“The greatest error of all in considering how to build an integral politics is to judge the integrity of our politics by the integrity of our politicians,” wrote author Stephen L. Carter. “In electoral democracy, what matters far more is the integrity of the voters.” I was reminded of Carter’s words from his book “Integrity” as the District was being shaken by the breathtaking scope of former D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr.’s theft of more than $300,000 meant for disadvantaged youth. I replayed his words in my mind as I read court documents that raised serious questions about the role and responsibility of council staffers, including legislative director Neil Rodgers and former Chief of Staff Ayawna Chase Webster, in the kickback scheme. I held those words closer to my heart as I read the apparent admission to the Washington Post’s Mike DeBonis by Millicent W. West, the former head of the DC Children & Youth Investment Trust Corp., that she had approved grant funds to an organization knowing they wouldn’t necessarily be used as intended. I repeated Carter’s words to myself over and over — an incantation to help conjure the city’s better angels — when the news broke that Marshall Banks with the Langston 21st Century Foundation had pleaded guilty to federal charges that he, a Howard University professor, had helped Thomas steal public money. (His 21st Century colleague James Garvin is next in line.)
Understandably, residents were disheartened and angry to learn Thomas had begun stealing in 2007, almost as soon as he took office. Wasn’t he the person who dragged two private business owners and then-Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s names through the mud, accusing them of being corrupt?
That campaign of destruction apparently wasn’t instigated by Thomas’ desire to protect taxpayers’ money. Rather, he may have been driven by the fact he couldn’t steal more. Federal documents indicate income from his kickback scheme declined in 2009 to $43,000 — in 2008 it had been more than $270,000. In 2010 it was nearly zero.
Still, disgust with Thomas and his crew’s perfidy cannot become a reason for residents to disengage. That would be more devastating for the city than the theft.
As residents begin to choose council candidates, they may want to become more discerning. Several people whose names have been tossed out in Ward 5 as possible replacements for Thomas come with serious baggage: Anita Bonds was one of the key political operatives who helped get Marion Barry elected mayor of the city. She has been an ally of his ever since and is currently chairwoman of the Democratic State Committee — which was cited in 2009 for violating local campaign finance laws. Mark Jones, currently a member of the State Board of Education, was featured in a fundraising scandal during Mayor Anthony A. Williams’ administration; Jones subsequently was forced to resign. Political operatives Frank Wilds and Ron Magnus are way too stale.
The hard work of democracy, Carter said, is “digging up the facts” on candidates. Voters who fail to conduct their own research “can hardly complain when others take advantage of their political laziness or incompetence.
“Our politics must call us to our higher selves,” Carter added.
That can’t happen if residents allow themselves to be seduced by the slick talk of pimps and hustlers. Watch out.
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
