Thursday, January 22, 2009

Sticking it to Amann


It's so good to have Helen Ubiñas
back in town.

This morning in the Courant, she allows prospective gubernatorial candidate Jim Amman enough rope to hang himself, and predictably, he does:

But I thought I'd give him another shot at redemption, so after Tuesday's press conference I asked him one more time: Shouldn't a guy hoping to be governor have seen this conflict a mile away?With all due respect, he said, he just didn't see the conflict. Oh, man. Just when we've started to put the memories of Johnny Handout behind us, here comes Jimmy Paycheck.

In an editorial, the Courant calls into question the judgment of Amann and the person who was about to appoint him to a high-paying position, House Speaker Chris Donovan.

What lays at the heart of the controversy for most taxpayers is the fact that there are legislative staff jobs (for a part-time legislature, mind you) which pay $120,000 and generous state benefits. It demonstrates to Connecticut residents that hard work, competence, experience and intelligence have less to do with landing a cushy state job than does good political connections.

It shouldn't be surprising, but it's time state Democratic leaders walk the walk. They let Joe Lieberman off the hook saying they were following the example of Barack Obama of forgetting past transgressions and looking to the future. Yesterday, Obama set a huge example by repudiating the secretive cronyism of the Bush administration. This is an example Connecticut State Democratic leaders must embrace.

2 comments:

Web Dunce said...

"It demonstrates to Connecticut residents that hard work, competence, experience and intelligence have less to do with landing a cushy state job than does good political connections."

Sadly, don't we all already know that? I wish that the Courant would also comment on David Capiello's new six-figure state job working for the Senate Republicans. Just as greasy and aggravating. It should also be noted that all State "consultants" make six figures. It's standard procedure. Please don't think that I'm sympathizing with any of them - that is the last thing I would want anyone to believe - but it strikes me as odd that in this day and age, with everything that has happened politically over the last two years - that we still don't get equally as enraged when Republicans pull essentially the same hat trick. It's as if it's expected of them. That needs to end.

Anonymous said...

Too bad that the Courant can only concentrate on one corrupt politician at a time - Gaffey has fallen off the radar again.