Richard Phenneger for Idaho State Senator
Fighting Political Corruption
In the December 2007 survey Idaho voters were overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the ethical standards and accountability in Washington D.C. (A whopping 80% were dissatisfied with ethical standards and 87% were dissatisfied with the levels of accountability – page 19 of the Executive Summary Report.) The fact is, that without a foundation of Integrity, Ethics and Accountability, no major problem can be solved. Look at where we are today with Social Security, Medicare and our Borders. Both the Democrats and Republicans have known the seriousness of these three issues for over 20 years and both of them have consciously decided to do nothing. If a business leader knew that a major problem existed in his or her company that could destroy it, and did nothing, he or she would be fired, or the company would fail and go out of business. There would be a consequence, there would be accountability.
The Problem
Billions of dollars per year are being “allocated” as “earmarks,” which are nothing but a bribe to buy a senator’s vote. Naturally, congress (who sets the rules) does not treat this as a bribe the same way we would be treated if we paid a senator to vote a certain way. If the every-day citizen did this, he would go to jail. How can there be trust when congress operates by one set of ethics, yet the citizen is held to a different standard. The lack of ethics and accountability has resulted in systemic corruption that has been “decreed” to be “O.K.” Can there be any question why, as the survey identified, that Honesty and Integrity were by far the predominant character and personality traits desired by the citizens of Idaho?
What We Must Do
The very first action that must be taken is to re-establish the high level of Integrity, Ethical Standards and Accountability that was envisioned by our Founders. How does one do this? First, “walk the talk.” Live by what you say. Second, form a coalition of senators that will vote down any bill that includes any element of bribery, or earmarks, and above all reject earmarks when they are offered to them. Third, develop a communications system within the senate chambers whereby a senator can actually debate (live) issues before a full session of the senate right from his office in his home state. This technology exists today. This would keep the senator in his home state longer, defusing the influence of lobbyists (constituents could see with whom he was having lunch). Your Idaho state senator would have more time with his family and the citizens of Idaho, and less time under the isolated influence of the power brokers in Washington DC.
These are just a few ideas. The key is the first item, “Walk the Talk.” Set the example and command (by ones own actions) that Integrity, a high standard of Ethics and Accountability become the rule in government.