Who hates corruption more?
During this lull before what I’m sure will be a storm of spontaneous protest and community action this fall, I’m wondering to myself (and now, aloud) about who’s gonna come out on top of this outrage heap. Because, you know, someone always comes out on top of the outrage heap around here. (I have to wonder where it all was in May, though, when it coulda really counted. Timing is everything, eh? But I digress, and, besides, who am I to say? The guy I worked for is one of the gang of 44, so …)
With the rest of the city council loudly quiet on the burning issue of the day (corruption, remember?), it’s left to Councilman Steve Fulop to shame his colleagues into (some sort of) action. But Fulop isn’t the only one being out, loud and proud against corruption. Activist Dan Levin is another (supporters will say the) guy who was calling for some reform, even before the most recent corruption thingies. Here’s Levin’s anti-corruption art piece, complete with commentary from residents who are, like, totally against all this corruption crazines and stuff.
It’s by sheer luck (timing, again) that Levin hasn’t taken any of the same criticism hurled at Fulop for capitalizing politically on the corruption scandal. Levin had his own (less formally organized?) anti-corruption demo in front of city hall just days before Fulop’s National Night Out event.
Levin
Not that the two activists would ever be competing. I’m certain they’re
Fulop
both equally concerned with the city’s future and would work arm-in-arm to see that city hall was wiped clean of this H1N1 corruption virus. But just to kill some time, who would you rather see as the leader of the city’s reform movement? Are you a Levinite or a Fulopian. Yes, yes, I know that they could both be the leader, but make believe that they were humans, like the rest of us, capable of envy and jealousy and political paranoia. Let’s say we’re on that island. It’s Ralph or Jack. To whom would you give the conch?
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Reader Comments
As if these two were the only agents of change out there? Give me a break! – Alex
If I had to choose one I would have chosen Levin, but I clicked on the None of the Above. Levin’s got questionable character judgment, to put it mildly (I’m looking at you, Dan Falcon, and you, Doug Salters), and ZERO political appeal as a candidate himself. Which is a shame, because I believe he’s smart and sincere. He could be an amazing chief-of-staff, but to whom?
That said, one need not be a candidate to lead a movement, one just needs to be self-reflective enough to recognize their strengths and their weaknesses. So if Levin does some soul searching, and works to find a slate of viable candidates, we could be onto something.
Hey Alex, if you’re gonna throw stones, I’ll go ahead and ask – who are the ‘agents of change’ missing from the list? Since it’s so obvious and all.
Well, let’s see. In no special order.
Sandy Cunningham.
Frank Scalcione.
Andre Richardson.
Dan Levin is a nice guy, I bet Dan Levin wouldn’t know Ed Cheatam if he walked into him on the street.
Thanks, all. What Alex, no Bruce Alston? I’m also not sure Dan Levin wouldn’t know Ed Cheatem, Bert. He’s the former county affirmative action officer. I’m sure Dan’s civic asociation would’ve had some contact, no? : )
Sandra Cunningham, reformer? R.O.F.L.
Frank Scalcione, the pizza guy who could barely string a sentence together in his own “defense” on JCList this spring?
I’ll agree Andre Richardson had a lot of promise, right up until he accepted a job from Jerry Healy shortly after the election.
Anyone else?
and no votes for Jerramiah Healy? Shocked. Shocked!
Why do I only see a picture of Jerry Healy on your photo gallery? That may be where your bias comes from?
Caught ya Jerry!
C’mon, man. Look at the gallery in its entirety. Healy and a whole mess of others are in there, and for the record, the presence of any person, place or thing in our galleries does not represent an endorsement therof, unless we specifically say it does, which, for political candidates, ain’t ever gonna happen. Cool?
Team Fulop needs a better tactic than the now years old “anybody who dares to critique Fulop” works for (or *is*) Jerry Healy. It’s pretty silly.
Corruption has long been a part of Jersey City politics, and for that matter, all politics. But not all corruption is always bad.
The Art Deco masterpiece that sits up on McGinley Square is a great example of political corruption benefiting the people. The sprawling complex of the old Jersey City Medical Center owes its existence to the corruption of Frank Hague, machine boss and mayor of Jersey City. To be sure, plenty of patronage jobs originated with that hospital, but the people of Jersey City received better health coverage for it, not to mention an architectural icon.
Other large projects in this city and others around the state owe much to what might be considered political corruption. Newark’s light rail extension– a critical connection between Penn Station and Broad Street– owes much to the machine politics of Sharpe James. He might have enriched himself by suckling from the public teat, but he also used his forcefulness to bring state money to his ailing city.
These statements should not be construed as a justification for the culture of personal enrichment. But do remember that none of this is black and white, but instead the game of politics is a gray area where good and evil have a symbiotic relationship.
The FBI & IRS have already imposed reform on Hudson County, so there is no need for a political leader.
The only reputation enhanced by the FBI tapes will be Dan Levin.
Wait! Is that you Dan Levin??? ; )
The crooks ran from Dan, can’t say the same about the other guys.