Setting the Bar Too Low...

News&Views

THE ARMCHAIR CURMUDGEON

February 20, 2007



__________________________________________________________







Check out any career. There is always a standard that needs to be met to move up the ladder. If we need confirmation of that fact all we have to do is look back at history: From the pages of our own history it is either you perform or you get out of the way. We may be a land that touts ‘equal opportunity’ but we don’t cater to ‘slackers’ or those who don’t hustle. Therefore, it is not unfair to expect the same thing in government.



But in this government, we discover, the rules of survival, the rules of business seem to have been totally overlooked. : Our president hires people, not because of their sterling qualifications or their track records, but because they agree with him. For government, not so unusual; but in this administration when they fail in their job, they are given medals and a resounding endorsement from the president in mind-boggling display of anti-Darwinism. Survival of the fittest should have been rewritten for this Executive who considers loyalty next to Godliness….



Consider: CIA chief, Tenant. Tenant confirms that Saddam Hussein is guilty of WMD, buying Yellowcake in Niger, fomenting 9/11 and every other sin under the sun—which are all proven untrue; nevertheless, he retires with a rousing speech from the president and the requisite medal. One general after another, led by Tommy Franks, makes horrendous decisions in Iraq and they receive medals. The Secretary of Defense, Rumsfeld, who is expert at micromanaging, decides that technology will replace boots on the ground, receives a rousing retirement and a speech congratulating him for his good work. The man chosen to do the heavy=lifting, Paul Bremer, screws up big-time, writes a best selling book and is given a royal send-off.. In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the head of FEMA is patted on the back for doing a good job when he only admits to learning about the devastation caused by Katrina after watching NBC’s coverage of the Superdome.



What’s wrong with this picture?



Where is the performance? Where is the ACCOUNTABILITY?



Take for example, Condy Rice. As Secretary of State, she has been in this powerful position for more than two years and it is fair to raise the question: What has our illustrious Secretary of State accomplished in that time except for convincing everyone that she lies through her teeth. The fact is that someone would have to look far and wide to see any kind of progress on any front despite her travels far and wide at taxpayer expense. Wouldn’t it be fair to subject her to the same scrutiny as any other executive charged with a duty?



At some point in time, your average supervising executive might say where is the “payback?” and one would be hard pressed to find an answer to that question.



The fact of the matter is that loyalty seems considerably more importance than qualifications or competence. The fact is that this president expects little more from his staff than loyalty and that sends out the wrong message. We, the people, are entitled to better treatment than that. We understand the rules that govern business. Why is it asking too much to expect our president to demand that his staff perform up at least a minimum standard. Or do we have to wait ‘til the final drumbeat on January 2009?



Les Aaron

The Armchair Curmudgeon

www.lesaaron.blogspot.com

THE COMMITTEE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE