Neighborhood Networks is a new political organization that aims at liberal political reform. Any time a new organization that talks about reform comes about, established groups get nervous. So I am grateful to the Public Record for giving me an opportunity to set the record straight about Neighborhood Networks. Continue reading
After a year filled with the trials and convictions of political officials and bankers for political corruption—and the recent indictment of Councilman Mariano—one might think that the worst ofPhiladelphiapolitics is almost behind us. One would be wrong. For the most serious problem with politics inPhiladelphiais not what’s illegal. It is what’s legal. A great deal of political activity in this city is both entirely legal and morally corrupt. After all, our former treasure Corey Kemp, and his late partner in crime, Ron White, were primarily guilty of impatience and bad timing. There is nothing illegal about trading campaign contributions for government contracts, provided that neither our politicians nor our contractors—whether they are business owners, real estate developers, or lawyers—ever explicitly make such a deal. Nor is there anything illegal about a former political official benefiting from the contractors in return for past favors after he leaves office. Had Corey Kemp… Continue reading