Compassion, it’s so passé

In response to your editorial about government accountability and the resignation of Troy Hutson as DSHS economic services administrator (May 5), I need to protest the political rhetoric. How is it that the needy are always treated with such contempt, while we stand by and watch the greedy triumph? It seems to me that the man simply told the truth – i.e., that spending resources to investigate poor people for welfare fraud simply won’t yield a return on the investment because they have no money to repay the debt, even if you find them. I watched his interview on KING-TV that caused the firestorm, and he was impressive in his commitment and compassion.

Funny, I don’t see any reporting on the number of businesses with outstanding tax debt who did NOT respond to the recent amnesty. Less funny, I see no justice for the financiers who brought us the depression. Does anyone remember when Martha Stewart had to be imprisoned for “insider trading”?

But no! No one could possibly stand behind this truth-telling man, because the posture of indignation about ANY fraud is a political requirement. And sympathy for the poor and needy? How old-fashioned!

Mary Ann Murphy

Spokane