Progress Now Action

(x-posted, because I care)

I've been at the Mildly Toasted stage of Cheesed Off ever since Thursday, because of Colorado Ethics Watch First Annual "Ethics Roundup".

It's not that I think it's a bad idea, or that it was done by bad/misguided people. Definitely not. But on two of the three sites where I've seen it mentioned, I am not the only one wondering why the heck Wes McKinley got added to the Ten Most Corrupt list.

Here's what they got him on: his staff failed to file required campaign reports on time. Twice.

Yes, someone should have done it, and yes, it's Wes's responsibility, in the end, to see it got done. But he got fined, so he's paid his debt to society, as it were. Also, it should be noted there were NO irregularities mentioned in the CEW's report, just the naughty, naughty lateness.

It has not yet been adequately explained to me how being late with something makes a person corrupt. (If failing to meet deadlines = Evil!, wow, am *I* ever going to Hell!)

I'll tell you what this reminds me of -- school. Did you ever have an assignment that you didn't get finished on time? I sure did. Some teachers would dock you a letter grade. OTHERS would refuse to take any late papers at all, ever, and give you an F.

I guess if CEW wants to be That Guy, they have a right to make that choice. But it seems to me that being rigid and punitive, equating failures of clerical technicalities with conflicts of interest, alleged bribery and/or physical violence, brings their sense of balance and judgment into question.

If their judgment is questionable, why should the public care about who they put on their list?

So all in all, I'm afraid I have to give CEW a C- for their report. Next time, please show your work.