Letter to the Editor

The editor of The Lowell Sun, that is.

This is Sunday's "Ups and Downs" editorial.

State officials can't continue dragging their feet on a strong ethics reform plan or Massachusetts voters may completely lose faith in state government, a feeling that could result in major changes come Election Day.

With last week's indictment of former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi—the third time in a row that a speaker has been indicted on federal charges—Beacon Hill lawmakers are feeling pressure from residents to act on ethics reform. The reform proposals put forward last week by the House, Senate and governor do not go far enough.

Bay State residents often joke that state ethics is an oxymoron, but the joke has gone on too long. Massachusetts citizens are no longer laughing, and it's time for state lawmakers to change the status quo.

Massachusetts residents have enough problems without having to constantly worry that corrupt politicians are lining their pockets at the expense of struggling taxpayers.

The Sun has previously called for term limits for the speaker of the House and we do so again. People in powerful positions for long periods of time can far too easily succumb to arrogance and feel as though laws do not pertain to them. By limiting the speaker's reign, Massachusetts can strive to limit the abuse of that position.

The Sun missed the boat. Nothing is going to happen unless (a) there is a major depression and the whole Democratic Party goes down for the count or (b) one of the three Muskateers is found in the famous Governor Edwin Edwards' proposed pickle on one of his runs for election.

To change who runs Beacon Hill will require a "Trinity" of factors:

• The People—That would be our residents here in Lowell who will have to have the willingness to turn their backs on the incumbents, but also willing to write checks and gather signatures and hold signs for insurgents (see below, Lamb).
• The Press—All the Media; The Lowell Sun, WCAP, The Boston Globe, etc, willing to not only denounce corruption but to denounce individual Representatives by name for not voting for a corruption free operations, and moreover, going out and finding potential candidates and promoting them.
• The Lamb—That would be the sacrificial lamb willing to run for office against overwhelming odds.

Regards  —  Cliff