Life would be great if we all had lackeys like Phil English.
WHAT A SURPRISE. The Herald writes an editorial criticizing Rep. Phil English about his “gas-tax vacation” and we get a letter supporting him from Julia Wanzco. Who’d expect that?
Of course Wanzco is the press secretary for English and is paid to do such. But it leaves me to wonder. Can English write?
It’s no secret that most of us at The Herald have little respect for English and his policies. He spends more time on junkets — excuse me, Wanzco would assuredly call them trips on behalf of our country — than almost any elected politician.
The guy has been a lackey for George W. Bush on most of his ridiculous maneuvers that have cost this country and the taxpayers greatly. And Wanzco has been a lackey for English. When you think about it, we are a government of lackeys.
Man, wouldn’t it be great to have a lackey? I, like most Americans, am lackeyless.
Do you think that some Americans are depressed because they have no lackeys? I think they are. It’s bad enough that the middle class — thanks to people like English — have slipped to the lower class. It’s bad enough that people are losing their homes which they couldn’t afford to heat anyway.
But not to have a lackey? That is a bad as it gets.
If I had a lackey, he or she could write this column for me every week. Or, when people write mean things about me in the paper that hurt my feelings, my lackey could wipe my tears and write a response. But since I’m lackeyless I am at the mercy of the critics.
Lackeys are obviously a wonderful kind of people, especially working for politicians. When a politician puts out a request for hiring a lackey, the want ad must read something like this:
Wanted: Lackey to do bidding of politician who doesn’t have a clue. Must defend said politician at all times, even when exposed to be a moron. When politician is tied up counting money from lobbyists, lackey must make credible excuses why politician isn’t really representing the people during voting sessions. Lackey must follow two basic rules of politics: 1. Your boss is never wrong. 2. When your boss is wrong, see Rule 1.
Politicians like Bill Clinton may have had a few more rules for female lackeys, but those won’t be listed in a family newspaper.
I will admit to you that I once was offered a job as a lackey (press secretary) for a politician, but I declined because I couldn’t agree with all the policies and beliefs of the person. Although I liked the candidate a lot, unlike most lackeys, I’m funny like that. Being ethical is a curse!
I’m just disappointed that Rep. English’s lackey didn’t thank us for the picture we ran of him at Wheatland Tube the other day. Hard to believe she only writes when it’s something that offends her boss. And I think we’ve even said a few good things about English concerning the fight to keep from tolling I-80.
While I’ve never met English’s lackey, I’m sure she’s a nice person. I would love if she would stop in at The Herald and bring English along. I’ll even buy the donuts.
And I promise not to get tangled up in the strings when English moves her mouth and arms. After all, lackeys are people too when they are outside the polticial arena. At least I think they are. Myself, I wouldn’t really know.
I’m lackeyless!
Lynn Saternow of The Herald staff writes this weekly column for the Opinion Page.
Opinion
Related Photos
Wouldn’t it be great if we, like English, had a lackey?
- Opinion
-
-
Local economy improving, but more work to be done
While still hurting from the Great Recession, there are clear signs of improvement.
-
Who’s responsible for uptick in economy? It’s hard to figure
There was one thing I was taught years ago when I was a young reporter: Every politician lies, but the real story is the reason behind the lies.
-
Juicy tips will be far fewer without ‘Scoop’ on the phone
I enjoyed calling him Scoop. I was the newspaper guy, but for more years than I can remember, Gary Douglas was at the other end of phone calls on a regular basis.
“Did you hear about this? Did you hear about that? Did you hear about so-and-so? Better check this out. I’ll bet you haven’t heard about this.”
That usually was the flow of the conversation. Most of the time he was right. Some of the tips turned into stories that were fit to print, and others not so much.
-
The only thing we have to fear is fear-mongering
To hear some folks tell it, it’s no longer morning in America, it’s five minutes to midnight. They say the United States, once the greatest nation on Earth, is today on a glide path to the ash heap of history.
-
Super Bowl Sunday brings a super boost for the local economy
The game is more than a glitzy international event. It serves as a one-day boon to local economies like ours here at home.
-
Punxsutawney Phil, Mitt and a litany of bad GOP hopefuls
Here are some thoughts from a guy who doesn’t put a whole lot of stock in rascally rodents that make weather forecasts.
-
In Ed Likovich’s yard, apples don’t fall very far from the tree
Adage tells us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It really applies to the Likovich family of Hermitage, specifically Ed the father and teacher and Ed the son and student.
-
A smaller state legislature? Don’t hold your breath
Don't tell me that our state General Assembly is finally going to do what should have been done many years ago – cut the size of the Legislature.
-
A sad end to life: History will determine JoePa’s legacy
I had the privilege, yes privilege and honor, of meeting Joe Paterno several times in my life, both as a student at Penn State and in my role as editor of The Herald. It was with a heavy heart when I learned that he was near death during the Mercer County Hall of Fame’s annual dinner at the Park Inn by Radisson Saturday, and that he had died Sunday.
-
OUR VIEW: Dearth of candidate interest defies worth of legislative races
In case you hadn’t noticed, this is an election year. Actually every year is, but this is one of the big ones. Sure, there’s some sort of presidential race going on, but that’s just a sideshow to where the real action in this year’s election is – or at least should be.
Voters across the country will be electing every member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and here in Mercer County voters will help decide who represents three state House districts. - More Opinion Headlines
-
Local economy improving, but more work to be done
