He was never a viable option but he knew it. His name was Monroe Cornish and always perennial candidate running for a variety of offices.
He had been hospitalized in one specializing in mental problems. When he was released, he was given a certificate that stated he was sane enough.
He would challenge his opponents, especially those slated to win, to produce proof of their own mental health.
Actually, I would love to see such certification re: the former I did not quit to quit, Governor of Alaska.
But I digress. Back to Cornish.
I think of him now, in regard to Shelia Dixon, Mayor of Baltimore.
She is not only a legitimate political candidate but actually elected to several different offices.
Some prosecutor went after her, spent untold amounts of taxpayers dollars to get a verdict of guilty on only one count. According to 12 people, who used Facebook to freely communicate while charged not to, Mayor Dixon misappropriated 900 dollars worth of gift cards. Supplied by a developer.
Hmmm. I bet she is the very first elected official who has received swag from folks wanting government business or favors.
The prosecutor, who could pursue real criminals, should have sat down with Dixon and worked out an arrangement.
I am not certain what it would look like: a fine perhaps?
But he wasn't seeking justice.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. From now on, I want all candidates seeking political office to swear that any misappropriation will be less than a grand.
Would that clean up government? A codicil should be that favored companies would glean the same amount.
Hear that Halliburton?
Now comes the pundits and pontification. Mrs. Dixon is bad for Baltimore. Tsk and shame.
Oh for pity's sake. Grow up.
She is an intelligent and hardworking woman doing an impossible job. Our city averages a murder every day or two.
With shrinking budgets on all levels of government, it just gets harder to manage a metropolitan area that has the lion's share of the state's poor, elderly and minority.
Dixon appears to be colorblind in her choice of staff and department heads, has vigorous ideas and a work schedule that would cripple most people. She probably does more in a week than Bush did in any year of the stolen Presidency.
I support her and want her to be Mayor. All other government officials- elected or otherwise- the bar has been set.
Mistakes of judgement can not exceed a thousand dollars. That would be one dinner in Washington, D.C.
This segue should not imply that I believe he is fiscally corrupt- although who knows?- but a traitor and war criminal:
Indict Bush.
