THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601070084
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: PAUL SOUTH
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Growing up in Alabama in the George Wallace era, it was easy to believe that we had cornered the market on cronyism, crass misuse of state services, and common stupidity.
It was the kind of behavior that helped put our education system, infant survival rates and image near the bottom of the national barrel. It helped make ``Thank God for Mississippi'' the unofficial state motto.
But now, thanks to one North Carolina official, I'm tempted to adopt a new motto:
``Thank God for Rufus Edmisten.''
Edmisten is the secretary of state who wins the award for the Dumbest Statement Made By a State Official in 1995 for remarking: ``Audits make everybody look bad.''
That audit, conducted by the state of North Carolina, found that Edmisten had used state employees as his personal chauffeurs and errand boys, hired a reportedly less-than-qualified family friend for a state job paying close to $30,000, covered his secretary of state license plate with an undercover officer's plate for ``security reasons,'' and used fines paid by stockbrokers for his own benefit.
In all, the review uncovered 46 violations of state regulations.
And politicians wonder why working folks don't trust their government.
The fact is, audits in and of themselves don't always make people look bad. Government departments all over North Carolina pass their audits with flying colors.
What makes folks like Edmisten look bad is an attitude that can be summed up in one word:
Arrogance.
It's the same attitude that makes the often-indicted governor of Louisiana, Edwin Edwards, say things like, ``The only way I won't get elected is if I get caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy.''
It's the same mindset that prompts our presidents to say things like, ``I am not a crook'' or ``I was out of the loop'' or ``I did not inhale.''
I can think of a much more truthful quote from a famous fictional American, Forrest Gump, that applies to all of these politicos:
``I am not a smart man.''
Some Republicans in the state House of Representatives are talking about impeaching Edmisten. But chances are that if a Republican House brings articles of impeachment, a Democratic-controlled Senate will let it die.
Edmisten has announced that he will not run for re-election in 1996; he's said he'll spend the rest of his term fixing the major problems outlined in the audit. Reporters who have covered the secretary describe him as a ``Bubba in a Suit'' who could charm his way through any situation.
Not anymore.
In another time in the South, politicians like Huey Long, ``Big Jim'' Folsom and George Wallace - and their associates - could use catchy songs and catchy phrases to waltz their way into state coffers and dip occasionally into the state personnel pool.
Rufus Edmisten evidently thought the song was still going strong.
Not anymore.
And there was even a time in some places that taxpayers could forgive politicians for for trashing the public trust.
Not anymore.
Rufus Edmisten can do only one thing to salvage the ramshackle remains of his public life. It's something the good people of North Carolina deserve more than any apology.
Resign, Rufus. Now. by CNB