An anonymous letter entices writer William Keisling to consider the once-idealized Pennsylvania turnpike. At America’s first superhighway he finds bureaucratic lawbreaking, inside dealing and patronage run amok. The trail of bad or non-existant ethics and loose money leads him to the state legislature, where lucrative insider turnpike bond and contractor deals are cut in return for legalized kickbacks. His examination soon leads him to the state supreme court, where a resulting turnpike case received special treatment.
When the Levee Breaks provides insights into the secret inner-workings of today's government. "Members of both parties display a bottomless well of cooperation while they pass out lucrative contracts to each other's friends," writes Keisling. "I've come to see this patronage dance as an intricate, genteel, well-mannered minuet. In matters of their own business, the two parties never miss their turn, their bow, the cooperative wink.
"Just try to pass a budget, fund a library, feed kids at school, buy books, make our tax system more fair, rebuild our cities, provide opportunities for our young people -- in short, all the things that make our society work -- there the inter-party cooperation ends."
Recalling that American democracy was founded in Pennsylvania, the book takes stock of the state's democratic institutions today and ultimately issues a call for reform and rebirth.
When the Levee Breaks provides insights into the secret inner-workings of today's government. "Members of both parties display a bottomless well of cooperation while they pass out lucrative contracts to each other's friends," writes Keisling. "I've come to see this patronage dance as an intricate, genteel, well-mannered minuet. In matters of their own business, the two parties never miss their turn, their bow, the cooperative wink.
"Just try to pass a budget, fund a library, feed kids at school, buy books, make our tax system more fair, rebuild our cities, provide opportunities for our young people -- in short, all the things that make our society work -- there the inter-party cooperation ends."
Recalling that American democracy was founded in Pennsylvania, the book takes stock of the state's democratic institutions today and ultimately issues a call for reform and rebirth.
