Look to private sector
S.C. Dixon, Emporia
Friday, February 20, 2009
PATRICK KELLEY writes, “When even the best and the brightest have been tarnished by the poisonous sense of privilege in the nation’s capital, where can he find the competent, experienced people he needs to help him create the change he has promised in American life?”
Patrick, first off, the “best and brightest” should be smart enough to know that, in the real world, we have to pay our taxes. If you or I fail to do so I can almost guarantee you the action against us will be something other than being invited to fill a high-profile, high-salaried cabinet post for the president.
It is astounding to me that the media has missed the real point of all of this — if the man who now directs the IRS can miss paying his taxes for three years, and by the way, still get confirmed, then perhaps this is the final “smoking gun” indicating that the tax code is far too convoluted and is crying out for reform. It would seem to follow that if you’re smart enough to head up the treasury, surely you’re smart enough to pay your taxes.
Tom Daschle is a Washington insider from the get-go. The people of South Dakota decided he was no longer worthy to represent them in the Senate some time back.
Nancy Killefer, whatever else you may say about her, is apparently a tax evader.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, whom you call a “sterling nominee,” claimed for years he was a first draft choice baseball player who almost became a member of the old Kansas City Athletics. It was a bald-faced lie and, when finally called on it, he basically claimed, “Well, I THOUGHT (I) was!”
It was both comical and sad, but had the media been even remotely fair the man would have been dismissed as a laughingstock then and there.
“Obama has taken the blame for the bobbled nominations.” Of course. They were his nominees. Who else would you have take the blame?
“When the best and the brightest are out of the running, where can the president and the nation turn?”
Perhaps, as he promised he would, he should look away from the tired old warhorses in Washington, the lobbyist and professional politicians, and instead look to the private sector of talented citizens and business people who play by the rules and who are willing to WORK for the interest of the people, not career hacks who flit from one position to another, leftovers from the Clinton years, and personal cronies from the Chicago machine.
This is “change” that who can believe in?
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Amen, brother Dixon. You speak the truth as you see through eyes not blilnded by the glow of false hope and empty promises and with clear senses not dulled by drinking too much liberal Kool-Aid.
February 20, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
I, too agree with Mr. Dixon, but it never ceases to amaze me how people credit "people in power" with attributes that they never live up to. The old adage "power corrupts" is so apt. Most of the elites in Washington, the Federal Reserve, and Wall Street have been corrupted on their feelings of power. These people have been there too long or have been corrupted on the path to attain their level of power. It's too bad that many people play the part of lap dogs for them.
February 20, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Remember the Bosnia sniper fire story that Hillary told last year during her campaign? And look what office she's holding now.
February 21, 2009 at 12:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driveonby (anonymous) says...
Sounds like Barnett in Topeka. Hmmmmmm
February 21, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allintogether (anonymous) says...
I totally agree with Mr. Dixon's premise. I don't really know if anyone would want to be in public life after being successful in the private sector given the media and career politician's insatiable appetite for character assassination and general "hate a winner" attitude. I would think this is the reason several great people would hesitate to enter public life.
Having successful people from the private sector running this country would be a welcome departure from the career politicians, bureaucrats and crusaders running things now.
February 22, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I also agree with S.C., however with all of the graft, corruption, lobbying of congressmen, etc. that is and has been allowed to run rampant, for many years, in all levels of the political spectrum from, local, county, state, and federal levels, most all political pundants and their assistants, appointees, etc., are or will get or be no better than they are now or have been in the past. When and only when the lobbying, graft and corruption that is prevailant in every level of our government, from the lowest to the highest will you, we see any change at all in our country and our lives. Also only when a limit is put on the amount anyone or any business or corporation can donate to a political or politicians campaign for public office and only when lobbying of political officials and their staff is completely banned or outlawed and severe penaltys are imposed on both those who accept "bribes" and those who pay "bribes", will you see a drop in graft and corruption on all levels of government and government begin to represent the interests of all the people and not just those who can pay for or buy the favors, ear and vote of the politicians that make laws, etc.
February 23, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slvrnblck (anonymous) says...
methusla--
For once I agree with you. However, the strange....no scary fact about this is that it is now the norm. There are now expectations that lobbyist will get paid and will pay lots and lots of money to get their agenda through. It does not matter if it is right or wrong. Bribes are paid and expected. "If you want me to vote your way, you are going to pay" It is a sad situation and I am not sure what can be done to correct it.
February 23, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
slvrnblck- Amen brother and the only reason it is the norm, I believe, is because we as the people who have the power to put these type of corrupt politicians in office or remove them from office, have actually allowed it to happen, by not holding our elected public officials accountable for being allowed to take lobyists or special intrest groups and individuals bribes, just think there have been corrupt politicians and public servants in office and re-elected to office for many decades now, and the sad thing is the new ones that are being elected now are actually no better than those of the past ! Until a bill or law is enacted to stop this practice of lobbying and bribes and severe penalties are eniciated and enforced for such practices, it will continue to be the norm . "We the People" need to demand that this "normal" way things, are and done, in " OUR" government will no longer be tolerated and that government and everyone in it is going to start doing things as " A GOVERNMENT, OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE. " Not a government for the people who can pay the most for it.
February 23, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orlando (anonymous) says...
Perhaps one way to start eliminating some of this corruption would be to have term limits for all politicians. Those congressmen/women get into office and never get out. The president has a 2 term limit...maybe a max of 4 terms for congresspersons---NOT a lifetime of being there and growing roots.(helm, kennedy, etc) and getting all the perks. Including voting themselves pay raises, (while among their constituencies there are pay cuts, layoffs and closings). Term limits would be very difficult to accomplish though, because the ones that would need to pass the law to make that change are those very congresspeople.
February 23, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )