Bill McIntyre: No More Bonusgates

Bill McIntyre of Camp Hill has been writing letters to the members of the Pennsylvania Legislature for years asking them to clean up the mess they've made in Harrisburg.

The "Bonusgate" indictments have prompted McIntyre's latest missive:

To: Friends of Responsible Government

Subject: A Shoe

Dear Friends,

A shoe has been dropped by state Attorney General Tom Corbett after an 18 month investigation into the possible public corruption scandal within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It may turnout to be an even bigger mess than the 2005 pay grab by the legislature.

Yesterday, General Corbett stated that "it is a sad day in Pennsylvania." Grand jury indictments were issued for 12 people who either are, or were employed as "public servants" of Pennsylvania. In 2005 we stated that the pay raise was just the "tip of the iceberg." It appears that statement remains true.

Their names are unimportant for purposes of this letter. The mere fact that 12 employees, with the strong possibility of more to come, have been indicted for conflict of interest; theft by unlawful taking or disposition; thefts of services; theft by deception; theft by failure to make required disposition of funds; and conspiracy to commit conflict of interest and/or theft by unlawful taking is enough!

Many leaders in our government have dismissed the reform movement as passé. Not only has the leadership disregarded the reform movement, but some of those we elected as reformers in 2006 have forgotten why they now hold the title of Senator or Representative. They have simply conformed to business as usual and have gone along to get along with their veteran leaders and piers.

We, the voting public and as their employers, have to share much of the blame. Yes, we are guilty also. When an employee fails to perform the job he/she was hired to do; they must be disciplined or replaced. We have failed as employers in not insisting in knowing what they are doing and spending.

Yes, a few of us have been insisting. But when there are millions of employers, and thousands of employees hiding from us what they do, it is a difficult chore for a few. Look to business for the answer. A well managed company will bring expenses in line with revenues. That could mean selling off non-profitable operations, employee layoffs, and/or benefit reductions. It happens daily in business.

When one employee can deny millions of employers the right to redistrict territories, something is wrong with the present system. When a chairperson of a committee can determine what goes before the floor for a vote – the system is busted and must be corrected.

Change will only happen when enough of us force it. Our legislature has proven to us they will not correct themselves. Reform is desperately needed. It will happen if enough of us stand up and speak up. I've had it with the status quo! How about you?

A rather disturbed,
Bill McIntyre

No More Bonusgates