What culture of corruption, indeed!
From the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW):
You might think that a guy who’s still the subject of a federal bribery investigation would be more careful than to use taxpayer resources to raise campaign money. But nope, not Jefferson. And heck, he still hasn’t provided us with that”honorable explanation” he promised for the bizarro (and alleged) $90,000 in cash federal agents confiscated from a freezer in his Capitol Hill home.
Last week, House Democrats were shocked to receive a letter from Jefferson on his official Congressional stationery, no less, asking colleagues to donate money to help him retire his campaign debt.
“As you know,” the letter, dated Dec. 29, 2006, began, “I recently won a grueling race for re-election.” (And won resoundingly in a runoff, despite the ongoing federal probe in which two people have already pleaded guilty.) “In order to get our message out and otherwise compete, we incurred over $200,000 in debt.
“Therefore, I would deeply appreciate it if you would assist me in retiring my debt by contributing $1,000 (or whatever amount you can afford) to my campaign,” Jefferson wrote.
Nice letter. Too bad it violates House ethics rules. It’s a no-no to use taxpayer resources to raise campaign dough.
Some Democratic aides were downright aghast at Jefferson’s audacity at using franked envelopes, official letterhead and the House internal mail service in a blatant violation of House rules.
“We were going to send him a check in a freezer bag,” joked one chief of staff to a Democratic Member of Congress who received Jefferson’s solicitation.
Another, only slightly snarkier, Democratic House chief of staff pitched in with: “He’s got $90,000 in his freezer, why can’t he buy some stationery and stamps?” (Answer: Because the Feds took the money!) The chief of staff added, “Some people will never learn. Can’t he go away already”
Taken by itself, this is seems like a rather small ethics violation (but a violation nonetheless) — but when you add it to Mr. Jefferson’s inglorious past of corruption, it looks more like a pattern.
(h/t to Kim Priestrap at Wizbang)
_______________
Related news this week is this story about the violent crime and murder rates in the city of New Orleans in 2006 — which are 8-10 times higher than the national average, and even higher than the murder rate in Iraq last year:
Savidge explained in his NBC Nightly News piece:Â Since December 29th, there have been eight military deaths. In the Big Easy, there have been 14 murders.
And how is the murder rate in New Orleans related to Rep. William Jefferson using the wrong stationary to beg for money from his colleagues? A better question is, “What the hell is the matter with the people of New Orleans?” Between re-electing Mayor Ray “Chocolate City” Nagin and Rep. William “Cold Cash” Jefferson to lead and represent them, and the frightening rate at which they are killing each other — I’d say plenty is wrong.
It’s a mindset we can’t understand. It’s called victimology and entitlement. He really thinks he can do whatever he wants. While the rest of us would crawl into the nearest corner, people like this see nothing wrong in what they’re doing. Disgusting.
Savidge explained in his NBC Nightly News piece: “Since December 29th, there have been eight military deaths. In the Big Easy, there have been 14 murders.
I don’t know why the right continues to denigrate the service and the risks borne by our troops in Iraq by pretending they would be in more danger if they were drinking Hurricaines and watching the Saints on t.v. in the French Quarter.
According to Wikipedia there between 200,665 to 275,000 citizens of New Orleans. According to Global Security there are 152,000 troops as of 11/06 (though this is somewhat higher than I’ve been hearing).
So, even for this short amount of time. It’s safer to be in New Orleans. If we choose a full year it’s clear what propaganda this is. Let’s pick the most dangerous year of the last 7 in N.O.: In 2003, 273 people were killed- even if we use the lower population numbers of the city today the rate is 100 times greater for American soldiers in Iraq.
Dianne-
I trust you believe that this culture of ‘victimology and entitlement’ comes from a ‘reliance on social welfare programs’. Correct me if I’m wrong.
But, wouldn’t this explanation for crime suggest that high crime rates began with the New Deal in the 1930’s? Of course, homicide rates plummeted during this time, only to rise again in the 1960’s before dropping again in the 90’s.
Preston – your assumption is partially correct. What I’m trying to get at is a little hard to explain but I’ll do the best I can.
The people of New Orleans elected Jefferson with total disregard for his alleged crime, which is almost certain to result in charges. Why would people support a criminal? They may believe he’s not guilty but more likely they don’t care what his crime is as long as he sticks up for them and their entitlements. I think this is the way some, not all, black voters think especially in areas where there is significant poverty and lack of education. These people think they’re entitled to the piece of the American pie they believe has been stolen from them so what Jefferson did is no big deal to them as long as he gets them what they believe is their just due.
I don’t believe what I’ve said above is racist. There are more and more black people who realize this kind of attitude is wrong and doesn’t benefit them in the long run. People like LaShawn Barber and Bill Cosby talk about similar situations all the time with their motive being trying to change that kind of thinking and get people to realize that there is a better path to economic stability. I really admire them for what they’re doing. They’re genuine leaders and they will make a difference in the lives of lots of people.
Of course people of all races will look at their own purse when voting for someone – that’s only natural – but it’s not natural to throw all your ethics out the door in order to get what you want. As we all well know, the “culture of corruption” will no longer be tolerated in Washignton from any elected official of any race.