Sunday, February 4, 2018

Movement to bar corrupt pols from running for office again


From CBS 2:

Two members of the New York City Council are introducing a bill to keep felons off the ballot.

As WCBS 880’s Peter Haskell reported, Councilman Ritchie Torres (D-15th) of the Bronx thinks when it comes to corruption, it should be one strike and you’re out. Once you are convicted of betraying the public trust, Torres thinks you should be banned from running for city office.

“Public office is a privilege,” Torres said. “It is not a right. It is not an entitlement.”

Torres said he believes in second chances, but not in this case.

“I’m an advocate of redemption, but redemption should mean that you have the ability to enjoy your life as a public citizen,” he said.

Torres is troubled by the fact that a corrupt candidate could receive public money to campaign.

12 comments:

JQ LLC said...

Torres wasn't troubled enough when one he endorsed ran for re-election

Anonymous said...

It's amazing that this is even a thing...you probably can't even get a shitty minimum-wage job at Walmart as a felon..

Joe Moretti said...

This of course is a fucking no-brainer, but you think there will be any changes. FUCK NO, especially considering that probably 3/4 of the elected officials are doing some shady shit.

I mean again a no brainer, that there should not even be a debate about and that all the elected officials should be on board with.

Anonymous said...

This Bill will NEVER HAPPEN IN NEW YORK....

faster340 said...

By law a felon cannot run for public office even with a certificate of relief from civil disabilities. Why is this even being brought up? http://www.nycourts.gov/Courthelp/Criminal/publicOfficeConsequences.shtml

Anonymous said...

LOL! And the unconvinced (as of yet) council members are gonna vote for this?
NYC politics is a snake pit of corruption. Most are bought and paid for by REBNY!

Anonymous said...

Well, Queens, lets get after all those organizations that are sucking at the Party's teat here in Queens from 'Handouts from the Hacks' and DEMAND THEY ISSUE A STATEMENT about this.

Name names - lets put together a list and tell 'em we expect them to issue a public statement in support. If you are using our taxes you have an obligation to report directly back to the community, eh?

Hell yea!

Queens Crapper said...

The bill is aimed at running for office, not assuming power. Hiram ran for his old seat and got matching funds.

Anonymous said...

Pretty funny stuff, in NYC there would be no politician hiolding any office!

Anonymous said...

How is Michael Grimm - a convicted felon - allowed to run for his old office?

ron s said...

The fact that we need a law like this is a tribute to the stupidity of voters who would not automatically avoid voting for a felon.

Anonymous said...

>How is Michael Grimm - a convicted felon - allowed to run for his old office?

Congress is covered by federal law, not local law.