The Abuse of Power

In thinking of Rep. Charlie Rangel (cheating on his taxes), Gov. Bill Richardson (special favors for campaign contributions), Timothy Geitner (tax cheat), Sen. Tom Daschle (tax cheat), Rep. William Jefferson (bribes), Sen. Ted Stevens (bribes), Gov. Rod Blagojevich (pay for play), etc., it is apparent to me that what I wrote in an earlier entry about staying in politics too long being too corrupting is true. I can’t take credit for that being an original idea.

In Federalist 6, Alexander Hamilton wrote about situation leading to conflict between neighboring states and the motives of their leaders, “And there are others, not less numerous than either of the former, which take their origin entirely in private passions; in the attachments, enmities, interests, hopes, and fears, of leading individuals in the communities of which they are members. Men of this class, whether favourites of a king of a people, have in too many instances abused the confidence they possessed; and assuming the pretext of some public motive, have not scrupled to sacrifice the national tranquility to personal advantage, or personal gratification.”

In both Geitner’s and Daschle’s cases, I believe President Obama was duped by those individuals. Geitner received compensation from the International Monetary Fund and was reimbursed for taxes he owed to the United States. Every fiscal quarter, he received notification of those taxes and reimbursement and had to sign an acknowledgment form. He cannot credibly claim that he did not know he owed those taxes. This is a man billed as a financial wizard. Even more damning is that when he was audited back through 2002, he paid past due taxes for 2002 and 2003 pointed out to him by the Internal Revenue Service. He did not pay the same taxes due for 2000 and 2001 despite the situation being identical. Once again, it is not credible for him to state he didn’t know he owed the taxes. He is a tax cheat and now runs the Internal Revenue Service.

Daschle received free use of a limousine and a driver for four years. He received them from a man who was also paying him $1,000,000 a year in salary. I believe he could have afforded a car. Daschle says he made an inadvertent mistake. If that is true, why did he find out in July he owed the taxes from his accountant but not pay them until two days before his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services were to begin. The taxes were about $148,000. A regular person would have criminal charges filed for an amount like that. Daschle additionally “advised” health care companies which he would have had to regulate in the cabinet post. He is a Washington insider, a knowing tax cheat, and was forced to withdraw his nomination despite his statements and the Obama administration’s comments to the contrary.

The biggest lie in Washington is that “I am resigning because I desire to deal with personal issues and spend more time with my family”. That is Washington code for “I just got caught”.