Corruption in Baton Rouge? I Never Would Have Guessed.

Well, it looks like the political corruption in Baton Rouge is not limited to the Capitol Building.  Seven people, including the mayor's sister, have been arrested on bribery charges (officially conspiracy in aid of racketeering) for taking money to fix traffic tickets and criminal matters at City Court and the 19th Judicial District Court.

The most high profile person indicted in this case is Evelyn Holden, who is the mayor's sister.  Mayor Holden's only statement was asking that we keep his family in our prayers as they go through these hard times.

If sentenced, Holden and the others could receive up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Why does this not surprise me?  Why is it that corruption is such a normal part of politics in this state?  Its probably because we let it happen.  What happens to a child when you repeatedly threaten to spank them for doing something bad but then don't follow through?  They eventually learn that all you will do is complain.   There will be no real punishment, so what incentive do they to stop?  Politicians are the same way.  Sure, a few are actually there because they want to help people and make this a better place, but the majority are doing their job because of the power that it brings.  The people from this story had no real power, so they made it.  They realized that they could get money and power by doing these things, and so decided to say, "Damn the consequences, the rush is too great!"

The biggest problem that I see with all of this is that in reality this is a small crime and only a minor problem for the city of Baton Rouge.  If this was bigger the citizens here might do something about it, but since its not, we won't care.  We will chalk it up to life in Louisiana and go about our business as if nothing happened.  And that will be the biggest travesty of all.