The Philadelphia Inquirer
Editorial Board offers an editorial on the city’s corruption and lack of voter
interest.
Philadelphia’s highest law
enforcement officer pleaded guilty this morning to taking a bribe and the city
shrugged — again.
Former District Attorney Seth
Williams was accused of selling his office for lavish vacations, cash and back
slaps. But his plea and resignation won’t end the city’s corruption crisis
because Philadelphia seems just fine with it … and we show that in so many
ways:
Turnout in DA races is
notoriously low even though the consequences are literally life and death. If
the district attorney is doing his job, he can reduce neighborhood violence and
save lives. He can make the difference between whether a person is charged with
a crime that carries a life-ruining sentence or is given a chance at redemption.
Voters say there are too few
good choices, and they’re right about that. Philadelphia tolerates being a
one-party town. Enough Democratic officeholders have been convicted in recent
years to fill a cell block.
…Republicans don’t escape
blame either. The city GOP is so weak, it’s just about DOA. The party doesn’t
finance strong candidates. It may be too content with the GOP patronage jobs at
the Philadelphia Parking Authority to rock the boat.
Besides accepting criminal
politicians, Philadelphia has an uncanny comfort level with little thefts; the
ones pols say are legal, or arrogantly proclaim are well-deserved rewards for
jobs they decide are well done.
You can read the rest of the
editorial via the below link:
You can also read my Crime
Beat column on past Philadelphia corruption scandals via the below link:
Note: Seth Williams is seen in the top photo, which reminds me of the Esquire magazine's old satiric caption, "Why is this man smiling?"
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