“Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.” George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Though Bernard Shaw’s quote effectively denotes what happens to some men that come into power, it regrettably does not explain ….why? And as profound as the quote may be, I’m not sure he meant it to be expanded to include, greed, narcissism, moral turpitude, and sheer arrogance.
Again the big question is…WHY? Studies performed by Dr. Joris Lammers at Tilburg University, in the Netherlands, and Adam Galinsky at Northwestern University, in Illinois, present a profound argument to explain eventual unethical conduct and immoral tendencies. They contend that people that “come into power” are not always motivated by the mere fact they can simply get away with it. Apparently, the study indicates that the rationale and justifications delve much deeper into the human psyche.
Astonishingly enough, they contend that many of those folks believe their intense journey on the road to success and power has earned them the byproduct of “entitlement”. In essence, they have justified that the fruits of their labors merit “whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want it”.
But obviously, power is just not for everyone. I’m sure it’s not necessary to wade back through the plethora of stories and information depicting Kwame Kilpatrick’s rocky downward spiral. Since 2005 we know it will reflect the many notorious, unethical, and immoral choices that seem to have plagued Kilpatrick all too early in his political career.
In review of his history, subconsciously you hope to find some obscure reasoning, some malevolent injustice or ambiguous plot to demean his political career. But no matter how in-depth your search, how many stones are overturned, or how much political malice you attempt to expose, you end up finding a power hungry man using his office and status for his own selfish gain.
So did the former Detroit mayor feel entitled, was he just status struck and power hungry; or was it both? Prior to being Detroit’s youngest mayor, Kilpatrick led an exemplary and successful life following the footsteps of both his Mother and Father. He was a graduate of Florida A&M University with a B.S. in political science and subsequently received a Juris Doctor degree from the now Michigan State University College of Law.
In his early career, Kilpatrick was both smart and hard-working. With a budget of only $10,000 and with the help of two high school friends, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1996, at the age of 26. Later he became the first black as well as the youngest person to ever become the Michigan House Democratic leader.
After becoming its mayor in 2002, Kilpatrick brought hope, ambition, and energy to the desperately broken city of Detroit. Under his watch Kilpatrick cut property taxes, negotiated the opening of three casinos, and was responsible for overseeing the completion of RiverWalk which included the reconstruction of two esteemed and historical hotels. RiverWalk with its plazas, shops, parks, and green spaces was important in helping to stimulate Detroit economy as a major tourist attraction and an all important gathering spot for Detroiters. Kilpatrick was also responsible for bringing revenue through a Super Bowl, Major League Baseball’s All-star game, and the Men’s College basketball’s Final Four Games.
To that end, do we assume that Lammers and Galinksy’s findings were accurate? Do we just dispel their findings and assume that in Kilpatrick’s case we just need to start from scratch and perform another study?
Without a doubt I do believe that power and status lead Kwame Kilpatrick to reason hypocritically that others should be held to a higher standard than he himself. I do believe that power and status lead Kilpatrick to believe he was unquestionably entitled to whatever he wanted. Unfortunately and probably disappointingly for him, he was questioned at every turn. I also do believe that Kilpatrick’s immoral and unethical behavior also stemmed from the idea that he could simply just get away with it.
All the opportunities to augment the financial aspirations of the City of Detroit were the same opportunities used to enhance the financial aspirations of Kwame Kilpatrick. For years he and his fellow cohorts used the office of the mayor for financial gain via unethical conduct such as shakedowns, kickbacks and bid-rigging schemes.
In addition to his repertoire of unethical and immoral conduct was his illicit affair with his high school friend and then Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty. Both Beatty and Kilpatrick, who were married, testified under oath that their relationship was strictly plutonic and professional. They insisted that at no time had they ever participated in any type of unethical or immoral behavior.
Needless to say, just after the 2007 civil suit trial filed against Kilpatrick by his former body guard and the former Chief of Police, the contradictions of those sworn testimonies were confirmed. Text messages between the two were leaked to the media proving they had been involved in an affair. Both were charged with perjury and obstruction of justice which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.
On March 11th of this year, after two weeks of deliberation, the jury found Kwame Kilpatrick guilty of 24 of the 30 charges against him, including the most serious charges of racketeering and extortion, which each carry maximum sentences of 20 years.
Not only was the former Mayor dishonest, arrogant, unethical, and egotistical, he also disseminated fear among Detroit contractors to steer $84 million toward work in which he would share the proceeds. To add more salt to the already wounded and faltering Detroit, Kilpatrick used nonprofit funds and state grants profusely to cover personal expenses inclusive of trips, parties, and an extravagant lifestyle.
Though sentencing will not occur for several months, let’s take a moment to reflect. How did a man with so much promise…with so many gifts of knowledge and know-how…with so much zeal for life…with so much initial support and appeal…slip and fall into another room in the murky abyss of unethical and immoral behavior? And yes…it is a certainty that the traps were there. But as we ALL know, those traps are ALWAYS there. It is up to us to endure and to hold on to the things that made us who we are and brought us to whatever status we have attained.
So how would we label Kwame Kilpatrick; according to Bernard Shaw, or according to Lammers and Galinsky? Or do we just politely say that he was just a power struck fool who felt entitled to be arrogant, immoral, and unethical.
I really hate to call the man a fool, certainly after he had acquired enough knowledge to be considered mayor. I would say of course he made unethical decisions. He should have taken way better judgement after all once he stepped foot into office and doing some benefit for the city that he was under watch. He was acting in foolish matter.
He’s a THUG through and through.
Black lives matter
Of course they do, but what does that have to do with Kwame Kilpatrick?