It seems that former governor Bob McDonnell’s alleged ethic violations are not that much of an embarrassment to the Virginia General Assembly. When it comes to protecting their “perks” neither Democrats or Republicans care what the voters think.
While praising the new ethics reform bill as “taking a major bite out of corruption,” in truth this pretend reform only makes it easier for ethic violations to continue with less penalties to anyone that has the misfortune of getting caught.
Citing advancing technology, the bill require officials to file disclosure forms electronically making it next to impossible to have them notarized. This simply means that when future lawmakers accept bribes or payoffs from corporations and lobbyists to feather their nest, they can only be charged with a misdemeanor rather than a felony, for making false statements. Jazz Shaw at HotAir likens this to reducing your skyrocketing rape statistics by redefining rape as disorderly conduct.
Also in the bill is a cap of $250 on “tangible gifts.” Putting a limit on single gifts without putting restrictions on cumulative giving is a joke. In theory, you could get 10,000 gifts worth $250 each and it would be okay. The largest gifts ‘bestowed’ upon our elected representations are not tangible. They come from corporations, lobbyists and foreign governments looking to influence legislation and include all expense paid vacations overseas, resort weekends, or golf outings at one of those fancy restricted clubs Obama loves.
In another attempt to pull the wool over voters eyes, the bill created a “mostly for show” state ethics advisory council without power to subpoena witnesses, to investigate or prosecute ethics violations. Nor does the reform require disclose of gifts or loans to corporate entities in which a public official has a stake so there would still be no need for disclosure of payments similar to the large loans given to form Governor McDonnell’s family real estate venture.
I guess with the election of a far-left Obama want-a-be for governor, we should not be surprised at the General Assembly adopting Washington’s politics.
