The fox and the hen house

"Oh, Bill Davis had all the 'right stuff'. Not only was he a life long DFL guy, he also was heavily involved in the local NAACP."

We have been warned about this. More than once. It happens in just about every city which has allowed itself to become totally blue. Not purple, but blue. I have harped on this issue before. Finding a card carrying Republican serving in the city government of Minneapolis is like finding a needle in a haystack. Or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You get the picture.

So we recently found out that one of the "respected" non-profit in Minneapolis was being run by a "bigger than life" DFL guy. Oh, Bill Davis had all the "right stuff". Not only was he a life long DFL guy, he also was heavily involved in the local NAACP. So to have him run this large non-profit called Community Action of Minneapolis, seemed like a slam dunk. This large non-profit was going to hand out money to poor folks in the community, and life was going to be sunshine and lolly pops.

However, according to a columnist in the local paper today (and this guy is NOT a right wing writer), the warning signs had been going up for a long time about this non-profit. In fact, some things just plain stunk. But (and this is the important part), rather than investigate what the Sam Hill was going on, the DFL machine just circled the wagon. AND, if you happened to be white and questioned some of the transactions of this non-profit, it is reported this larger than life CEO would badger and bully you until you backed off.

Well, there is an old saying about corruption. Once you get into the shallow end of the pool, it is a short trip to the deep end. Before anyone knew it, Bill Davis as well as his son were in way over their heads. The evidence of mismanagement kept piling up until it was no longer able to be concealed or ignored. And once the lid came off, it was discovered how much money which should have gone to poor folks, went to lavish lifestyles instead. 

Now he had plead guilty to multiple charges. He deserves to so some serious time. His lawyer, a well know DFL operative, is going to ask for leniency. You know - he was a good man with good intentions. He just stepped of the curb for a little while. Gag me with a spoon.

So for my single party enthusiasts who believe the Governor, House, Senate, Mayor, City Council and so on should be run by the DFL, this should be a case in point. Where there are no checks and balances, corruption finds a comfortable breeding ground. In other words, with the fox guarding the hen house, the hens are in grave danger.

Just so you don't think I am being unfair to just talk about the DFL, let me say this. I suppose it is possible if everything were run by the Republicans, there could be corruption there also. Possible, but not probable.