Representative Jesse White Versus Range Resources - Shameful Conduct Engaged in by Both

I am not sure whose conduct is the more outrageous in the battle of State Representative Jesse White versus Range Resources.

The company has released email from Mr. White which makes clear the unholy alliance between the two in happier times, times which no longer exist, as White has switched alliance away from the company. Range Resources served as one of White's greatest supporters, even involving itself in fundraising for him up to its ears. In one piece of correspondence, White shamelessly asks if he can "stow away" on the company's corporate jet on a trip to the Super Bowl, a request which he states was made in jest now that it has become public.

At the height of White and Range Resources being bosom buddies, I wonder which individual would be more apt to receive a return call from him, someone from Range Resources or "Joe Q. Citizen," a nobody that contacted White's office to request some type of constituent service.

White states, apparently in his defense, that the company has released the email exchanges in order to embarrass him. Well, yes, of course, and it is succeeding, but it is also serving to embarrass itself. It takes two to tango.

A reasonable and prudent person would conclude that the unholy alliance between a state legislator and a company and big contributor which is dependent on his votes in order to thrive, is business as usual in Harrisburg, government for sale to the highest bidder, a wink and a nod, an unspoken, unwritten quid pro quo.

Anyone who thought that then-Attorney General Tom Corbett was able to weed out all of the crooks and end the unethical behavior that has permeated the body which determines how we live our lives every day, is sadly mistaken as we see with abundant clarity in this sordid affair. We continue to have the finest government money can buy. The citizens be damned!