REPORT RANKS STATES FROM MOST CORRUPT TO LEAST CORRUPT

[Judi Lynn]

REPORT RANKS STATES FROM MOST CORRUPT TO LEAST CORRUPT
Mississippi is the most corrupt state in the United States, and Nebraska is the least corrupt, according to a first-ever ranking of the states released last week by Corporate Crime Reporter.

According to the report, Public Corruption in the United States, the ten most corrupt states in the country are:
Mississippi, North Dakota, Louisiana, Alaska, Illinois, Montana, South Dakota, Kentucky, Florida, and New York.

The ten least corrupt states in the country are:
Nebraska, Oregon, New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, Arizona, Arkansas, and Wisconsin. (snip)

Mokhiber called on Attorney General John Ashcroft to stop muzzling his line attorneys at the Public Integrity Section, which is in charge of combating public corruption.

"They want to speak out on the issue, to shed some light, but they are being muzzled in an election year," Mokhiber charged.
(snip/)

http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/01_19_04_pressrelease.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(snip) Russell Mokhiber, Corporate Crime Reporter's editor and the report's author, noted that because the index was calculated using convictions it is impossible to know how much corruption goes undetected there could be varied interpretations of the study's results.

``You could be a corrupt state but without aggressive prosecution, and your state's not going to show up high in this report,'' he noted.

And while corruption is also prosecuted in state courts, Mokhiber noted the survey only encompasses convictions that result from federal prosecutions.
(snip/)

http://wbz4.com/ctnews/CT--CorruptionSurvey-mn/resources_news_html

[Ediacara]

1. Montana, the 44th least corrupt state!

How proud am I?

[tom_paine]

45. I had no idea Montana was so corrupt.

Hard to believe. Perhaps it's just that, as the article said, Montana has aggressive enforcement.

If true, that sucks, because I love and miss Montana.

[JailForBush]

2. Here's why Washington State didn't make the top ten:

"The 50 states were ranked by corruption rate -- the number of public corruption convictions in the state over a ten-year period (1993 to 2002) per 100,000 population."

No one ever gets convicted in Washington. Bill Gates and Paul Allen alone make this state a stinker. Combined with the "Seattle Mafia," Washington positively reeks.

But, with Bill Gates watching over them, Washington's corporate crooks know they have nothing to worry about.

[aquart]

6. You mean, if we put them in jail, we're corrupt

And honest as the day is long if we don't?

Well, that's a fabulous way to tell, isn't it?

[Nay]

15. That was my first thought -- if they've been indicted, then

the state is LESS corrupt, seems to me. They are at least going to trial, etc. So states that have few convictions are less corrupt?? They are probably MORE corrupt -- the bad guys are getting away with murder.

[damnyankee2601]

25. That explains Texas <EOM>

[Fleshdancer]

34. exactly. I was suprised at first that TX didn't make the top 10

but if it takes convictions, then we'll never be on that list.

[tom_paine]

51. Bingo.

It also explains why Montana is listed so highly.

[Turbineguy]

11. I think it goes deeper than that in WA

[GinaMaria]

46. That's an interesting measure

George Ryan helped give Illinois their corrupt rating then.

[DarkSim]

54. Agreed.

Convinced me.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

3. These people have never been to Nebraska have they?

I've seen minor road construction projects take 10+ years. I wouldn't say it's the most corrupt (or even in the top 1/3), but it's certainly not the least. IMHO

[davidinalameda]

4. did they retire West Virginia from the list as being too professional

or are the good ole boys back home just getting better at it and not getting caught as much

[roguevalley]

5. Go, Oregon! Uh, Alaska ... oh oh. Went from the sublime to the ridiculous.

[pacifictiger]

7. So where's

Texas on the list?

[Arugula Latte]

52. Darn! We needed a more spicy rep!

We're just so gosh-darn wholesome out here, aren't we? Oh well. We've still got Tanya Harding...

[kath]

8. Texas at 29?!?! I doubt it!

[mbperrin]

19. I demand a recount! A change in method!

Texas is definitely higher than 29th!!!!

Just because we don't prosecute proves the corruption! Ask around! State pride is at stake here!

[damnyankee2601]

24. I concur.

This state is rotten to the core. Big money owns every politician and does whatever it wants.

I wonder what metric is used to do the ranking. It looks like maybe it's the number of political corruption convictions. If so, that's kind of silly. States that incarcerate their corrupt officials should rank below states that let them run wild (like Texas.)

[Scimmio]

9. as a native son of Louisiana...

I demand a recount. C'mon, Governor Edwards beat three Federal indictments. I'll match the New Orleans Levee Board against Tammany Hall any day of the week. And we're the land of Huey Long, one of the finest architects of a true political machine.

I am generally of the opinion that Mississippi is more of a land of thuggish brutes. But if Mississippi and North Dakota managed to cheat and skew the results, maybe we do deserve third place.

[JackDragna]

13. I know!

I live in Louisiana right now and I'm incensed. We're still #1, dammit! Somebody bribed the judges. Next year, we'll get to the judges first with the most.

[colorado_ufo]

20. Spot on!

As a New Orleans native, now a long-time Colorado resident, I always took great pride in being from No. 1 in Corruption. It was a way of life that we took as normal. It was even taught (informally, of course) in school classrooms as part of Louisiana history. Ah, the Levee Board! Gerrymandering! The Mafia! Brings a sentimental tear to my eye.

A state with Louisiana's enormous resources should rank No. 1 in schools, roads, cleanliness, health care, and every aspect that brings quality of life to its citizens. Instead, a tremendous portion of every tax dollar goes to political corruption.

Living in Colorado has been an eye-opening experience of how life can be when honesty (for the most part) prevails in government and the state truly uses its resources for the benefit of its citizens.

[Zomby Woof]

10. North Dakota at #2???

What the hell do they have to be corrupt over in North Dakota??? :D

[Piperay]

12. That's what I was wondering

I have relatives in ND and they're rethugs and there are lots of rethugs there so.... :shrug:

[yellowcanine]

42. Janklow skewed the results.

Isn't Janklow ND? Or is he SD? Why are there two Dakotas anyway?

[laylah]

14. I am in Illinois

and am here to tell you that corruption, unethical behavior, and a lack of integrity still permeate this state government, even under a Governor who said that unethical behavior will not be tolerated by anyone in this administration. I have submitted proof of such behavior to many of the powers that be, from the Lt. Governor's office, to the DOC, to the Governor's office, corporate owned media whores, you name it and nothing has changed. WHAT-ever! :mad:

jenn

[Norquist Nemesis]

35. I'm here too

Doesn't surprise me at all that we're in the top 5. Jeesh!

edit: there to that

[GinaMaria]

48. Thank George Ryan

Looks like they measured corruption in indictments. Haven't Georgie's minions been indicted?

[chemp]

16. Where's Rhode Island

C'mon now!
We've jailed a Mayor, a Governor, ousted several general assemblymen, Redistricted the state way before it was cool.
*The providence Mayor went on a campaign to shut down all the strip clubs in Providence, except for the one he owns a piece of.
* Same man assaults his wife's lover, goes to jail, is released and then re-elected.
*Inprisoned Governor, for bribery and extortion, with a million dollar home, is claiming poverty and demanding his pention, or will file for welfare.
*The governor who replaced him ignored a state ballot referendum regarding airport renovations. The people voted for the least amount of $$$. He surpassed the high mark, then named it after himself.
*Assemblymen frequently hit the paper drunk driving, or hit and run, but never reach the courts.
*Providence police detectives sell answers to the promotions exams.
*We are on our third disgraced majority leader in two years.

I could go on all day.
Rhode Island never gets the respect it deserves.

[SodoffBush]

27. RI also had that god-awful fire

Fire inspectors were probably paid off to allow liquid gasoline to be used as insulation.

[reprobate]

17. Ninth? Florida ranks ninth?

With Jethro and Cruella Harris? Oh, please.

The problem with this report is that when the currupt control the entire state who is left to indict them?

[seasat]

22. I was wondering the same thing about FL

I live in FL and the pay to play attitude of Jebbie's administration with large corps reeks. I agree that its because the Repubs control everything in state government (except, fortunately, the FL supreme court).

[camero]

31. I'm surprised they aren't #1

Alot of crooks down here. I mean alot.

[Say_What]

38. that was my feeling too n/t

*

[Garbo]

18. What? No Massachusetts?

Definitely one of the most corrupt. Not sure how they could have missed it.

:wtf:

[Say_What]

39. Ditto. I lived there for more than 20 years

one can buy their way in and our of just about everything in the Bay State, providing they're connected to right pols. :crazy:

[Flubadubya]

21. Arkanas is about 'next-to-last- in everything else...

might as well be next-to-last in corruption.

Of course, when we get rid of Huckster Huckabee, we'll be the least corrupt... O8)

He needs to go back to corrupting Baptist churches from his pulpit! :puke:

[kentuck]

23. Colorado as one of the "least" corrupt ??

Got somebody fooled. From ski slopes, to shale oil, to national forests, to redistricting, outside influences on social policies, to big donations to local, right-wing school board nominees from sources outside the state...Colorado is not as clean as some people think.

[Flubadubya]

26. Russell Mokhiber...

Isn't he the dude that always gives Shrub's Press Secretaries hell? He asked Ari Fleischer one time just how many convicted criminals there were in Jr.'s cabinet.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

29. doesn't he also have something to do with "Top 25 Censored News Stories"?

http://www.projectcensored.org/

The Mission of Project Censored is to educate people about the role of independent journalism in a democratic society and to tell The News That Didn't Make the News and why.

"Television is altering the meaning of "being informed" by creating a species of information that might properly be called disinformation... Disinformation does not mean false information. It means misleading information - misplaced, irrelevant, fragmented or superficial information - information that creates the illusion of knowing something, but which in fact leads one away from knowing."
- Neil Postman


Censored News Flash - Read current events researched and summarized by the Project Censored team.

Corporate Media Ignores US Hypocrisy on War Crimes
By Peter Phillips

Sites of the Week:

Common Dreams - A national nonprofit, grassroots organization whose mission is to organize an open, honest and nonpartisan national discussion of current events. The Web site is one of the best organized on national and international topics.

Tompaine.CommonSense! - This "Journal of Opinion" seeks to enrich the national debate on controversial public issues by featuring the ideas opinions, and analyses too often overlooked by the mainstream media. We promote these in our weekly advertisement on the op-ed page of the New York Times.

Mother Jones - Mother Jones is an independent nonprofit whose roots lie in a commitment to social justice implemented through first rate investigative reporting.
For more alternative press resources, please visit our Resource page.

[dansolo]

28. Nebraska - Isn't that the home of Chuck Hagel?

And his voting machines?

[Snow]

50. Yuppers. But look at the standard for 'corrupt'

the locals have to prosecute the rascals. Unfortunately, in Nebraska, the would-be prosecuters also are amongst the rascals. And nobody says anything about it because everyone's friends & relatives with everyone else. After the Franklin scandal, it astounds me that they can rank Nebraska like this with a straight face.

[BenFranklinUSA]

30. Republicans 8 of 10

10 MOST:
Mississippi, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R)
North Dakota, North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven (R)
Louisiana, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D)
Alaska, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R)
Illinois, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D)
Montana, Montana Gov. Judy Martz (R)
South Dakota, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R)
Kentucky, Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R)
Florida, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R)
New York, New York Gov. George Pataki (R)

[yellowcanine]

41. And the two Ds were Rs until recently, no?

Certainly Illinois earned its recent rep for corruption because of the Ryan (R) administration. I'll concede LA, however. It's pretty much always been corrupt, D or R. Actually, LA is a poster boy for why casinos are bad public policy.

[delete_bush]

43. Also 8 of 10 "red" states

in 2000 GE

[KLA2004]

32. I wonder

what the criteria was.

[AngryAmish]

33. Illinois in the house!

#5 most corrupt. Gotta love it.

[lovedems]

37. Me too!

My husband is pissed as hell at our new gov. He used to work for the Illinois State Board of Education and had a state job in which he actually worked and was busy. He is 1 of 4 in the IT department handling 80 servers and thousands of work stations. They cut the department in half. Those were all of the ones who lost their job, the ISBE continues to be adminstratively heavy.

[Unknown Known]

36. This report has to be skewed because of Arizona

Arizona as one of the least corrupt is a bunch of BS! This place is one of the most corrupt states - only it's very well hidden.This is home to Keating/McCain/DeConcini SNL corruption, as well as numerous others, including Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Colangelo, AG Romley, the Mormons, and the list goes on.

Also, Arizona has been a hang-out for the Mob since the 60's - and still is - only now they wear polo shirts and play golf.

[freetempe]

55. Arizona is WAY corrupt

Don't forget the Alt-fuels fiasco, Fife Symington, Evan Mecham (two of the most corrupt governors, ever). And a variety of land developers who have bought and paid for many local mayors and State Trust Land Board members.

This list is bunk.

[Say_What]

40. Wow! CA is at 25 just a bit more corrupt than MA

That's kinda hard to believe since I lived more than 20 years in both states and would have said that MA was way more corrupt.

Amazing that CA also has many more public corruption convictions just behind NY at 948. MA has only 172. I guess size *does* matter :shrug:

[pearl]

44. Born in Texas living in IL

Comparing the two. TX and IL they are so neck in neck
in completely different ways. But I swear being a one
party town really opens your eyes.(Chicago) Even if it's my beloved
dem party. These people just simply have no contact with
people they represent. There are so many layers of idiots
before you can ever even speak to elected official. I'm
talking city gov.

I guess that's one reason my efforts have evolved to trying
to effect national politics. That's sad.

[skippysmom]

47. CT is 31st...

...with a bullet!

[zonmoy]

49. I was disappointed that

wisconsin wasnt the least corrupt state. have we really gone that far downhill since the days of the progressives.

[porkrind]

53. Utah ... in ten least corrupt ??!!

Anyone remeber the winter olympics bribery scandal?

The union is in pretty bad shape if Utah is one of the least corrupt states, what with state and local politicians, as well as both major newspapers and all TV stations all owned by the Mormon church.

Come on, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) should say it all. :puke: