Osler's Razor

To me corruption, fraud, embezzlement are human frailties that always manage to inspire pity and outrage in almost equal amounts. I say almost because depending on the case one tips the scale more than the other. In that of the McDonnells, after reading only a few of the items of their shopping spree list, profound pity is what I feel for them…that kind of abysmally atrocious taste is very hard to overlook. Spending taxpayers’ hard earned money on that kind of crap should suffice to put them in jail and throw away the key.
BTW that picture of McDonnell looks a lot like IPLawGuy. I’m a bit disappointed (to say the least, since I kinda’ liked the guy)…Fairway Green golf shirt?! C’mon!!!
 

OK, its time to come clean. I have indeed been Governor of Virginia for the past four years, not a Partner in a law firm...

Actually, I forsook my dreams of elected office several years ago when I realized I could never afford the job. The pay is good, but not as good as McDonnell would have been paid if he had stayed in private practice and worked for a decent sized firm in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond or Northern Virginia. Even smaller cities like Fredericksburg or Williamsburg.

Moreover running for office is EXPENSIVE. Clothes, shoes (candidates run through shoes like nobody's business), travel, wear and tear on cars, receptions, conferences, fees to attend this or that event, donations to other candidates and causes, etc. etc. etc.

So what we're left with is millionaires/billionaires (like the new Governor of the Old Dominion, Terry McAuliffe) and very strange people running for office.

Not trying to excuse McDonnell at all, but he was broke due to poor investments and living beyond his means. Yes, it sounds like his wife had aspirations for luxury -- that did not help.

Readers might recall that Bill Clinton got himself into similar trouble as Governor of Arkansas (Whitewater). He was deeply in debt when he was elected President. The breadwinner in the family was Hilary -- Bill's pay as Governor was paltry. There were questions about their finances that were overshadowed by Monica. That's why they both wrote books as soon as he left office -- he needed cash.

Finally, the saddest part of this is that McDonnell was one of the most effective Governors we've had in decades. Finally broke a logjam on transportation funding that has bedeviled the Commonwealth for years. He introduced educational reforms and environmental regulation. He had a strong legacy.

At this point, I don't even know if he can find a job. Its a sad story
 

BTW, I am wearing that jacket and sweater today.
 

What? They already sold off McDonnell's clothes?
 

McConnell looks SO familiar. Where have I seen him before? Isn't he usually carrying a parrot on his shoulder as well? Where is his parrot?
 

McConnell looks SO familiar. Where have I seen him before? Isn't he usually carrying a parrot on his shoulder as well? Where is his parrot?
 

Marta, it was not taxpayers money, it was private money, allegedly paid and received as bribes. That, of course, does not address your point and concern about taste. Sort of fitting that these symbls of excess should wind up in the Gummint's hands, is it not?

Anyway, as we in the Bayou State have learned, it usually takes the Gummint several tries at sitting and ex-Guvs, before they get their man. It may be that before confiscation takes place, some poor, unsuspecting insurer will take the hit. Wonder if they'll be able to subrogate against the Gummint.
 

Anonymous2, thanks for the clarification. I know I tend to blur hard earned taxpayers' money and power taxpayers vest in elected officials, but both are lucrative commodities, neither for elected officials to peddle as they see fit.