Discussion: 5 Points On Why New York State Is So Damn Corrupt

system1 · January 27, 2015, 3:54pm

Discussion for article #232538

clearwater · January 30, 2015, 11:23am

Could you please stop using the phrase, “begs the question”, until you understand what it means?

dickweed · January 30, 2015, 12:58pm

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely?

gr · January 30, 2015, 1:17pm

We can just about give up on the misuse of this idiom.

gr · January 30, 2015, 1:29pm

Corruption in public office is the product of psychopaths disproportionately attracted to these jobs precisely because they present so many opportunities for venal people – that, plus the relative difficulty in catching and punishing such people.

Even in places like Russian and China, where conviction means a bullet to the brain stem, corruption is rife because so few persons are caught.

Lehmanskid · January 30, 2015, 1:34pm

The system of separation of powers and checks and balances encourages corruption because no one is responsible. The buck doesn’t stop here, it winds up in someone’s pocket.
Legislation is long and complicated because it contains special (bought and payed for) deals and exemptions.

A parliamentary system based on responsible government does have the lacunae in which corruption breeds. Does that make corruption impossible? Of course not,

ralph_vonholst · January 30, 2015, 2:08pm

Maybe New York is so corrupt because, like in Arizona, the electorate has a strong tendency to elect a bunch of assholes.

daveadams · January 30, 2015, 2:11pm

Corruption in New York is not a new phenomenon. If you read any history involving NY state politics of the past 150 years, you’ll find it’s always been remarkably corrupt. A state government without bribes, kickbacks, and backroom deals would be the novelty.

silas1898 · January 30, 2015, 2:27pm

Corruption in New York is TRADITION! It’s always been this way and always will be this way. It’s part of New York’s charm.

radicalcentrist · January 30, 2015, 2:40pm

How much of this is unique to New York? Non-competitive, gerrymandered districts? That’s certainly true of Congress and a great many state legislatures. Unlimited secret contributions? Well, thanks to Citizens United, this is far from just a New York problem. Decisions made by leaders? OK, that may be an issue, but Congress sometimes seems like there are 535 leaders and that doesn’t work so well either.

To a large extent, the recent spate of indictments has a lot to do with a very smart and determined US Attorney with a very large office, who decided to focus on corruption in state government. I suspect that if Preet Bharara were turned loose on Congress or any other state legislature, he would be handing down some indictments there too.

Lehmanskid · January 30, 2015, 2:40pm

It is not that the culture is corrupt; corruption is the culture.

dddinah · January 30, 2015, 3:13pm

Corruption is EVERYWHERE in America.

The Supreme Courts ruling on Corporations are equal to people, IS RIDICULOUS.

Corruption with a capital ‘C’ . IN YOUR FACE AMERICA.

.

harry_truman · January 30, 2015, 3:25pm

New York is not only corrupt, it’s governor relishes in it. Cuomo’s eradication of the anti-corruption commission he himself formed backed up by his nonsensical explanations, and his vetoing of a bill to put all hiring at the NY Port Authority on a merit basis, shows he is just as corrupt as the rest of them.

doremus_jessup · January 30, 2015, 4:11pm

Preet Bharara 2016

oldgrouch · January 30, 2015, 4:19pm

For those who bother to learn a little American history, New York has a fine old tradition of political corruption. Ever hear of Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed? The real government of New York City, and the bosses of the State Assembly. Both controlled by Democratic politicians, BTW. Every so often they would elect a Republican governor to “throw the rascals out”. Problem is the people keep electing more rascals.

rfscalf · January 30, 2015, 4:37pm

But one of the main points in this article is that change is possible. New York City is given as an example.

pdxspurs · January 30, 2015, 4:49pm

Here I thought there was going to be interviews with residents of the 5 Points neighborhood. But with the City all full of transplants and gentrifiers, they probably can’t even find the neighborhood (which Realtors probably try to call Canal Center now).

pdxspurs · January 30, 2015, 4:52pm

Tammany Hall died effectively half a century ago. John Lindsay did most of the dismantling (and then had to deal with the backlash when nobody knew how to run non-corrupt public services), and the last vestiges were excised during the Koch years (some because of him, some despite him). So it’s not really a material issue to current corruption.

oldgrouch · January 30, 2015, 5:19pm

So Lindsay and Big Ed rooted out one group, and no one but saints have occupied those offices since? No corrupt politicians in Buffalo, or Syracuse? Give me a break.
Tammany Hall was just the biggest and most well-known.

radicalcentrist · January 30, 2015, 5:38pm

We just learned today that the Republican Majority Leader of the Senate, Dean Skelos, is also under investigation by Preet Bharara. Deputy GOP Majority Leader, Tom Libous, was been indicted back in July 2014 on charges of lying to the FBI regarding an investigation into trading favors for a job for his son.

Now there is some bipartisanship!