When you're asked to cross your personal ethical line, make it easy on the person who is doing the asking. Just tell them that you cannot believe that they would ask you to do such a thing
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Dr. Bert Cobb
Jeff Barton
Note: The think piece below was sent by an anonymous "long-time Democrat, someone who has experienced the 'last straw.'" Bert Cobb's and Jeff Barton's campaigns for Hays County Judge are out of the gates, both having recently held big fund-raising events. They have faced each other in at least two candidate forums. The two have a handshake to run a nice campaign without personal slurs or name-calling. We'll see how long that lasts. Cobb's focus is on better management of the county's $80-plus million budget and more accountability to the taxpayers. He's already spotted a 15% shortfall in the county employee retirement plan. Cobb sees four big issues ahead for the county: Water, growth, transportation and jobs. Barton is campaigning as a "bridge builder" between the different political and business interests in the county. He is stressing more investment in roads and infrastructure while also preserving our quality of life.
These are all fine and dandy positions, but who can the voters really trust? Which of the two has the better sense of integrity and trustworthiness to run a clean and transparent county government for the next four years? The note from our "last straw" Democrat begins to address that question. We hope it is just the opening salvo in the voters' own campaign to demand honesty and openness from our local candidates and government.
Greetings to anyone who might want to read this:
If you've been identified with the Democratic Party anytime in recent history, sometime soon, someone will likely approach you with a simple but unbelievable request. That person will ask you to put aside any ethical consideration and just go ahead and vote for Jeff Barton, in the interest of the Democrat Party. A request like that is worth thinking about for a moment or two.
Think about what it says about you, or rather, what it says about the requestor's view of you. For example, if you object to Barton on ethical grounds – you believe him to be dishonest or given to gross misrepresentation – and someone asks you to put those ethical considerations aside, then the person asking you to do that has little regard for you as a member of this thing we call humanity.
If your objections have to do with the manner in which he portrayed his opponent in the recent primary – if you think that there were unethical aspects to his primary campaign – asking you to put all that aside is the same as in the last example. The person doing the asking has no regard for you as an individual with principles.
If you think that it wasn't OK for Barton's family publication to abandon the Democrat Party and endorse Will Conley (Republican) against Steve Klepfer (Democrat), but that person wants you to put all of that aside, ... well ... you get the point. That, of course, may be the most offensive of all examples. It's OK for him; not OK for anyone else.
When you're asked to cross your personal ethical line, make it easy on the person who is doing the asking. Just tell them that you cannot believe that they would ask you to do such a thing. Just tell them that you cannot believe that they would ask you to betray your personal sense of ethics.
Listen carefully to their arguments. They will talk about the need to keep lines of communication open. Dear god; what arrogance. Barton is going to listen to them?
53 comments:
Thank goodness someone is saying what needs to be said. I will not only not vote for Barton, I will support Dr. Cobb. By not voting the race, you are still helping the Barton camp. If we all go with the outsider, it will send a message to the other cronies. Cobb may not have any political experience, but that is EXACTLY what we need.
I must admit, I have known Dr. Cobb for years. He can be rough around the edges, but he tells it like it is. Barton won't even take a stand. I disagree with Cobb on many issues. I don't know where he stands on the environment, but I do know where Barton stands. He will do anything to keep the power that he has to pad his wallet.
Hell, if nothing else, I would pay good money to hear Cobb deal with Conley's outbursts. When Cobb is in the Judges seat, Conley won't be such a loud mouth.
It is simpler than all of this. The current county management is NOT working for the community.
Commissioners do not work together. Current priorities are questionable.
Simply put, we need a change and we can do so by voting out the current incumbents. Honestly it has little to do with Republican vs. Democrat. It is not so much personalities or who is the bigger bully. It is more that we need a positive change.
The argument that you should vote for someone honest - but with bad ideas - is foolish logic. The argument that you should vote for your party candidate - regardless of the quality of the candidate - is foolish logic. And the thinking that you "throw out the bums" - just because they are in office - is foolish logic as well.
A better argument is that you don't vote for incumbents with a failed history, or a new candidate with bad ideas, or a new candidate just because they are new.
Every time we vote for the lesser of the evils, or out of frustration, our world slides a little deeper into the fear and hate abyss. We see that now at the federal and state level.
At the local level, Hays County is maybe the most attractive county in Texas, if not the southwest. If we let it be destroyed by political compromise after political compromise, we will all be victims of our own faulty thinking.
It is time to think outside the political box. "Just say NO to Duds."
It would be most foolish and illogical to vote for Barton, period. He has more ethical foibles and lapses in his time in office than Billy the Kid had notches on his pistol handles. Barton is a bad news bear. Too many political debts and payoffs to make to his many financial benefactors.
As for Hays County being the most attractive county in Texas "if not the Southwest," what are you crazy? In case you haven't noticed Hays County is home to punishing droughts about every 2 to 4 years, wells are drying up, we got a bunch of fools on the groundwater district and there are 5 times more houses on the market than there are being built.
Hays County is in a big funk with funky politicians who make no one proud to be a citizen. If I need to go on blind faith alone, I'll go with Dr. Cobb. Barton is beyond any hope for redemption.
The Republican Party of Texas wishes to thank the hate-oriented voters in the Democrat Party of Texas for their votes for Dr. Cobb. It will enhance our already hugely successful campaigns in Hays County and beyond. Who said we can’t work together? Yee Haw!
I would question the "ethics" of anyone who is willing to send "anonymous" letters describing their ethical values.
And as far as Dr. Cobb's ethics go, his website states that the Austin American Statesman endorsed him. But fails to mention that was for the Republican Primary. It's not exactly a lie - it's just not the whole truth.
What else is he "not" telling us?
Yee Haw, I smell a troll from the Barton camp. Don't make me get mad. I am a Democrat and I have not an ounce of hate in my heart towards anyone, including Mr. Barton, just great disappointment in his political foolishness, past and present. It is my choice as a voter, first, if I prefer NOT to continue to be disappointed. The Hays County Democratic Party Mafia would be best advised not to try to instill guilt in Democrats for voting their conscience. It is high time, in this election! Barton is no Lloyd Doggett, who I respect for his convictions and honesty and plan to vote for with pride. I also proudly plan to support Tommy Ratliff, Anna Boling and Scott Courtney.
Did you say Barton is running as a "bridge builder"? No way! A "bridge burner" yes. He and his so-called family publication started the East-West conflict three years ago as part of a political strategy to fire up East Side Democrats. Barton made the split worse, and very personal, when he elbowed out Liz Sumter in the primary. Now he wants to rebuild all the bridges he's burned. Ridiculous!
If Barton wants to build bridges, maybe he should return to college, get a degree (any degree) and then return to the community to lend a hand.
His website picture (wearing a hard hat,pointing, and saying "build that bridge") is better than any cartoon I've ever seen. Why doen't he stop with the bridges already an get 1626 improved (like he PROMISED 4 years ago).
Our local races are so important to our way of life in Wimberley. We may be the fastest growing County but we can do that with respect for what brought us all here. I know for me it wasn't roads, gated communities, people speeding all around the place, the lack of respect for one another, and big box stores. Our environment and water are so prescious to us and once you lose it, it's gone. We need a person who has a mind to deal with these issues and I'm not sure of Barton's mind (maybe what's more scary is I think I do know what Barton's agenda will be). This is a tough vote but my feeling is Cobb may be the better person.
Organized special interest groups usually control election outcomes. Those would be business owners, developers, the real estate crowd and their groupies. As long as they get their piece of the pie, they could care less about a candidate's integrity. Persuade them to come board the Good Ship Ethics and we might have a chance.
I'm confused? Someone told me Barton's facebook pages promotes that he want to Baylor and UT. So is he a dropout or did he earn degrees from those two Universities?
Barton wants to be county judge, but he doesn't meet the educational requirements to be a sheriff's deputy? He told our group that he was an environmental engineer. What is the answer?
I would bet the farm that Barton does NOT have a college degree, since his own political site does NOT mention one in his bio.
http://jeffersonbarton.com/pub2/bio.shtml
Not that a college degree means very much when it comes to life and politics, but I contacted his campaign group directly and point-blank asked if Barton has a college degree. I am awaiting a response.
i was at a stop sign in Kyle today, and there was a sign that said "beat traffic..vote barton". is there anyone that doesn't realize that a decade of barton hasn't brought us the roads we need.
public servants should be re-elected because of a job well done. barton hasn't done a damn thing he promised me when i supported his bid for commisioner.
you folks in wimberley need to know that barton has done things to change congestion on our roads in buda and kyle; he gave us foods millions of our money to make our existing roads much worse.
i bet us foods execs are listed in his hidden pac.
"he told our group that he was an environmental engineer. what is the answer?"
The answer is, Barton works as a lobbyist for Ducet. He takes money from contractors and helps them get lucrative contracts with county governments. In our part of the county, we call that a "conflict of interest".
In Kyle, they call that "getting it done". Barton runs the newspaper in Kyle (check, Ms.Slovak-Barton). How Kyle residents don't see Barton's questionable ethics is beyond me. When he is judge, I'll bet his supporters in Kyle will get some serious payback.
if the degree isn't listed then it's not there is a good assumption... education's a pretty good thing to have unless you are just into greed.. he can plead ignorance(to the public) on the lack of PAC filings but not to the law.. His daddy can be his excuse as he has filed for bankruptcy more than once and probably could pay for his kid to go to college... that works as an excuse until you realize that quite a few folks pay their own way... just a few thoughts... now I'd bet that both the elder and young bartons know about bankruptcy...
Barton DID NOT graduate from college. He attended Baylor; he attended UT; he did not graduate.
He works for Doucet ---- an engineering/planning firm ---- the typ of firm that gets contracts from local governments. Sometimes they are the primary contractor and sometime they are a subcontractor. But you can take it to the bank, it is not any coincidence that Barton works for such a firm.
As to the Hays Free Press, it is a family owned and operated newspaper. Barton's wife is the publisher. The family paper has been blowing the horn for Baby Barton for years and nobody seems to care about that. I care about it enough, though, that I've decided the newspaper conflict of interest alone is enough to get me to switch to Cobb.
I'm going to broaden my demand. I want transparent government and I want transparent news organizations. I want governments free of conflicts of interest and I want news organizations free of conflicts of interest.
The bravado of the Barton family in pushing Baby Barton for office is exactly what you get when the clan's only claim to fame is that it has been here a long time.
Think about that the next time you hear Baby Barton start one of his speeches. He will remind you that his family are 7th generation Texans. Now there is something that is truly important. That's a reason to vote for someone. Sure. Right.
I'm wondering when will we decide to stop hiding behind the safe curtains of anonymity. Come on folks, this is democracy. If you have a political conviction, if you believe yourself to be right. Show some pride and stand by your words. Let folks know who you are, what your motives are, and the context in which you're speaking. This county and the voters deserves to have real and honest debate. Not the same old gorilla warfare. I'm growing very tired of not being able to examine the source! My name is Daniel Segura, I'm a San Marcos resident, I'm a Democrat and I will be voting for Jeff Barton. I've looked at the candidates in the race and there is only ONE Democrat on the ticket for County Judge. I simply cannot rap my mind around the argument that Jeff Barton is not a real Democrat and therefor I should vote for the Republican candidate. Excuse me for a moment while I recover from whiplash. As a "long time" Democrat, I have always understood that the question of party loyalty and candidate qualification happens at our Democratic Primaries. Just as I got to whiteness first hand in 2008 as a political staffer for then Senator Clinton. The primary is over, I'm looking toward November 2nd. My job now is to fill the seat with a Democrat. If you're asking yourself about your party loyalty. Consider this, the Democratic Party and what it stands for is much bigger than one person. Also consider that a persons loyalty, for many, is the most that they could ever dream to offer such a great and promising political party.
Mr. Segura
Your comments that "your job is to fill the seat with a democrat" is exactly what is wrong with our system today. Our job is to put the BEST person in the job that will work to achieve representation of all the people. When we only look for that "L or R" by the name we are no longer doing our area justice. You comment that we should sign our name so that we can have a real and honest debate but your vote was decided after the primary since there is only one democrat left standing. As far as signing our real name to this blog there can be many reasons why we choose to remain anonymous.
One reason Sir, lack of courage. Grow a pair. Come out from behind the shadows and fight a real political fight. That's if you really believe it matters. If you believe that you're criticism can stand in the light.
How convenient it is to create and live in an alternative fictional world. One where you can create your own reality and its supporting facts and no one is ever allowed to examine your evidence. Sounds very Tea Party like to me. I'm growing suspicious.
Dear Mr. Daniel Segura,
Thank you for an honest, intelligent and very pertinent post. I have often felt the same way you do in relation to Anonymous comments on this Blog. On occasion I have used my real full name but due to the vicious and profane attacks from the opposition (on the left) I have decided not to continue the process. It is not that I am ashamed of my positions, far from it, but for the safety of my family and myself, I must remain “Anonymous”.
I wish Bob Ochoa would make this Blog only accessible for comment with valid IDs. It would give a better accounting of the views of the public and prevent the trolls from taking over the Postings. It would of course lower the reader responses and that may not fit in with Bob’s goals for the Blog. That is his option.
By the way, I usually vote Republican, but I am leaning toward the Tea Party movement’s candidates, more and more. It is a shame there is not one for Texas Governor.
Mr. Segura:
I would agree with the notion that there are porbably many reasons someone might want to remain anonymous. Beyond that, I've always felt as though the importance of the forum was to be found in the content, not the authorship. It appears to me, however, that you are only willing to judge the validity of an argument or statement on the basis of its authorship. Indeed; authorship seems to be very important to you, so much so that you allow it to dominate your analytical skills. That's fine, but I'm not certain that it is a sign of a critical mind.
Give me a break guys. We do have a Tea Party candidate for Texas Governor; his name is Rick Perry. And Mr. Segura, you do have "a pair" but your elevator is lacking a few floors.
I like the Tea Party - the green tea party. Are you anonymously nuts? Why do you favor the tea party candidates? They are wackos who will destroy any sense of consumer protections and business regulations. You think our country went kaputt under Bush the deregulatory war criminal. Watch what happens if Sarah Palin, She-Wolf of the SS, get her way. Crazy, dude.
I agree with you, Senor Segura, about the Anonymous post. But not everyone has the luxury of naming his name just because you think it exemplifies courage.
Senor Segura, what is your profession, business address and telephone number so those of us who don't like what we hear from you can boycott your business and we can spread false rumors about you being a pedophile or a communist just because we don't like your socialist Democratic Party ways. And if you are a student at Texas State, where do you live so we can show up one night and sabotage your bike or car or whatever.
See. I thought so. As positively idealistic as your "name your name" integrity is, there are too many nutcases walking around that will slash your tires or smash your window just because you have an Obama sticker on your car.
Do we miss George W. yet? Hell, no. If I wanted him and his ilk back in power - or the Tea Baggers - I might just think I was one really stupid mo-fo.
Mr. Segura, nice try but you have failed to address the question--which of the two candidates is more ethical and honest? To me, as a voter, that is more important than the party label or "growing a pair" as you put it. Have you even met Dr. Cobb? Why would we want a corrupt Democrat in office just to support the party. Your logic is rooted in the old days of Party Bossism. You may think you "have a pair", but what good will that do if you are not a 21st Century thinker. Please "grow a mind" of you own before you start lecturing at others.
I, for one, don't post my name because I do business with the county. If Barton knows I support Cobb, it could affect my income.
As someone who knows how our county government works, I WILL VOTE FOR COBB. The fact that I am fearful of being "paid-back" should illustrate why I would never support Jeff Barton.
We need new blood in that courthouse! I have supported Barton in the past, but I cannot continue to do so.
Just think of November 2nd as the day to throw out the trash. Adios Mr. Barton.
Is Barton pulling a Lena Guerrero?
According to the Texas State Board of Professional Engineers, Jeff Barton does not appear to be a licensed professional engineer:
Barton search
Falsely holding oneself out to be an "engineer" without any license or exemption is subject to both criminal sanction (class A misdemeanor) and administrative action ($3000). See §§1001.301, 1001.502, & 1001.552 of the Texas Engineering Practice Act (Occupation Code)
If Barton is holding himself out to be an engineer, he needs to be called on it. One can claim to be a "graduate engineer" - if one actually graduated from an accredited school with an engineering degree. However if one is neither a licensed engineer nor a "graduate engineer", there are at least two wrongs that need to be addressed.
Depending upon whom any misrepresentations are being made to and for what purpose there may be grounds for additional civil or criminal liability.
When voting for the lesser of two evils, one must remember that one is, in fact, voting for evil.
And what exactly has Dr. Cobb done to deserve the classification of "evil". I know the man well, and he is giving-up a private medical practice to serve his community. To many, the fact that he is running as a Republican, is enough to attack this fine man's character.
I will tell you this, about twenty years ago, he came to the emergency room and operated on my daughter (after a car wreck at 2am). Without him, who knows what would have happened. Say or think what you want to about politicians. Dr. Cobb is not a politician. He is a man that is fed-up with our government screwing us. What have you done? Go ahead and vote for Barton because he has a "D" by his name. I will vote for Dr. Cobb because he is a fine man (not to mention smart, hardworking and selfless).
"When voting for the lesser of two evils, one must remember that one is, in fact, voting for evil."
Nice Quote but what do you suggest? Not Voting at all or voting for the more evil?
Wikipedea says: “The lesser evil or lesser of two evils principle is the idea in politics and political science that of two bad choices, one isn't as bad as the other, and should be chosen over the one that is a greater threat.”
"A better argument is that you don't vote for incumbents with a failed history, or a new candidate with bad ideas, or a new candidate just because they are new."
Not voting isn't a solution, and if voting for lesser of evils isn't a good solution either---then the solution must be to recruit qualified ethical candidates. Recruiting good candidates is everyone's job and it may include you running for office. Just ask yourself, "Would I do a better job then the incumbent?"
As for Dr. Cobb, the more I listen to him the better he looks as a county judge.
I wouldn't marry Cobb---but I met the woman who did, and she comes across as a very bright person with personal integrity. That speaks very well of Dr. Cobb.
Choosing a Party over a better candidate is a fools errand. Where's my proof? Just look at Patrick Rose and Jeff Barton.
At least this election we truly have a meaningful choice to these two hacks.
That last comment is very true. I have lived in San Marcos all of my life. I remember when Dr. Cobb was one of the only board certified surgeons in town. Surely he could have used his skills somewhere more lucrative, but he chose to help a small community. This clear example of who he is. I have met him, but I don't know him well. I have heard many good things about him and some bad. I don't think it is possible to questions his motives here. It seems to me he is doing what he's always done; stepping-up when others won't.
The only thing I know about Jeff Barton is that he is never there when something big happens (eg Connoly attacking Sumter, votes on tax abatements.).
The Hays County Democratic Party elected Jeff Barton our candidate for County Judge. The argument of whether or not he is a good enough Democrat for any of you is irrelevant. He was a good enough Democrat for an overwhelming majority of Hays County Democrats. Furthermore, I can hardly see how any of you, having expressed your public support of Bert Cobb and therefore having violated the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party can question Commissioner Barton's Democratic credentials.
I'm sure the Hays County Republican Party thanks you.
Casey,
Oh dear me. If I had only know that I had violated the rules of the Texas Democratic Party. I just don't know what to do.
I fear that my life will never be the same. Now I feel so empty inside --- a ship out at sea in a storm ---- a lost soul wandering in a foreign land. If only I had known.
Casey, you are right-on with your comments especially when you bring out the fact that Democrats nominated Jeff Barton and voted for him in the primary election. Jeff trounced his opponent, Liz Sumter the incumbent. Look back on this Blog and see that the Blog owner and most commenters here were practically in love with her and seemed to hate Barton.
That fact being said, I predict the Barton will win regardless of the comments here as the majority of the Blog’s commenters are in the minority of voters in Hays County.
BTW, I am an Independent/Conservative Republican and will vote for Jeff since we are not voting for a Surgeon General, but for someone that will act on the interests of the real people of Hays County and make it grow. I will likely vote for Rose as well.
My reason; is that I do not want Hays County to become a “Hippie State” like Travis County. If you keep up with the local politics in Austin and Travis County, you know what I mean.
Benny boy, you confuse me and probably many of your Republican brethren. You claim to be an independent and a conservative republican while also saying you are pro growth. My guess is you voted in the GOP primary and now intend support democrats Barton and Rose. Borrow a compass from someone. Maybe it will help straighten out your direction, unless your direction is purely financial gain and greed.
The fact that Cobb is educated and a business owner is what is important to me. Barton has never had a real job, and his signature has never been on the front of a paycheck. If Hays County votes for a sold-out career politician over a successful business owner, with no apparent conflict of interest, we deserve to reap the results.
The fact that people can support Barton just because he is a Democrat, is why I have left the party. I am as progressively minded as anyone, but how can I blindly support a crook? The hatred for Cobb is what made me research him. I found that he understands the need for roads in the eastern side of the county and the need for conservation in western Hays.
I know that he will fight to keep TCEQ from controlling our water and support local control. I also know that he isn't financed by "consultants", construction companies or CAMPO insiders. If Barton could say the same, he would have my support.
PS
Someone chime-in on Barton's education. I thought he worked for Ducet. Isn't that an engineering firm? Without an education, why would they employ him? This is scary. Please explain, someone..........
Barton touts himself as an urban planner. Within the profession, the expectation is that you will have a Master's degree from an accredited planning program. Barton doesn't have that.
In fact, he does not have a college degree. I repeat: Barton DOES NOT have a college degree.
Maybe that is neither here nor there in the mind's of some folks, but dear me, why can't he complete a college degree --- especially if he wants us to pay him about $80,000 a year.
The Hays County Democrats wouldn't know a good candidate if they tripped over one.
They have continued to support Patrick Rose even though Rose has voted for most GOP resolutions and bills.
Rose may run Democrat, but his principles and actions are the current Republican priorities.
Barton is very much the same type of candidate. His actions are not Democrat. He is a Republican, and NOT a good one.
So, if it comes down to 2 Republicans, I will vote for Cobb because he is the better of the 2.
Furthermore, I am a Republican and I will vote for Isaac, NOT because he is a Republican, but because he will do the job better than Rose has done.
Rose and Barton are a disgrace to every resident, taxpayer and voter. You can add Jeff Wentworth to this mix as well. What has Wentworth done for the community in recent years that merits his ongoing reelection?
These 3 lackluster officials need to be removed.
I sense a whole lot of Democrats and Republicans may be on the verge of making history, as in abandoning party labels and voting for the person. If this happens, it will be really bad news for the special interests.
"Loyalty" in politics, Mr. Segura, is overrated. Our own politicians prove the point.
Perry was a Democrat, now Republican.
Patrick Rose runs as a Democrat but votes Republican.
Ms. Strayhorn bounced around: Democrat, Republican, Independent.
Barton runs Democrat, votes and acts like a Republican.
Where's the "loyalty"???
All of this talk of whether Jeff Barton has a college degree or not really troubles me. That “qualification” is the last remnant of class discrimination present in America today. It is nothing like race discrimination. It is the elite attitude of the more wealthy classes that can afford a college education or “borrow” one that holds more qualified individuals back from being contributors to the jobs they apply for.
I call them “ring knockers” since I have seen the applicants for jobs blatantly knock their class rings on the desk during interviews when they notice the interviewer wearing a similar ring. When I interviewed such “suck ups” I never hired them. I’m sure you have seen this especially in Texas; A&M, TCU, etc.
You do not have to posses a degree to be a good engineer or a hold political office. Remember A. Lincoln? He aws a pretty good Lawyer and President.
You miss the point of the degree issue. It is not whether a candidate should or should not be required to have a degree.
The real issue is deception of a degree. Barton leads people on, that he is an engineer, when he is not because these days engineers MUST have degrees to be one.
Barton never outright claimed to have a degree, but he leads people on to believe he does.
Yes, you don't need a college degree to be a good politician or a good person. That wasn't the point.
Furthermore, above Mr. Stern stated that he asked the Barton camp directly if Jeff has a degree. I'll lay you odds the Barton camp NEVER responded on his question. Why wouldn't they?
It is deception that is the issue.
Abe Lincoln claimed to be a Lawyer but never went to college of law school. What would you call him? There are examples of this in today’s society. I barely finished High School but studying on my own in the library and such, was able to fool employers to hire me as and Electrical Engineer which I was for some 40 years. I received kudos for my work and several promotions into management. I was never questioned about my education and retired from one hell of a successful career. I grew up poor and couldn’t afford college so I was forced to be deceptive because of the prejudice that existed then and still exists today. There are thousands of non-degreed engineers at work today and many do better work than the degreed ones. I always felt that formal education like formal religion held me back.
I would call him a lawyer, statesman and President. At the time, you didn't need an education, degree or license to be a lawyer.
You are comparing the 1800's to the 21st Century?
If you did what you stated as an "engineer" you could be jailed in some states. Just because you didn't have an engineering degree and practiced as an engineer means you deceived the public.
While it is commendable that you could do the job, I don't think you can say 3 Hail Mary's and be resolved for your actions.
Again, it was stated that having a degree is NOT a cure all. It is the deception of having a degree when you don't that is the question here.
If Barton and you deceive people, where does it end? Do you want a Brain Surgeon who didn't go to Medical School?
Will you take the chance with a builder or contractor who isn't legally licensed or working under someone else's license?
You can't knowingly deceive people and think you are entitled, no matter what your reasoning.
That's a cop-out, Mr. pseudo Electrical Engineer.
If you want something bad enough and you need a degree, go get it.
I worked full time and went to college full time to get my BA degree.
I did the same to get my MA degree.
I worked hard as hell and came from a poor family. I struggle to get my credentials and then had two successful careers.
So YOU made your career by deceiving people. Is that really somthing to be proud of? Is that what you taught your kids? To cheat, deceive and lie? I guess we have some real role models in leadership that have reinforced this prospective.
Higher education is NOT racist. It does NOT hold you back. It gives you options. Degrees don't mean you are smart. But if you need a degree to get into a particular field you better damn well get it.
Re: Mr. pseudo Electrical Engineer
I have been in management for several years and didn't finish my degree until a few years ago. While it is true you can be good at your job and be just as smart as degreed co-workers due to on the job training. What is lost by not going to an accredited school is the ethics component that goes along with your degree program. It is sad Because Mr. pseudo Electrical Engineer who worked as an engineer for 40 years could have taken just one course a semester (Fall, Spring, Summer)and been a REAL engineer with a masters degree for the last 25 years of his career. I realize life get in way sometimes but one course a semester is not much of a work load and paying for just 3 courses a year wouldn't break the bank of someone being paid as an engineer. Not sure if it was a case laziness or ethics or a combination of both on his part, but I for one couldn't live a life like that knowing 40 years of my life has been a lie.
I find it interesting that the "engineer" is proud that he deceived employers and the public.
Well, George W. Bush did the same thing, so it must be the right way to do things.
Bush doctored his school records via a friend who worked in the records office. George was a miserable student. Just look it up if you don't believe me.
Degreed or not, Bush was also a terrible businessman. He began several oil businesses and they failed. Daddy's oil business associates bailed him out or he would have had to file bankruptcy.
You may have been able to work successfully as an engineer, but you are a liar and a con man, pretty much the same type of people we have in office.
Which leads me to an interesting question, "Mr. Engineer", Are you one of our elected officials????
For those of you who might be concerned about Barton's lack of a college degree, you might want to have a look at this link:
http://hayscountyscoop.blogspot.com/2010/09/jeff-barton-college-fund.html
I attended one of the debates between Cobb and Barton...
There were times each candidate stuck their foot in their mouth. That's fine. It's nice to have real people speaking off-the-cuff rather than robots reading from teleprompters.
Yes, Barton is employed by Doucet & Associates. Doucet & Associates offices are on Hwy. 71 West, just passed the Y in Oak Hill, in Travis County. In front of the Doucet offices is a huge political campaign sign for Paul Workman, Republican candidate for District 47. This huge sign informs the public it is the campaign headquarters for Workman. Do you know who he is? He owns Workman Commercial Construction their motto is " On Time, On Budget, On Target", and they are an arrogant bunch of constructors, with little regard for local rules and codes. All you anon's are not idiots (except you Segura),so I'l let you ruminate on the implications and how the lining of Barton's pocket and his friends is not centered in Hays countyy.
I'll add to my previous post. The City Engineer for The City of Dripping Springs works for Doucet & Associates. It's all tied together in case it wasn't crystal clear.
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