Three Things are Certain...

...Death, Taxes and Tax Evasion.

 There are 16 Cabinet positions and 3 of the nominees have recent ethics problems; two of whom are no doubt guilty for tax evasion (Former Senator Tom Daschle - pictured left - and Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner - pictured below) and one, Former Gov. Bill Richardson, who has been indicted on pay-to-play accusations.

In addition, Performance Czar - why we name administrative officials after Russian tyrants I will never understand - nominee Nancy Killefer withdrew due to her own tax troubles a few years back. (This is simply ironic as the Peformance Czar is supposed to audit the performance of the Executive branch.  Your auditor can't keep track of her own taxes!)

This wave of scandal suggests a few things.  First, though I realize the Obama Administration has a huge number of appointments to make, the fact that three high level appointments all have ethical difficulties

suggests that the vetting process isn't quite what it should be.  For a campaign that promised ethical reform and transparent leadership, things have not gotten off to a great start. My one condolence with the election of President Obama was that he made significant promises regarding the ethical standards of his administration (no lobbyists, transparency, high standards for staffers).  Within the past week he has employed a defense lobbyist, clearly violating a campaign promise, and has pushed through the nominations of tax evaders.

Some have justified these nominations, despite the ethical difficulties, under the guise that they are qualified individuals who are needed in this dire time.  To buy this argument is a mistake. Yes, it may be effective to hire former Mob Hitman to patrol the underbellies of our cities.  I'm sure their tactics would be effective.  This doesn't mean you overlook their criminal history.

Tax evasion is crime. So why are these criminals running our government? (See the UPDATE Below).

Of course, the irony in all of this is that these individuals, Tom Daschle especially, want to raise taxes to pay for huge government programs (i.e. - universal healthcare).  

I finally understand why they are will to pass this burden on to the American people... it's easy to raise taxes if you don't plan on paying them.

***UPDATE: After pressure from a New York Times editorial, Daschle has withdrawn his name from consideration. Hurrah for respectable government!