Bell – a small city in California located southeast of Los Angeles received national attention this week. It seems this city’s part-time administrators and council-people have been exploiting and abusing the coffers of Bell for many years. Evidently, their current city manager managed to provide himself with an $800,000 annual income (allegedly more than Obama’s salary). $800,000 for a “part-time” job – really? In all my experiences with government (city, state, or federal), I’ve never found government-related employees and/or politicians of being capable of performing efficiently in a full-time capacity let alone part-time!
A “leak” to the LA Times blew their cover. Supposedly, a Bell policeman (or possibly policemen) was the “stoolie”. Bell’s Chief of Police (allegedly) was also raking in the big bucks. Nothing about this story surprises me. What does surprise me, however, is that the LA Times actually performed their media duty and reported this story. This liberal/progressive newspaper is notorious for its inaccurate or non-reporting of political corruption. They are especially clever at reporting news stories favoring the liberal/progressive agenda. Perhaps this particular story could not be “warped” in favor of the liberals; or perhaps the Times feared repercussions from their most despised critic – FOX News – if in fact they would have either given it their usual liberal spin or simply by not reporting.
The citizens of Bell are up in arms; storming city hall; carrying protest signs; fist-punching the air while screaming and shouting for resignations of the guilty parties. No – not resignations – the people of Bell are demanding that these bums be thrown in prison. Their city manager retorts that he doesn’t need this abuse. He claims he could make more money in a “free market” enterprise than in any government office. (Uhhhh, I don’t think so, Mr. City Manager. A “free market” business means you would have to work for your money!)
As for the dear, dear citizens of Bell, I feel your pain. Ain’t it just awful how politicians take advantage of our trust and faith by telling us they’re only “looking out for our best interest”? Ain’t it horrible how government can rape, plunder and exploit our hopes, our expectations and our aspirations of receiving the ultimate “American Dream”? How dare they squander our hard-earned tax dollars!
Hmmmm…..how in fact did this happen? Had it not been for the “leak”, would the good citizens of Bell have voted for these same scoundrels year after year? Would the good citizens of Bell have researched, investigated and reviewed records and prior performances of these crooks (or that of any opposing candidate) before placing them in office? Hmmmm?
The problem with the city of Bell (and with all communities, municipalities, towns and cities across the United State) lie not with corrupt politicians but with we the people who have placed them in office in the first place. We the people have allowed corruption to continue at all levels of our government. Why? Cause we……got apathy.
I read that story over a week ago and was just sickened.
One thing I am ever prayerful for in this nation is that people will wake up and realize this very important quote: “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take away everything you have.” Get rid of the apathy, brush up on your civics and research and get educated about your vote PRIOR to hitting the booth.
Apathy as well as our government representatives are pathetic.
I thought it was amusing when the City manager said he he didn’t know why everybody was in an uproar because he could make more in the private market. Yeah right!