So Who's Responsible?

Responsibility can be a difficult thing such as when it means doing the right thing and the right this is hard to do. I have found that the “right thing to do” is almost always “the hardest thing to do”. Actually, I have never found an exception in my life but I like to say it that way to leave some wiggle room. Now it is true that one can argue the semantics of right vs. wrong. I use it in a more simplified way such as to tell the truth or not tell the truth.

As I wrote the other day, Van Jones, the Green Jobs Czar had called the republicans a**holes back in February. Later he gets confronted with this his comments and he makes an apology. Okay so let’s say that we accept the apology and that he has now decided that they are not a**holes. Is he still a Marxist and a racist who believes that “White People” are the great polluters and that he can use “Green” as a means to free the “black man”? At this point some will hold this man responsible for his actions, opinions, and speeches. Others will say he is changed. I will say that he has said and done things that he must now be held responsible for. He should be fired: end of story.

However, this and other administrations have not valued personal responsibility. As a result, government official can say, do, or not do without any consequences. Charlie Rangel, D-NY has misreported his earnings, underpaid his taxes, and has usurped his power to illegally create a penthouse apartment in a rent controlled building. He doesn’t even profess to be sorry and appears to be going unpunished. He is the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Judas appears to be in charge of the money again.

On the other hand, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner owed back taxes. When audited by the IRS in 2006 he was found lacking for 2003 and 2004 and he had to fess up and pay up. However, he did not pay the $25,000.00 for 2001 and 2002 until he was appointed by Obama, a full 2 years later. And so what is he in charge of? Our Money!

The list doesn’t end here. These are just 2 of the dozens of investigation into current government officials. These people lack personal responsibility. Moreover, we Americans don’t demand personal responsibility. We all have our thresholds of right and wrong. Stealing is not stealing if it is only a small item but becomes stealing when it becomes a large item. Define large? Herein lays the problem.

I am guilty as the rest and I am admitting it. I do not hold myself to the level of responsibility to which I was raised and educated to do. I am partly at fault for the corruption in Washington. I am guilty of lying which makes excusing liars easier, and on, and on, and on. I am committed to raise the level of my integrity and to demand the same of those who serve me. No longer can we tolerate sloth and greed in government. Be advised Congress. I am sure I speak for others when I say “We are putting you on notice” and that we will hold you RESPONSIBLE.

UPDATE 06/06/2009
Van Jones has resigned:

"I am resigning my post at the Council on Environmental Quality, effective today.

On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me. They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide.

I have been inundated with calls - from across the political spectrum - urging me to "stay and fight."

But I came here to fight for others, not for myself. I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future.

It has been a great honor to serve my country and my President in this capacity. I thank everyone who has offered support and encouragement. I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to the clean energy future. I will continue to do so, in the months and years ahead."

Whether this relieves the Administration for their responsibility in appointing such Czars and circumventing the Constitution remains to be seen.