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Gary Mengel's avatar

The point you make here is glossed over all too often. When the public holds an election for an executive, be it city manager, mayor, governor, or president, all eyes are on the figurehead. What needs to be made much more visible is that you're actually electing their staff as well - whoever they are. If the staffers are all corrupt it makes little difference how virtuous the figurehead "leader" appears! Leaders are only as good as the people they employ.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you Gary. My effort on this was provoked, first by Michael Lewis' "The Fifth Risk", then by @HeatherCoxRichardson, and finally by the media's unfortunate preoccupation with revenue and profit instead of fulfilling a vital role in democracy (pretend, theoretical, aspirational, or otherwise) as the Fourth Estate.

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Susan's avatar

I read the fifth risk. It was an eye opener.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

Michael Lewis is terrific. And the book evidenced a President who only cared about wealth, power, brand, and self-enrichment. He had and maintains zero interest in governing.

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MaryPat's avatar

Thank You, George. Just finished reading Lewis's "Premonition" about the administrative breakdowns in the COVID 19 epidemic at every level of government. "The Fifth Risk" is next on my list. Although I might need to take a break and read something less lethal, like a murder mystery, first. Wonder what Jack Reacher is doing these days.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

I've sandwiched Mick Heron's "Slow Horses" series in between more serious books and reading -and he has not failed at making me laugh uncontrollably in public places leading to clear anxiety and discomfort in those nervously situated nearby.

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MaryPat's avatar

Your U.S. Cabinet score card piece is exceptional. Thank You.

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George A. Polisner's avatar

I struggled with not dipping into negative numbers. Because, you know, Betsy, Wilbur, Ryan, Sessions, and Barr -almost all of them!

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MaryPat's avatar

Yup!

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Lauren Lundgren's avatar

I'm still on the fantasy of SCOTUS favoring absolute immunity and Uncle Joe doing his own wet work. I posted last week about seeing him roll up on Maralardo in a zippy little Bond car, sporting aviators, to light the dump UP with an AK. Or an Uzi as a nod to his ties with Israel. He can use the AK on the Moscovites in Congress Next big virus Moscovid 29? Thank you, Daddy Vlady.

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SLWeston (PA)'s avatar

You go, Lauren. Pretty clever wordplay for this time of the day!

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GJ Loft ME CA FL IL NE CT MI's avatar

I agree Gary. The Biden administration has several members that I would trust as President. I could list the ones I think would be good, but it would be a long list.

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