01.18.09
How Do We Evaluate our Leaders in this new Era
We are on the cusp on a new presidential era, an era where new hope is given birth. One of the key ingredients of this new political moment is the choosing of a cabinet of officers to carry out the mandate of the election. The people’s voice is expressed through its senators who hold hearings to give advice and consent. As solid citizens, we do pay attention to these hearings, and let our voices be heard should the judgments made be out of plumb with our value system.
One of our class members brought to our attention a key ethical issue that needs serious consideration. It has to do with the office of the treasury, with the evaluation of Timothy Geithner.
Mr. Geithner comes with a stellar resume of competence, however, he has exhibited a somewhat cavalier attitude towards paying taxes.
Are these honest mistakes that we need to overlook given the need for solid leadership in a critical position or a character issue?
Trust is invested in those who have both character and competence covered.
How should we as Christians work through this issue?
Administrator said,
January 20, 2009 at 12:53 am
Since our discussion, I have done a bit of research into what’s being reported in “the press” about this issue. After reading several newspaper articles and reports by respected news organizations (e.g. National Public Radio) and listening to commentary by at least one professor of accounting, I am still suspending judgement until Mr. Geithner testifies at his confirmation hearing. The questions I am looking for him to answer are: Was the failure to pay the Social Security and Medicare taxes an error or oversight (re the years 2001 and 02)? What advice and from whom did he receive advice regarding his tax liability? Was this advice found in retrospect to be in error?
The forthrightness of his response is key to determining whether this man has the requisite integrity as well as the capability to carry out the job for which he was nominated.