When Massachusetts looks in the mirror, it sees a good government state a la Wisconsin or Nebraska. When everyone else looks at Massachusetts, they see Cook County East. Our third straight speaker of the state house of representatives under indictment has been indicted again--this time on extortion and fraud charges. Speaker Felony Tax Evasion and Speaker Obstruction of Justice got slaps on the wrist. Speaker Kickbacks, however, faces 185 years in prison.

The way that Charlie Rangel bends the law, avoids paying taxes and dismisses the honest reporting of his assets, you’d think that he was in line for the Massachusetts House Speaker ship. No wonder the House Democrats put him in charge of funding issues and made him the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.