Editorial: Integrity Issues - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Integrity Issues

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By John Shryock - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    •   

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Black eyes continue for our state. Whether the 11 people, including four legislators, are found guilty or not of the indictments by an Alabama grand jury and acted on by the federal government remains to be seen.

What is clear is the process will further erode our confidence in our elected officials, folks who lobby them, and those of means who exert undue influence with their pocket books.

The indictments allege the defendants' corrupt conduct infiltrated every layer of the legislative process in a wide-ranging conspiracy to buy and sell votes on gambling legislation.

Manipulating the democratic process for personal gain ultimately ruins the democratic process.

Whatever the outcome of these cases, it is clear more stringent ethics legislation is needed in the next legislative session.

Less attention and time needs to be spent on gambling concerns in the next legislative session. And more attention needs to be paid to integrity issues in candidate races.

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