Since when did propriety go out of style?

Frontiersman editorial board

What ever happened to the concept of conflict of interest? What ever happened to the notion you should at least give the appearance of propriety? Apparently those ideals are not in vogue in conservative circles these days -- at any level.

At the national level, the federal government had millions, maybe billions, of dollars to award in the form of contracts to companies that would help rebuild Iraq. Many of those contracts were awarded before any proper bidding process took place. Many of those, including Haliburton, had obvious ties to the Bush administration. Vice President Dick Cheney was Haliburton's CEO from 1995-2000. Haliburton has taken the lion's share of rebuilding contracts without having to compete for them. Haliburton has contributed significantly to the Republican party, and specifically to the Bush campaign. You don't have to be a bloodhound to smell that skunk.

Here in Alaska, the conflicts and improprieties are no less subtle. Randy Ruedrich has come out in strong support of coal-bed methane development in the Valley. That's fine. Alaska's economic success has long been tied to resource development. Many people support further development. The problem here is that Ruedrich sits on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and he also happens to be the Alaska Republican Party chairman.

Ruedrich, as party chairman, must seek contributions for the party, and a good deal of those contributions come from companies in the resource development business -- companies like Evergreen Resources which happens to own most of the CBM leases in the Valley. As a sitting member of the AOGCC, Ruedrich is charged with regulating the oil and gas industry. It's virtually impossible for Ruedrich to hold the reigns on regulation when one hand is in the industry's pocket.

The conflicts with this administration began the moment Gov. Frank Murkowski appointed his daughter to fill his vacated senate seat. The administration now stands firmly against the notion of holding elections to fill such vacant seats. If you'd rather have your representatives appointed instead of voting for them, say aye. Or just sit silently and let the governor say it for you.

Here in the Valley, we recently watched one of our senators step down from his position with Evergreen. Though everyone else saw the conflict with Sen. Scott Ogan collecting a paycheck from Evergreen while he also served as chair of the Senate Resources Committee, the senator still maintains that either there was not a conflict or, if there was, it was a good thing. Rep. Vic Kohring signed HB 69, but the language in the bill was largely influenced by input from Evergreen.

The conflicts have to stop if the people are to be served by their elected officials. If you believe the end always justifies the means, then sit quietly by while your interests are trampled by an indifferent government. If you believe there is a right way to do things, then stand up and demand your elected officials find it and adhere to it.