Street administration gets a bad rap

ISSUE | CORRUPTION

Street administration gets a bad rap

An editorial about Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady referred to the "rampant corruption of former Mayor John F. Street's administration," which it tried to demonstrate by stating that it led to 24 criminal convictions ("This bunch is Brady's," Sunday). Only one administration employee was convicted in that probe; another was acquitted. Many of those convicted were bankers and lawyers who did business with the city. Most importantly, the mayor was never accused, charged, or convicted of any wrongdoing.

The editorial cast a shadow on the hardworking, honest members of that administration, such as Estelle Richman, who later served in the state and federal governments; Pedro Ramos, now head of the Philadelphia Foundation; Joe Martz, who went on to a cabinet position in Harrisburg; and Joyce Wilkerson, who headed a post-Katrina New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.

While imperfect, the Street administration cared about neighborhoods, built two stadiums, wrestled with the problems of public education, worked with the homeless, increased after-school programs, dealt with fiscal and public-safety issues after 9/11, and appointed outstanding officials to the city's new Ethics Commission.

The editorial did a disservice to that administration's officials and Inquirer readers.

|Philip R. Goldsmith, former managing director, Philadelphia

Papers helped build Democratic machine

The Inquirer and Daily News have expressed outrage over the corruption and patronage in Philadelphia government. Forgive me if I am skeptical.

For years, these two newspapers have endorsed Democrats for mayor, commissioner, and almost every other elected office. Then they endorsed those officials' policies and also attacked the Republican Party, its ideas, and its candidates.

But now The Inquirer - after decades of helping to create the one-party, corrupt dynasty of former Mayor John F. Street - is shocked to find corruption, patronage, and a good ol' boys' network of protection, support, and mock outrage. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Perhaps this is a new and improved Inquirer. If Sunday's editorial is the first step in a new direction of neutrality, focused on good government and the common good, welcome to the party. If not, please spare us the crocodile tears.

|Val DiGiorgio, chairman, Chester County GOP, West Chester, val@republicanccc.com

ISSUE | COMCAST

Remember 'regulars'

A letter praised Comcast as "the great corporate citizen we have in Philadelphia" - the key words being "corporate citizen" ("Good neighbor," Tuesday). What about us "regular" citizens who are on fixed or limited incomes and have cable channels disappear while our cable bills continue to increase?

Someone has to help chairman and chief executive officer Brian Roberts build a third Comcast tower, and I guess that someone is us regulars.

|Vicky Benedict Farber, Narberth, vickyb14@hotmail.com

ISSUE | QUILTS

Appreciate fiber arts

Thomas Hine should be given credit for appreciating the older quilts in the James A. Michener Art Museum exhibit. But to dismiss the art of Kaffe Fassett because his designs are carried out by others - would Hine say the same about artists Sol LeWitt and Jeff Koons and any famous architect?

Unfortunately, in this country, the establishment still looks down on most fiber arts, while in Great Britain, there is a much better appreciation of these arts.

|Fradele Feld, Cherry Hill

ISSUE | PA. BUDGET

It's our civic duty

Who's to blame for Pennsylvania's disgraceful and catastrophic budget impasse?

There is no question that our political leaders have abrogated their solemn oath to discharge the duties of their office with fidelity. The bottom line, however, is that we, the people, are to blame.

We, the people, spend more time and thought voting for the next American Idol than we do for our next state representative. We, the people, know more about Sam Bradford's passing statistics than we do about our state senator's voting record. We, the people, agonize more over the travails of the Palin and Kardashian families than we do about the struggles of local families who are devastated by the lack of state funding for human services.

Article 1, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states: "All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness." We, the people, have surrendered our "power" and "authority" to career politicians who thrive on our ignorance, flout the law, and personally profit from our apathy. Until we, the people, put as much thought, passion, and energy into civic participation and political involvement as we put into Dancing With the Stars, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

|Deacon Keith G. Kondrich, executive director, Society of

St. Vincent de Paul, Pittsburgh, keithkondrich@svdppitt.org

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2016

Trump isn't Reagan

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump occasionally compares himself favorably to President Ronald Reagan. Apart from acting experience, multiple marriages, and enormous name recognition, the two don't seem to have all that much in common.

There is certainly no similarity in their views on appropriate treatment of immigrants and refugees. See Reagan's July 30, 1981, Statement on United States Immigration and Refugee Policy (available at www.presidency.ucsb.edu).

|Patrick J. Hagan, Ardmore