The Peru Gazette

The Buffalo News: Albany remains a cesspool of corruption. Every year, it seems, elected officials, including members of the Assembly and Senate, are unmasked as thieves, cheats or manipulators gaming the system for their own benefit. They extend from the rank and file to the leaders of each chamber to independently elected officeholders such as former State Comptroller Alan Hevesi.//It has become so predictable and so bad that Albany needs to revamp its entire system of financing elections, providing for a public match of funds that will give potential candidates without deep pockets a chance to run against entrenched and financially flush incumbents.//Other reforms need to take place, as well, including a ban on campaign consultants cashing in on their success by suddenly turning corporate lobbyist. It’s a scam, and the public pays. (BN)