HOW IT BEGINS

This editorial in the Times makes a strong point that's close to my heart:

Too many politicians figure they can get away with little things because everyone knows you can't be bought for a free dinner or a plane ride. That's how it starts. In Connecticut, Gov. John Rowland's career began unraveling over such vacation-home accouterments as a hot tub.

Former Gov. George Ryan of Illinois, renowned for his death-penalty moratorium, now faces charges ranging from racketeering to tax fraud. Within the pages of a very long indictment, which Mr. Ryan has vowed to fight, there are accusations of trips to Jamaica and Palm Springs, courtesy of an associate who had a knack for landing state contracts.

Petty, cheesy morsels of corruption are like the proverbial "broken windows" of violent crime. If we all shrug our shoulders and look the other way, the consequences can be dire.

It was frustrating as a reporter to see politicians - many of them who thought of themselves as decent, honorable people - stretch themselves into knots to rationalize unethical behavior like this.

They continued to do so because there was no discernible public reaction. There were never any consequences, so why should they stop?

Democracy is not a spectator sport. If you have never attended a township or school board meeting, you're not doing your job as a citizen. Shame on you.
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