Infrastructure projects "shovel ready" means "the campaign contributor has been selected"

[FarCenter]

A large part of local politics revolves around land, real estate, business locations, etc.

It is all about where the road improvement goes that increases the value of someones land, what are the zoning and/or business improvement district boundaries, who gets the consulting contracts for the environmental studies, which engineering firm does the site plans, which bonding company floats the tax free improvement bonds, which contractors get the work, etc.

Most local jurisdictions are either solidly Republican or solidly Democratic. Participating in politics means playing ball within the dominant party's local power apparatus.

People with scruples either lose them or get out of local politics.

"Pay to play" is a huge factor everywhere.

[chimpymustgo]

1. Oh noes!! Remember, we're shocked, SHOCKED!! Lincoln's turning over in his grave donchaknow?

[ThomWV]

2. Must suck to live where you do dude