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| Origami image, from here. In error - It should be a Ben Franklin, at least a Grant, not a mere George. After all, it is the GOP. |
In his most recent post, Aplikowski describes detail facts and his analysis and impressions of a lengthy phone call he'd gotten from Pat Anderson, here, as well as addressing Anderson and Tony Sutton, and gambling previously, most recently, here. Strib today, this link, reported Sutton's resignation from a cash-flow position with CAGE.
This attention from Aplikowski is well intentioned, and wise. I view it as good for the GOP, long term. I would as soon see the GOP weaker than stronger, but if we have to suffer it, better that it be as honest and as conflict-free as feasible. It reminds me of my DFL criticism of Elwyn Tinklenberg's lobbying, including consulting for Ramsey where I live, and his gaining contracts while his favorite word appeared to be "Oberstar." That has faded into obscurity and irrelevance today, not because the DFL did anything, but because Sixth District voters rejected Tinklenberg in reelecting Michele Bachmann.
This snippet is from Aplikowski reporting detail of his phone conversation with Anderson:
I did try to portray my concerns, here’s a couple.
* She dubbed my concern of giving more revenue to the state as the “feed the beast” argument. Again, it doesn’t seem her client and the proponents of Gambling care what happens with the new tax revenue. [She added that the state could "burn it" if they wanted or give a tax decrease]
* She downplayed her role on the Executive Committee and as a party leader because of the definition of the RNC Committee Person, only the Chair, Deputy Chair, & Secretary Treasurer are actual Party Officers with stated duties or rules governing conduct.
* When I said she should have been more honest and open about her lobbying, she said she did say that she was a lobbyist at some of the Conventions. [She added that everything she does is fully disclosed, unlike others who are "consultants"]
*I also relayed how many of us in the activist ranks and general public think this is why people won’t trust the party.
[italics emphasis added, bracketing and bulleting in original]
My one suggestion in all this is that reform, like charity, begins at home. Below is a screenshot from this earlier Crabgrass post. Click here if you want to read business card detail:
A CHALLENGE: Giving attention to the adage, all politics is local, which is it ethical Andy?
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A collateral observation, I am unsure what to make of it, that origami elephant - being folded with the eye being as it is. Again, Andy is on the right track and doing good things. My only caveat is as expressed, how near as well as far should the broom sweep?