rssGates: Ethics is a Barrier to Advancement at the Pentagon
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:56 pm
- 7 Comments
Lara Jakes buries the lead in her story about all the money ex-Raytheon lobbyist Bill Lynn will make if he sells his company stock to take the No. 2 spot at the Pentagon:
Testifying before the Senate panel Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said stringent ethics rules are a major reason it is difficult to fill top posts at the Pentagon.
It’s funny because it’s true.
Ironically, Gates was testifying in support of Lynn’s confirmation. In his attempt to defend his colleague, Gates inadvertently indicted his department and the entire defense industry as a morass of crony capitalism.
Let’s assume that ethics regulations are a significant obstacle to obtaining top talent at the Pentagon. Let’s assume it’s hard to find senior public servants who haven’t already cashed in on their expertise in the private sector. What does that say about the system?
The Lynn affair is another illustration of the real-world consequences of an unchecked revolving door and the institutions that treat this kind of back-and-forth between government and industry as the norm.
Here is a guy who is probably highly qualified, but who will take office under a cloud. His efficacy may suffer as a result. In a lot of people’s minds, he’s always going to be the lobbyist from Raytheon. That may not be fair to him, and it’s certainly not fair to the institution he serves.
Tougher institutional controls on the revolving door, such as those Obama tried to impose with his executive order, are part of the solution. Sustained public pressure is also important. It’s harder for lobbyists to slip quietly back into government now that Jack Abramoff is a household name.
If journalists and watchdog groups keep up the pressure, politically ambitious people will eventually learn that a lobbying background can be a long-term liability, and not just an easy way to make a quick buck.
One thing is clear, ad hoc ethics waivers like the one Obama gave to Lynn, will only exacerbate the problem. Rules can slow the revolving door, but the problem won’t go away until decision-makers impose real career consequences for candidates who rack up conflicts of interest.
7 Comments
Comment posted January 28, 2009 @ 11:34 am
Appealing to the US government official for Justice
I am a naturalized citizen of the USA. I do understand that the laws are counting me equal with other citizen in the country. But individuals are not counting me as a full citizen.
I was trying to serve my country the USA who adopted me during the hardest time of my life with wife and two children’s. While I was searching for job in the Army CI department the people interview; I made me look like Osama bin Laden on his paper work.
I was working on the Air force Satellite communications for many years and had security clearance (Secret) and over two years serving military war effort in Iraq. Now they are damaged my security clearance.
The US governments are accusing me to not be good citizen. I went to senator and Congress men; I am told every thing are fine but when I look for Job there are note on my interim security clearance will chase away hiring companies to consider me for the Job for over one year now.
There are no other agencies to go too. The US governments are treating me very bad; I do need help please.
I did write “Policy-designate Michele Flournoy” and asked her to hire me. I am originally from Iraq and lived in Iran’s too. I do understand the culture, religions, political structures inside out about both countries above and want to help her department but there are no way to reach these people in power.
I am writing this and hope that she and others will read my comment and start counting people like me as a citizen. I am the “naturalized citizens” and want the US Government to count me as a full citizen of the USA and give me the chance to serve in this hard time.
I hope she or her subordinate or some other people in the State department or department of defense will read this advertising of myself and will send me an email to offer me a job so I can serve my country the USA.
Thanks for any help you might provide.
Regards,
Hamma Mirwaisi
hmirwaisi@gmail.com
Jan-28-2009
Comment posted January 28, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
What about the ethics of putting words in someone's mouth? Gates was talking about ethics–he was talking about ethics rules. And he wasn't talking about people advancing at the Pentagon–he was talking about bringing new hires into the Pentagon. The quote you attribute to him suggests Gates was claiming that people working at the Pentagon who are honest wouldn't be promoted. There is nothing in the Huffington Post report to indicate that Gates believes anything like that.
Pingback posted January 28, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
[...] Obama administration at 11:50 am by LeisureGuy Well, we certainly knew that, but it’s good to have it confirmed: Lara Jakes buries the lead in her story about all the money ex-Raytheon lobbyist Bill Lynn will [...]
Comment posted January 28, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
Appealing to the US government official for Justice
I am a naturalized citizen of the USA. I do understand that the laws are counting me equal with other citizen in the country. But individuals are not counting me as a full citizen.
I was trying to serve my country the USA who adopted me during the hardest time of my life with wife and two children’s. While I was searching for job in the Army CI department the people interview; I made me look like Osama bin Laden on his paper work.
I was working on the Air force Satellite communications for many years and had security clearance (Secret) and over two years serving military war effort in Iraq. Now they are damaged my security clearance.
The US governments are accusing me to not be good citizen. I went to senator and Congress men; I am told every thing are fine but when I look for Job there are note on my interim security clearance will chase away hiring companies to consider me for the Job for over one year now.
There are no other agencies to go too. The US governments are treating me very bad; I do need help please.
I did write “Policy-designate Michele Flournoy” and asked her to hire me. I am originally from Iraq and lived in Iran’s too. I do understand the culture, religions, political structures inside out about both countries above and want to help her department but there are no way to reach these people in power.
I am writing this and hope that she and others will read my comment and start counting people like me as a citizen. I am the “naturalized citizens” and want the US Government to count me as a full citizen of the USA and give me the chance to serve in this hard time.
I hope she or her subordinate or some other people in the State department or department of defense will read this advertising of myself and will send me an email to offer me a job so I can serve my country the USA.
Thanks for any help you might provide.
Regards,
Hamma Mirwaisi
hmirwaisi@gmail.com
Jan-28-2009
Comment posted January 28, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
Sorry–I meant to say “Gates WASN'T talking about ethics. . .”
Comment posted January 28, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
What about the ethics of putting words in someone's mouth? Gates was talking about ethics–he was talking about ethics rules. And he wasn't talking about people advancing at the Pentagon–he was talking about bringing new hires into the Pentagon. The quote you attribute to him suggests Gates was claiming that people working at the Pentagon who are honest wouldn't be promoted. There is nothing in the Huffington Post report to indicate that Gates believes anything like that.
Pingback posted January 29, 2009 @ 7:34 am
[...] Excerpt from: The Washington Independent&#… [...]
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