Ethical behavior doesn't require someone to ignore his own self-interests or demand he live a life of self-sacrifice. But it does require him to know the difference between what he wants and what he should do.– Michael Josephson
I once wrote that I thought former City Councilman Scott Malsin could use a refresher course on ethics. But in light of what he has declared to the Fair Political Practices Commission as he seeks to return to the Council, it probably would be a waste of time.
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How Mr. Malsin could ever justify to himself and even consider asking our small community to pay for his and his family’s healthcare for life, is totally beyond me. His decision just illustrates what he will do to get what he wants; even if it takes the extraordinary act of resigning from his office to get it. By leaving his office early, Mr. Malsin made damned sure he was going to get what he wanted. No change in city policy was going to deny him what he thought he was due. Instead of giving back to the community and foregoing his retiree healthcare, as some retired Council members have done in the past, he decided it was time for him to start taking from the community, every year, for the rest of his life.
Family Shield
Not only did he do the unprecedented by resigning early from office; he did the unthinkable by trying to use his family as a shield from critics and to morally justify his decision. After looking at the extent of his declared holdings, do you really think his family’s sake was at stake?
Was last December’s decision really made out of a real family need or just plain greed?
After seeing his declared holdings, do you think he needs our annual monetary support in providing for his and his family’s healthcare? Do you think he even took into consideration the kind of fiscal yoke he was adding around our necks?
Old Money, New Money
It doesn’t matter how Mr. Malsin acquired his wealth, whether he received it through a family inheritance, from his grandmother, the founder of Lane Bryant Co., the famous women’s clothier, or whether he worked his tail off, saved his money and invested it wisely. It doesn’t matter whether his wealth is Old or New money, inherited or self-made. The fact is Mr. Malsin’s portfolio does show he’s got a whole lot more money than most of us average, tax-paying Joes living here in Culver City. He really shouldn’t have to be looking to take advantage of some loophole in city policy to line his pockets. Come on, Mr. Malsin. Give all of us 99-percenters a break, will you?
A Higher Standard
With the size of his stock portfolio, how he ever could have even considered asking us taxpayers to fork over our hard-earned dollars for his and his family’s healthcare benefits for the rest of his life, is beyond me. I mean, how much “sake” does one family need? I guess by Mr. Malsin’s standards… his family needs a whole lot more than yours or mine.
Namecalling
I usually try and refrain from calling people names when I write about them. It’s not civil. In Mr. Malsin’s case, I will have to make an exception. After viewing his vast array of investments, the term “One-Percenter” comes to mind, doesn’t it?
Go Ahead, Prove It
If Mr. Malsin or his supporters think I have been unfair or too harsh in my criticism of his momentous decision or was too generous in my estimations of his investment portfolio, he could set the record straight by showing the real value of his investments and release his state and federal tax returns. That way, maybe we all can see just how much he really, (desperately) needs his lifetime annual handout.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
