Here’s the State House version of Ethics Reform: Members can take secretly ‘gifts’ of up to $500 from people seeking favorable legislation. They can take bigger gifts if they report them.

Hard to believe?

Democrat Representative Verla Insko, who voted against the secret gifts said “she didn’t like the thought of being able to keep secrets gifts worth $499 from people seeking favorable legislation.” (News and Observer, 5/18/06)

Representative Drew Saunders, another Democrat who voted for them disagreed. Saunders said: “Even the baby Jesus accepted gifts, and I don’t think it corrupted him.” Now, if Representative Saunders were the baby Jesus we wouldn’t be worried about him being corrupted. But the problem is he’s not.

Here’s one more amazing fact. The corruption – under Democratic leadership – in the State House is a major issue Republicans should be speaking out on. What did they do? They lined up in a phalanx and voted for Jim Black’s version of ethics reform. Which, as Gary says in his blog, is certainly good news for the Democrats.

Click to Read & Post Comments