Bingo, Sustante--Careful What You Wish For

Susanthe, a blue blogger whom I've taken disagreed with in this past, hits the jackpot today with her blog entitled Be Careful What You Wish for.

I was going to post something similar here, but rather than take the time or refer you to what she wrote, I feel eithically sound in copying what she says here.  That's what I'm doing.

Not for a minute do I buy into Speaker Bill O'Brien's desire to expand the House Grievance committee.  Most people I talk with think the committee should not exist at all. It's legislative intrusion into the judicial branch.  The fact that O'Brien wants to up to ante is simply another reason he should never be returned as Mt. Vernon Rep, let alone speaker.

Here's what susante has to say:

Fri Aug 10, 2012 at 13:11:05 PM EDT

It seems that Speaker O'Brien wants to create an Inspector General's Office  to provide "oversight and transparency" in our state government.

From WMUR:

This summer, there have been allegations of a cover-up at the state Liquor Commission involving thousands of dollars in missing wine and a nepotism scandal at the Office of Employment Security.

"When we look at all the minor scandals that are coming up, there should be a branch of government that says, 'What's going on here?'" O'Brien said.

Apparently it hasn't occurred to O'Brien that his administration and his office could be investigated as well. The Bob Meade debacle. The DJ Bettencourt scandal. The nepotism in his office, with his business ties to DJ, and his hiring of DJ's wife. His refusal to allow a reporter into a press conference. These are all things that should be investigated vigorously.

It seems likely that O'Brien thinks that this is an office that he would have immunity from - and would be under his thumb.  

But other questions linger - doesn't this fall into the category of GROWING our gummint, thereby making it BIG gummint?  

Comments

[Rep. Seth Cohn]

Gotta disagree, Steve... Grievances is needed.. if you'd sat in a few times, you'd be upset with the out of control judges and bureaucrats too.

And Shannon's hiring (pre engagement, so she was merely at most a girlfriend) isn't a scandal. Trusting Susan's info is dangerously wrong.

[Rep Steve Vaillancourt]

You mean to tell me Seth that we only get a scandal when the ring goes on the finger, not when the sex organs go together. YOU'RE TOO SMART FOR THAT KIND OF LOGIC.

I think you're grievance logic is equally twisted. This is clearly a judicial, not a legislative function. Let's review basic civics (I had it in ninth grade). Legislature makes the laws; executive enforces the lows; judiciary interprets the laws.

Susanthe has this one right.

[Rep Dan McGuire]

I know of three or four cases where the executive has failed to abide by law or rules (two involve the liquor commission). When I spoke to an Assistant Attorney General about it, he told me that it isn't their job to make the government comply with the law. Instead it is their job to DEFEND the government when someone sues them for breaking the law. When I picked my jaw off the floor, I asked him what should our constituents do when they are being harmed by a lawless government? He said that they should sue the state. Then the AG will defend the suit. Then if they lose, the state will follow the law (or comply with the court ruling). ARGH! This is why we need an Inspector General or Ombudsman. There should be someone to handle complaints short of filing a lawsuit.

[Rep Steve Vaillancourt]

Amazing how so-called conservative Republcans convince themselves that we need another layer of government!! No thanks, we waste enough taxpayer money already.

[C. dog]

I dare say I suspect both you and Seth are right (Right?). Given the current sordid Grate State of affairs, government agents daily commit harm against those legally residing within the confines of New Hamsters. The list is long and tedious. Therefore, this grievance process – which by the way Steve is constitutional (Part I, articles 31 and 32) – is a means to battle the overbearing and oppressive Nanny that the Frankenstein government class has created. Admittedly, it's putting salve on the wound after the harm has already been inflicted – hardly the stuff of preventative medicine – but it does cut down on septic ulcers.

Clearly, this is not the preferred solution, and would be rarely sought, if the Legislature assiduously worked to strip down the Leviathan so the beast could fit it back into its Constitutional Cage. But, as you have personally experienced Steve, we can't even get rid of the most ridiculous drawer in the bureaucracy: The Dept. of Cultured Affairs. Maybe with a fresh face sitting in His Most Excellent seat that would happen, but until then, what else do we got?
– C. dog, Complaint Committee Chairman

[Rep Steve Vaillancourt]

Not that I always agree with them, but right wing Union Leader editorialists and Charlie Arlinghaus have both weighed in saying this new layer of govt would be wrong. I agree this time!