The Blue State Blues
Sometimes I hate living in a blue state. Now is one of those times. The majority of public officials in New Jersey are Democrats, so when corruption rears it's ugly head here (every single freaking day), chances are it's going to involve a Democrat. This time it involves at least seven.
James Pressley - $32,000
Jayson Adams(D) - $25,000
Marcellus Jackson(D) - $16,500
Rafael Velez - $14,000
Rev. Alfred E. Steele(D) - $14,000
Maurice "Pete" Calloway(D) - $13,000
Jonathon Soto(R) - $12,500
Keith Reid(D) - $10,000
Mims Hackett, Jr.(D) - $5,000
Samuel Rivera(D) - $5,000
James McCormick- $3,500
Those whose affiliation is not listed are members of the Pleasantville School Board, and I'm having a bear of a time trying to find out their affiliation.
So the feds went on a morning raid and arrested assembleymen, mayors, councilmen etc. for taking bribes. This after a months long investigation involving undercover operations and secret recordings.
As a loyal and loving Democrat, I HATE THIS! When speaking to another Jerseyan, I cannot use the corruption argument against Republicans. The response is always the same. "Democrats are just as bad. All politicians are corrupt."
And I find myself agreeing with them. When put into a position of power, with little oversight, Democrats can be just as bad as Republicans.
There is another reason I've got the Blue State blues. Elections hold very little urgency or importance for me. My district is blue, and my state is blue. If I don't vote, it will still go blue. If I don't work my ass off for the Democratic candidate, they will still win my district. So it is hard to get passionate about local politics.
But in my two sources of political depression, maybe there is a single solution. While there is no meaningful reason to fight against Republicans around here, perhaps I can fight for the Democratic party. For the reform we so desperately need here in New Jersey. A fight for the soul of the Democratic party here in the Garden State.
Now I just have to figue out how to do this.
Update [2007-9-6 12:35:53 by ArgusRun]: I forgot to mention that the NJ State Democratic Conference starts today. I decided not to go. I'm now regretting that decision. It also makes one wonder if Chris Christie took that into account when planning the arrests. I do not mean to suggest that the charges are spurious, just his choice of dates.