So why bring up a statewide scandal on a national forum? That’s the easy part. Rhode Island’s corruption is a mini-snapshot of what goes on in Washington. Rhode Island’s strong organization of lobbyists extends their control to every corner of the State House. While the Providence Journal has attempted over the years to weed out the corruption, economic blackmail stops the press from discharging their responsibilities. Go against a popular politician and be guaranteed to lose advertising revenues. Try and infiltrate the state government and you will be hunted down and ruined. That’s the modus operandi for Rhode Island. Providence serves as a microcosm of Washington, DC. Lobbyists parade through the hallowed halls of government proclaiming ownership of the politicians. Contracts, state and municipal jobs, even simple assignments like a poll clerk all go through the machine. Nothing is rewarded on merit; it’s who you know, period. As Governor Carcieri works to demand a retraction from Mr. Dufault, one would think that he would seize the opportunity to go after the lobbyists. He’ll put on a show. But in the end, he’ll do nothing. The machine will churn on with lobbyists supplying the fuel. That’s the way it is in Rhode Island. That’s the way it is in Washington. It doesn’t matter which political party is in power. The lobbyists and special interests are the king makers. They have the power, in Providence and in Washington. In Rhode Island, there's no party loyalty. Take a look at Mr. Levesque. It's all about the money. Things aren't that much different in Washington. The GOP and Democrats flip flop on who has the majority, but it doesn't matter in the end, does it? When the hell are we going to wake up and do something about it?
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - marvin
you had mentioned the former mayor levesque had his own scandals. please elaborate. thanks, marvin