Popularity Breeds Comtempt

This will be a cross post at MLTWF. In this new age of transparency particularly with government, we are now beginning to see those in power, suddenly coming under fire. The most recent contestant asked to come on down to catch the beatdown is former NC Governor, Mike Easley. From the media reports, apparently his political muscle went a little too far as he used his power and influence to get his wife an appointment at NC State University. From the now recent fall out, a provost and a chairman of the board of trustees of NCSU have been either forced out or been given their walking papers. Just yesterday the Chancellor of NCSU leaned on Easley’s wife to leave her position. How did all this happen? Could it be trip to Europe that I and other NC taxpayers fronted the bill for where he and his wife stayed at hotels which exceeded normal line item costs. Could it be the fact that his wife, a state employee received an 88% raise in pay when all government agencies were asked to cut back? What I find interesting is the ivory axe coming for one of its own. Again from my perspective when it comes to white collar crime, white folks have low tolerance when it comes to one of their own in a position of power operating in nefarious activities. Remember Mike Nifong. After being summarily bankrupted, tarred and feathered by the press, he then spent one day in jail after being disbarred all curtsey of the Duke Lacrosse Machine. From this latest report, I believe the feds are beginning to preform their version of a colonoscaphy on the former governor. Just think about it if you will. If you are like me, you don’t exactly look forward to a prostate exam. Now imagine Dr. Jeckle administering it. You really don’t want it now. For Mike Easly, he’s about to really feel the wrath of pissed off white folks, especially in this new age of transparency. Again, you’re the governor, and ex NC Attorney General, who’s going to stop me? What was that thing about Pride and Falling? Man that cliff is looking pretty steep, and I am a moderate democrat–somedays libertarian. As a rule, I usually stay away from politics because to me I really don’t see the spot where the interworking of the government I just see the aftermath. That said, maybe this should be my wake up call. After all, they are public servants whom we elect. I think the problem though is the status we associate with the elected official. We see politics as we do many things in our society, through the lens of celebrity as opposed to what it is, a job. As Chris Rock said, if your register comes up short at the Gap, you’re going to get fired. Same thing with our elected officials–there has to be some accountability otherwise the system becomes jaded and as usual you have the few feigning service for popularity-which as the culture club said, “Popularity breeds contempt.”