Corrupting a State Via Good Ol' Self-Interest
The big news this week on the government ethics front is Alaskan
Senator Ted Stevens' conviction on seven counts of making false
statements on financial disclosure forms, regarding home renovations
paid for by an oil executive.<br>
<br>
But this is only the tip of the iceberg. I've <a href="http://www.cityethics.org/node/490" target="”_blank”">already written</a> about
the way that Sen. Stevens, to an unusual extent, identified himself with his constituents and
abused his power to unfairly benefit them and to reap the laurels (and
re-elections) that flowed from this. But Sen. Stevens went even further
in confusing his role and his person, as in the following quote from
2003, when the Senate refused to open Alaska's wildlife refuge to oil
and gas exploration:<br>
<br>
<div>People who are voting against this
today are voting against me, and I will not forget it.<br>
</div>
<br>
And neither should we. A man who thinks a vote against an important
issue is a vote against him is a man who should not be in public
office. I oppose incarcerating politicians who try to hide gifts made to
them. Paying for the gifts and losing an important chairmanship are
more appropriate penalties. But what can you do about a politician like
Stevens whose self-interest turns disagreements into personal
vendettas, and who threatens to use his seniority-accumulated power to
hurt other states for the acts of their representatives in the Senate?<br>
<br>
Sen. Stevens is yet another public master, not a public servant. He has
done wonders for his state, but he seems to think it's all about him.
He has not only abused his power, but he has corrupted his entire
state. He has done all he can to make the people of Alaska as selfish
as him.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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