Carl Kruger (D)
State Senator Efrain Gonzalez Jr. (D)
State Senator John L. Sampson (D).
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Malcolm Smith (D)
State Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa (D
State Assemblyman William Boyland, Jr. (D)
State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D)
State Assemblyman Nelson Castro (D)
State Senator Shirley Huntley (D)
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Pedro Espada Jr. (D)
State Senator Carl Kruger (D)
State Senator Efrain Gonzalez Jr. (D)
3
Glad to see they are also investigating Cuomos's termination of the Moreland Committee. Cuomo's hands are likely dirty too.
24
The SDNY is our best and our worst.
If they cannot get Albany, as they have not managed Wall Street...
It will be beyond clear.
If they do get Albany, as they missed on Wall Street...
It will be equally clear.
The complicit rule... and money talks.
Nothing changes.
If they cannot get Albany, as they have not managed Wall Street...
It will be beyond clear.
If they do get Albany, as they missed on Wall Street...
It will be equally clear.
The complicit rule... and money talks.
Nothing changes.
2
The seemingly eternal culture of corruption in Albany has been berthed in various and sundry local governments across the state. To far too many politicians, our esteemed governor in the lead, (as demonstrated by his disbanding of the Moreland Commission, ) ethics is a word fit only for the dictionary, not one for personal use.
Clean up will begin if, and only if, "Guilty as Charged" is returned by the people of the state as represented in the respective juries.
As lawyers they will appeal, and appeal, but the message will have been sent.
Clean up will begin if, and only if, "Guilty as Charged" is returned by the people of the state as represented in the respective juries.
As lawyers they will appeal, and appeal, but the message will have been sent.
19
A little presumptuous, aren't you? The isn't a gulag, where a ruler pronounces the verdict and the "jury" executes it. This is America: let the jury do it's job.
They may disappoint us all and very well turn out out a verdict other than "Guilty as Charged".
Which is not to say that the defendants might not be guilty, just not "as charged", or "proven beyond a reasonable doubt".
They may disappoint us all and very well turn out out a verdict other than "Guilty as Charged".
Which is not to say that the defendants might not be guilty, just not "as charged", or "proven beyond a reasonable doubt".
We don't have real political parties under the farcical two party system. We only have privatized public patronage networks.
26
"2 Corruption Cases Will Put the Culture of Albany on Trial"
Pretty sure the headline is optimistic, overreaching.
A couple of crooks may go down but I expect little change overall.
Hope I'm wrong.
Pretty sure the headline is optimistic, overreaching.
A couple of crooks may go down but I expect little change overall.
Hope I'm wrong.
8
The corrosive effect of political power on the system and on humans. Yuck.
On the other hand, I don't think it is fair to try them in the media, as none of us know all the facts. Innocent until proven guilty for all.
The issue though is politics and big government yield big sway over our lives and our businesses; politicians with their hands out will always be a problem, and always bigger as government power gets bigger.
On the other hand, I don't think it is fair to try them in the media, as none of us know all the facts. Innocent until proven guilty for all.
The issue though is politics and big government yield big sway over our lives and our businesses; politicians with their hands out will always be a problem, and always bigger as government power gets bigger.
By the time Silver and skelos, and even Cuomo, are judged by their actions, which perpetuate this culture of corruption, new cases will, no doubt, appear, and the old one's will be shrugged off as 'business as usual', Our memory span is short, and there may be a tendency to lean towards leniency, given that we 'know' that, in similar circumstances, and with the usual immunity in using the system for illicit self-gain that power allows, we may be perfectly capable in doing the same thing. That is the scary thing, as we are so imperfect that, although able to excel in helping others, we are also the scum of Earth, ready to strike a deal.
12
The fundamental cause of the problem is the lack of competition between the two parties. There are vast areas of New York where it is unthinkable that a Republican candidate might win. If you are on the ballot, and you have a D after your name, you are in. The are smaller, but still substantial areas where the reverse is true.
So the whole electoral process involves a bunch of insiders gaming the nomination process to get on the ballot. Few voters understand what is going on, or why their votes mean nothing.
So the whole electoral process involves a bunch of insiders gaming the nomination process to get on the ballot. Few voters understand what is going on, or why their votes mean nothing.
5
When I moved to NY, I found just the opposite. Never anything in the mail about voting. But, driving into my village one day saw a sign that said VOTE. I went in and asked what was being voted upon. They handed me a ballot and said just vote for these names, 2 R's. I asked where the D's candidates were. Was told no, just R's, vote for them!
1
@grmadragon - See last sentence in first paragraph.
The two parties simply divide up the state into areas where one party has total control.
The two parties simply divide up the state into areas where one party has total control.
4
You know, the Times criticised Cuomo roundly when he axed the Moreland Commission. Yet, you supported him both in the primary and in the general election. As bad as Albany is, Cuomo is complicit in the mess. Yet you supported him. The core problem is that watchdogs like you, to do your job, must be willing to hold your nose and elect a hated republican. The rascals must be thrown out and that means that sometimes people from "the other party" need to get in.
How about getting behind a term limits referendum?
How about getting behind a term limits referendum?
29
With all due respect, these two cases (along with numerous others) are not the issue here, the culture of corruption is, and that is not on trial.
16
... And I ask myself if "the culture of corruption" is referred to us, the people, who allow it to continue, or to the politicians riding on it.
The problem is systemic, not a problem of a few corrupt individuals. Throwing the rascals out will not fix it. Need to strike at the corrupting influence - money.
26
"This focus on Albany has already had a chilling effect in the Capitol and contributed to what was an anemic legislative session this year."
In other words, nothing's getting done because lawmakers can't do things as they always have. Cuomo did immense damage to his reputation, and the chances for meaningful legislation for New Yorkers, when he disbanded the Moreland Commission.
In other words, nothing's getting done because lawmakers can't do things as they always have. Cuomo did immense damage to his reputation, and the chances for meaningful legislation for New Yorkers, when he disbanded the Moreland Commission.
46
It's of course possible Cuomo knowingly accepted the 'immense damage to his reputation' when he disbanded the Moreland Commission for fear that the outcome for him and many others in Albany might have been even more damaging if the Commission had been allowed to run its course.
1
I hope we eventually discover the real reason Governor Cuomo put the kibosh on his anti-corruption commission. It appears the commission got too big for its britches and began sniffing around the wrong places. I hope the prosecutor continues investigating the circumstances surrounding the governor's hasty decision. It's stunning to think he could get away with something like that in broad daylight but, then again, it is Albany!
How curious that Mr. Cuomo ran on a "i'm going to clean up Albany" mantra when it's safe to say he's done virtually nothing. In fact, he recently declared how impossible it is to "legislate morality," as if there is no solution to the corruption in Albany. Sounds to me like the governor has given himself over to the status quo. Or perhaps he did that long ago and the commission was a misguided attempt to get the heat off his own back.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cuomo has fully embraced the "three men in the room" machine that for years has consolidated power in his office and away from the people. It's probably a fair question to ask why a powerbroker in his position with voluntarily give up his gravy train, which will help ensure Mr. Cuomo has far more wealth when he leaves office.
We get what we deserve, folks. We had an alternative -- Zephyr Teachout -- a candidate who, by all appearances, was a person of high integrity who truly wanted to take Albany to task. Instead we voted for more of the same, and that's what we got -- in spades! Wake up, New York!
How curious that Mr. Cuomo ran on a "i'm going to clean up Albany" mantra when it's safe to say he's done virtually nothing. In fact, he recently declared how impossible it is to "legislate morality," as if there is no solution to the corruption in Albany. Sounds to me like the governor has given himself over to the status quo. Or perhaps he did that long ago and the commission was a misguided attempt to get the heat off his own back.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cuomo has fully embraced the "three men in the room" machine that for years has consolidated power in his office and away from the people. It's probably a fair question to ask why a powerbroker in his position with voluntarily give up his gravy train, which will help ensure Mr. Cuomo has far more wealth when he leaves office.
We get what we deserve, folks. We had an alternative -- Zephyr Teachout -- a candidate who, by all appearances, was a person of high integrity who truly wanted to take Albany to task. Instead we voted for more of the same, and that's what we got -- in spades! Wake up, New York!
44
Cuomo is wealthy and connected, so little meaningful will stick on him. If things get dark he can simply step away from politics and do something else.
What this might do though is forever prevent Cuomo from running for higher offices in the USA.
2
Grab the popcorn! As a resident of Albany, I can't wait! Spoiler Alert: Expect plea bargains to bring down Cuomo.
11