We are the problem
The Pinnacle’s reprint of The News Tribune’s editorial,
”
Victors Must Deliver
”
commented on the need to eliminate the corruption and influence
peddling that has existed in Washington for decades. Unfortunately,
by supporting Rep. John Murtha for majority leader, it’s obvious
the new Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, did not get the message. From Abscam
to earmarks, Murtha is the poster boy for what’s wrong with
Congress. Pelosi tried to give Dillinger the keys to the bank
vault; even the Democratic caucus couldn’t stomach that and
rebelled.
Whose fault is it? The Bard had it right –
”
The fault
…lies not in our stars, but in ourselves…
”
Those in Congress who sail close along the line of corruption
relying on technical denials to escape responsibility hold honesty
and honor in little value. We treat members of Congress as royalty
because we have given them royal power, the unchecked power of the
purse. Naturally, they have come to believe they have ‘Royal
Prerogatives’ too. New rules are not going to change Lord Acton’s
119-year-old observation,
”
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts
absolutely.
”
Shakespeare’s reference to
”
ourselves
”
applies equally to the politicians and those of us who put them
and keep them in office. If we demand, above all else, the
politicians bring home the bacon, it’s only natural that they’re
going to take a few strips for themselves.
If the government really wanted to improve the voting booths all
they have to do is add a mirror to each one.
Marty Richman
Hollister
We are the problem
The Pinnacle’s reprint of The News Tribune’s editorial, “Victors Must Deliver” commented on the need to eliminate the corruption and influence peddling that has existed in Washington for decades. Unfortunately, by supporting Rep. John Murtha for majority leader, it’s obvious the new Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, did not get the message. From Abscam to earmarks, Murtha is the poster boy for what’s wrong with Congress. Pelosi tried to give Dillinger the keys to the bank vault; even the Democratic caucus couldn’t stomach that and rebelled.
Whose fault is it? The Bard had it right – “The fault…lies not in our stars, but in ourselves…” Those in Congress who sail close along the line of corruption relying on technical denials to escape responsibility hold honesty and honor in little value. We treat members of Congress as royalty because we have given them royal power, the unchecked power of the purse. Naturally, they have come to believe they have ‘Royal Prerogatives’ too. New rules are not going to change Lord Acton’s 119-year-old observation, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Shakespeare’s reference to “ourselves” applies equally to the politicians and those of us who put them and keep them in office. If we demand, above all else, the politicians bring home the bacon, it’s only natural that they’re going to take a few strips for themselves.
If the government really wanted to improve the voting booths all they have to do is add a mirror to each one.
Marty Richman
Hollister
Accentuate the positive with a rally
Wow! Here we go again with the negativity that John Lemos is trying to instill on as many of us as he can (which is very few) about how bad the rally is for Hollister – and even having the gall to ask if the committee will take responsibility for anyone “shot,” “maimed” or “raped.” As if any of these things ever happened here. What a crock.
John, you need to wake up and fly right. We are a lot more positive people than negative, let me tell you! We all need an event to get us out of the hole. It’s as simple as that.
Barbara Bailey Valdez
Hollister
Gerrymandering hard at work
The State Senate District 34 vote lead has been going back and fourth. As of 11 AM November 17, Democrat Lou Correa had regained the lead over Republican Lynn Daucher. The 272 vote difference is a small fraction of the over 105,000 votes counted.
If the current difference holds up, not one California Senate or Assembly seat will have changed party affiliation since the shameful redistricting in 2002. That is 0 in 240 races.
Gerrymandering works.
Marvin L. Jones
Hollister
