“Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” — Joseph Welch
On December 6th, the Pennsylvania Society met in New York City for the 126th time. The Society states, “Our events provide a forum for civil discussion, networking, and relationship building”.
The words don’t say it, but the message is clear: The conversations and networking are only for those who can afford them. One must read the fine print to see that it takes two members of the Society to invite someone to join. The statement does not include the dinner, and the parties are by invitation only. It would be better stated that the Society brings together wealthy Pennsylvanians, elected officials, and those who want to influence elected officials.
There has been much discussion about the new populism in the Republican Party and how it has become the party of working people. However, there was no evidence of that being true at this year’s Society meeting.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the most popular person was former hedge fund manager and newly elected Republican United States Senator Dave McCormick.
Senate Elect McCormick and his wife, the former Trump official, had three separate corporations, including Scientific Games, host private receptions in their honor. This lottery game innovator seeks governmental support for new forms of gambling.
The Society purposely holds the event in New York City far from the eyes of Pennsylvania residents who may care which politicians are cozying up to which corporations and which want to be candidates are raising money from which wealthy business leaders. Former Governor Rendell, who tried to move the party to Pennsylvania so the millions of dollars spent on the weekend would help the local economy, concluded the wealthy, lobbyists, and elected officials feel much freer talking when the locals can’t hear them.
While the Republican Party and the Senator-Elect discuss China’s unfair business advantage, the society holds its annual meeting in a hotel owned by the Dajia Insurance Group, a Beijing, China-based company.
The Carpenters’ union, which advocates that the City give land and tax breaks to the 76ers’ owners, also held an event at this year’s society meeting. Philadelphia elected officials, who define themselves as progressives, friends of organized labor, and the working poor, also attended.
What makes the decision curious is that the Waldorf is not listed on the Unite Here, a labor union representing working people in hotels, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airports industries’ “Fair Hotel“ web page. A web page that lists hotels that respect workers and pay a living wage. Perhaps no one asked that Union where they would like to see “the conversations” taking place.
The “Invitation Only, RSVP Required” event list starts at 8 am and goes late into the evening. Unsurprisingly, banks, insurance companies, manufacturers, and energy suppliers host events. Perhaps the Black Leadership PA Reception, Juntos Latin Reception, Hispanic Media Reception, and the Future of Women in Leadership event may be surprising.
There was a moment of silence for the murdered insurance executive, but nothing was said about those dying because of insurance denials.
Some elected officials will undoubtedly claim they “have to go” to build relationships to get more for their constituents. Former Governor Tom Wolf, who also had to get elected and reelected, didn’t have to go to win the Governorship. The statement released by Wolf’s office explained that the Governor donated the money he would have spent going to the following groups: $ 10,000 each to Philabundance, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
As someone who has looked on in horror over 40 years at the insurance companies, lobbyists, corporations, and banks hosting private parties for elected officials and those seeking access to power, there is one notable difference.
The gender and race of people attending. Forty years ago, few women, African Americans, Latinos, and others were in the pictures. No longer are only white men being wined and dined by corporate interests. Now, a more diverse group of people are behind closed doors, meeting the rich and powerful, lining up for campaign contributions and no-bid contracts. What is not clear is whether this is an advancement or proof that the power structure can use everyone who agrees to uphold the status quo.
Our reporters sit through hours of city council meetings, dig through piles of documents, and ask tough questions other media overlook. Because we’re committed to addressing Philadelphia’s poverty crisis — and challenging those who sustain it. If you think this work is important too, please support our journalism.
We’re counting on readers like you.
