Rahm Emanuel: Another Obama Appointee with Ethical Lapses?

[PhiGam]

I'll give Obama a free pass on this guy simply because its his Chief of Staff- this is one position that Obama needs to be on the same page as. I don't like/trust Emanuel but I don't think he should lose his position either.

[Coramoor]

This is what, the fourth or the fifth individual in BO's admin that participated in actions that raise questions of their ethics?

Hmmm...quite sub pare for the man that ran on Change and a better more honest tomorrow.

[AKA_Monet]

There are skeletons in EVERYBODY'S closets... ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A POLITICIAN!

IMHO, the ethics issue is one of action. While you actively serve, are you ethical? Simple past indiscretions are one thing, gross breakdown of systems are another... I will leave it at that...

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

There are skeleton's in EVERYONE'S closets... ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A POLITICIAN!

IMHO, the ethics issue is one of action. While you actively serve, are you ethical? Simple past indiscretions are one thing, gross breakdown of systems are another... I will leave it at that...

He was actively serving during this time period, though - part of the potential issue is that he didn't go through the mandatory ethical reporting.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

He was actively serving during this time period, though - part of the potential issue is that he didn't go through the mandatory ethical reporting.

I don't understand what "mandatory ethical reporting" is... Enlighten me, please?

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

I don't understand what "mandatory ethical reporting" is... Enlighten me, please?

I don't know the exact language, but essentially members of Congress have to report gifts they receive; if the use of the house was indeed a gift, and Emanuel didn't report it, there's a problem.

Originally Posted by Kevin

I know it's probably tough to be ethical when in a powerful office, but it can be done and has been done. I'm sure you can name several politicians you've known to be highly ethical and moral individuals.

It can definitely be done - I know of a number of politicians who I know of to be highly ethical individuals.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I don't know the exact language, but essentially members of Congress have to report gifts they receive; if the use of the house was indeed a gift, and Emanuel didn't report it, there's a problem.

Maybe it wasn't a gift... Maybe an intern was speaking out of turn... Maybe there is just more to this story...

Or maybe he failed to report it, as simple as that? IDK? Speculation again...

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

There are skeletons in EVERYBODY'S closets... ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A POLITICIAN!

IMHO, this is not an adequate excuse for anything. The question is whether the particular skeleton speaks to the character and motivation of the individual in question. Here, we have Emanuel in a pretty clear financial quid pro quo relationship with the husband of an elected official. I have a big problem with that situation. If he's inclined to repay favors like this, now that he's in a position of power, we have to wonder who he owes favors and how, at the expense of the American people, he intends to repay those favors?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Kevin

IMHO, this is not an adequate excuse for anything.

No excuse, an explanation... No, he should have not done it... But he did... Did he just lapse in better judgment? What were the organizational development and root causes for his active choice to not make the best decision?

Or, are all politicians crooked and they cannot be ethical?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Or, are all politicians crooked and they cannot be ethical?

I know it's probably tough to be ethical when in a powerful office, but it can be done and has been done. I'm sure you can name several politicians you've known to be highly ethical and moral individuals.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I know it's probably tough to be ethical when in a powerful office, but it can be done and has been done. I'm sure you can name several politicians you've known to be highly ethical and moral individuals.

I am cynical these days... I have lost my faith in a politician's ethics and morals. I just do not believe it exists, often...

While there was a NPR discussion about it can be done, I just do not see it at this time.

And while it doesn't matter what I think or believe in the "grand scheme of things", while I would like to believe in the betterment of humanity, I am sorry, my faith has been shaken these days.