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I yield the floor to former Governor and Congressman (and convicted felon) Bill Janklow, who can still be one of the straightest shooters in South Dakota politics:"Tom has been held up to a lot of ridicule. Tom has been held up to a lot of obloquy. He's been held up to a lot of criticism over this but he said he was sorry, what else do people want?" Janklow said.
Janklow thinks it's a mistake that Daschle stepped down because he believes the former senator truly wanted to help make a difference in healthcare.
"The news says he's making $2 to $5 million a year. He's going to walk away from that to go make $150,000 a year. Why? Because it's something he liked doing," Janklow said [Ben Dunsmoor, "Janklow Reacts to Daschle's Withdrawal," KELOLand.com, 2009.02.03].
Some commenters keep clamoring for a post on Tom Daschle's withdrawal from consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services. They don't really want to hear my thoughts on the topic; they just want to "generate some Daschle clutter," as one deleted foul-mouthed commenter admitted.
Daschle has no one to blame for this political defeat but himself and his accountant. But his loss is also our loss, as Daschle was the right man for the job of moving health care reform through Congress. It's also made South Dakota look bad, giving commentators the opportunity (as I heard on NPR Tuesday) to suggest South Dakotans are unsophisticated rubes who can't handle finances more complicated than a 1040EZ.The only victors in Daschle's defeat are the political grandstanders who have no interest in or capacity for intelligent discussion of health care policy and reform. They are more interested in scoring points in the very childish game they make of politics.
Janklow is a hypocrit. He always wanted people to take personal responsibility yet he wouldn't take it when it was time for himself.
ReplyDeleteGreat speaker...BUT
Cory, I disagree. I'm just not buying that Daschle and his accountant didn't know a free car and driver were not taxable perks. And when doubt arouse they could have called a big shot at the IRS for clarification. Extremely poor judgment. The country right now more than any other is looking for role models who operate above board. "I'm sorry" just isn't good enough. John Hess
ReplyDeleteOne of the bigger problems with Daschle that no one mentions is his lobbying (I know, he wasn't registered, but in fact he was lobbying) for a lot of the same companies and people he would be working with to "reform" health care. I think that was maybe one of the bigger reasons he stepped down. And I too think that the more people hear about political bigwigs that think they are above the law, that leave SD to enter politics with good intentions and little money, and end up in DC with more political than good intentions and humungous bank accounts, the more cynical we become.
ReplyDeleteWe need statesmen, not politicians, and those are sorely lacking.
The company that provided the car and driver is as much to blame as anyone for not providing a 1099. Perhaps that company should have an audit done to see if they are also running afoul of the tax code. I'm not a supporter of Sen Daschle however I do think he wanted to make a difference in healthcare and had some ideas to promote. It doesn't hurt the SD image either that we would have a cabinet level position advocating on other interests for SD as well.
ReplyDeleteObama probably made a good choice in Daschle and his knowledge, but there are others who have a clearer insight into revamping our healthcare system. South Dakota loses with Daschle out. Other choices will have less lobbying influence to deal with.
ReplyDeleteYou call Janklow a "straight shooter"
ReplyDeleteI thought "straight shooter" meant someone who "told the truth regardless".
I don't think that describes Mr. Janklow anymore.
Anon 4:34: I said Janklow can be a straight shooter. On this issue, he is.
ReplyDelete