Another One Bites The Dust

It's not looking to good for President Obama's cabinet picks these days. Their appointments have the life expectancy of a background check. Just the other day two people that figured prominently on his long awaited transition team withdrew their names. Change is beginning to look like a lot more of the same.

Bill Richardson was the first Obama casualty. Barack Obama was indebted to him for delivering the Hispanic vote. That in addition to record turnouts by blacks was instrumental in Barack Obama's win. The president hasn't turned his back on Hispanics completely. He still has several Hispanic supporters in key positions. They just aren't his main priority right now. Homosexuals and Muslims seem to be at the top of the list. Bill Richardson had higher aspirations at first. He wanted to be the POTUS. A king can't surround himself with other kings.

She wasn't a cabinet pick, but I think Valarie Jarrett's story is just as intriguing. I think she qualifies as an Obama casualty. Quiet as it's kept. She may have been the next black, female Senator from Illinois had it not been for the Rod Blagojevich scandal. Honestly, if there had to be a favor paid back. I wish it was this one. If fund raising was a factor to be considered. She had at least as much right to the post as Caroline Kennedy did. She helped Barack Obama raise $660 million, $20 at a time. It's people like her that's responsible for our first black Commander-in-Chief. I always say "stay with who came with you to the dance." I admire loyalty wherever it arises.

All I know about Nancy Killefer is she is juggling her bills just like everybody else. I don't know anything else about her and obviously I won't. She withdrew her name before anything else could be uncovered. Based on the outcome of some of these nominees. That might not be such a bad idea. I don't want to go on a witch hunt disqualifying everyone that's behind on their property taxes. It now appears Hilda Solis has tax issues too. Uncle Sam seems to be the man in charge right now. I'm all in favor of catching crooks, but let's not create an unrealistic level of expectation. At this rate the only one that will qualify is a priest.

Tom Daschle is another story though. He joins the ranks of Ron Isley and Wesley Snipes to name a few. When you owe hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in unpaid taxes. It's not a mistake but an orchestrated effort. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg with him. Tom Daschle served as a Senator for eighteen years. He didn't just start cheating last week. He was ready to take his hustle to the next level. Can you imagine the power he would have had as Secretary of Health and Human Development.

The president said the other day that "he had messed up." More people are dropping out and being held up than are being confirmed. I don't think this is the last time we'll be saying "another one bites the dust."