An Act Of Civic Decency

The Jake DeSantis a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/opinion/25desantis.html">piece< in the New York Times was remarkable and an act of civic decency. NY AG Cuomo and CT AG Blumenthal whisper to AIG workers: give back your bonus or we will publicize your names. Hmmmm, an offer you can't refuse. The threat is implicit: keep what you've earned and we will make sure the mob knows where you live, where your kids are, where your wife is…

Well, most people can't refuse such an offer. Mudball tactics like this bully most into submission. Witness AIG CEO Ed Liddy's craven response to throw his people in front of the mob. But DeSantis told the blackmailers: publish and be damned. He "outed" himself, he took control, he stood up and claimed his right to keep what he earned even in the face of intimidation. And he announced his intention to dispose of his property -- the fruits of his labor -- as he saw fit. Unfortunately, he also announced he was leaving the employ of AIG, yet another talented person forced out of service because of government ineptitude and class envy used by politicians as fuel for their vaulting ambition. The taxpayer-owners of AIG are the poorer for it.