Last week, when American taxpayers learned that a bank receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program funds had thrown a lavish bash and spared no expense to celebrate with the bands Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire, I introduced legislation based on a simple concept: if a company accepts bailout funds from the taxpayer, it can’t waste money on lavish parties, expensive dinners and Tiffany trinkets.
The reaction in some quarters suggests that I had attempted -- like a modern-day Dean Wormer in “Animal House” -- to ban fun of any kind, or that the wheels of commerce and marketing would grind to a halt.
He has a point, I cannot argue with him on this. He is spot-on, dead right.
But when we consider how Congress treats themselves to lavish parties and retreats, his words don't take on nearly as much weight, In fact, it pretty much negates everything he has said.
I often wonder something. What ever happened to leading by example, not asking others to do what you cannot or are not willing to do yourself? I have been in leadership positions at various times of my career, sometimes a bit reluctantly. But the thing that always stands out in mind about how to be a good leader is a song.
In Basic Training, we had several marching songs. Many are not fit to print at a family blog. The one that applies most in this case is the one that has this line:
Trainee trainee don't be blue,
Your Drill Sergeant was a trainee too.
Everyone of those men that were screaming at us for every last little thing, went through the very same thing when they started out their careers. Every last one, there were NO exceptions. So, it can be truthfully said that they had us do nothing that they had not done, or would not be willing to do, if it needed to be done.
Today, we cannot honestly say there is any evidence that this is the case, in the highest levels of our government or in some cases, even below. Haven't we had enough, yet? If so, when are we going to act? When will hold these crooks, these hypocrites accountable? I'd like to see them back in the private sector, wouldn't you?
6 comments:
Of course, you are correct. You are writing about the same hypocrisy displayed by members of Congress who expressed shock and outrage by the fact that several of our giant corporations were on the edge of bankruptcy, even though they themselves had responsibility for “government oversight.” It probably isn’t necessary to mention the double-standard associated with filing a false tax return, when in fact Charlie Rangel chairs the committee responsible for writing the tax code . . . who then attempted to blame it all on his wife. And this latter example is hardly different from the presidential candidate who promised all of us “change” from previous administrations, and then proceeded to nominate four individuals to his cabinet who also were delinquent in their income tax responsibilities.
And we might wonder how highly placed politicians, all of whom are quite wealthy, democrats all, are able to “get away” with crimes, when at the same time the federal government seizes the assets of common citizens, assesses hefty fines, or locks them up in federal penitentiaries for similar crimes. Apparently, there is a double standard, it isn’t unusual, and absolutely no member of the Obama administration has a problem with that.
But the icing on this cake was when the same Tim Geithner demanded “swift justice” for anyone who even attempts to “forget” to pay his or her taxes. And wouldn’t this be the height of hypocrisy?
If the initial monetary outlay didn't include a user agreement stipulating restrictions then it's not the government's job to police their partying. Let them fall off the cliff due to public outrage, but for God's sake don't allow people like Kerry to enact legislation demanding it.
//Apparently, there is a double standard, it isn’t unusual, and absolutely no member of the Obama administration has a problem with that.//
Most of the people that hammered the Bush people's flaws mercilessly, do not seem to have any problem with Obama's people and their flaws. This is what really pisses me off about partisan hacks.
//If the initial monetary outlay didn't include a user agreement stipulating restrictions then it's not the government's job to police their partying.//
Your thoughts and comments make perfect sense. I can find nothing wrong with any of what you say here. But be advised that they might be tracked for future castigation campaigns. When Limbaugh is destroyed, they will be looking for you next.
The state is watching.
Hi LAS !
/// When Limbaugh is destroyed, they will be looking for you next. ///
// Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.
Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.
Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.
Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Jude.
Als sie mich holten,gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.//
//Translation
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.//
"First they came…" is a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.
http://tinyurl.com/2v3j5t
Best,
L’Amerloque
Hi Amerloque,
I did make my comment to AC partially in jest. But with your poem, it does show a more serious side to this (which in my view is most appropriate to be considering).
Right now they are after Limbaugh. If they are successful, who will it be next?
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