The absence of honesty in American political culture leads exactly to the point where discredited and disgraced former elected officials believe that they can run for re-election or for another political office without any concern for their past behaviors or record.
This is the case for a former Miami Congressman, David Rivera, who is implicated in one of the most egregious cases of electioneering fraud in recent South Florida history. And that is saying ALOT, given the fact that rising to the top of this unsavory stew means pushing past bunches of corrupt former officials.
Part of the pathology is inexplicable to ordinary citizens and voters. But part of the pathology is not so difficult to understand: especially the insistence that history is wrong, that the Miami Herald is to blame, or some other object or reason.
The party of personal responsibility -- that would be the GOP -- is most entangled in the erasure of meaning. This point applies far beyond the edges of Rivera-style obsession with revisionism.
Look at the war in Iraq. The trillions spent, blood and treasure of American soldiers; these are, today, vanished as Iraq disappears into chaos. What did we mean to accomplish in Iraq? Does anyone remember?
From personal responsibility to national security, the erasure of meaning guarantees that anyone can say anything and be taken at face value as though history did not happen. This defines American exceptionalism in 2014.
This is the case for a former Miami Congressman, David Rivera, who is implicated in one of the most egregious cases of electioneering fraud in recent South Florida history. And that is saying ALOT, given the fact that rising to the top of this unsavory stew means pushing past bunches of corrupt former officials.
Part of the pathology is inexplicable to ordinary citizens and voters. But part of the pathology is not so difficult to understand: especially the insistence that history is wrong, that the Miami Herald is to blame, or some other object or reason.
The party of personal responsibility -- that would be the GOP -- is most entangled in the erasure of meaning. This point applies far beyond the edges of Rivera-style obsession with revisionism.
Look at the war in Iraq. The trillions spent, blood and treasure of American soldiers; these are, today, vanished as Iraq disappears into chaos. What did we mean to accomplish in Iraq? Does anyone remember?
From personal responsibility to national security, the erasure of meaning guarantees that anyone can say anything and be taken at face value as though history did not happen. This defines American exceptionalism in 2014.
29 comments:
I once had a professor who spoke like you write. Whatever the topic, he would manage to bring it around to his wife's death.
This not about the GOP. The GOP is not supporting Rivera. This is about one insane and delusional man's obsession with power.
LOL. Good one! But the GOP has not disavowed Rivera. I'll believe you when the party makes an official statement it will not support Rivera under any circumstance.
"This not about the GOP. The GOP is not supporting Rivera."
Let's not yet say the GOP is not supporting Rivera. Undoubtedly, Rivera will get party funds from either the local committee, the RPOF, or some national PAC.
If Repubs are so willing to distance themselves from this guy, they should come out with a statement condemning his decision to run. But of course the will not. It's a hedge bet just in case he does indeed win the primary, which he should not but it's the 305 and one never knows what can happen here.
Being registered NPA means I can take a swipe at both major parties as well as the other couple freaky fringe groups. It should not be about electing one of your own at any cost despite their abhorrent history. It should be about electing the best person to represent the constituency.
Rivera still has some moneyed friends that are just as crooked as he. Friends that will surely willingly break laws to get Dave back in a position of power.
Despite still owning a home together, even his old amigo Rubio has been running as far away from Rivera as he can. Does honor among thieves trump honor among dirty politicians or vice versa?
I anxiously await the revelations from the FBI as their investigation continues. These processes work painfully slow.
" the erasure of meaning guarantees that anyone can say anything and be taken at face value as though history did not happen. This defines American exceptionalism in 2014."
AMEN!
My experience too, gleaned from local Neighborhood organizations all the way to POTUS.
I wish we had a really good choice for this seat. Katy, wouldn't you like to serve in the US Congress?
The local GOP loves this guy. He charms the old ladies and the rest turn a blind eye. Some one like Jeb needs to sit that boy down, give him a pastelito and a road map and tell him to hit the road for the good of all people in South Florida
Notice how there were no surprises this morning? Qualifying ends in less than and hour and a half. Now is the time to scare him out of this race BEFORE he qualifies. It will be fun to watch this race. With such a huge primary field, I think we all might be surprised by the results.
Has David been charged with a crime? Has he been indicted? Last time I checked our legal system is based on being innocent until proven guilty....has that processed taken place?
Loook while I think it is a bad idea that David run, he is a free man and know charges have been formerly filed against him. All we have is media speculation.
As to the tired Iraq war and blame the GOP mentality, if I recall many democrats lined up on this issue and supported the war.
My advice is to go back to blogging about manatees, spotted owls and endangered palmetto bugs. You guys are much better at that.
Guilty or not, Mr. Rivera by his actions and nefarious deals, has sullied those who toil for good in public service. He has clearly been motivated by personal gain, placing his personal aspirations before the needs of his constituents. try to list the "good" things that Rivera has done as a state legislator, and as a Member of the House: the result is not impressive, while the accumulation of personal wealth has been notable and unbridled!
If the incompetent and/or corrupt Democrat Katherine Fernandez Rundle would do her job, this would not be an issue.
Hmmm? Why hasn't Kathy Fernandw Rundle done anything about Rivera?
David Rivera have you no shame!
David Rivera have you no shame!
I think he really believes voters will vote for him. People construct their own realities and then live in them.
Its not like there is any other career he can fall back on. He needs to run for something to get campaign money to siphon into his family's accounts so he can eat.
The local GOP does NOT love this guy...... Trust me!
The State GOP does NOT love this guy...... Trust me!
During the 2012 GOP convention, he tried to come up and sit with the Florida group; he was not allowed.
Kathy Fernandez-Rundle, have you no guts!
Democrats keep reelecting tax cheat Charlie Rangel!
AND... photographed crack-head Marion Barry! It's funny how people vote.
You mean to tell me he has never held a regular job? What is he doing now?
I'm am a right-wing, conservative member of the GOP and I, along with everyone I know, have always been embarrassed by this crook. He does NOT represent the party. We are working to get the party to publicly shun him. And no, he does not work! Has never worked!
Republican here:
not loving Rivera either and didn't vote for him, by the way, but nodding to the thousands of low information voters who will vote for him.
Trust me, the GOP has to be horrified here. This is not about them - its about HIM.
Someone is supporting him. He must have a place to live, food, phone, utilities, car, gas, whatever. His real friends need to help him find a job, and teach him the skills he needs to survive on that job so he can take care of himself and his family now and in the years to come. I have never heard of anyone who runs for public office just to get campaign contributions and illegally use those contributions to live on. He is going to end up in jail.
Great questions. Has Rivera ever had a job in the private sector? How does he support himself? Who would be stupid enough to give him money?
David Rivera has never had a real job in the private sector. He lives off campaign contributions. The year he and Marcelo Llorente were Appropriation Co-chairs, they shook-down everyone coming before the legislature. Then of course, there were those fabulous $500,000 public relation contracts....
Nobody gives him money because they want to - he "negotiates" it out of them!
Get a life all of you chomping down on the GOP.
Want me to start listing all the deadbeat Democrats? Let’s start with Harry Reid, a crook if there ever was one. Talk about corruption, he is the master.
This is a free country and anybody can run for election if they want.
So, who cares? Who cares whether David Rivera has worked in a private job in his life? Who cares where he will get the money to run? Who cares about anything relating to David Rivera.
For us Republicans, David Rivera is history and he will not be supported by the GOP. But if he wants to run who can stop him?
There is no way he can win in a primary or even come close.
So chill and if you want to beat up on a Republican, try Fresen.
The Herald reported that Rivera owes $124,000 from his last campaign. Does Rivera have a plan to pay back his creditors? Does he plan to stiff them while he starts up a new campaign account?
DAVID RIVERA saved my life so I dont care that he walked away with a cool mil , or that poor people are losing their shirts at Magic City Casino, or that some crazy woman is sitting in the can or that he got off on a 52 count indictment. This dawg doesnt have too chase rabbits for his kibbles and bits.
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