American Politics: 2nd Tides or Terms Always Have Rats Jumping Ship
Published
12/27/2012
By Joe Sigg, Government Relations Director: Today, another Obama cabinet member announces resignation and sets in motion further changes in the President’s team. “I want to thank President Obama for the honor he bestowed on me and the confidence he placed in me four years ago this month when he announced my nomination as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,” said Lisa P. Jackson in a press statement released December 27th. “At the time I spoke about the need to address climate change, but also said: “There is much more on the agenda: air pollution, toxic chemicals and children’s health issues, redevelopment and waste-site cleanup issues, and justice for the communities who bear disproportionate risk. … I will leave the EPA confident the ship is sailing in the right direction, and ready in my own life for new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference.”
We are seeing more and more exodus of officials in the Obama administration – as in shifts to the exit. Its nothing new and there are a variety of reasons. And you can bet the stated reason is not the real reason, and we won’t know until the books are written. Still, even with the “tell-alls” we won’t be certain as to the reasons, because everyone has their perspective, their edge and their take (to say nothing of whether they are truly being honest).
People leave for the same reasons they leave other jobs: ambition, money, lack of access to the boss or at least lack of sufficient head patting or they simply get pushed out. In addition these D.C. jobs are demanding, so exhaustion and health often factor into the situation.
Of course the pundits speculate that the move will create this action or reaction or change in policy. I would not read too much into any of it.
Anyway, we know we “elected” more government when we re-elected the President, so apart from the differences in personalities does it make much difference whom the players really are? After all, we know the agenda.