You may remember Representative Michael Grim from last January. He was the politician who threatened a reporter who had the nerve to ask him about his campaign finances. Grimm threatened that he would toss the reporter off a balcony and break him in half.
A year later, it would seem that it’s Grimm who is about to get tossed.
The New York Daily News reported that Grimm will be resigning after pleading guilty to felony tax evasion during Christmas week. Rep. Grim, who is also the owner of a health food restaurant, made the following statement:
“After much thought and prayer, I have made the very difficult decision to step down from Congress effective January 5th, 2015. This decision is made with a heavy heart, as I have enjoyed a very special relationship and closeness with my constituents, whom I care about deeply.”
Before we break out the crying towels for Mr. Grimm we should note that in connection with his health food venture that he filed false tax returns; engaged in mail fraud, wire fraud and perjury. He was also found guilty of hiring undocumented workers.
What is very interesting to me from an ethical point of view was the brief statement the Congressman made just before resigning:
“The events which led to this day did not break my spirit, nor the will of the voters. However, I do not believe that I can continue to be 100% effective in the next Congress, and therefore, out of respect for the Office and the people I so proudly represent, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life.”
What is he talking about?
Political statements are very carefully crafted. As such (and as a public service), I thought we could examine the paragraph and comment on what was said – and what wasn’t.
“The events did not break my spirit.” What does that mean, former Rep. Grimm? Are you saying that legitimate accusations and the fact that you were found guilty had no effect on your psyche? You were found guilty by a court of law, sir. Why this defiance and posturing?
“Nor the will of the voters.” I have only visited Staten Island on a couple of occasions but the voters I have met there seemed to have a pretty strong set of ethics. In your statement, are you suggesting that your constituents could have cared less that you were found guilty of filing false returns and lying to a jury? I can’t speak for every person living in Staten Island, New York, but I believe the will of the voter’s sir, is that you obey the law, just like the rest of us.
“I do not believe I can be 100% effective.” We would agree with your observation. I would not give you much more than a small percentage of that chance. It is a masterful understatement. It also assumes that most of your constituency could have cared less. Again, I think they are smarter than that. You could have possibly said, “Given the charges and my eventual admission of guilt, I cannot be effective as your elected representative. In fact, I don’t deserve to be your representative.”
“Out of respect for the Office and the people I so proudly represent.” Sir, I regret to tell you this but you did not respect the “Office.” You knew what you were doing. You engaged in mail fraud and wire fraud; you hired workers who had no documentation – and possibly no Worker’s compensation rights as they were not properly hired. I am not an expert in that area, but I do know that foodservice workers usually undergo training in food handling. Were they trained sir? Just asking.
As to the people you so proudly represent, let me ask this question: “Would it have been acceptable to you if every business owner in your district had failed to file taxes?” I am simply inquiring because (to the best of my knowledge), “our” taxes are what puts food on your table. Perhaps you did not realize that. While we are on this topic, our taxes also pay your pension, your rent, your security, your transportation and your amazing health benefits. Just saying.
“It is time for me to start the next chapter of my life.” Here is where we would completely agree providing you have learned something. How will you understand what has just transpired? Understand, I wish you no harm. Ethically, I believe in second chances, providing you have understood the gravity of the situation. You let a number of people down. No one should hope you fail, but you also need to understand where your bad choices led. Despite your unbroken spirit, you allowed the office you represent to become tarnished. Very few of us ever get to occupy the heights of government you have reached.
Finally, here is one sentence I could find nowhere in any of your statements: “I am sorry. I failed you.”
Such a statement might have taken self-examination and humility; two qualities seen nowhere in anything that was said. Start there, Mr. Grimm. We would accept those two brief sentences with acceptance and the knowledge that you are on your way to recovery from this series of missteps.