Letter: Double standard

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The New York Times reported that the FBI knew of the David Petraeus scandal during the summer, but it didn’t come out until after the election. Had that happened under President George W. Bush, liberals would have screamed “cover-up.” Why, then, are they saying that the announcement had nothing to do with the election?

Leona Helmsley, a wealthy Republican, went to jail for tax evasion. Her hotel employees worked on her house; she did not declare the income. Tom Daschle, a wealthy Democrat, did the same thing – he didn’t declare private rides from a company chauffeur – but he didn’t go to jail. Rep. Charles Rangel only had to apologize for “forgetting” to pay tax on income from renting his vacation house; “Turbo Tax Timmy” Geithner was made secretary of the treasury despite cheating on HIS taxes. Tax evasion is okay if you’re a big-time Democrat. What sort of example does that set for the rest of us?

The Times got it right when it quoted President Obama: “I’ve got to own up to my mistake, which is that ultimately it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules. You know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes” (Feb. 4, 2009).

Why is it okay for Democrats to sit on scandals and cheat on taxes when it isn’t okay for Republicans? Are there two sets of rules?

I believe it isn’t okay for anybody to do these things, but the Times seems to disagree.

BILL TAYLOR

New Hampton