Nepotism? Nonsense!

You know how Michael Powell was awarded a high-level government position by Bush? You know how Cheney's former company, Halliburton, was awarded big fat contracts in Iraq without competitive bidding? (Never mind that their subsidiary KBR is now accused of bilking the government out of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars) You see, this is because Powell the Lesser and Halliburton were hands-down, bar none, the best qualified entities in America to fulfill the task at hand.

Which undoubtedly explains why Bush has just nominated Cheney's son-in-law for a position in Homeland Security. You see, it's perfect because he has a history of representing America's defense contractors. Errr, wait a minute, that can't be the real reason. Anyway, if you think for a second that this White House would politicize something as important as national security.... well, your cynicism was justified. From the WaPo article (link above):

"President Bush has nominated Vice President Cheney's son-in-law, a prominent Washington lawyer who represents companies in the homeland security field, to be the general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security.

Philip J. Perry, who is married to Cheney daughter Elizabeth Cheney Perry, is a partner at the Washington law office of Latham & Watkins, and has represented Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin Corp. in dealing with the department."

Finally, I'd like to ask if anyone out there remembers the fiscal meltdowns in Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia (to name three) that resulted from administrations that believed in rule-by-cronyism. If you care enough, you can look into the tragic case of the Indonesian clove export industry-- a classic case of how the little guys pay for the high life of daddy's little boy....

(Thanks to LL in CA for bringing this article to my attention.)