By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
Over the last year and a half, the Alabama Political Reporter has chronicled, in detail, the ethical, moral and perhaps criminal failings of Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard. Soon, we believe the State’s Attorney General’s Office will confirm what we have reported over these many months.
Far too many have stood silently by while Hubbard unleashed a torrent of corruption so deep and wide, that it has threatened the very foundations of the the State of Alabama’s Government.
But, Attorney General Luther Strange and Special Prosecutions Chief Matt Hart have not been blinded by political partisanship, neither have they shied from their duties, even in the face of political and personal peril. We believe that they have acted with integrity in the vigorous prosecution of their offices.
Meanwhile, Hubbard, the archetype of unprincipled totalitarian leadership, has committed the worst sins that a public official can commit: betraying his oath of office, use his position for personal gain, and worst of all, he has tried to punish and destroy any who stood in his way.
Hubbard’s days as a leader in the State Legislature should be numbered and his reign of terror should end swiftly and without mercy.
He has shown no mercy to those who dared cross him and even at this moment he continues to threaten, bully and bribe to have his way.
Sadly, the corruption of Hubbard is almost systemic within the State House, few are untouched by his flagrant disregard for the principles of good government.
The Freshman class of legislators has too often followed blindly without consideration of principle. This must give us pause and ask the question, “How will they lead, given the things they have learned from Hubbard?”
Even throughout the Republican party, there are those so mesmerized by their belief in the goodness of Hubbard and his propaganda, that they, to this hour believe as Hubbard would have them — that this is a grand conspiracy by the AEA, the AG and/or the Alabama Political Reporter.
But Hubbard has taught them that his brand of Republicanism is the right way and everyone else and every other idea is wrong. Hubbard is a Republican in the same way as Nixon; a sociopath who adopted a label and turned it into a self-serving enterprise.
Hubbard has raised an army of devoted sycophants, who hold an unquestioned belief, without critical examination of his or their deeds.
Now comes the hour to pay the butcher’s bill, the price for one count of felony ethics violations in Alabama can lead to a sentence of up to 30 years imprisonment.
But, the price will be far greater when the public realizes the vast orgy of corruption that has become the legacy of those who Stormed the State House in 2010.
