Ehrlich’s “Death List”
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Nice governor we’ve got here
Top officials in Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.’s administration ordered the dismissal of a succession of mid-level state workers, plucked from a sheet of paper that an aide called the “death list,” a former state personnel official told top lawmakers yesterday.
The targeted employees were fired, in some instances, solely because they were Democrats, and in each case to make room for Republican political appointees, said Tom Burgess, who yesterday became the first former state employee to testify under oath before the panel investigating Ehrlich’s personnel practices.
14 Responses to “Ehrlich’s “Death List””
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© 2000-2011 Oliver Willis
Oliver; about Maryland’s 06 elections .. all I have seen on your blog is (1) how Ehrlich smears people and (2) why people should not vote for him. Well funny thing, you’re smearing him and you have not given me [or anyone else for that metter] one reason why we should vote for O’Malley.
I’m smearing him? By linking to things he’s actually done? Once again, the poor Republicans are attacked by the facts.
Face facts, Ian. Dunce Ehrlich was forced to fire an aide because that aide got caught libeling O’Malley.
Oliver — I’m not a Republican because I am not registered, I’m like you — I’m a “moderate”! You are exaggerating the facts to fit your point, which is understandable because it’s hard for liberals to tell the truth to make their point. Anyways, you have yet to give me or anyone else a good reason to vote for O’Tool.
Jadegold, once again — you contradict yourself in the same comment. “face facts”, “got caught libeling O’Malley”. Actually, all knowing Jadidiot, the case is under investigation and may turn out it was a DemocRATic operative that set up Ehrlich’s man.
Do you even live in Maryland?
If true, quite wrong for Erlich to have done that. Having said that, is this not a common practice of nearly any political organization that had undergone a change in the party controlling the office ?
If true, quite wrong for Erlich to have done that. Having said that, is this not a common practice of nearly any political organization that had undergone a change in the party controlling the office ?
It was until the advent of civil service laws, which were created to prevent that sort of thing. As a bunch of white-collar yuppies, we generally don’t hold unions is particularly high regard, but one of the services they provide in the public sector is that they prevent an administration from coming in, firing all the employees, and replacing them with their friends every time an office changes political parties.
“The targeted employees were fired, in some instances, solely because they were Democrats”
Hmm…for some reason “Travel office firings” seem to ring a bell…but that was OK then
It happens at upper levels, but it’s less acceptable at middle and lower levels of bureaucracies. In my home state, for example, the governor and lieutenant governor run on seperate tickets, so sometimes they’re from different parties. Years ago Governor Snelling (Republican) died in office, and the lieutenant governor was a Democrat. My father held an office in regulating workplace safety issues which he had been appointed to by Snelling, and his successor didn’t reappoint my father. Basically just policy differences or something – I was nine at the time, so I don’t remember the details. My dad didn’t like it, obviously, but there wasn’t a scandal or anything. In fact, he now thinks pretty highly of the man who “dis-appointed” him.
In adminstrative positions it’s inevitable, and there’s actually some reason for it because people with fundemental policy differences from the executive probably wouldn’t be as good at leading those policies. but at lower levels it’s not and it shouldn’t be. Political beliefs should not be, pardon the tired phrase, a litmus test for working in government.
The part Oliver doesn’t want to elaborate on:
“Republicans also questioned Burgess’s credibility because he recently gave campaign donations to his boss, Mayor Martin O’Malley (D), who is seeking to challenge Ehrlich in the 2006 governor’s race.”
But somehow it’s Erlich’s fault for wanting to get rid of him…
PrivatePyle and ian:
Do both of you think its ok to fire someone for their politican beliefs?
It’s a simple question.
Thanks for sharing that PrivatePyle, it is not uncommon for Oliver only to post the part that fits his opinion.
That selectivity seems to work both ways, Pyle:
Sundown, if it involves something like a political campaign — YES!
At an office in something insurance company — NO.
QinaB, and?? The fact is that Oliver didn’t explain the Burgess’ supportive ties to O’Tool.
And?
And the folks making a big deal about it are guilty of the same sort of selectivity.
You and Pyle congratulate yourselves that you caught OW on failing to mention that the MD-GOP thinks that making a campaign contribution to a Democrat undermines your credibility. You accuse OW of being selective with the facts. You and Pyle are at least equally selective. The article notes that Mr. Burgess is a Republican. Did you mention that? No, you didn’t.