In what has unfortunately become too common in Washington State, a newspaper is calling for the resignation of a Democrat elected official. It is sad that the Democrats in our state seem incapable of encouraging the bad apples among them to voluntarily leave when their ability to lead is compromised.
This time it is Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist who has run into ethics trouble – just like State Auditor Troy Kelley, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, and other Democrats before him.
As the Seattle Times opined, “The people of Pierce County deserve a credible and respected prosecuting attorney. Today, that is not the case.
“Mark Lindquist, the prosecutor since 2009, has managed to squander a once-promising career in public service. His unwillingness to accept responsibility for a dysfunctional office telegraphs his leadership style — and his values.”
Evidently Lindquist’s “values” include a “pattern of missteps and abuses (that) has triggered investigations by the Washington State Bar Association and the county ethics commission. Two whistleblower complaints throw light on a politicized office, a culture of vindictiveness, and prosecutorial offenses that undermine the public interest.”
Despite the controversy he has created, Lindquist (like Kelley and Reardon before him) is hanging on too long, hoping the attention will blow over, while claiming he still has an ability to serve. As the Times points out, it’s the public which suffers most from his lack of ethics.
“The animated death spiral of a politician, for all its predictable drama, diverts attention from the broader calling of duty and public service. Lindquist is the county’s most powerful local official. He has the power to prosecute. Unlike other elected officials such as the county executive and members of the county council, Lindquist administers justice — at least in theory.”
Given the serious ethics lapses Lindquist, which were “expertly untangled by The Tacoma News Tribune”, where is the outrage from other elected Democrats, demanding that he step aside?
Yet another Democrat scandal, being ignored by Democrats. A sad – but unfortunately typical – ending note to 2015.
