Is it ethical and legal for a local government agency, in this case the Fort Smith Police Dept., to couple with an out of state lobbying agency to endorse and/or fund candidates for the Arkansas State House? 

Today’s Times Record featured an ad endorsing 5 State House candidates paid for by an organization based in Georgia known as the Southern State’s Police Benevolent Association—a government union.  The ethics speak for themselves.  Is it not unethical for the Fort Smith police department which is subsidized by the private sector to hire or engage an out of state organization to lobby representatives of the Arkansas State House, regardless of taxpayer wishes?

What do the Fort Smith police intend to receive for this possibly unethical endorsement?  From an outsider perspective it is an enhancement of the government protection racket, i.e. salaries, pensions, etc.

A curious statement made by the Police Benevolent Association urges voters to” support strong, fair and effective law enforcement” by voting for their endorsees.   So, what does this statement mean? Does it imply that their 5 opponents would not be in favor of “strong, fair, and effective law enforcement”?

The candidates the PBA has endorsed are:
1.    Tracy Pennartz—candidate for AR. Senate…a triple-dipper, termed out of State House, Arkansas Counseling & Guidance Center retiree,  supports Obamacare, supports adding another ¼ million to Medicaid welfare and runs a taxpayer subsidized consulting business.
2.    Stephanie Malone—seeking reelection to State House, a double-dipper employed by government (Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority—what arrangements have FCRA made with Ms. Malone salary-wise while she is languishing in the legislature for 5+ months if reelected? That said, is she really needed in that government operation?….a protection racket) Wants to increase term limits to 12 years and niece of Sen. John Boozman.
3.    Steve Breedlove—if you are a believer in free enterprise & individual responsibility, the worst possible combination for citizens to send to the state legislature, e.g. a retired 2 term legislator, a former school teacher & administrator, and doubling as a preacher….a double, double dipper & perhaps more.
4.    Wolf Grulkey—a friend of the backroom bully boy (Mike Beebe), states unequivocally that he’s for “education”, which is a code word for more FUNDING…remember—Funding Follows Failure
5.    Charlene Fite—another long term school teacher, supporter of the failed government school system and would stand foursquare for more taxpayer dollars to fund it.

It is past time when government employees, past and present, stop being elected to the State House where their conflicts of interest abound, along with featherbedding, and where double-dipping is the rule and unbridled growth of government is the end result.

A Government Protection Racket?  You bet.  Where are the Fort Smith Mayor & City Directors on this issue? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Joe McCutchen            arkansasfreedom.net       www.fortsmithtruth.com