May 10, 2002
Clothes, music and haircuts may go out of style, but if there's one constant in our world, it's political corruption.
I think most of us view political corruption as the Muzak of democracy. It's in the background, and as long as it's not too loud and doesn't affect us too much, we don't lose any sleep over it.
Elected officials realize that while they can get away with some graft, so long as it's limited to throwing an occasional contract to a friend or landing a well-qualified relative a job, no one's going to squawk too loud, except maybe the local newspaper.
It's when corruption hits on a grand scale that the public begins to sit up and take notice.
Recently, a Miami-Dade county commissioner, her husband and a top aide were charged with actions relating to the commissioner's election and misuse of her office. This person spent more than a million dollars to land a seat that pays a whopping $6,000 a year and gives her access to a budget of over a billion dollars.
Of course, Miami-Dade County has a tradition of corruption. If that county's government ever wants to hold a reunion, it may have to be in a prison.
Still, corruption and insider deals are the cancer of our political system, eating away at the people's trust. Honest candidates have to worry about being tarred by the same brush and the good people we need in public office may decide to stay in their current jobs rather than risk being considered corrupt by association.
It's easy to take shots at the media on this one, and maybe newspapers and magazines should do stories on elected officials who do their jobs and obey the rules, but someone has to watch out for the public interest.
Although I sometimes question the motives of a candidate, I have to confess that it takes a lot of guts to put one's name out there on the ballot. Even if I totally disagree with the opinions and views of a candidate, I have to admire their willingness to expose themselves.
But there are times when people should not run, such as when one knows that one cannot serve. A recent case involving a certain candidate now serving in the Navy is a perfect example. It's unprofessional to run a campaign and advertise one's candidacy when one has no plans of serving if elected. It's deceptive and unfair to the voters and the other candidates.
It's as if I had applied for and accepted a job at the paper, when all along I had no intention of reporting on the first day.
Public office is an opportunity, and I have no problem with an ambitious person who hopes someday to serve in Congress or higher starting out in lower office. But such folks should bear in mind that the best way to move up and gain respect is to do what's right at all times, not just when it's convenient or when he or she thinks someone might be watching.
Vincent F. Safuto is a copy editor for the Press Journal. Reach him at (Vincent.Safuto@scripps.com).
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