WELCOME
to On The Qt, an email newsletter with a focus on non-partisan
reform. Issues covered range from the national to the local; from
the large to the seemingly small. Our subjects are as diverse as
our sources. One premise of On The QT is that corruption knows no
ideological boundaries. Neither left nor right has a lock on
reform. Statistics show our country is becoming what is called
"a low trust society". The need for reform is becoming a movement
unto itself.
THE TITLE--
On The Qt-- pays homage to the scandal magazines of the 1950's.
During that period publicity machines shoveled manure about
public figures and much of the mainstream media helped spread it.
Scandal magazines rushed to fill the vacuum. Though their motives
were mercenary and their stories often outrageous, scandal mags
sometimes provided a dose of much needed truth. On The Qt won't
follow their focus but we hope to evoke their spirit.
LET'S GO
No need to recap recent events in Washington regarding
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. Suffice to say that it's surprised
many that McCain/Feingold has gotten this far. At the "Bringing
Campaign Finance Reform To Albany" conference on February 27th
NYS Comptroller Carl McCall expressed doubt the bill would make
the Senate cut. He also felt that passage on the national front
would aid efforts at campaign finance reform in New York State.
This conference, hosted by The New York Fair Elections Project
and other groups, presented panels made interesting by the
presence of union officials and business heavy hitters. Pressure
for campaign finance reform is beginning to come not just from
good government types but from those upon whom the extortion
demands fall most heavily. Some might call this poetic justice...
MAYORS RUNNING AMUCK
of late include Providence, Rhode Island Mayor "Buddy" Cianci.
Buddy has been handed a 30 count RICO indictment which includes
charges of bribery and extortion-- the result of an investigation
called Operation Plunderdome. (Will "Providence" the series,
spawn "Plunderdome" the spinoff?) When rumors of the
investigation began to surface, Buddy started selling off his
assets. In order to economize he said. Oakland California Mayor
Jerry Brown, when told of Cianci's troubles at the National
Mayors Conference in Washington D.C. said, "These kinds of
indictments are just part of being a mayor". Meanwhile, in Jersey
City, New Jersey, ex-Mayor Jerry McCann wants to make another run
for office. Standing in the way is his status as a convicted
felon. In the 80's Merry Jerry got himself in S&L trouble and
ended up serving a term in prison for bank and wire fraud. Now he
wants a repeat term as mayor. But New Jersey has laws forbidding
ex-felons from holding office. Never say die says Jerry as he
toddles off to lodge a challenge in a higher court. Most
remarkable are the citizens who say-- go for it, Jehr! When
McCann was removed from office in 92, he reportedly left the
mayor's office in a shambles. Including using his desk as a
toilet. Guess some folks never get enough. Which brings us to
CITIZEN COMPLICITY
People who shrug off major corruption in their local governments
often do so because they feel helpless. Regrettable but
understandable. Others shrug it off because they benefit. And
some kiss up for benefits not even received: vague promises
suffice. Federal block grants have provided many a tin god with
golden carrots to dangle. But the creepiest form of complicity
comes from those who take vicarious pride in the corruption of
their elected representatives. Usually they couch it in terms of
praise for their political id's success in obtaining money,
crushing opposition, attracting development, etc. But what these
people really groove on is the power to do evil. Success has
little to do with it. Mayors who've driven their cities into the
ground (Hello Camden, NJ!) find these supporters loyal till
the end.
BARS CATERING TO BOZOS
who trash surrounding neighborhoods are springing up like fungi
after rain. They've become a major source of public
dissatisfaction with the New York State Liquor Authority. At a
NYC mid March hearing convened by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
and Assemblymember Robin Schimminger, crowds of angry NYC
neighborhood residents confronted S.L.A. officials about an
overabundance of booze barns and their effect on neighborhoods.
Among the hard hit neighborhoods are Greenwich Village, Chelsea
and Clinton aka Hell's Kitchen. The bar biz is
a powerful and well connected bunch. But NYC neighborhood types
are tough and they're fed up. The problem isn't unique to the
Apple either. The SLA hearing was called to address the Albany
based agency's policies regarding granting of state liquor
licenses. This kind of bar scene is becoming a major
urban/suburban problem. What used to be found only at Spring
break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is now showing up on myriad
neighborhood doorsteps every weekend. Politicos and bar owners
try to marginalize complainers by branding them an anti-business
minority. Might work-- if it wasn't the same thing those
beholden to bar bucks say every time the issue comes up.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
HUD Bux Handouts, The Numero Uno Quality Of Life Offense, The
Prison Guard From Hell and Monthly Corrupto Roundup. Plus info on
the "My Deteriorating Neighborhood" Essay Contest.
"People are good until they find out how much money they can make
being bad." From: The Wit & Wisdom of Building Inspectors
"Corruption! Corruption! Makes you feel so good!" The Plasmatics
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mailto:editor@mondoqt.com
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