The Hevesi Question
Nov. 4th, 2006 08:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
This is a rare political post, but I need some advice...
If you followed NY politics, you know that state comptroller Alan Hevesi was found to have violated state ethics rules by appropriating a limo for his wife, claiming that it was necessary for her security, and passing the cost onto the taxpayers. He's up for reelection this week, as this was revealed too late for him to not be on the ballot.
I don't know what to do. His offense may or may not be criminal, but as he is in charge of keeping an eye on the state's money, his authority has been compromised. But the alternative is an inexperienced upstate Republican with political veiws I can't accept. I don't want to see him get the job.
So do I vote for a man who did a good job till now as first NYC comptroller and then state comptroller; vote for the other guy simply because Hevesi has forfeit the right to the job, or not vote for either? It's worth noting that I could vote for Hevesi on the assumption that he will resign and that the next governor, almost sure to be Democrat Eliot Spitzer, will appoint someone i can trust.
My inclination is to abstain for the first time in my life. I hat this choice. I like Hevesi. But he's violated the public trust. And the other guy is not appetizing at all.
What do you think?
If you followed NY politics, you know that state comptroller Alan Hevesi was found to have violated state ethics rules by appropriating a limo for his wife, claiming that it was necessary for her security, and passing the cost onto the taxpayers. He's up for reelection this week, as this was revealed too late for him to not be on the ballot.
I don't know what to do. His offense may or may not be criminal, but as he is in charge of keeping an eye on the state's money, his authority has been compromised. But the alternative is an inexperienced upstate Republican with political veiws I can't accept. I don't want to see him get the job.
So do I vote for a man who did a good job till now as first NYC comptroller and then state comptroller; vote for the other guy simply because Hevesi has forfeit the right to the job, or not vote for either? It's worth noting that I could vote for Hevesi on the assumption that he will resign and that the next governor, almost sure to be Democrat Eliot Spitzer, will appoint someone i can trust.
My inclination is to abstain for the first time in my life. I hat this choice. I like Hevesi. But he's violated the public trust. And the other guy is not appetizing at all.
What do you think?
(no subject)
Date: Nov. 5th, 2006 05:57 am (UTC)To be fair to him, as missteps go, this is minor -- limo usage is rampant in the executive branch, and it could have been an honest mistake, were he not in the position he is.
On the other hand, voting for a republican, no matter where or for what office or how inoffensive, is a vote for torture, and it makes you a willing party to said torture.
I'd say either vote Hevesi or pull no lever (is Working Families running someone, or are they just fusioning Hevesi?) As for voting Libertarian, the idea of a Libertarian comptroller is kind of laughable.
(no subject)
Date: Nov. 5th, 2006 12:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Nov. 5th, 2006 05:09 pm (UTC)