Gordon Witkin Quotes
Where there has been a major, major corruption scandal, that was the catalyst for very specific reform.
Gordon Witkin, Managing Editor, The Center for Public Integrity, His explanation of why the New Jersey Corruption scene was so good, when in the latter half of the 20th century it had been so bad, Quoted in Gail Collins, “Is Yours More Corrupt Than Mine”, New York Times, May 12, 2013
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
The Congressman, who had not been previously an enthusiastic leader for this type of reform, found himself with a chance to become Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. The previous leader was under indictment and was linked, along with other Republican Congressman to a Lobbyist who had pleaded guilty to bribing Congressmen. Another Republican Congressman had plead guilty to the felony of accepting bribes. The party that Controlled Congress was fearful of a voter backlash over the corruption—especially the role of lobbyists in giving money to Congressional campaigns. Bainor became a reform leader.
Referring to the Supreme Court 5-4 decision—Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission--that allows corporations and rich individuals to spend unlimited amounts of money campaigning to the advantage of particular candidates.
California legislators do not have the kind of individual powers and discretion that other legislatures such as New York have. The result is that lobbyist and powerful special interests cannot assure a benefit if they invest in a legislator in California and the temptations in California are therefore less leading to less corruption.
