Honesty and the public sphere

I have to be honest, originally, I thought that the Tim Geithner tax situation was no big deal. From what I understood at first, he was working for an organization that didn't withhold tax for the US gov't and given how complicated our tax code can be, it didn't surprise me that there were errors, sure 30-40K seems like a lot, but when you are operating at the income levels that a lot of senior public officials operate at, not unsurprising.

But as more information has come out, much of it condemning to Geithner, and painting him more as a tax evader or at the very least an opportunist, I have begun to re-think my position.

Where the defense previously was "well it was a human error!" I could buy that, but if the reason for confirming him now is that "it in our national interest to look the other way on this..." I just can't get in line behind that.

How quickly some people seem to forget that it is the lack of transparency, and opportunistic greed that got us into the economic mess we are in now. Not only does appointing Geithner send the wrong message about the important steps towards transparency and reconciliation that we need to take, but I also question his fundamental strength of character to help lead this country out of our dark hour.

I have given Obama a lot of leeway in appointing people whom I feel represent a bit of a betrayal on ideological ground, but I'm ok with that, there is nothing wrong with a lefty president appointing left-center advisors. But I do have a problem if he betrays the trust I and so many others have put in him to be a more honorable and just leader, Geithner's tax evasion represents an old, and a wrong way of doing things, and no amount of smarts or connections can make that right.

I sincerely hope that BHO withdraws the Geithner nomination. Otherwise I've found my first great disappointment a lot sooner than I have hoped or expected.


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