Clearing The Air

Monday, February 27, 2012

Political Corruption

There's a local magazine in the land of Clearing the Air called, 'Tonka Times' highlighting the original days of prohibition, when gangsters like Alvin 'Creepy' Karvis called St. Paul a 'crooks haven' because criminals were being protected by high level police officers. Article here:

http://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=101474&p=22

Times haven't changed much, except now the 'high level officials' reside in our local city councils, county commissions, and state legislatures. Writing laws that make 'criminals' out of citizens partaking of legal product consumption...IE. smoking bans; while providing cover for the dubious funding sources (Nicoderm, Nicotrol, Nicorette interests) who promote anti-tobacco policies (smoking bans). ...AKA rent seeking legislation.

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/02/smoking-bans-good-public-policy-or.html

The real hazard in these rent seeking laws, paraded as 'moral, health initiatives' lies in the economic damage they cause.... leaving higher unemployment, business and personal losses in their wake.

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/01/100-bars-and-restaurants-put-out-of.html

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2011/02/26000-minnesotans-lost-their-homes-in.html

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2009/03/worldwide-economic-meltdown-and.html

The local police don't seem to be the source of corruption now...this time the criminals (RWJF/ J&J / Nicoderm profiteers) have moved up the food chain to influence (fund?) our politicians and legislators directly.

How long will it be before we wake up to the damages caused by pharmaceutical interests acting as puppeteers to our local politicians? It's hard to say, perhaps local St. Paul politician / council member Dave Thune could shed some light....

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/03/hey-big-brother-can-you-spare.html

http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/01/100-bars-and-restaurants-put-out-of.html