Your July 20 article "Easley trusts her work, charm to blunt criticism" solidified the attitude of Mary Easley and her apologists. She is like Al Gore; he believes in man-made global warming yet feels that reducing one's personal carbon footprint is for others. Mary Easley believes being a good steward of taxpayer money is for someone like the state trooper and not her. Regardless of any benefits from trips, she and all public employees or spouses should travel as if the money spent were not theirs. Oh, wait, this money is not theirs.

We also now have Air Force generals using anti-terrorist funds to build comfort modules for senior officers. The troops sit in canvas seats in military aircraft, while senior officers and civilians ride in world class comfort. As a retired Navy officer who came up through the ranks, I operated under the principle that you take care of your crew first.

Add the illegal public-fund use by the Wake waste department employee, and you have a trend. Arrogant public servants and an arrogant elected aristocracy who have no idea how to do the right thing. Where are honor and integrity today?

Dave Campbell

Raleigh

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