4 ms·

This person is actually a repeat offender with a history of abusing his office. https://www.inquirer.com/news/ozzie-myers-convicted-abscam-philadelphia-election

by bruceb 4y ago

This person is actually a repeat offender with a history of abusing his office. https://www.inquirer.com/news/ozzie-myers-convicted-abscam-philadelphia-elections-fraud-20220606.html&int_promo= https://www.inquirer.com/news/ozzie-myers-convicted-abscam-p...

codegeek 4y ago
This link not only has a paywall but also has terrible dark pattern with popup etc and hijacking the back button. Just FYI.
- bruceb 4y ago
  Ah, I trimmed the url a bit, there was no paywall on original link. Will try to find again.
- stock_toaster 4y ago
  Wikipedia page[1] has good info too. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Myers_(Pennsylvania_politician) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Myers_(Pennsylvania_po...
pphysch 4y ago
The important question: is he an outlier, or the norm?
- diordiderot 4y ago
  The punishment for betraying public trust should be severe.
  - spacemanmatt 4y ago
    Sounds like a vote against qualified immunity. I'm in.
- quercusa 4y ago
  An outlier for Philadelphia? Probably not. For example PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Union boss John Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon were both found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of honest services wire fraud in their federal corruption trial. In all, Dougherty was found guilty of eight of 11 charges against him. Henon was found guilty of 10 of 18 charges against him. Prosecutors said Dougherty kept Henon, a union electrician-turned-Philadelphia City Council member, on the payroll of a $70,000 no-show job to help his union keep a tight grip on construction jobs. https://6abc.com/jury-deliberations-bobby-henon-johnny-dougherty-philadelphia-trial/11239124/ https://6abc.com/jury-deliberations-bobby-henon-johnny-dough...
- j_walter 4y ago
  Probably not the norm...but there are plenty of examples of people willing to cheat the system... https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/02/former-san-luis-mayor-pleads-guilty-illegally-collecting-early-ballots/7491766001/ https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/0...
- willcipriano 4y ago
  I would suspect that people who behave like he does would out-compete people who behave honestly. From a Darwinian perspective, it would seem that the entire population of politicians will eventually make this same adaptation or otherwise get voted out. It's like steroids, once everyone starts using them the honest people are no longer able to qualify.
  - pphysch 4y ago
    Yep, it is corruption after all; it spreads by converting or eliminating the non-corrupt. But if Washington were to publicly tackle it, USA would be a less attractive HQ for MNCs.
  - somenameforme 4y ago
    I think this sums it up. Being a politician just fundamentally boils down to one skill - being able to convince the masses that they should vote for you. When we look at desirable characteristics like ethical values or personal integrity, they would likely just be harmful so far as success in this game is concerned.
- AustinDev 4y ago
  Here's some anecdata for you... I went to a relatively elite private high school on the east coast. Where I and several other people fixed elections through various methods for clubs and school offices. 2 of 5 people that were in on it now hold public elected office one at the state level and one at the federal level the other three, myself included, do not hold public office. I believe this behavior is the norm. I grew up around DC and know the types of people that work there and what they're actually like. It's also possible I'm just jaded. I personally regret doing it and justify it due to peer pressure. 'If so and so is doing it and their uncle is a congressman and their father is an elected judge it must just be how its done.' I'd tell myself.
  - sgarman 4y ago
    So out them?
    - AustinDev 4y ago
      I have no proof they're still doing that now. That'd be insane and reputation ruining for myself if they are indeed legitimately elected. Dynasties work in American politics especially at the local level. I've been asked to work on at least 2 of their campaigns at different times but It's not been something I'm interested in anymore. Me and the other folks not in public office now all came from families that could barely afford to send their children to that school, I nearly got pulled out twice due to financial strain. I think we were used as the fall people if the group ever got caught because the anointed ones would never get in trouble. Since then, I've served in the military for the US for 6 years (to pay for college) and feel I've done my part to pay back my debts to society.
      - sieabahlpark 4y ago

by bruceb 4y ago

codegeek 4y ago

This link not only has a paywall but also has terrible dark pattern with popup etc and hijacking the back button. Just FYI.

bruceb 4y ago
Ah, I trimmed the url a bit, there was no paywall on original link. Will try to find again.
stock_toaster 4y ago
Wikipedia page[1] has good info too. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Myers_(Pennsylvania_politician) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Myers_(Pennsylvania_po...

pphysch 4y ago

The important question: is he an outlier, or the norm?

diordiderot 4y ago
The punishment for betraying public trust should be severe.
- spacemanmatt 4y ago
  Sounds like a vote against qualified immunity. I'm in.
quercusa 4y ago
An outlier for Philadelphia? Probably not. For example PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Union boss John Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon were both found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of honest services wire fraud in their federal corruption trial. In all, Dougherty was found guilty of eight of 11 charges against him. Henon was found guilty of 10 of 18 charges against him. Prosecutors said Dougherty kept Henon, a union electrician-turned-Philadelphia City Council member, on the payroll of a $70,000 no-show job to help his union keep a tight grip on construction jobs. https://6abc.com/jury-deliberations-bobby-henon-johnny-dougherty-philadelphia-trial/11239124/ https://6abc.com/jury-deliberations-bobby-henon-johnny-dough...
j_walter 4y ago
Probably not the norm...but there are plenty of examples of people willing to cheat the system... https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/02/former-san-luis-mayor-pleads-guilty-illegally-collecting-early-ballots/7491766001/ https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/0...
willcipriano 4y ago
I would suspect that people who behave like he does would out-compete people who behave honestly. From a Darwinian perspective, it would seem that the entire population of politicians will eventually make this same adaptation or otherwise get voted out. It's like steroids, once everyone starts using them the honest people are no longer able to qualify.
- pphysch 4y ago
  Yep, it is corruption after all; it spreads by converting or eliminating the non-corrupt. But if Washington were to publicly tackle it, USA would be a less attractive HQ for MNCs.
- somenameforme 4y ago
  I think this sums it up. Being a politician just fundamentally boils down to one skill - being able to convince the masses that they should vote for you. When we look at desirable characteristics like ethical values or personal integrity, they would likely just be harmful so far as success in this game is concerned.
AustinDev 4y ago
Here's some anecdata for you... I went to a relatively elite private high school on the east coast. Where I and several other people fixed elections through various methods for clubs and school offices. 2 of 5 people that were in on it now hold public elected office one at the state level and one at the federal level the other three, myself included, do not hold public office. I believe this behavior is the norm. I grew up around DC and know the types of people that work there and what they're actually like. It's also possible I'm just jaded. I personally regret doing it and justify it due to peer pressure. 'If so and so is doing it and their uncle is a congressman and their father is an elected judge it must just be how its done.' I'd tell myself.
- sgarman 4y ago
  So out them?
  - AustinDev 4y ago
    I have no proof they're still doing that now. That'd be insane and reputation ruining for myself if they are indeed legitimately elected. Dynasties work in American politics especially at the local level. I've been asked to work on at least 2 of their campaigns at different times but It's not been something I'm interested in anymore. Me and the other folks not in public office now all came from families that could barely afford to send their children to that school, I nearly got pulled out twice due to financial strain. I think we were used as the fall people if the group ever got caught because the anointed ones would never get in trouble. Since then, I've served in the military for the US for 6 years (to pay for college) and feel I've done my part to pay back my debts to society.
    - sieabahlpark 4y ago