Thursday, August 18, 2005
Ohio's Republican Governor Charged
Ohio's Republican governor Bob Taft has been charged with failing to report thousands of dollars in free gifts, golf, meals and other favors.
Republican operatives are trying to contain the damage by saying this is just a failure to fill out a form -- a defense Tom DeLay has used. But the Columbus Dispatch today explains that Taft's ethical violations are a serious matter.
Republicans control Ohio's legislature and state-wide offices, just as Republicans control the White House and both houses of Congress.
I am reminded of the observation by British historian Lord Acton that a person's sense of morality lessens as his or her power increases. His famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Republican operatives are trying to contain the damage by saying this is just a failure to fill out a form -- a defense Tom DeLay has used. But the Columbus Dispatch today explains that Taft's ethical violations are a serious matter.
Republicans control Ohio's legislature and state-wide offices, just as Republicans control the White House and both houses of Congress.
I am reminded of the observation by British historian Lord Acton that a person's sense of morality lessens as his or her power increases. His famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely."
