Posted on 04/30/2007 11:53:26 AM PDT by Keyes2000mt
Political leadership is based upon trust; without integrity, trust is gone. Integrity isn't just compliance with the law, it is doing the right thing - not just what one can get away with. Political leaders need to understand that the appearance of impropriety is just as damaging to trust as actual impropriety. The fundamental tenet of political leadership is that your constituency needs to believe that you are recommending policies or making decisions because they are the right things, not because you have a personal interest or some ulterior motive.
It is in this context that I note the new scandals brewing involving two sitting Republican Congressmen, John Doolittle of California and Rick Renzi of Arizona. Both are being investigated for alleged improprieties. In Doolittle's case, he is being investigated for taking significant sums from disgraced and convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff; his spouse is reported to have received significant sums from his campaign organization for various services and his ties to certain defense contractors is being investigated. Renzi's case involves a public for private land swap that required his approval and an allegation he made a demand that a piece of property owned by a business associate be purchased at an inflated price by the party seeking the Congressman's approval.
It is clear that for purposes of criminal law, both Congressmen are entitled to the presumption of innocence. They should have every opportunity to present their defense and have a judgment rendered by a jury of their peers. These are their constitutional rights and they should have them preserved.
However, they are not entitled to the opportunity to drag the Republican Party down with them. Voters are paying attention; they saw four Republican Congressmen resign in disgrace last year. I know; the Democrats have William Jefferson and his freezer cash. That may look like a balance, but I don't want my Republican Party to just be less slimy than the Democrats; I want my Republican Party to stand for total integrity and true leadership.
These scandals don't have to happen - Congressmen have a choice to be on the lookout for situations that create even a question of impropriety. That is what we have to demand; that our elected officials be on the lookout for any possible situation that would even look bad if exposed to the public. Thus, helping out a business partner should be greeted with a big "no, thank you". The same goes for steering business to contributors or family members.
It is not enough to say their actions were legal and therefore should be given the benefit of the doubt. We don't elect people to make money for themselves or their cronies and families; we elect them to represent us in a fair and honest fashion. We look to our elected officials for leadership with integrity, so that we can trust that what they are telling us is true and we should follow their lead. If they look like they are in politics for themselves or for profit, they vastly erode that confidence we need to have in their integrity. We in the Republican Party, the activists who contribute to and work for our candidates, demand nothing less. Zero tolerance should be the word for any action by any official who participates in any action that has even the appearance of impropriety.
When I saw the headline I thought it was going to be about the president’s right-hand men not turning on him like vipers and trying to rewrite history and make millions on book deals. “Honorable men don’t do that,” to quote George Tenet.
Dude the system is set up so that when you file your paper work to run, you begin the process of being compromised. It is the nature of the system. You need supporters to get money money to get supporters, as soon as you get either one you have obligation. Obligation is compromise. Period.
Integrity has been replaced with Insanity.
Cox needs some lessons about the allure of cold hard cash from RAT Representative Jefferson or turning a land profit from Harry Reid or the attractiveness of cattle futures from her heiness.
Why worry about “appearences” when elected officials of Perlosi’s integrity party get away with blatant criminality.
Integrity left Washington when the Clinton’s moved into the White House. Common sense has been absent there for decades.
Remember this:
Washington, D.C. is now defined.
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