He spoke with rough language, did rough things to his fellow man, cheated on taxes, and retained little respect for the laws of the land.

 In other words, he was like many of the people you and I know today.

 Though he broke the bounds of morality with severity, Big Al had a point in his quote above.

 There aren’t many people in today’s version of the “Roaring Twenties” who are unable to find a justification for doing pretty much anything they want to do when they want to do it.

 One of the things we do is something Scarface would recognize immediately — shylocking.

 Gangsters of the Capone-era were famous for illegally loaning out money to foolish people for a crazily high rate of return. You know, just like banks and credit card sharks legally do today. 

 At 21 to 30 percent APR, their rates of return would make Alphonse blush. 

 Then there’s money laundering. 

 That’s what’s going on when one takes money — usually stolen in one fashion or another _ and flushes it through a legitimate activity so that it comes out clean.

 Clean in the sense of disguised. Not clean in the sense of moral.

 And so, with the assistance of the Big Guy, no, not the one who was our last president, mind if I highlight a few of the money launderers in today’s society?”

 Liberal-Progressive-Democrats — More realistically just plain old socialists in drag, these generous givers love to share other people’s money with special interests of their choice. It’s a great way to get elected and secure dependable pats on the back. Mr. Capone safeguarded his power and longevity in the same manner.

Professional welfare mothers — Though anyone can make a life mistake, making this one over and over again and expecting others to pick up your benefit tab is predatory behavior impersonating innocence. 

Drug abusers — I’m not sure where we got the idea that people should be free to do the drugs of their choice and skip the consequences. That permissive thinking forgets that drug abuse is a team sport. Drug abusers don’t just go out in the woods and die a natural private death. First, they abuse their loved ones – usually for years. Then they lie, cheat, steal, and otherwise support their habit by preying on society. Intermittently, they obtain costly treatment interventions paid for by other people. Later in life they become homeless, draw disability, land in nursing homes, or otherwise continue their life of exploitation. That’s gangster behavior behind the guise of victimhood.

 Protestors — The protestors/partiers/rioters in Minnesota and here at home express great confidence in their virtue and sacrifice for their fellow man. How one does something is every bit as important as what someone does, and if “you shall know them by their deeds” is valid, there’s a large credibility gap with the anti-ICE movement. Besides, when one looks at all the murder, meanness, and mayhem that is persistently ignored by the left, their indifference and inconsistency reveal political agendas – as in power and money– versus moral sincerity.

Reparation advocates — Putting aside the fact that this silly notion is racism personified — see the 1964 Civil Right Act for confirmation — even if successful, the outcome would be anything but uplifting. It’s not possible to be a victim and equal at the same time. Want to elevate your fellow men and women of color? Forget about paying them off with money and get serious by taking color off the table as a social filter. Concentrate on character and choices as the measure of the man. Unity can’t be purchased with handouts.

Earmark enthusiasts — I recently received a constituent email celebrating federal earmarks. In this case our 11th District rep had voted for $1.5 million for the Town of Robbinsville for water distribution; $3 million for Madison County for Emergency Services; $3 million for Swain County for their water system; $3 million for Buncombe County’s EMS system; and $2.5 million for the Asheville Regional Airport. 

Even in the face of worthiness, how does one balance these promises with a 2-trillion-dollar annual federal deficit?

How quickly money laundering can anesthetize an elected official’s pause button. 

 Lest we be too smug in condemning our Republican representative, thank goodness a Democrat is not in that seat. Dependably, they would be spending multiples on things like studying the winter sex habits of Hellbenders; the latest promise to permanently end forever and ever the ever-expanding drug addict homelessness problem; and escalating access to intercepting new life created by reckless women aided and abetted by immature men. 

 There are a million ways we can fleece one another, but each time we do it we take a moment out of the American Dream and our children’s future.

Carl Mumpower is a practicing psychologist and former member of Asheville City Council. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .