Where Does The Buck Stop?

So much for hope and change.

The stench of the cesspool of scandalous activities in Washington is now bubbling over into the backyards of those who have previously stridently defended this administration.

The flood of filth associated with the three current bombshell stories leaves me with a number of feelings and questions that I would like to share with readers. I would welcome hearing what readers make of all these sordid situations. My thoughts include:

1. We are witnessing a serious failure of real leadership. I do not pretend to think that the other side of the aisle has the statesmen our country needs right now but does anybody believe that the administration is displaying the necessary leadership to move our country forward currently.

If the administration had a real set of balls and the courage and character needed for the office, I think we would witness the immediate announcement of 3 separate independent investigations led by people with unquestioned integrity and credibility. Grant these investigators the power of the subpoena and mandate that they leave no stone unturned in determining “THE TRUTH.”  Whom would readers nominate? Allow me to throw out the names of Judd Gregg and Evan Bayh to start. Allow these individuals “to get to the bottom” of what really happened in all three situations so that our  national interests can once again be prioritized.

2. Who is Denis McDonough? At all times but especially during times of crisis, the White House Chief of Staff is the administration's de facto chief operating officer. Check out McDonoughs' resume. He may have a distinguished career down the road but as of now he not only has no public presence but little meaningful experience to occupy such a lofty position. This is not good.

3. In regard to the Department of Justice's betrayal of the Associated Press, none other than the chief executive of the Project on Government Oversight, Danielle Brian, said, “The Justice Department's seizure of the Associated Press' phone records is Nixonian. The American public deserves a full accounting of why and how this could happen.”

Strong words from an individual and an organization that works tirelessly to promote truth and transparency in Washington.  All too much evidence of intimidating whistleblowers has streamed out of Washington over the last few years. I am all for national security. I am also all for protecting the interests and identities of whistleblowers.

4. Add it all up and what do we get and why do I feel compelled to write this commentary?

Without strong leadership, the trust and confidence so badly needed to help our economy grow will not only be stifled but will actually decline. The “people's business” will remain relegated to the back burner. Do you think the many families struggling to make ends meet need to see our news dominated by activities that do nothing to help put bread on the table?

The Washington soap opera will run for another season. Real life in mainstream America deserves far better.

Navigate accordingly.

Larry Doyle

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I have no business interest with any entity referenced in this commentary. The opinions expressed are my own. I am a proponent of real transparency within our markets so that investor confidence and investor protection can be achieved.