What's the Matter with Social Promotion?by: hannahSat Sep 24, 2011 at 17:29:16 PM EDT |
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("...who simply can't understand that the government is us." - promoted by William Tucker) It seems to morph into the Peter Principle. How else to explain the sheer number of incompetent public officials with which we are suddenly burdened? While some people respond to praise by striving even harder to perfect their skills, others take any encouragement at face value and decide they've done more than was expected and that's the end of their endeavors. Self-centered individuals blinded by their superficial optics come to mind. Frank Guinta is one, if his missive to fellow public officials in the state of New Hampshire is to be believed. |
Although he begins with a nod to understanding and recognition ofthe challenges you are facing as you try to govern your community during this prolonged economic slowdown every sentence in every paragraph is about Frank and his perception of himself as an "advocate," "meeting" organizer and "encourager." I suppose that's the cheer leader model so recently popularized in Washington. I certainly hope to meet with you as well and encourage you to communicate with my office on ways that I can advocate for your community more effectively before Congress. But, the reason I take exception to this communication to my town officials is because the one achievement he can point to is an effort (apparently unsuccessful, so far) to derail the EPA program to clean up water bodies which, despite his assertion that "Nobody is opposed to clean water," are clearly being fouled by somebody dumping hydrocarbons, pesticides and various man-made toxins. I introduced a bill that would delay EPA's implementation of stringent new water quality standards until more testing and scientific research is undertaken. Nobody is opposed to clean water and we are all concerned about the health of the Great Bay Estuary, but I stand with town and city leaders when they are threatened by burdensome and expensive federal mandates. It is irksome to be represented by a dolt who simply can't understand that the government is us. It is doubly irksome to have the obstruction carried out in the name of "a strong New Hampshire" that "will help lead America back to peace and prosperity" while women and children do without health care, elderly people lose their homes and our high school graduates have no real jobs. But, what did we expect from a former insurance salesman who thinks work is taking meetings and calling for tests? A public servant? Our mistake. |