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Corrupting a State Via Good Ol' Self-Interest
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
Robert Wechsler
The big news this week on the government ethics front is Alaskan
Senator Ted Stevens' conviction on seven counts of making false
statements on financial disclosure forms, regarding home renovations
paid for by an oil executive.
But this is only the tip of the iceberg. I've already written about the way that Sen. Stevens, to an unusual extent, identified himself with his constituents and abused his power to unfairly benefit them and to reap the laurels (and re-elections) that flowed from this. But Sen. Stevens went even further in confusing his role and his person, as in the following quote from 2003, when the Senate refused to open Alaska's wildlife refuge to oil and gas exploration:
And neither should we. A man who thinks a vote against an important issue is a vote against him is a man who should not be in public office. I oppose incarcerating politicians who try to hide gifts made to them. Paying for the gifts and losing an important chairmanship are more appropriate penalties. But what can you do about a politician like Stevens whose self-interest turns disagreements into personal vendettas, and who threatens to use his seniority-accumulated power to hurt other states for the acts of their representatives in the Senate?
Sen. Stevens is yet another public master, not a public servant. He has done wonders for his state, but he seems to think it's all about him. He has not only abused his power, but he has corrupted his entire state. He has done all he can to make the people of Alaska as selfish as him.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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But this is only the tip of the iceberg. I've already written about the way that Sen. Stevens, to an unusual extent, identified himself with his constituents and abused his power to unfairly benefit them and to reap the laurels (and re-elections) that flowed from this. But Sen. Stevens went even further in confusing his role and his person, as in the following quote from 2003, when the Senate refused to open Alaska's wildlife refuge to oil and gas exploration:
People who are voting against this
today are voting against me, and I will not forget it.
And neither should we. A man who thinks a vote against an important issue is a vote against him is a man who should not be in public office. I oppose incarcerating politicians who try to hide gifts made to them. Paying for the gifts and losing an important chairmanship are more appropriate penalties. But what can you do about a politician like Stevens whose self-interest turns disagreements into personal vendettas, and who threatens to use his seniority-accumulated power to hurt other states for the acts of their representatives in the Senate?
Sen. Stevens is yet another public master, not a public servant. He has done wonders for his state, but he seems to think it's all about him. He has not only abused his power, but he has corrupted his entire state. He has done all he can to make the people of Alaska as selfish as him.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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