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January 31, 2006
Diamond in the Rough
Y'all know I'm always all about Tennessee, and so I trust you'll indulge this brief look northward. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has government troubles, too. Theirs came most recently in the form of a pay raise for the legislature and all the state judges, but I suspect that the raise was the proverbial "last straw" in a series of misdeeds.
This post isn't about the bad news, though. Happily, a group of "ordinary" citizens is mounting a most inspiring challenge to the entire incumbent lot in Harrisburg. They call themselves PACleanSweep and have so far recruited scores of candidates. The group is chaired by Russ Diamond, who says that the current Pennsylvania General Assembly members have "tarnished the reputation" of the institution.
The non-partisan nature of Operation Clean Sweep is particularly attractive. I'm so reluctant to encourage Tennessee Republicans in their efforts to win a majority, even if the outcome may have the positive side effect of removing a corrupt incumbent or seven, because this year's election does not need to be about majority control. Let those chips fall where they may; just let the ax fall on the shady, the pompous, the corrupt. This is what the citizens of Tennessee deserve and demand.
(HT: NPR)
Political News | By joe lance | 10:50 PM