“Have no fear,” goes the punch line to a joke making the rounds, “I”™m from the federal government and I”™m here to help.”
The joke works because the audience understands the reality of federal involvement. You laugh as the mind riffles through federal swamps like Iraq, Katrina response, immigration and Social Security reform.
Following the arrests of James Galante and 28 associates in connection with forcing carting customers to pay extortionist rates, the savings have not been realized by those making the payments.
How about some federal payback? Does anyone in Washington think lower rates ”“ pronto ”“ are part of the solution?
Representatives of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority and the National Solid Waste Management Association could offer no assurances savings were in the pipeline.
If James Galante and his minions were jacking up prices via mob actions, then you”™d think at least 29 indictments followed by domino guilty pleas by 21 individuals on counts of racketeering and conspiracy would mean cheaper prices for consumers.
No comment, was the response of Leonard Briskman, the deputy chief for business management for the U.S. marshals”™ asset-forfeiture office in Washington, D.C. While Briskman”™s title is big enough for two business cards, his heart appears to us distant and cold.
With justice apparently in motion, your tax dollars ought to buy something like timely relief. We”™re still waiting.
So, did you hear the one about the priest, the government official and the three-legged duck? They walk into a bar and the bartender says, “The priest and the duck can run a tab. I want to see some cash from the fed.”
