CREW uncovers the most corrupt around, as well as Tom DeLay. Looks like Bill Frist better hold off on those Frist ‘08 bumper stickers in the meanwhile.
The new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Christopher Cox, said Monday that to avoid a potential conflict he will not participate in the agency’s investigation of the sale of HCA Inc. stock by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
Cox, who was in Congress for 16 years as a California Republican and left the House to assume the SEC job last month, had been a member of the GOP leadership in Congress for the past 10 years. He was chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee at the time he left.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1109345,00.html
Cronyism has been around for generations and is not partial to political party.
I know I am off thread in that my comments do not address the specfic issue under discussion. But my focus is on the bigger picture.
Is there any sense that an elected leader should be actively engaged in his appointment capacity? Delegating authority is essential for most positions of responsibility. ( The key word here is, responsibility.)
Would even modest prudence require one to make informed judgements on positions of importance? Even if promises were made to key players in one’s ascendance to power (cronyism, if you will) wouldn’t you feel strongly about that appointee having some capability and experience?
I don’t mean underesecretary of Indian Affairs, or assistant Ambassador to Tajikistan, but a substantive job having a direct connection to the safety security of Americans.
How far has it gone? That is the question. And if you to make this partisan(which it inevitably will be) sobeit. It’s your conscience
Semanticleo attempts to deflect the issue. Has cronyism been around forever? Sure. However, there are levels of cronyism. Appointing your old college roommate to be Ambassador to Bermuda probably isn’t going to cause a problem beyond embarrassing himself at a cocktail party.
However, appointing some no-talent hack to head up an organization or agency that you’ll likely need in the event of a natural disaster or emergency is a little like playing Russian Roulette with most of the chambers loaded.
Regardless, a President–even unelected ones–are ultimately responsible for the people they bring into an administration–whether or not they had direct influence or knowledge of the appointment.
Where is the highly-touted moral courage of the conservative movement?
Hmmmm…..
Change the war-weary expression CHICKENHAWKS
To;………CHICKENTALKS! BWAAAACKKK BK BK BWAAAACKKK!!!
No investigation needed, Smeantileo.
A leading Republican? GUILTY!!
RR
Ground Hog Day!
Semanticleo attempts to deflect the issue.
Jade-
Did you read my post?
Shorter Semanticleo:
Everyone is guilty of cronyism, so don’t investigate any of it unless it has been allowed to proliferate to mega-proportions. And if you think the GOP’s cronyism is wrong, you are just a partisan hack with no conscience.