Corruption 3/3/05
The Middle Road
By Rich Kohler
March 3, 2005
For more than two hundred years, the rule of law has been preserving the freedom of American citizens. For more than two years, under the capable leadership of United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Christopher Christie, the rule of law has been liberating the people of New Jersey. Two weeks ago, with the arrests of eleven public officials, the rule of law took a big step toward emancipating the residents of Monmouth County from nefarious and veiled oppression.
While few people dispute the idea that extortion and money-laundering are unacceptable practices, I have already read and heard comments that twenty years in prison seems an excessive punishment for crimes involving such low-level public servants and such small sums of money. Politicians who sell the trust of their constituents deserve harsh sentencing, no matter his or her elected or appointed position, and no matter the amount of cash involved.
Our country was founded on the belief that honoring just two basic human rights will secure the opportunity for its citizens to pursue happiness. The three branches of government, legislative, judicial, and executive, work independently and cooperatively to define, enforce, and manage the rule of law. As cumbersome as this system of government can seem at times, it enables our society to protect the human rights of life and liberty.
Murder and assault with a deadly weapon carry maximum sentences of twenty years to life in prison. In a society that values life, the penalty for taking or threatening anyone’s life is severe. The penal code for abusing the public trust is a reflection of the value our society places on liberty.
The acts that the eleven arrested officials in Monmouth County allegedly committed are not victimless crimes. The victim is freedom.
Every year on Election Day, our free society chooses people to oversee to the day-to-day business of maintaining the rule of law within every community. Each following January, these elected candidates and newly appointed government officials take an oath, during which he or she does solemnly swear to honor the rule of law on behalf of not just the people who elected to give them responsibility, but of ALL the people living within the town, district, county, state, and country in whose name he or she will conduct business. When politicians betray their oath of office and put their integrity up for sale to the highest bidder on behalf of their own financial assets, the society they were elected to govern is not free. Because corruption gives illegitimate power to a select few, it undermines the principles of self-government.
It makes no difference whether the perpetrators are Republican or Democrat. These crimes are not committed by political parties. These crimes are committed in secret, by arrogant and greedy individuals, who effectively blind us to the treachery afoot in our own communities. They may have fooled us, but they also fooled themselves.
It is hard for me to believe that anyone, much less an elected official, living in today’s world of micro video and audio equipment, can be foolish enough to believe that any place is safe from the prying eyes of the governmental agencies that protect the integrity of our free society. Add stupidity to the aforementioned arrogance and greed, and you have a recipe for heavy fines and long prison terms.
At least one of the defendants has already claimed that he is the victim of entrapment, which inspires me to articulate the obvious.
If you are a public official and someone offers you an envelope filled with cash, and you take it…it’s a trap. If you sell your influence in government, you will be caught. Maybe not immediately, but eventually your picture will appear in the newspaper hiding underneath your jacket with hand-cuffs around your wrists. If you have already sold your influence in government (but haven’t been caught yet), resign now and spare the taxpayers the expense of rooting you out and sending you to prison.
Some of the alleged offenders are life-long residents of the towns in which they served. This is perhaps the worst betrayal of all and if found guilty, these criminals should be made an example of and handed the strongest sentences allowable.
Thanks to the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the determination of Mr. Christie and the many politicians who still honor their oath of office, New Jersey is a little less corrupt and the freedom of New Jersey residents is a little more secure.
By Rich Kohler
March 3, 2005
For more than two hundred years, the rule of law has been preserving the freedom of American citizens. For more than two years, under the capable leadership of United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Christopher Christie, the rule of law has been liberating the people of New Jersey. Two weeks ago, with the arrests of eleven public officials, the rule of law took a big step toward emancipating the residents of Monmouth County from nefarious and veiled oppression.
While few people dispute the idea that extortion and money-laundering are unacceptable practices, I have already read and heard comments that twenty years in prison seems an excessive punishment for crimes involving such low-level public servants and such small sums of money. Politicians who sell the trust of their constituents deserve harsh sentencing, no matter his or her elected or appointed position, and no matter the amount of cash involved.
Our country was founded on the belief that honoring just two basic human rights will secure the opportunity for its citizens to pursue happiness. The three branches of government, legislative, judicial, and executive, work independently and cooperatively to define, enforce, and manage the rule of law. As cumbersome as this system of government can seem at times, it enables our society to protect the human rights of life and liberty.
Murder and assault with a deadly weapon carry maximum sentences of twenty years to life in prison. In a society that values life, the penalty for taking or threatening anyone’s life is severe. The penal code for abusing the public trust is a reflection of the value our society places on liberty.
The acts that the eleven arrested officials in Monmouth County allegedly committed are not victimless crimes. The victim is freedom.
Every year on Election Day, our free society chooses people to oversee to the day-to-day business of maintaining the rule of law within every community. Each following January, these elected candidates and newly appointed government officials take an oath, during which he or she does solemnly swear to honor the rule of law on behalf of not just the people who elected to give them responsibility, but of ALL the people living within the town, district, county, state, and country in whose name he or she will conduct business. When politicians betray their oath of office and put their integrity up for sale to the highest bidder on behalf of their own financial assets, the society they were elected to govern is not free. Because corruption gives illegitimate power to a select few, it undermines the principles of self-government.
It makes no difference whether the perpetrators are Republican or Democrat. These crimes are not committed by political parties. These crimes are committed in secret, by arrogant and greedy individuals, who effectively blind us to the treachery afoot in our own communities. They may have fooled us, but they also fooled themselves.
It is hard for me to believe that anyone, much less an elected official, living in today’s world of micro video and audio equipment, can be foolish enough to believe that any place is safe from the prying eyes of the governmental agencies that protect the integrity of our free society. Add stupidity to the aforementioned arrogance and greed, and you have a recipe for heavy fines and long prison terms.
At least one of the defendants has already claimed that he is the victim of entrapment, which inspires me to articulate the obvious.
If you are a public official and someone offers you an envelope filled with cash, and you take it…it’s a trap. If you sell your influence in government, you will be caught. Maybe not immediately, but eventually your picture will appear in the newspaper hiding underneath your jacket with hand-cuffs around your wrists. If you have already sold your influence in government (but haven’t been caught yet), resign now and spare the taxpayers the expense of rooting you out and sending you to prison.
Some of the alleged offenders are life-long residents of the towns in which they served. This is perhaps the worst betrayal of all and if found guilty, these criminals should be made an example of and handed the strongest sentences allowable.
Thanks to the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the determination of Mr. Christie and the many politicians who still honor their oath of office, New Jersey is a little less corrupt and the freedom of New Jersey residents is a little more secure.
posted by Rich Kohler at 6:54 PM
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