From a Providence Journal editorial, 12/18/03:
http://www.projo.com/opinion/editorials/content/projo_20031218_18edrow.30b9a2.html
Rowland should resign
Some politicians have spent so much time at the controls that they
fancy themselves unbound by the laws of mere mortals.
In charge, they may do as they please.
Such seems to be the case with Connecticut Gov. John Rowland.
Corruption's clouds have for some time been gathering about his
administration.
Finally, his acknowledgment last week that he had lied about state
contractors' paying for work on his lakeside cabin was the last straw
for the too-patient public.
Making matters worse, several of these benefactors were already part
of an investigation of wider corruption.
Mr. Rowland has held elective office for half of his 46 years.
He spent four years in the state legislature, then, at 27, became the
youngest member of Congress.
There he served three terms before becoming governor, in 1995.
A Republican in a largely Democratic state, John Rowland rose from
party boy wonder to party national star.
Yet through it all, ethical conduct has never been his strong suit.
Signs of trouble appeared early on. In the 1992 scandal involving the
members' bank at the U.S. House, Mr. Rowland was found to have bounced
more checks than his Connecticut colleagues.
As governor, he was twice fined by the state Ethics Commission for
accepting free concert tickets and use of a state contractor's
vacation home.
It was also revealed that the state had improperly leased his wife's
SUV, and one of his children had used camping equipment taken from a
state warehouse.
Then the big scandals started breaking.
Four years ago, federal investigators started looking into charges
that state Treasurer Paul Silvester, a Rowland appointee, had arranged
kickbacks for investing state pension funds with certain financial
firms.
A former Rowland deputy chief of staff pleaded guilty to taking bribes
for other state contracts.
A former co-chief of staff, also being investigated for possible bribe
taking, helped pay for the work on Mr. Rowland's cabin.
The governor has announced that he will fight efforts to remove him
from office.
He may assume that his legendary charm will do the trick.
But with the lengthening record of sordid dealings, Mr. Rowland's
folksy denials -- coupled with his wife's claims of "devotion to God"
-- will only further inflame the public.
Governor Rowland's political career is over.
He should resign.
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Typical corrupt Republican politician. All Repugs think they're above
the all. So what's new?
Harry
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