2/5: Can’t shake off ethics issue
By the AJC Editorial Board
Benign neglect (noun) — “An attitude or policy of ignoring an often delicate or undesirable situation that one is held to be responsible for dealing with.”
That dictionary definition describes a favorite tactic used by politicians to quietly tamp down unpopular sentiments, perceived problems or other matters that they just wish would go away. Actions, or inaction, used to handle these matters include stonewalling, waiting out the storm, putting unwanted legislation on a slow path to a certain demise, and so on.
That should not happen with ethics reform in Georgia. The march toward more-stringent rules governing lobbyists’ interactions with lawmakers and state officials mustn’t stop.
Read what the editorial board has to say, along with commentary by Jon Sinton, Chair of Common Cause Georgia. Also, check out what Georgia lawmakers had to say on the subject.
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11 comments Add your comment
Dumb and Dumber
February 6th, 2012
10:14 am
Let’s see, Governor Perdue leaves office with an extra $10 million on a salary of less than $200K; the state Department of Natural Resourcs overpays for the Oakey Woods land to a group affiliated to Perdue and the posters on this site blame the AJC, Eric Holder and the democrats.
Predictable. Just because someone has an R next to their name doesn’t mean that their actions are beyond reproach. Why worry about what happens in DC when there is so much corruption here at the state and local level?. Yes, I include the Atlanta Airport and Mayor Kroooked Kasim in that dungheap.
Denny
February 6th, 2012
7:45 am
Sad comments: it may be that we become like some countrys and have to bribe officials for each thing they do for us citizens.
Jimmy
February 5th, 2012
1:34 pm
The AJC has been lobbying and lying for a couple of generations. It’s nothing new. They just pretend to be actual reporters instead of advocates.
TruthBe
February 4th, 2012
4:43 pm
All the mainstreet media is lobbyist for the Democratic Party and Obama the Liar. The ajc included with their paid liars like Jay, Mike, and Jim.
TruthBe
February 4th, 2012
4:28 pm
The worst for ethics violations is the so-called Justice Department with Eric (Criminal) Holder AG. They should re-name it the Corruption Department. Holder should be in jail.
20/20
February 4th, 2012
3:50 pm
worked for a major GA corporation with major ethical issues. the ethics policy is all talk and paper. the personnel running the organizations are the problem, the most unethical people in the outfit. they are brainwashed to believe leadership can never do wrong. can’t believe the lengths to cover crooked tracks and bad behavior, that would make the company and it’s leadership look bad. looking in the mirror, deceiving themselves. they can’t admit their shortcomings. it’s not supposed to happen to people in those positions, that is how an individual loses their conscious and ultimately sells their soul. ultimately having to answer to an ethical God.
LaTrice
February 4th, 2012
3:48 pm
Speaker Ralston said: “I think the discussion’s going to be, do we have a ban or do we trust people to make decisions?”
Trust is nice. But we always need rules because a few people will try to cheat if they think no one’s watching. As the GOP Great White Father used to say “trust, but verify”.
Hillbilly D
February 4th, 2012
2:36 pm
Anyday now, I expect to hear a legislator say, “Please don’t throw me in the briarpatch”.
Bob Loblaw
February 4th, 2012
10:20 am
The AJC really should have to register to lobby. You guys have an agenda that you’re lobbying for and you print telephone numbers of elected officials to call to push your agenda. What’s the difference between what you’re doing pushing these “ethics” reforms and anyone else is lobbying for?
Road Scholar
February 4th, 2012
9:05 am
After reading the legislator response..God help us. By having a ban on all gifts, would cause the gift giving to go underground?! Not if the legislator, if caught accepting gifts, were fined a substantial amount…or even better, thrown out of office. The Speaker says that the lobbyist won’t go away…like the locust..but at least we would know who was breaking the rules.
What if a legislators constituents loaded a legislators calender with meals with them..maybe that would keep the lobbyist at bay!