corruption

RALEIGH (April 18) – The awarding of nearly $100 million in “corporate incentives” to MetLife, one of the largest insurance companies in the world, is a classic example of state and local governments playing the game of Reverse Robin Hood, robbing from the poor to give to the rich, a state Libertarian Party spokesman said in a statement today.

J.J. Summerell, Libertarian Party of North Carolina chair, said the party denounces all such corporate welfare as fiscally irresponsible and the practices should be stopped immediately.

I have proof positive that a Lawyer in this state has broken every rule of the ethical standards they use to practice. I have tape recorded conversations , bank statements and more, including cash payoffs. Other Lawyers I have spoken to agree that what was done is totally illegal and against every rule of 1.8 of the NCSBA. Try to get any satisfaction and you may as well stop dead in your tracks. Lawyers will do anything to cover themselves and they do it very well. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Progressive Pulse has the story.

Party leaders denied that the measure was politically motivated, but in a private caucus meeting that was inadvertently broadcast to the press room, House Speaker Thom Tillis said, ““The reason we’re doing it is because the NCAE has gone into all five districts with mailers hammering these Democrats. It’s just a little taste of what’s to come.”

The new Pope administration, enabled by Tillis and Berger, is well on track to set a new record for corruption and incompetence.

From open records to hiding budgets to sleeping with lobbyists (literally), the Carolinas flunked the State Integrity test. North Carolina finished 43rd while SC finished dead last.

http://www.stateintegrity.org/

If Pat McRomney and his cohorts in crime (literally) own the statehouse this Fall, we're screwed sixty ways to Sunday. At least with Perdue, she used the Veto. McRomney will hand over this state to his corporate masters in a heartbeat -- especially with the help of Tweedle Dee (Tillis) and Tweedle Dum (Berger) in the driver's seat.

I fear for the future.

That's a really big if, Rob.

If Speaker Tillis and Senate President Pro Tem Berger have any interest in doing the right thing, they should cancel the special legislative session scheduled for next Thursday immediately.

Truth is, none of the Tarheel Taliban has any interest in doing the right thing. They're on a whacked-out power trip ... and it's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.

Be sure to click the picture for a good laugh.

Thom Tillis has a tough decision to make: Allow his BFF Stephen LaRoque to keep stinking up the North Carolina House of Representatives, or send the Kinston crook packing. Given that Tillis is already proving to be just another power-hungry pol, I'm betting he gives LaRoque a pass. Mr. Speaker is starting to look an awful lot like old Jim Black.

From the Financial Times :

Big US banks in talks with state prosecutors to settle claims of improper mortgage practices have been offered a deal that is proposed to limit part of their legal liability in return for a multibillion dollar payment.

The talks aim to settle allegations that the companies – Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Financial – illegally seized the homes of delinquent borrowers and broke state laws by employing so-called “robosigners”, workers who signed off on foreclosure documents en masse without reviewing the paperwork.

From Democracy NC about a protest of a GOP lobbyist fundraising event:

Republicans Jump on Chance to Raise Money from PACs;
Critics Say Fundraiser Fuels A Pay-to-Play System

While the NC General Assembly is on a 24-day recess, House Republicans are taking quick advantage of a loophole in state law to sponsor a major fundraising event this Wednesday and solicit contributions of up to $5,000 from political action committees (PACs) that are barred from giving while the General Assembly is in session.

New study on privatization claims it simply does not work, and documents it. In fact, privatization sucks.

Here are some impacts the Cornell University Hebdon Report found that result from privatization:

-diminished quality and access to services

-lower employee morale, productivity and training

-worker exploitation through lower wages and benefits

-increased discrimination against minorities and women

-loss of government control and sovereignty

-lost constitutional and other legal rights

-decreased efficiency as a result of difficulty monitoring and administrating contracts

-loss of accountability and control

lost infrastructure

-increased corruption, bribery, kickbacks, bid-rigging, campaign donations, low-ball bids, and contractor bankruptcy

-higher direct costs or hidden costs to pay for the loss of pensions and benefits of public employees

-increased conflict, strikes, grievances, and arbitrations