Would you loan money to – or enter a business deal with – someone you did not trust? Of course not.
That is why the results of a recent poll conducted by Darrell M. West, a political science professor at Brown University, are so disturbing and need to be taken seriously.
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West asked Rhode Islanders how common they believed corruption in Rhode Island government to be. A whopping 87 percent responded that it was either “somewhat” or “very” common.
When asked whether they think Rhode Island government is “pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all people,” 64 percent responded that it is run by a few big interests, versus 21 percent believing it is run for all people. A total of 15 percent said they were unsure.
The poll numbers give fuel to Gov. Don Carcieri’s proposal to create a commission with subpoena powers to “investigate ethics in Rhode Island government.” The commission would be called a Commission on Public Integrity.
In fact, when asked if they supported such an idea, 84 percent of respondents to the poll said such a commission made sense. And 76 percent specifically felt that the commission should have the power to subpoena witnesses. Not surprisingly, that idea is getting a lukewarm response from the Legislature. Some see it as political grandstanding on the part of the governor. We do not.
It is unfortunate that such bold steps are needed – but they are. The status quo is not working. Too many people do not trust our government.
That’s not a good formula for economic development.
Numerous steps must be taken to restore the public’s trust in our government. Creating a Commission on Public Integrity, with teeth to be effective, is a good start.
