Monkey See, Monkey Do

Much to his credit, President Barack Obama takes full responsibility for the debacle that has resulted from a number of his nominees' full disclosure. Disclosure not necessarily proffered, but diligently brought to light by the ever-helpful media. That it has become an embarrassment to this intrepidly and singularly resolute man to have the illicit failings of his nominees brought to public attention time and again, is unfortunate to the end degree.

This new president of the United States of America after all, campaigned on a promise of a clean sweep, a new order of business, of hope for the future, of change that could be believed in. What change? Why, corruption so deeply ingrained in the process of governance, of legislators so beholden to the deep pockets of lobbyists that its institution has become a deep source of suspicion and denigration of high office.

When New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, President Obama's pick for Commerce Secretary, had to withdraw as a result of an investigation into alleged 'pay-for-play' political activities in his state, that sounded the initiation of a painful process of discovery and withdrawal. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached for the very same allegations of wrongdoing, despite his insistence he had done nothing wrong.

What he meant, surely, was that it couldn't be seen as wrong, to repeat and institutionalize a process whereby the highest bidder could attain to office, when it was simply something everyone, anyone, would do under the circumstances. The circumstances being the opportunity to avail oneself. Far too tempting to pass by, and why would anyone, if it's been done time and again?

Timothy Geithner, President Obama's pick for Treasury Secretary - a seasoned financial expert with long experience in the U.S. Treasury Department, as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, Director of Policy Development and Review at the International Monetary Fund, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; discharged with the task of rescuing Bear Stearns - hadn't the knowledge and the foresight to discharge his personal obligations in taxes.

An error, an anomaly, an aberration, not deliberately undertaken, no, not at all. A man with that kind of financial pedigree unknowledgeable enough to let slip by his acknowledged and legal need to render unto the Tax Department (that oh so dreaded IRS) what was due it: some $25,000 in withheld taxes. But Mr. Geithner, after appropriate self-abnegation, passed muster and has been installed.

And then along came Tom Daschle, a highly-respected, seasoned past member of the Senate. A personal friend and adviser to President Obama - one whose experience and clarity of vision, ability to transform the difficult into the possible, nominated to take the difficult post of Secretary of Health and Human Services, and usher in a long-awaited transformation of the U.S. health insurance system - kaput.

He too, simply from benign neglect, an unclear understanding of what was expected of an individual in high public office, forgot that he was obligated to declare all financial benefits. His error, to the tune of $140,000 in undeclared benefits, paid up in haste and embarrassment, has diminished the regard in which he has been universally held, and has halted his accession to the new administration.

And then there's the last example. Repeat: the last, the very last example of a public figure in seemingly complete ignorance of what constitutes licit as opposed to illicit evasion of taxes. When the local District of Columbia government filed a tax lien on her house wouldn't that have speedily alerted her, and the nomination committee that something was not quite as it should be?

Haven't we heard this over and over again, that wealthy and influential public figures simply disdain to file taxes or to pay unemployment tax on household help? A riff on hiring illegal immigrants. This single failure to obey the very same law that is imposed on everyone, seems to bring down more public figures than appears innocently reasonable. It can't quite be illegal, since everyone does it.

Well, for President Obama, it's been a sobering experience. To have to face the unfortunate reality that so many individuals with talent and experience, intelligence and a wish to serve their country fail so miserably at the initial juncture of servitude. He'll get over it, and move on.

But Holy Cow! Isn't that really mind-boggling? Something as unbelievable as the billions handed out by the U.S. Treasury to flailing financial institutions who then turned around to take executive vacations, order private jets, set up prestigious naming rights to reflect on their label, host celebratory parties, and grant themselves those huge entitlement bonuses.

The land of the free and the brave has become the land of self-availment and damn the masses.