Re: The joy of actual numbers, was Democracy

On Mon, 4 Nov 2024 13:21:17 -0700, Peter Flass wrote:

Corruption is how things get done. To eliminate corruption government
sets up a bunch of rules, audits, checks, etc. This is supposed to make
sure no one gets away with anything, but also makes it hard to do
anything at all. I’m perfectly happy with a legislator, for example, who
bends the rules a bit, as long as he gets things done for his
constituents. If a little cash finds it’s way into his pockets in the
process, I’m OK with that too. (We had a guy like this, and the list of
good stuff he accomplished would fill a book)

The county where I grew up was corrupt and apparently is still keeping the
traditions alive.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/former-rensselaer-county-elections-
commissioner-pleads-guilty-identity-theft

Like your guy, Marty Burke held no elected office but ran the city back
then. If you needed something done, go see Marty assuming you weren't on
his shit list. It worked.