CommentsCITYWATCH TODAY—The Los Angeles Times took the lid off of a lengthy and in-depth investigative piece on Sunday and the stench has citizens gagging all the way to Washington DC. We talk about corruption and ignorance among our electeds often, but seldom accompanied by such depth and detail. If you are not alarmed and taking shallow breaths … call 911 immediately. You need life support while we all await your return to consciousness. It’s obvious you’ve been in a coma for a spell.
Not even the most jaded, or the least interested, where politics are concerned can read this LAT article and not feel had, conned, screwed, bewildered, angry! These are rapscallions you voted for. Put your trust in. And, are either corrupt to the core or are blue-ribbon ignorant or … both.
The Times report exposes how a sleazebag developer bought favorable vote after favorable vote from members of the Los Angeles City Council or, at the very least, got favorable votes from LA Councilmembers after illegally funding their campaigns and they were to ignorant to understand they needed to recuse themselves from voting or be damaged by the perception that they were being bought. Or, both.
Mayor Eric Garcetti, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Councilmembers Jose Huizar, Mitchell Englander, Joe Buscaino and Nury Martinez were named. Hundreds of thousands of dollars exchanged hands. Laundered donations took place. Under the nose of the City’s Ethics Commission. In the plain sight of fellow council members. Disrespectful of those who trusted them. Without a single apology to date.
And, if you cast one more vote for any one of these characters … stop whining, you deserve every lie, every bought vote, every moment of deception you get.
More details in Today’s CityWatch. The full LA Times expose here.
Ken Draper-Editor, CityWatch