I have a collection of columns about “honest leftists” and they mostly fall into two categories.
One group is comprised of people who are willing to admit that the statist policies they generally prefer have bad effects (such as gun control encouraging crime or welfare leading to more dependency).
The other group is much more dogmatic. They get credit for honesty only because they are publicly willing to admit views that most leftists try to keep hidden (such as thinking that all our income belongs to government or celebrating the role of coercion).
I also have a separate collection of statists who are honest enough to admit that their real goal is higher taxes on the middle class (mostly by imposing a value-added tax).
Now I’ve come across something that initially seemed a good fit for one of these collections since it deals with honesty.
But it doesn’t belong in any of the categories described above. So it’s time to create a new award for “Politician of the Year,” an honor that periodically will be bestowed on the elected official who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Based on this blurb from a Wall Street Journal editorial, I think you’ll agree that the newly elected President of the Philippines deserves to win this award for a very unusual display of honesty.
Mr. Duterte gets credit for…claiming that he never gives public funds to his mistresses.
Wow, he’s openly admitting that he has mistresses (more than one, obviously), which is uncharacteristically honest for a politician.
And he’s not even using taxpayer money to subsidize his extracurricular activities with those “friends.” Assuming that’s true, kudos to President-Elect Duterte. Maybe he can give some lessons to the crowd in Washington.
By the way, we may also have a good idea of the politician who deserves the 2017 Award.
Though we don’t actually know his name because he’s written an anonymous book on what really happens behind closed doors in Washington. The U.K.-based Daily Mail has a report on this soon-to-be-released tell-all book.
A new book threatens to blow the lid off of Congress as a federal legislator’s tell-all book lays out the worst parts of serving in the House of Representatives – saying that his main job is to raise money for re-election and that leaves little time for reading the bills he votes on. …Washington is abuzz with speculation about who may be behind it. The book…discloses that the congressman is a Democrat – but not much else. …Much of what’s in the book will come as little surprise to Americans who are cynical about the political process. ‘Fundraising is so time-consuming I seldom read any bills I vote on,’ the anonymous legislator admits. ‘I don’t even know how they’ll be implemented or what they’ll cost.’ …And on controversial bills, he says, ‘I sometimes vote “yes” on a motion and “no” on an amendment so I can claim I’m on either side of an issue.’
The book will reveal how politicians indirectly line their own pockets.
…he seemingly takes a shot at the Bill and Hillary Clinton Foundation, noting how family philanthropies can be the beneficiaries of what amounts to bribes in exchange for legislative favors. ‘Some contributions are subtle,’ he explains. ‘Donations to a member’s nonprofit foundation. Funding a member’s charitable pet project. Offsetting the costs of a member’s portrait to adorn the committee room.
And you won’t be surprised to learn that politicians are shallow, corrupt, and hypocritical.
The mystery man reserves special scorn for Sen. Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat who serves as Senate Minority Leader. …One chapter is titled ‘Harry Reid’s a Pompous A**. …The larger picture that emerges is one of disenchantment with the political process and the professional office-holders behind it. Especially those in the Democratic Party. ‘Our party used to be a strong advocate for the working class,’ he says. ‘We still pretend to be, but we aren’t. Large corporations and public unions grease the palms of those who have the power to determine legislative winners and losers.’ ‘Most of my colleagues want to help the poor and disadvantaged. To a point,’ he adds. ‘We certainly don’t want to live among them. Or mingle with them, unless it’s for a soup kitchen photo op. … Poverty’s a great concern as long as it’s kept at a safe distance.’ …’I’m concerned my party has an activist far-left wing intolerant of center-leftists. …He cites education policy as an example: ‘I’m a strong advocate of improving our public schools. I also see the near-term value of vouchers and charter schools committed to lending a helping hand to disadvantaged kids. Especially inner-city kids.’ ‘Hell, most of us send our children to private schools and wouldn’t be caught dead sending them to public schools in places like DC.
That last section is really disgusting. Politicians will sacrifice other people’s children to appease the teacher unions, but they have the money to exercise school choice for their own kids.
So what’s the bottom line?
The mystery Democratic Congressman paints a grim picture.
‘Most of my colleagues are dishonest career politicians who revel in the power and special-interest money that’s lavished upon them,’ Atkinson recorded his mystery collaborator saying. ‘My main job is to keep my job, to get reelected. It takes precedence over everything.’ …the take-away message is one of resigned depression about how Congress sacrifices America’s future on the altar of its collective ego. ‘We spend money we don’t have and blithely mortgage the future with a wink and a nod. Screw the next generation,’ the author writes. ‘Nobody here gives a rat’s a** about the future and who’s going to pay for all this stuff we vote for. That’s the next generation’s problem. It’s all about immediate publicity, getting credit now, lookin’ good for the upcoming election.’
In other words, he’s describing what academics refer to as “public choice economics,” which is simply the common-sense observation that politicians are most interested in maximizing power and money for themselves.
P.S. If we can give a retroactive award for Politician of the Year, the winner would be the state legislator mentioned in the postscript to this column. Bribery, prison, and potential statutory rape are a potent combination.
[…] President of the Philippines […]
[…] President of the Philippines […]
[…] President of the Philippines […]
[…] Uncharacteristic honesty. […]
[…] of the Year contest (previous contestants for that honor include D.C. Councilman Jack Evans, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, and French President Francois […]
[…] president of the Philippines, because he announced to voters that none of his mistresses would be on the public […]
[…] May, I gave the prize to Rodrigo Duterte, the newly elected president of the Philippines, because he assured voters that none of his mistresses were on the public payroll. Gee, what a swell […]
[…] May, I gave the prize to Rodrigo Duterte, the newly elected president of the Philippines, because he assured voters that none of his mistresses were on the public payroll. Gee, what a swell […]
[…] I’ve already granted the “Politician of the Year Award” to the President of the Philippines, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and the President of France, which probably means I should have a […]
[…] I’ve already granted the “Politician of the Year Award” to the President of the Philippines, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and the President of France, which probably means I should have a […]
[…] in May, I gave a “Politician of the Year Award” to Rodrigo Duterte, the newly elected president of the Philippines, because he announced to […]
[…] months ago, I decided that the new President of the Philippines was the winner of the 2016 award for politician of the […]
[…] months ago, I decided that the new President of the Philippines was the winner of the 2016 award for politician of the […]
[…] The 2016 Award for “Politician of the Year” Goes to… […]
Thank you, Dan, for writing this. I read your opinions regularly and like them, but It’s a bit of a surprise, if just because Cato Institute is often considered left – loved by Obama and Canadian media.
For the record, here’s a list of my preferred media and journalists:
C A N A D A
Andrea Mrozek
Andrew Lawton
ARPA Canada
Barbara Kay
Brian Lilley
Bruce Clemenger
Campaign Life
Can Family Action
Can Free Press
Candice Malcolm
Cardus
CCRL
Dawn Stefanowicz
Ezra Levant
Faith Goldy
Focus on Family
Fraser Institute
Ian Lee
Jerry Agar
John Carpay
Justice Centre
Keep 43
Life Site News
Life Site Opinions
John Robson
Karen Selick
Lorne Gunter
Marg A. Somerville
Promise Keepers
Proud Canadian
Father de Souza
REAL Women
The Rebel
Rex Murphy
The Right Edition
Robyn Urback
Sara MacIntyre
Sheila Gunn Reid
Silencing Cons
Steve Jalsevac
Tasha Kheiriddin
Taxpayer
William Gairdner
U N I T E D S T A T E S
Adam Cassandra
Adam B. Schaeffer
African-Am Cons
AfAm Republicans
Alden Abbott
Alex McFarland
Allen Mendenhall
Allen West
Alliance Freedom
Allysen Efferson
Dr. Alveda King
Alyene Senger
Am Action Forum
Am C Democracy
ACT for America
Am Enterprise Inst
Am Family Assoc
Am Fam A Indiana
Am Foreign Policy
Americ Principles
APP Publications
American Thinker
Am for Tax Reform
AFTAH
Am United For Life
Amy Otto I
Amy Otto II
Ana Quintana
Andrew Cline
Andrew Kloster
Andrew Wilford
Angelo Codevilla
Anna Mussmann
Anna Paprocki
Anthony B. Kim
April Ponnuru
Arthur Milikh
Barb Wire
Sen. Ben Sasse
Ben Shapiro Show
Ben Shapiro – YT
Bethany Mandel
Beverly Hallberg
Beverly LaHaye
Bill Blankschaen
Bill Whittle
Black Cons 360
The Blaze
Rep. Bob Gibbs
Bre Payton
Breaking Point
Brett D. Schaefer
Brian Blake
Brian Brown
Brian Drockton
Brian E. Finch
Brian Hawkins
Brian Slattery
Brittany Corona
Bruce Klingner
Bryan Fischer
Bryan Riley
CalvinFrauenfelder
Cardinal Newman
Carrie L. Lukas
Carson Holloway
Casey Mattox
Cathy Ruse – FRC
Cathy Young
Cntr Immigration
Cntr Public Justice
Chad Bird
Charisma News
Krauthammer
Charlotte Florance
C. Lozier Institute
Cheryl Magness
Chris Freund
Christian Action L
Christian Examiner
The Christian Post
Christine Kim
ChristophHammons
ChristopherKendall
Chronicles Mag
Chuck DeVore
Citizen Magazine
City Journal
Claremont Institute
Claire M. Chretien
COC Resources
Cole Wintheiser
ComicallyIncorrect
Concerned Women
CWFA Blog
Conservapedia
Cons Black Chick
Cons Outfitters
Conservative Post
Conservat Tribune
Constitution
Crisis Magazine
Crystal Wright
Cons Reform Net
Curtis Dubay
CNS News
The Daily Caller
The Daily Signal
The Daily Wire
Sen. Dan Coats
Dan Holler
Dan J. Mitchell
Dana Perino
Daniel Oliver
Daniel Payne
Daniel Woltornist
Daren Bakst
Rep. Dave Brat
David Azerrad
David Burton
David Fiorazo
David Harsanyi
David Inserra
David Kreutzer
David Marcus
David Muhlhausen
Sen. David Perdue
David Reaboi
David R. Shedd
Daycares Don’t
Denise McAllister
Dennis Prager
Derrick Morgan
Religion & Civility
Diane Katz
Discovery Institute
Dissodent Prof
District Media Gr
Dominic Lynch
Donald Boudreaux
Donna Carol Voss
Douglas Williams
DrewGonshorowski
Dustin Murphy
Economic Warfare
Ed Feulner
EdmundHaislmaier
EdwardNiedermeyer
EAG News
Edwin Meese III C
Elizabeth Slattery
Elisabeth Zenger
Emily Goff
Erick Erickson
Erik Root
Evan McDermott
Exodus Global
Family Foundation
The Family Leader
Family Policy Inst
Family Research C
FRC Action
FRC Blog
Family Security M
FSM Opinions
The Federalist
Federalist Editors
First Things
Focus on Family
Franklin Center
Front Page Mag
Gary Bauer
Genevieve Wood
George F. Will
Georgi Boorman
Glenn Foden
Glenn T. Stanton
Grace Stark
Greg Scott Jones
Greg Sorrell
Hans Fiene
Hans Spakovsky
Heather Wilhelm
Helle Dale
Henry Scanlon
Hip Hop Repub
Holly Scheer
Hoover Institution
Hudson Institute
Hunter Baker
Illinois Family Inst
Jackie Anderson
James Carafano
James Gattuso
James Gottry
James Poulos
James Rosebush
James Sherk
Jane Clark Scharl
Janine Turner
Jarrett Stepman
Jason Snead
Jayme Metzgar
Jean Morrow
Sen. Jeff Flake
Jennifer Marshall
Jeremy Tedesco
Jessica Kline
Jim Daly I
Jim Daly II
Jim DeMint
Senator Jim Inhofe
Joe Miller
Rep. John Fleming
John Ligon
John D. Davidson
John G. Malcolm
John Seibler
JonathanBronitsky
Joseph Bottum
Joseph Turner
Josh Siegel
Joy Pullmann
Judicial Watch
Justin Bogie
Justin Johnson
Justin Owen
Kaeley Triller
Karol Markowicz
Kathleen H. White
Katie Tubb
Katrina Trinko
Keith Ablow
Kellie Fiedorek
Kelsey Harkness
Kelsey Lucas
Ken McIntyre
Kevin Dayaratna
Kevin Mooney
Kim Holmes
Kira Davis
Kristiana Mork
Kyle Sammin
Leah Jessen
Lee Edwards
Leigh Thompson
Leslie Ford
Leslie Loftis
Liberty Alliance
Liberty Councel
Liberty C Connect
Life Site Opinions
Lindsey Burke
Liz Mair
Ludwig von Mises
Luma Simms
M.G. Oprea
Maggie Gallagher
Marguerite Bowling
Manhattan Instit
Marc E. Fitch
Mariana Barillas
Mark Hemingway
Mark Levin
Mark Steyn
Marripedia
Mary Clare Reim
Mary Grabar
Mass Resistance
Matt Barber
Matthew Braun
Matthew Spalding
Matthew Streit
Media Line
Meeke Addison
Melissa Braunstein
Melissa Quinn
Melody Wood
Mercator Net
Michaela Dodge
Michael Sargent
Michelle Malkin
Midge Fusselman
Mike Gonzalez
Rep. Mike Kelly
Sen. Mike Lee
Mike Needham
M Child Protection
Min Family Council
Mitch Hall
Mitchell Blatt
Mollie Hemingway
Mollie McNeill
Nancy Kobrin, PhD
Natalie Johnson
Narth Institute
Nat’l Org Marriage
National Review
New Atlantis
Nicolas Loris
Nicole Fisher
Nicole Rusenko
Nicole Russell
Nile Gardiner
Nina May
Nina Owcharenko I
NinaOwcharenko II
Norbert Michel
N Carolina Values
Oath Keepers
Op Save America
Pacific Justice
Pacific Research
Patrick Tyrrell
The Patriot Post
Paul J. Larkin Jr.
Paul D. Miller
Paul Rosenzweig
Paul Winfree
Penny Y Nance
People Change
Peter Brookes
Peter M. Burfeind
Philip Ellender
Philip Wegmann
Pioneer Institute
PJ Media
Politically Short
The Politick
Preserve Marriage
Promise Keepers
Public Discourse
Rachel Bovard
Rachel Greszler
Rachel Lu
Rachel Sheffield
Randy Barnett
Real Clear Politics
RebeccahHeinrichs
Red State
Red State Radio
Return America
Rich Cromwell
Richard A. Epstein
Rick McKee Toons
Rick Wilson
The Right Scoop
Riley Walters
Rob Bluey
Rob Kuhlman
Robert Moffit
Robert Holland
Robert Lopez
Robert Rector
Robert Tracinski
Robin Simcox
Roger Severino
Romina Boccia
Rush Limbaugh
Ruth Institute
Ryan T. Anderson
Ryan Olson
Salim Furth
Sandy Rios Blog
Sarah Torre
Scott Lincicome
Sean Davis
Sx Change Regret
Sharyl Attkisson
Snooping Anthropo
Stacy on the Right
The Stand
Stella Morabito
Steven Bucci
Stephen Moore
Steven Groves
The Stream
Suzanne Shattuck
Tami Fitzgerald
Ted Bromund
Texas Publ Policy
Thomas Fordham
Thomas Roe Instit
Tiffany Bates
Timothy Jackson
Todd Thurman
Tom McLaughlin
Tommy Binion
Tony Perkins
Tori Whiting
Travis Weber
Truth Revolt
Valerie M. Hudson
Vanessa Rasanen
Wall Builders
Walt Heyer
Watchdog
Weasel Zippers
While We Slept
William Wolfe
Willis L. Krumholz
Witherspoon Instit
WC of Families
WND
Ye Old Crabb
Your Brain & Porn
Truly Shocking Exceptions
I S R A E L
The Algemeiner
Anne Bayefsky I
Anne Bayefsky II
Avi Issacharoff
Bible Teachings
Camera
CILR
Caroline Glick
CUFI – Facts
Christian Zionism
City of David
Dry Bones Blog
Emergency Israel
Hamodia
Honest Reporting
Human Rights Voi
ICEJ
ICEJ News
ICEJ Radio
Israel Answers
Israel Hayom
Israel Longhorn
Israel Nat’l News
Israel Truth Week
Isranet Daily Briefs
Jerusalem Post
Jewish Defense L
Jewish Heritage
JINSA
JIDF
JNS
Jewish Press
JewTube
Legal Forum Israel
Levy Report – Law
NGO Monitor
Speakers Action
Stand With Us
S W U – Booklets
Times of Israel
Women in Green
Word – Jerusalem
Yad Vashem
M I D D L E E A S T
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
CS Political Islam
Counter Jihad
Daniel Greenfield
Elan Journo
James Phillips
Jihad Watch
Middle East Forum
Pamela Gellar
Raheel Raza
Shireen Qudosi
Wafa Sultan
O T H E R C O U N T R I E S
Alexis Mrachek
Alliance Freedom
Australi Conservat
Brett Schaefer
Brussels Journal
Chris Caldwell
Conservat Woman
Cully Stimson
Daniel Kochis
Dean Cheng
The Diplomat
Index Economic
James M. Roberts
Joshua Meservey
Life Site Opinions
Lisa Curtis
Luke Coffey
Nolan Peterson
Olivia Enos
Promise Keepers
Soyoung An
Sungho Park
Marriage Equality
Tyler Yeatts
Victor Laszlo
William T. Wilson
World
I’d nominate Congressman Connelly of Virginia. A Stalin stooge if ever there was one and as corrupt and deranged as they come.