Congressman Chaka Fattah, a Democrat who represents parts of Philadelphia and its suburbs, was indicted today for Racketeering, mail fraud, wire fraud, and a host of other crimes by a federal grand jury. The allegations center on Fattah and others stealing money from federal grants and charitable contributions so that they could pay off the campaign debt incurred by Fattah. Fattah also allegedly used the stolen funds to pay personal expenses for himself and his family. The sordid allegations go on and on, and I see no point in repeating them all. Suffice to say, Fattah and his associates could be going away for a very long time.
Why is it that there is such corruption in government and politics? Fattah has a completely safe seat in Congress. He gets easily renominated each election, and nomination as a Democrat is tantamount to election in the majority-minority district he represents. In fairness, some of the cash was used for Fattah's campaign to be mayor of Philadelphia (which he lost). Nevertheless, there was no need for Fattah to spend cash he did not have nor to steal in order to repay the loans.
What ever happened to the idea that people serve in Congress for the good of the country rather than to line their own pockets?
Why is it that there is such corruption in government and politics? Fattah has a completely safe seat in Congress. He gets easily renominated each election, and nomination as a Democrat is tantamount to election in the majority-minority district he represents. In fairness, some of the cash was used for Fattah's campaign to be mayor of Philadelphia (which he lost). Nevertheless, there was no need for Fattah to spend cash he did not have nor to steal in order to repay the loans.
What ever happened to the idea that people serve in Congress for the good of the country rather than to line their own pockets?
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