Political Morsels and Other Droppings

She might be smiling on the outside, but don’t be fooled.

Illinois isn’t the only state where a government official is having issues.  The mayor of Baltimore, MD, Sheila Dixon is in a bit of hot water herself. Earlier today she was indicted on 12 counts, to include, “four counts of perjury and two counts of theft over $500, as well as theft under $500, fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and misconduct in office. The charges stem in part from gifts she received from former boyfriend and developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, who was also charged earlier this week.”

Along with her former boyfriend, a member of the Baltimore City Council was also indicted yesterday.  I am not a resident of Baltimore, however, that’s where I get my news and I have paid attention to Sheila Dixon for quite some time.  She started out as a member of the Baltimore City Council back in the late 80’s and became the City Council President in 1999. In 2007, she moved up to the position of Mayor when Martin O’Malley was elected Governor of the state. Then she ran for election later on in 2007 and maintained the seat. 

Now, the funny thing is that I recall even back when she was City Council President, she was being investigated for fraud. The local media didn’t make much of a deal out of it, but they did mention it a few times.  So, while she was running for the Mayor position, the investigation came up again. However, it was not enough to deter the citizens of Baltimore to elect her into office. 

One of the accusations that she is dealing with is that of where gift cards were given to her with the intent of being handed out to needy families.  Apparently, according to the charges, she kept the gift cards for her to buy all sorts of things like electronics and clothing.  It was also mentioned that she handed out some of the gift cards to her staff. Granted, Government work doesn’t pay very well.  However, I don’t believe that the needy families that the cards were suppose to go to include any of her staff members.

When I heard about Mayor Dixon being indicted today, I couldn’t help but to remember a few winters back when she was City Council President and ended up in the news for the wrong reason.  After a major snowstorm, her street, which was not a main thoroughfare, was plowed out before other neighborhood streets that surrounded her house.  Those other residents were very pissed about the whole thing, citing preferential treatment.  I remember seeing one of the reporters walk up to her door and ask her about the plowing and she denied and sort of special treatment.  Oh my God it was total shit and she knew it!!!

I have always found her to be a bit arrogant.  However, I think to be on of the higher-ups of a major city, one has to be a tad bit arrogant in the first place.  Today, she denied any wrongdoing and believes that she will be exonerated.  Perhaps she will. However, there’s a chance that she might not. 

Nonetheless, I’m not sure if she were found guilty of the charges against her, that she would have a problem running for office and winning again. Granted, if she sees the inside of a prison, she would have to wait until release.  I know I just wrote about this, but corruption and politics seem to go hand in hand anymore. Deals are made with developers that, perhaps without any incentive, would not be made under normal circumstances.  Elected officials will also be sure to keep their donors happy.  Sometimes, these deals are exposed. However, many are swept under the carpet. 

Dirty politics in American is not just rampant on the federal level.  Some of the dirtiest practices occur at the local level, below even the State.

We Americans  feel that we should be represented by those we select to serve on behalf on the city council, county council, state legislature, Capitol Hill, and the White House.  However, the unfortunate truth is the majority of those who say that they are working for us are bullshitting. 

The dirtiness of politics on the national level came to light this past year.  Many of us have grown tired of it and that’s why we voted for a change.  Hopefully, that change and the insertion of some honor in how our country is represented will take place once Mr. Obama takes the Oath.  However, we deserve more than just a decent President.  We deserve protection and support by those who are aware of what’s happening on the ground; the local level.  So please, pay attention to what’s going on in your backdoor.  Many of those who rise to State and National politics start off somewhere. So, nip the bad ones in the bud and keep them in check, like a new dandelion that has just sprouted from the ground.  Don’t let it get to the point where you have a backyard full of weeds.  Then it’s too late.

Filed under: fucked up, political morsel Tagged: | Indictment, Mayor Sheila Dixon