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| Tom Ridge may step down |
| 2004-07-30 |
| EFL Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is considering stepping down after the November election, telling colleagues he is worn out from the massive reorganization of government and needs to earn money in the private sector to put his teenage children through college, officials said. Ridge will not make a final decision until he talks to President George W. Bush later this year and is focused on thwarting the terror attacks that officials fear al-Qaida will attempt before November, Assistant Homeland Secretary Susan Neely said. |
| Posted by:Dragon Fly |
| #7 Any word on Mineta? I'd rather see him to do the door first. |
| Posted by: eLarson 2004-07-30 7:30:29 PM |
| #6 Its an opportunity for Bush. Ridges replacement should take the color coded system underground. Let the cops and those that need to know, know but not the networks and the nation at large. At least not unless its a red alert scenerio. That will prevent unnecessary "fear" and claims of "playing on our fears". Unless, of course, the system is designed to scare off the terrorists by making them think we know more than we do. |
| Posted by: Yank 2004-07-30 5:34:02 PM |
| #5 Ridge has 2 kids. If he sends them to a private college that will be $40,000 per year per student today. College tuitions rise at 5-10% per year. At this rate he's probably looking at a $350,000 nut for his two kids. That's tough to swallow on $175,000. No doubt it can be done. But do you want the guy in charge of Homeland security spending time checking for double coupons to afford to send his kids to college? Can you think of a CEO who manages a company of 100, let 10,000 people who takes down $175,000. That's a lot of money to most Americans. It's chickenfeed to the people who are managing the country, outside government. If we make it so that the only people who can afford to send their kids to college, ignore getting rich, through public service are the Clintons, don't be surprised if the only peole in public service are Clointons. |
| Posted by: Mr. Davis 2004-07-30 5:25:15 PM |
| #4 Mr. D., agreed but there's something wrong with this story. Good Lord, the man makes over $175 K (don't know about his wife), but people who make a lot less have managed to send 2 kids to college. And why would he air his "dirty laundry" to the press like this? (I swear, the Dimocrats have targeted every member of the Bush Administration!) Ridge has been a governor, too, and he should know only too well that the only public servants that have ever gotten rich from their service have been the Clintons! |
| Posted by: GreatestJeneration 2004-07-30 5:04:55 PM |
| #3 Regardless of how good a job you think Ridge has done, and that is certainly debatable as it was for the first SecDef, this is bad: needs to earn money in the private sector to put his teenage children through college You can bet none of the snivelling tenured professors who bite his ankles will have a problem paying for college. Nor will any of the crooked politicians who sup at the public trough. But an honest guy who sits atop one of the most important bureaucracies is not paid enough to send his kids to college? That is a disgrace and we need to think about what motivates the people who take jobs where they are underpaid. Is government service going to become like a seat in the Senate, only the rich need apply? |
| Posted by: Mr. Davis 2004-07-30 4:54:18 PM |
| #2 I've never been thrilled with Ridge, but trusted that President Bush was using his judgement in appointing him, but...I must admit, Rudy would kick *ss as head of HS! |
| Posted by: GreatestJeneration 2004-07-30 4:50:46 PM |
| #1 Yes!!! Now GWB can appoint someone effectual for the job. Rudy Gulliani? Or does John Ashcroft have a twin? |
| Posted by: rex 2004-07-30 2:06:12 PM |