More Criminal Politicians

Hey there. Where are you? I’m wa-a-a-a-iting. Come on now. You said it wasn’t partisan. You said you just opposed a politician using his office for personal advantage. You said if McDonnell had been a Democrat you would feel the same.  Yoo-hoo- call me-write me- just stand up like you said you would.

So here we are with the current Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe and Senator Mark Warner and others; all of whom attempted to bribe Phil Puckett into not resigning from the Virginia Senate because it would change the balance of power and give control to the Republicans.

On the other hand, these same folks were appalled when the Republicans attempted to bribe Puckett into retiring by offering him a job in the Tobacco Commission.

The silence from the Democrats is deafening.

In short, Puckett’s daughter was in line for a judicial appointment but wasn’t eligible because of nepotism rules since her father was in the legislature.

Everyone involved with this blatant bribery attempt should be investigated and probably charged. The definition of bribery is to offer something of value for an action. In this case McAuliffe et al offered Puckett’s daughter a job (something of value to any parent) in exchange for an action (not resigning his seat).

The only person whose hands appear to be clean in this is Puckett.  On the other hand, we need to know that there wasn’t some sort of conspiracy in the first job offer his daughter received. If this is so it doesn’t excuse McAuliffe, Warner et al it just means there should be additional charges on the perpetrators. One crime does not justify another.

While I admire any parent for making a decision for the benefit of their children I am having some trouble deciding if the obligations an elected official has to “the people” should exceed the obligations, love and affection for their children.

There are certainly cases where resigning for family reasons is valid and does not violate an obligation to the voters.  If my wife or children were ill and needed my personal care I would certainly resign to care for them.

On the other hand, when campaigning for office any candidate should be aware that he or she has children and should expect those children to be following the normal progression of children which one would hope includes becoming employed.

If Bob McDonnell is guilty these folks certainly are. McDonnell was given something of value but the “QUID PRO QUO” was sort of vague.  This case is cut and dried. “If you don’t resign we’ll give you this.”

Of course this isn’t the only case of attempting to buy a politician with a job offer, just the most recent and the most blatant.  I am still waiting to hear from you.  Where are you—-?