Regarding Burka's Take on El Paso and Corruption
When the facts of this case come out, we will find many surprises. They will encompass bribery, adultery, homosexuality, and judicial malfeasance. I agree with Burka that corruption is endemic to this area because we are isolated and have a Sargent Shultz attitude of "I See Nothing!" The focus of the FBI has been on terrorism not white collar, corruption or other non violent crime. I do believe that this investigation will be very thorough and will result in many arrests and indictments. My guess is 15 more. Sito Negron's comments amount to saying"Well THEY"RE doing it, why pick on us. We in El Paso just have more to lose. . -- CK
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Is Mexico corrupt, or more corrupt that most of the U.S.? Is El Paso closer to Mexico than most of the U.S.?
This pattern exists up and down the border region. Trying to cover it up by pointing to isolated arrests elsewhere -- you're kidding yourself. -- Roberto Padilla
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I'm disappointed to see that you left Las Vegas off your list.
But, in all serious, there's no arguing with the fact that El Paso is much more Mexican than most other Texas cities. And corruption is much more prevalent in Mexico. -- Frank Fundillo
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The bribery of elected officals that has taken place in El Paso is not related to the custom of bribery in Mexico.
Corruption in Mexico did not cross over the border and spread to our government in El Paso County, Texas, through our Hispanic/Americans of Mexican Descent/Latino/Chicano elected officials. This is what is being suggested and it is an offensive racial stereotype.
The corruption in Mexico which has spread to our borders is of those few Custom officals who have taken bribes to allow loads of illegal drugs to cross through their checkpoints.
The corruption which has been found to exist in El Paso County, Texas, is homegrown, made in the U.S.A. type corruption, that has been around for decades and used to be more widespread in the U.S.
Sito Negron's article cites only a few of the more recent corruption investigations in Texas and one in San Diego.
Those offering bribes and those taking bribes in the U.S. over the decades have been from all races, but primarily of the majority race.
For whatever reasons, it has been allowed to continue longer in El Paso. Allowed because local law enforcement and local prosecutors have not cracked down on the practice before. How can we, as citizens, believe that there have not been complaints and reports of bribery made to local law enforcement agencies before now? -- Licenciado
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I sympathize with you as you try to minimize the accusations. I wish I could feel the same way but it provokes both sadness and anger in me since these characters are people we trust. Reality unfornutely is that we have more indictments than the both Chicago and Philedelphia investigations combined and it's not over.
Do we wait until its complete or do we finally do the right thing.
A strong Ethics Committee with teeth, appointed by the electorate by some independent method ,working in conjunction with the Chief of police and the Sheriff. Let's clean our own house.
I think it up to you (Epmedia) to get this out in front of the public to get some thing done, pronto.
-- Chas
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When the investigation began the FBI indicated that it was working more than 900 similar cases in cities around the country. We are not unique in that category.
I will hand you the responders that our political system runs more like the Mexican political system with certain factions of individuals within a party aiming to take over every spot from dog catcher to President. Is that why we aren't Phoenix? No - there's a lot more to it than that. -- David K
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I moved here from New Mexico, where corruption was king, so I don't think El Paso is unique in its scandals. However, there has been a perception for years that school boards and the county were -- if not corrupt -- at least very poorly managed. There are plenty of competent, honest, smart people in El Paso but those are the very people who would never want to be a county commissioner. -- Jenny
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Good work.
Perceptions can be awfully selective, and Burka's piece is a classic example of this.
That he admits going "to El Paso recently to write about the corruption that reaches into every area of local government, not to muse on the city's alienation from the vast territory that lies to the east" says it all.
He could have also found as much had he gone to virtually every other large Texas city and no small number of the smaller ones, even those "in the vast territory that lies to the east." -- Carlos Guerra
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Appraisal Surge Means El Paso Home Values Keep Rising, Despite Market Slowdown
The folks in El Paso need to stage a property tax payer revolt. With the real estate market in turmoil througout the country, including El Paso - it is truly shocking that the EP Tax authority would have the audacity to increase property tax values to generate more income for the beauracratic machinery. It is unbelievable when other tax collectors in other states are graciously accepting tax appeals to lower taxes due to declining values, El Paso tax collectors are doing the opposite. Property owners need to rise and take strong action against these beauracratic bullies!! -- Lou Moreno
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Every taxpayer in El Paso should file a protest on the increase in the value of their house. It takes some time to do but you learn a lot in the process. -- Laura Enriquez
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Readers Respond: Sun Metro a 'Fait Accompli' in Union Plaza
Jim Thomas' comment about North Juarez, Texas is offensive. He is complaining about the fact that El Paso is run by Democrats, so consequently that makes it North Juarez? So by inference El Paso Democrats are Mexican Citizens and by additional inference, this city is run by Mexican Citizens that don't know how to run a city? The last time I looked, neither Sen. Obama nor Sen. Clinton (both Democrats) fit his stereotype. As to the fact that he considers the city ill-run, then he should put his money where his mouth is and bring about some change. Comments like his are divisive and at best uninformed at worst, ignorant.. -- Gina
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Dear Jim Thomas,
The Mayor of Houston, Bill White, is a Democrat. By the way, it is Republicans who are causing high taxes by shifting the burden of paying for government from the federal and state government to the local government -- and by cutting taxes for the wealthy and shifting those taxes to the working class.
It a politically winning formula for "conservatives" and we all who aren't rich are paying the price.
Dear NPT,
Where's the fact-checking? I guess you let anything up on your website.
Phil -- Phillip
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While it is undoubtly true that Blacks have a long and important history of contributions to El Paso, and that El Paso, thanks to Ft. Bliss is one of the most tolerant and liberal cities with regards to race and ethnicity, it is also true that many Hispanics resent Blacks and vice-versa. This is no doubt because both groups have been forced to compete for a small slice of the economic pie which is controlled by the mostly white power elite. Hispancis love affair with the Clintons in border communities is strong and it is also irrational. How in the world has NAFTA helped El Paso? An Obama-Richardson white house would benefit both groups far more than another Clinton. I would like to know the real reasons why S. Reyes and Elliot S. are supporting Clinton. -- Ed
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