Republicans Gone Bad?

Question

so what else is new?
CHICAGO (Reuters) -- Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he was involved in an illegal scheme to hire political allies for merit-based state jobs.

Fletcher, the first Republican to lead Kentucky in more than three decades, entered the pleas through a lawyer in Franklin County District Court in Frankfort, court officials said.

He was indicted last month by a grand jury on three misdemeanor counts -- official misconduct, which carries a possible one-year sentence, and conspiracy and violating a prohibition against political discrimination, which each carry six-month penalties.

While two of the three charges also stipulate removal from state office upon conviction, most legal observers say that would not likely apply to the governor, whose removal is subject to impeachment proceedings spelled out in the state constitution.

Friday's arraignment follows a year of controversy stemming from the allegations that Republicans violated state law by ignoring merit and hiring political supporters for civil service jobs.

At a state party meeting in Louisville last weekend, the physician and former U.S. congressman said he still planned to be a candidate for re-election in 2007.

After more than a dozen indictments of current and former members of his administration, Fletcher announced a blanket pardon last year that ended investigation into the alleged wrongdoing.

In announcing the pardon, which was upheld in a decision by the Kentucky Supreme Court last month, Fletcher specifically exempted himself, thus opening the way for his own indictment.

Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Answer 1

good question. what else is new?
oh! i saw "The Omen" tonight...that's new!
(other than that, NOT MUCH!)

Answer 2

Being from Kentucky (tho I don't live there anymore) & a political family there I hope you don't mind if I give you some background.

The laws in question were passed long ago when a democratic political machine controlled who got elected & who didn't, and the pay off (besides state contracts) was to place people in state jobs as a reward for their support in the election. This process is as old as elections. Almost all politicians put members of their campaign staffs & other supporters into staff jobs or help them get jobs in other areas of government. It's logical, but can get out of hand, and that's what these laws exist to prevent.

It was possible to pass these laws in the first place because all the jobs in question & the people in a position to replace thsoe employees were already democratic supporters. Over time, republicans have become stronger & started to take over govt, but were unable to replace democratic activists in protected state jobs who were actively working against or refusing to enforce laws passed by the new conservative govt. Some of these folks did some very bad things also: collecting a paycheck for years w/o ever actually doing the job, redirecting state funds to improve infrustructure just around their houses, forcing the dept of transportation to move planned roads to benefit their friends. A couple folks who worked for the Gov, not the Gov himself, tried to fire people guilty of these offenses and/or for insubordination when they refused to do their jobs in enforcing state laws. They then replaced these individuals with republicans. The staff members working for the Gov that took these actions have already resigned & been charged with crimes by democratic prosecutors.The Gov has tried to protect his staff & take responsibility for the situation & to explain that this an ongoing battle for control of state power between officers elected by the people & the old political machine of generations past. What has happened here is technically a crime & it probably will cost the Gov, but it is best for the long run of the state, and it's real screwed up that such a statement could be true.

Answer 3

And just how many laws did you just break. Did you not even bother to read what you put at the bottom of the page? Boy I just love you left wing progressives. There just is no cure for stupid. Ill-informed, undereducated, uneducated and even ignorant can all be cured, but not stupid. What about the congress woman that attacked the DC cop, should she get a pass? Or the other one with the $90k in his freezer from the bribe he took, another pass? Or Kennedy with his special treatment. Or on and on and on. As a Korean vet, I still believe that Kerry should be tried for treason.

Answer 4

Most politicians are lying cheats. It does not matter what party they are in either.