Watching the Republican Party in Kentucky is like passing a traffic accident on the highway. You really don’t want to look, but you have to see the carnage so close to you.
Today in the Courier Journal we have an article about Republican precinct captain Frank Friday calling for a special meeting of the Republican Central Committee.
“FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A Republican precinct captain in Jefferson County is pushing a grass-roots move in the party to reconsider whether Darrell Brock should remain as state chairman.”
Friday’s complete article appearing at Kentucky Republican Voice includes his agenda for the party meeting.
“The agenda for a special meeting should include -
Darrell Brock- Have him refuse his pardon or remove him. I know his role in all this is minor, but we can't cut him any slack as party chair. If his indictment is without merit (as most of them are from what I have seen), he needs to go into court and defeat Greg Stumbo. If he does not have the courage to do so, he simply cannot be our party leader.
Dave Disponett- The Paducah Sun reported he made over $4000 a month this year as party treasurer, without the knowledge or consent of the Executive Committee. He must account for all payments and explain who knew and authorized them. And he should be made to give the money back.
Bill Stone/ Spencer Noe Secret Legal Defense Fund- An utterly Clintonian scheme that must have no party sanction. I sympathize with the legal bills the Governor and others may have. But this kind of fund can never be ethical when a politician is still in office.
Ernie Fletcher is a good man. We may yet save his administration. But he has been undermined by some of the people around him. And I am afraid to say those people felt free to act the way they did, because over the last several years we Republicans have not been tough enough within our party on those who would cut corners or violate the rules. We have overlooked the presence of unsavory individuals because in the tide of our electoral victories, it didn't seem important.”
At the same time Friday is calling for a meeting to review the actions of party leaders Lt. Governor Steve Pence is distancing himself from the Governor and his positions.
From the Lexington Herald Leader:
“VERSAILLES - The second in command in the governor's administration stated yesterday that he disagrees with Gov. Ernie Fletcher's opposition to expanding gambling, leaving the door open to the horse industry's plan to pursue a constitutional amendment legalizing casinos.”
The article also quoted a sensible voice regarding the cure all approach to expanded gambling.
“Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, voiced opposition to expanding gambling as the only way to solve Kentucky's financial problems.
"Gambling should not be used as a substitute for a just tax system," Stein said.”
I agree with Pence and with other voices calling for expanded gambling, but the key is expanded gambling must be part of a reasonable tax system, a comprehensive tax system.
True tax reform must be more that the farce Fletcher and the Legislature concocted and called tax reform during the last session.
The bottom line is no one wants to pay taxes. If you insist on cutting taxes then you had better be willing to live with limited government services.
At this point Steve Pence just looks like a second rate politician scrambling to save his own political rear end. Just like his boss Ernie Fletcher.
And finally we once again have another example of why this group is too stupid to be in power. From the Herald Leader:
“Gov. Ernie Fletcher yesterday appointed a replacement for Knott Judge-Executive Donnie Newsome, a convicted felon who leaves office Friday.
Fletcher picked Randy C. Thompson, 48, owner of Hindman Broadcasting Co., and founder and president of the Knott County Youth Foundation. That group is building a $7 million youth center and has hired a company headed by the governor's brother to oversee its design and construction.
Harold Fletcher Jr. is president of Kenar Architectural & Engineering Co. of Frankfort, which is scheduled to receive about $800,000 for its work, project documents say.
Both the governor's office and Thompson yesterday disavowed any connection between the appointment and Harold Fletcher Jr.'s contract.”
Doesn’t anyone in this administration ever do their homework?
And of course the governor’s office and Thompson disavowed any connection between the Governor’s brother’s contract and the appointment. What the hell else were they going to say?
I’ve said this before, but this group just keeps reinforcing it.
Arrogance and stupidity are not a good combination in public officials.
