Monday, June 29, 2009

Post No. 124b: Re-Posting of Post No. 83: The Impure Need Not Apply


Over the past several weeks, a number of elected officials have admitted to extra-marital affairs. Yesterday, we re-posted one of our articles which expressed some thoughts on the subject. We subsequently located another which we are posting again for your consideration.

© 2009, the Institute for Applied Common Sense

Our goal here at the Institute is to assist college students in ultimately formulating solutions. We do not care what the solution is, as long as it is reasoned, and advances the long-term goals of our collective society, and not just the interests of certain groups.

Someone once suggested that elected officials, and those seeking appointment to public service positions, be required to generate, for public dissemination, a detailed historical resume, and provide all tax returns and documentation BEFORE filing to run for elected office, or accepting a nomination or an appointment.

Obviously, an extension of this thought process would suggest that all details of their lives and finances, as politicians or government officials, be similarly disclosed on a periodic basis.

Here's another thought. Our nation has obviously reached the point where our elected officials are expected to be without flaws, and to be pristine and pure in those areas which we consider to be “of importance,” such as the avoidance of tapping shoes under public restroom stalls.

It doesn't matter on which side of the aisle they intend to travel. This should be applied uniformly without regard to political party or ideology.

Why not consider having all applicants for public office execute an affidavit to the effect that they have never broken the law (with the types of offenses enumerated), and have done nothing, of which they are aware, which might be regarded as "inappropriate" for a public official.

To address the concerns of the due process extremists, we could have a bi-partisan commission generate a list of indiscretions, based on years of experience with past scofflaws, including utilizing the services of illegal aliens and the improper utilization of cigars and other contrivances.

In conjunction with the execution of the affidavit, we could also require the applicant to put up as collateral, all of his or her assets, to be forfeited, and the social service placement of any minors within their custody, if it is later determined that there has been some failing in their conduct.

That's one approach which we could employ to weed out all of these pretenders, don't you think? We, as a nation, appear to have no interest in people with flaws or who have failed, so let's deal with that on the front end.

And it also appears, as reflected in the recent comments about Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and Tom Daschle recently, that admitting that you were wrong, and accepting responsibility for your conduct is viewed as a “little too late,” and of little consequence.

(Hmmm. Perhaps the former governor of Illinois is way ahead of us on that one.)

Why not be proactive and do the Barney Fife by “nipping this in the bud” by disqualifying folks BEFORE they run for office or seek an appointment.

It would make admissions of fault and acceptance of responsibility purely gratuitous.

Doesn’t this seem like the proper and efficient thing to do?

Forget talent! Forget experience! Forget other qualifications!

What we really need to lead us back, to the mountaintop of international moral and economic prominence, is to only have the pristine and the pure lead us there. Hallelujah!

Why waste our time with the impure? Simply toss them aside, and use not their services.

Step forward, all of you who are without sin, to lead us!

The impure need not apply.

© 2009, the Institute for Applied Common Sense

11 comments:

  1. I don't think we need anyone to lead us anywhere. Unless, of course, we cannot think for ourselves. In that case, it doesn't matter if they cannot keep a supposedly sacred vow. Just as long as they are popular, or good looking, or both and things seem to be going ok. Not that we'd really know because most of us can't even remember the name of the current vice president, didn't bother to vote (not that they could since they only have a 50% chance of actually being registered to vote).
    Ah, sweet apathy... Of course, we should ignore the transgressions. What does character matter anyway? We certainly don't seek that in our spouses or try to instill it in our children, that would be a waste of time and energy.

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  3. Thanks Inspiration Publishing for visiting us and providing your comment. We'll pay a visit to your site and pass on our thoughts.

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  4. Douglas said: "I don't think that we need anyone to lead us anywhere."

    We guess that says it all Douglas. There is nothing that we can say in response to that.

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  5. Oh, I think there is plenty to be said in response... both pro and con. the question is always:

    Are we, the people, the power or is it those we elect? Do we want someone who tells us what to do or do we want someone who carries out what we want done?

    I am of the mind that we are the power behind the government, that we are not just a herd to be led.

    You may feel differently.

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  6. I'm not sure it's the impure part or needing to be perfect in every way that bothers me....it's the fact that if they make such blatantly bad decisions in their personal lives how can they make good decisions in their political lives? I don't really give a you-know-what about Dude cheating on his wife, but if he does THAT and expects to be able to just apologize then what will he do with the funds he is given to disburse? Will he use good judgment there? I think it applies even more appropriately to those who misuse their own resources if they are holding a similar position in government, if you don't pay your taxes, will you fudge with my tax dollars? If you are not honest with where you go, will you be using public funds to finance your private trips?

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  7. Thanks much Holly for paying us a visit again. You mentioned "blatantly bad decisions in [one's] personal [life]...." Are you aware of individuals who have not made blatantly bad decisions in their personal lives? Is that the prerequisite for leadership? Make not the bad decisions that ordinary citizens would make? Obviously we expect our elected officials to adhere to a higher standard, and to arguably to be better equipped than the average citizen at large, but in what areas?

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  8. are you asking about politicians or citizens? I know many citizens/people who are offered opportunities to make bad decisions they don't make. They say "no". I know of a few local level politicians that have said the same things.

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  9. are you asking about politicians or citizens? I know many citizens/people who are offered opportunities to make bad decisions they don't make. They say "no". I know of a few local level politicians that have said the same things.

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  10. I'm not sure it's the impure part or needing to be perfect in every way that bothers me....it's the fact that if they make such blatantly bad decisions in their personal lives how can they make good decisions in their political lives? I don't really give a you-know-what about Dude cheating on his wife, but if he does THAT and expects to be able to just apologize then what will he do with the funds he is given to disburse? Will he use good judgment there? I think it applies even more appropriately to those who misuse their own resources if they are holding a similar position in government, if you don't pay your taxes, will you fudge with my tax dollars? If you are not honest with where you go, will you be using public funds to finance your private trips?

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  11. Douglas said: "I don't think that we need anyone to lead us anywhere."

    We guess that says it all Douglas. There is nothing that we can say in response to that.

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