Fly By Night

Keeping with the commonplace theme of corruption that has plagued Pennsylvania politics for years, Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) has added to his record of unethical behavior by securing $800,000 of stimulus money for a hardly-used airport that bears his name in his district. But since he disliked Bush, his behavior must be okay, right?

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It’s been said that Pennsylvania is the second-most corrupt state in the union, with Louisiana being number one. A few years ago, the Pennsylvania legislature voted themselves an illegal pay raise during a secret vote at two o’clock in the morning. Last year 12 members of the legislature were indicted as well as two aides after they illegally received $4 million of taxpayer money for doing campaign work in what became known as “Bonusgate.” A few months ago two judges from Luzerne County—Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan—pleaded guilty after accepting more than $2.6 million to send juveniles to youth detention camps for minor offenses.

But what’s even better than breaking the law? How about ripping off taxpayers legally?

Representative John Murtha proves that you can screw taxpayers—even during a recession—and keep everything legal. As ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reports:

The John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport has an impressive $18 million runway made of reinforced concrete that’s big enough to land any airplane in North America. The airport also has a $7 million air traffic control tower, a $14 million hanger and $8 million radar. Most of the time, the only thing the airport doesn't have is airplanes.

An average of just 20 people a day flew out of the Murtha Airport last year. But, the airport was just awarded more federal money—$800,000 in stimulus funds to repave an alternate runway.

Located in Johnston, Pa., 56 miles from Pittsburgh, the Murtha Airport is a monument to the power of Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who has steered some $150 million in taxpayer dollars to the airport over the last decade.

On one side of the airport’s main entrance, a large photograph of Murtha adorns the wall; on the other side, there's a bronze plaque with his name. The airport isn't always deserted. There are three flights a day—all of them to Washington’s Dulles International Airport.

[...]

The federal government provides a subsidy for every flight into the Murtha Airport of about $100 dollars per passenger, but even with the subsidy, there are plenty of empty seats.

On a visit to the airport, ABC News found it virtually deserted, with an empty restaurant, vacant lounges and empty runways. An air traffic controller was twiddling his thumbs.

Thanks to Murtha, there is a Pennsylvania National Guard training facility located at the airport, but its personnel fly helicopters, not airplanes.

The article went on to say that Murtha’s constituents love him, which doesn’t surprise me. Let’s do a quick run-down on what Murtha’s supporters were willing to turn the other cheek to:

• his being caught on video in 1980 saying that he might be willing to accept bribes if he does business with the briber for a period of time

• his being listed as one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, after it was revealed that Murtha sent tax dollars to a “consulting” group that just happened to employ his brother

• his being named one of the 10 worst members of Congress by Esquire magazine due to his reluctance to support ethics reform

• his being listed as one of 104 representatives to send $38.1 million to a lobbying group called the PMA Group, which just happened to donate money to his campaigns—but it also had its offices raided by the FBI
  

• his having ties to a “research center” which just happened to receive $250 million in earmarks that Murtha secured

Then again, maybe he’s liked by his constituents because he was recently quoted as saying, “If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district.”

What angers me more than knowing that Murtha is corrupt is knowing that voters and fellow party members like him for two reasons: (1.) he brings money into his district in an unethical way, and (2.) his political views. While George W. Bush was in office, he was one of Bush’s biggest critics—and rightfully so—but sadly for Murtha fans that quickly became a get-out-of-jail-free card because they had the philosophy that “my enemy’s enemy must be my friend.”

When you’re friends with someone who supports corruption, pork, and graft, what can we call you?

References

Allen, Jonathan and Alex Knott. “Firm with Murtha Ties Got Earmarks From Nearly One-Fourth of House.” CQ. 19 Feb. 2009. <screenshot>

Attkisson, Sharyl. “Murtha’s Defense Earmarks Draw Questions.” CBS Evening News. 20 Apr. 2009. <screenshot>

“Full Video of Murtha’s Abscam Meeting with the FBI.” The American Spectator via Google Video. 7 Jan. 1980 / 28 Sept. 2006.

Grezlak, Hank. “High Court Handed a Royal Mess in Pay-Raise Issue.” Pennsylvania Law Weekly. 5 Apr. 2006. <screenshot>

Karl, Jonathan. “Welcome to the Airport for Nobody.” ABC News. 23 Apr. 2009. <screenshot>

Leonnig, Carol D. “Research Center’s Role Faces Scrutiny.” Washington Post. 17 Mar. 2009. <screenshot>

“Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA).” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. 2009. <screenshot>

Roarty, Alex. “Reformers ‘Stunned by Width and Breadth’ of Revelations.” PolitickerPA.com. 10 July 2008. <screenshot>

“Supreme Court Orders Juvenile Convictions Vacated.” The Times Leader. 26 Mar. 2009. <screenshot>

“The 10 Worst Members of Congress.” Esquire. 15 Oct. 2008. <screenshot>

Yost, Pete. “Murtha Fundraiser Missed Donor Pal.” Washington Times. 24 Mar. 2009. <screenshot>

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