The Department of Homeland Vetting
I propose the creation of a new Government Department - the Department of Homeland Vetting.
Its sole purpose would be to conduct annual ethics audits of all those in powerful government positions. The department would closely look into
- Outstanding (delinquent) Tax Issues
- Pending or current personal litigation
- Immigration status of any personal staff
- Criminal convictions
- Lobbying ties and and significant business investments
- PAC Donations received
- Previous sexual harassment and/or discrimination claims
Am I the only one who's getting concerned about the very high average of nominees for cabinet positions and senate seats who can't seem to pass these tests? How many unpaid taxes and ethics violations are out there among the legislators who weren't considered?
In the past 2 weeks, Caroline Kennedy, Tim Geitner and now Tom Daschle have been caught up in vetting controversies, unrelated to political ideologies or competency.
And these are the people who are considered worthy of nomination!
Perhaps the DoHV should conduct an annual vetting of Congress, our Executive Branch, State Governors and State Legislators.
At least it might get them to pay their taxes on time!
If I get too many traffic tickets the government won't renew my driver's license. Yet we allow ethics violators and those who have long overdue income tax obligations to run our country.
And of course, it's not just Washington. Look no further than Wall St. for examples of private sector moral and ethical ineptitude.
Is it too much to demand that our leaders have an ethical compass?
