Just An Average Joe: Trouble in the House

In January of this year, Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi, resigned his position from the Massachusetts Legislature. A few days ago, he was indicted on federal Charges. The following is an excerpt from an article by the Editorials and Opinions Column of the Republican; http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/06/mass_corruption_gets_triple_cr.html
DiMasi, who stepped down as speaker in January amid rumors of corruption, follows fellow Democrats Thomas M. Finneran, and Charles F. Flaherty, both of whom pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges. Finneran, who also stepped down under fire, was indicted in June 2005 for obstruction of justice in connection with a civil suit over a legislative redistricting plan and Flaherty lost his speakership in 1996 after he agreed to plead guilty to federal income tax evasion.
This incident with Mr. DiMasi, makes it a trifecta of House Speakers, which have resigned and were indicted due to corruption within the Massachusetts Legislature. One would have to ask what is the problem and what is it going to take to change the attitudes and behavior on Beacon Hill. Is it the voters who keep electing these unsavory characters or is it the atmosphere and tone of entitlement that seems to wisp through the halls of the state’s law making body.

Governor Deval Patrick, who has had an image and confidence problem with the voters, has been mainly silent on trying to introduce ethics reform. The bill, which is up for consideration now, looks more like a watered down reform meant to pacify more than solidify trust in the state government. Mitt Romney, Jane Swift and Paul Cellucci were all past Massachusetts Governors who found themselves in constant battle with a Legislature lead by one of these past House Speakers. None of these individuals could effect enough change, on their own, to improve the Legislative climate. You would think that Legislators, from both parties, would standup and say enough. But, remember, this is TAXACHUSETTS! Whenever there is a problem, just tax the hell out of it.