MICHAEL MEDVED

Absolute power corrupts California Dems

Apr 11, 2014, 8:46 AM | Updated: 8:50 am

In this March 26, 2014 photo, California state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, right, leaves the ...

In this March 26, 2014 photo, California state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, right, leaves the San Francisco Federal Building in San Francisco. Yee, a California state senator and more than two dozen others have been formally indicted in a sweeping San Francisco political corruption case, officials announced Friday April 4, 2014. (AP)

(AP)

National media gave abundant attention to humiliating video of a married GOP Congressman kissing one of his aides while a far more serious Democratic scandal unfolded in California with scant press attention.

Three state senators faced devastating criminal charges: one for soliciting bribes and trafficking in arms to the Philippines, another for taking bribes and doing favors for federal agents posing as Hollywood executives, and a third convicted of voter fraud and perjury.

The Senate majority administered the lightest imaginable punishments to their fellow Democrats, announcing “suspensions” that allowed their disgraced colleagues to receive their salaries of more than $95,000 a year.

Democrats have enjoyed such unquestioned control of state government in Sacramento for so many years that they’ve come to illustrate Lord Acton’s famous declaration: “Power corrupts. But absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Michael Medved on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to michael medvedTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 12pm for The Michael Medved Show.

Michael Medved

Gaza attacks...

Michael Medved

Medved: The sad, ‘crazy’ tale of a Gaza water park, and Hamas’ war against fun

After barely three months of operation in 2010, the dream of a fanciful facility to attract tourists and delight locals lay in ruins.

5 months ago

2024 presidential debate...

Michael Medved

Medved: Will 2024 be the year of crucial political debates on TV?

It’s not difficult to imagine either Biden or Trump uttering some inaccurate or incoherent combinations of words that could undercut any momentum.

5 months ago

medved populism...

Michael Medved

Medved: GOP heading to irrelevance as party fails to embrace demographic changes

The spreading speculation about a new civil war isn't based on regionalism this time, but on distinctions in education and identity.

7 months ago

biden...

Michael Medved

Medved: How Biden learned money misdeeds can hurt most of all

The doomed example of "Tricky Dick" demonstrates the way that financial wrongdoing and personal enrichment can upset the public more than sex scandals.

7 months ago

Trump...

Michael Medved

Picking the right running mate could powerfully boost Trump’s prospects

It’s impossible to forecast who Donald Trump will pick as his running mate for the upcoming election of 2024, but it’s safe to say who he won’t select.

7 months ago

trump campaign...

Michael Medved

Medved: Can a new Trump victimhood campaign win back the White House?

Facing more than a half-dozen hostile legal proceedings before next year’s presidential election, can Donald Trump mount an effective campaign?

8 months ago

Absolute power corrupts California Dems