Tales of Corruption
2014-06-16 - by
Republicans made great hay in 2010 and 2012 over then-ongoing investigations of Democratic politicians, like John Edwards, Mike Easley and appointees of Bev Perdue. Suddenly the shoe is on the other foot. Such are the perks of high office.
Now there are two investigations of possible illegal activity, one involving the coal ash spill and the other, political contributions by the video sweepstakes industry. Both will focus, quite naturally, on Republicans.
In fairness, Republicans have good reason to squawk about being tarred, shall we say, with the coal ash investigation. After all, Duke was dumping coal ash long before Governor McCrory took office.
But three unfortunate facts intrude. First, McCrory worked for Duke for nearly 30 years. Second, the spill happened on his watch. And, third, his administration has made a great show of relaxing environmental regulations. The result: They own whatever happens.
Now we learn there is an SBI investigation of political contributions from the video sweepstakes industry. This one will be hard to foist off on Democrats. After all, political money follows power, and Republicans have the power now.
How did a party that is famously anti-gambling end up caught in this mess? The same way the same party bet teacher pay raises on higher state lottery proceeds, immediately after holding their state convention at a casino.
Gambling apparently is addictive. The GOP seemed to get a contact high.
The investigation comes just as Republicans conveniently conspire to move the SBI from the Department of Justice (run by a Democrat) to the Governor’s Cabinet.
Democrats, of course, should raise hell about this. Maybe they should propose appointment of a special prosecutor, a Kenneth Starr to get to the bottom (so to speak) of everything.
Or maybe the U.S. Attorney should look into this one, too.
Rest assured: Tales of corruption will be on the campaign agenda again this year and in 2016.
Posted in General, North Carolina - Republicans
Tales of Corruption
2014-06-16/
Republicans made great hay in 2010 and 2012 over then-ongoing investigations of Democratic politicians, like John Edwards, Mike Easley and appointees of Bev Perdue. Suddenly the shoe is on the other foot. Such are the perks of high office.
Now there are two investigations of possible illegal activity, one involving the coal ash spill and the other, political contributions by the video sweepstakes industry. Both will focus, quite naturally, on Republicans.
In fairness, Republicans have good reason to squawk about being tarred, shall we say, with the coal ash investigation. After all, Duke was dumping coal ash long before Governor McCrory took office.
But three unfortunate facts intrude. First, McCrory worked for Duke for nearly 30 years. Second, the spill happened on his watch. And, third, his administration has made a great show of relaxing environmental regulations. The result: They own whatever happens.
Now we learn there is an SBI investigation of political contributions from the video sweepstakes industry. This one will be hard to foist off on Democrats. After all, political money follows power, and Republicans have the power now.
How did a party that is famously anti-gambling end up caught in this mess? The same way the same party bet teacher pay raises on higher state lottery proceeds, immediately after holding their state convention at a casino.
Gambling apparently is addictive. The GOP seemed to get a contact high.
The investigation comes just as Republicans conveniently conspire to move the SBI from the Department of Justice (run by a Democrat) to the Governor’s Cabinet.
Democrats, of course, should raise hell about this. Maybe they should propose appointment of a special prosecutor, a Kenneth Starr to get to the bottom (so to speak) of everything.
Or maybe the U.S. Attorney should look into this one, too.
Rest assured: Tales of corruption will be on the campaign agenda again this year and in 2016.
Posted in General, North Carolina - Republicans