Even corruption has been corrupted

Sam Smith

A few months ago I mentioned that Marion Barry, no political saint, had, in 1979, started an important summer youth jobs program in DC when he became mayor. Thirty two years later a leading DC councilmember, Harry Thomas Jr, got a three year prison sentence for embezzling over $300,000 – earmarked for a youth program, including funds for the councilmember’s own baseball group, Team Thomas.

This struck me as an excellent metaphor for what has happened to our society. Even our corruption has become corrupted. Politicians like Barry helped gain their power with services to others. Now that is no longer considered necessary in American politics. Money takes care of it all.

In talking with former councilmember Betty Ann Kane, I recently learned another piece of the metaphor. Harry Thomas Sr, no sharp arrow but widely liked, was also a DC councilmember. On one occasion there was a vote on a key issue and Thomas Sr. passed. The result was thus tied and so the council chair asked for Thomas’ vote again. The senior Thomas held his head in his hands and admitted that he didn’t know what to do because he had promised both sides his vote.

You don’t admit things like that without a subpoena anymore.