Caveat Emptor, Mr. President.

Investigate before you buy -or at least before you nominate! And while you at it, Mr. President, hire some new Research Talent and get rid of your current staff of the ethically round-shouldered. Sycophants make inferior “advisors”? Someone in President Obama’s cadre of the unqualified, better grow some balls and try and make an attempt at honesty even at the cost of their job and to the betterment of this Country. It would be refreshing to see headlines proclaiming: “Obama Advisor found guilty of honesty and ethical behavior unbefitting standard political anomalies .”
HEADLINE: Daschle withdraws as nominee for HHS secretary From Associated Press February 03, 2009 1:54 PM EST Tom Daschle has been battling for his nomination since it was disclosed he failed to pay more than $120,000 in taxes. According to President Obama and other politicians: Tom Daschle is a great guy, [but, gentlemen, Tom Daschle is a thief who stole from the taxpayers and this government]. It was reiterated that Tom Daschle could do a great job for HHS, [but , gentlemen, Tom Daschle is a thief who stole from the taxpayers and this government]. It was proclaimed that Tom Daschle was highly respected by all members of congress, [but , gentlemen, Tom Daschle is a thief who stole from the taxpayers and this government]. It was rumored that Tom Daschle owned up to his chicanery. [However, only after being caught and having no other choice. I can’t see much contrition and/or honesty in such a dilatory admission.] It was averred that Tom Daschle was one of the favorites of the self-styled, “congressional boy’s club”, [but , gentlemen, Tom Daschle is a thief who stole from the taxpayers and this government. Based on what continues to come to light, I am sure there are many other, as yet un-caught, “boys” of the “congressional boy’s club” equally at fault.] Don’t forget Tim Geithner, another tax evader, but supposedly needed much more than Daschle. A man who was passed through a number of passages of forgiveness only to be foisted on those who do pay their taxes. Talk about a “Brotherhood of Thieves”!
How about Nancy Killefer, who withdrew her name as nominee for Performance Czar[Who the hell ever came up with this "Czar" crap?] in the Obama administration due to a $946.69 tax lien on her home related to the nonpayment of employment taxes for household help.
Then there was Mayor Eddie Perez, Hartford, Conn, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to bribery and other charges. Perez, 51, is accused of hiring a city contractor, Carlos Costa, to do $40,000 worth of renovations to his home and then paying only half the amount - and only after he was confronted by state investigators in 2007.
And, of course, we must not forget Vincent Fumo who stands accused of misusing millions of dollars that belonged to the state, a maritime museum and a nonprofit community group. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to take the witness stand and testify at the federal corruption trial of former state senator Vincent Fumo.
Don't politicians get paid for what little they do -and mostly for themselves at that? Or do they just enjoy stealing from others, including their Country?

Tom Nass
5th Marine Division - WWII