City of Sachse Ethics Void in Council

Certain Sachse City Council members may face questions of ethics or even more serious questions with regards to campaigning for Rep. Joe Driver.

As reported by Jay Root of the Associated Press and the The Dallas Morning News There is an active investigation underway by the Travis County District Attorney as evidenced by the halting of the destruction of state records as reported by the DMN. Rep. Joe Driver admitted to double submitting receipts to his campaign fund and to the State for luxury hotels and travel expenses. The expenses collected from the State of Texas were pocketed by Rep. Driver , although his campaign had already paid his expenses. The admission from Rep. Joe Driver that he didn't report the money he pocketed, would naturally interest the IRS, if you ever watched the "Untouchables" remember this is the way they sent Al Capone to prison. This might explain the response from the United States Attorney's Office in Dallas with a no comment when ask if they are investigating Rep. Joe Driver.

Now, why would Sachse Council members Patterson and Smith who availed Themselves to Rep. Driver to make automated calls to his constituents,  representing Themselves as a Sachse City Council person? Maybe there is a "Quid Pro Quo" or a past favor that needed to be repaid. Then we have Sachse Council person Timm who put pen to paper and told the citizens of Sachse not to believe the News papers or their lying ears when Rep. Driver confessed to pocketing almost $50,000 in the last five years while being interviewed on TV.

Folks, here is the problem we elect our representatives and council people the be of high moral, ethical character, which lends itself to a honest person. If we have elected leaders in our community that use the office to support those who would corrupt our government and pocket our tax dollars, it's time that they were investigated and removed from office if malfeasance is discovered. I do believe the old saying that "Birds of a feather flock together". "No man who is corrupt, no man who condones corruption in others, can possibly do his duty by the community" - Theodore Roosevelt

We did observe one favor or debt whichever it might be, provided by Council member Smith and shown in the following photograph. Where is the councilman's sense of decency and respect? Who allows campaign signs at the cemetery entrance?

The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.
John Caldwell Calhoun

ANOTHER BAD APPLE IN GOP BARREL

The one shred of truth from Rep. Joe Driver, District 113 was the statement to the Dallas Morning News that he wasn't the only one Double Dipping. Now we learn that two media outlets are conducting an investigation of Larry Taylor, District 24 for the same over billing and pocketing tax payer dollars for travel and expenses.

We find a common interest of both Joe Driver and Larry Taylor. It seems Joe Diver is a Insurance Broker for State Farm and the Joe Driver Agency in Garland,Texas.. Larry Taylor is on the Texas House Insurance Committee that has oversight of the Texas Insurance Commission. I wonder if this is a common thread in the Insurance industry to Charge Twice for the same expense.

Again, we must suppose that Rep. Larry Taylor didn't report this extra income to the IRS which is supposed to dwarf the amount pocketed by Joe Driver. The Texas House of Representatives has a few rotten apples that were thrown back in the barrel by voters to add a stench of corruption to the House. The Travis County District Attorney and US Attorney are going to have their hands full throwing the Bad Apples from the barrel.

We also learned that Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler has filed complaints with the Ethics Commission and the Travis County DA against Speaker Straus for Bribery in that he gave over $100,000 to have the Campaigns of Joe Driver, Linda Harper-Brown and four others in return for their vote for Speaker. You know it's just as illegal to accept a bribe as it is to offer one. As I have quoted before - " A public man can't be just a little crooked" (Calvin Coolidge)


Larry Taylor



Linda Harper-Brown



Joe Driver







GOP SPINS DRIVER AND HARPER-BROWN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

The Dallas Morning News recent article which ask the question.

"State Reps. Joe Driver and Linda Harper-Brown overcame ethics questions and sailed to re-election last week, as the Dallas County Republican incumbents easily held off Democratic challengers.
But does that mean Driver's double-billing travel reimbursements from the state and his campaign and Harper-Brown driving a state contractor's cars are now water under the bridge? "-Dallas Morning News

The Travis County District Attorney has been conducting this investigation since August. The DA has stopped destruction of documents due to be shredded and made a point not to comment on the investigation, With the Grand Jury in session in Austin as I type this Blog, If I were Joe Driver especially I would be very nervous.

"The Travis County district attorney's office is looking into Driver's travel reimbursements. An official there last week said he couldn't comment on whether Harper-Brown's use of a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 was being investigated.
Kathy Colvin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Dallas, said she couldn't comment about whether her office was looking into either Driver's or Harper-Brown's actions. "- Dallas Morning News

These Non-statements by the Travis County DA and U.S. Attorney's office to the trained and experienced observer these actions may be ominous in their scope and nature for both Rep. Driver and Rep. Harper-Brown.

"At the GOP's county election party Tuesday night, both incumbents said their unsuccessful opponents focused on "lies" during the campaign. Driver beat Jamie Dorris to earn a 10th term. Harper-Brown defeated Loretta Haldenwang to earn a fifth term. " -Dallas Morning News

The "lies" they refer to are the ones that Rep. Driver admitted to in a Associated Press interview as well as a TV interview. Driver tried to blame his opponent for his confession to the media. Rep. Harper-Brown didn't deny she had been driving a Mercedes Benz furnished by a State contractor. In both cases they insisted giving back the Money or the Mercedes Benz was supposed to make things right. Let's see how many criminal in Huntsville would like the opportunity to get out of jail on a "Do Over"?

We as citizens must remove graft and corruption from our government when ever and where ever it is found. For we must remember in the words of Calvin Coolidge - "A public man can not be just a little crooked"

Rep. Joe Driver Texas Mudslinger

Rep. Joe Driver Mudslinger, well when you have nothing negative about your opponent then you manufacture it, sling it and hope it sticks. The Driver campaign with the approval of Joe Driver has resorted to the lowest and dirtiest form of politics to cover his misdeeds. Joe Driver has come out with untruths and bogus sources in his campaign mail pieces and TV ads. How do we know they are untrue we checked them out. Rep. Joe "Pinocchio" Driver should be his new middle name.

This form of politics used by Rep. Joe Driver is often used by unscrupulous politicians who are desperate and sink to the lowest form of human behavior, which shouldn't be hard for Joe, after pocketing more than $50,000 in Public funds to live the High Life. Then tells the interviewer "This is going to screw my week up".

On the other hand the opponent Jamie Dorris has run a clean honest campaign, mostly using quotes from Rep. Driver. The confession to the Associated Press that he had been pocketing tax payer money for as long as he could remember and saw nothing wrong with that. I also have noticed the Dorris campaign has not made any personal attacks or mud slinging. The Dorris campaign has informed the voter about the character and honesty of Rep. Joe Driver. As, I have said in past, who would put an admitted thief back in the bank vault to guard our money.

I have added a visual to this article so you might visualize him the next time his campaign makes outlandish remarks about Jamie Dorris. Also, remember Joe Driver as the "Texas Mudslinger" rolling in the dirt of personal attack politics.

ROWLETT TEA PARTY PICKS A LEMON

Sorry folks, But as a member of a much larger Tea Party I have to call them like I see them. The Tea Party  shouldn't be endorsing candidates of one political party or the other but educating the electorate as to their choices. The Tea Party was formed to be inclusive of all political persuasions, for that reason it was decided not to endorse anyone. Although there are a few rouge elements out there that lose sight of the goal. One way to change our government is not to reward those who work for self benefit and not constituents. What are we saying to our children by example when we support a politician that has taken the voters money and pocketed it in their bank account? If, Joe Driver had not been called on his DoubleDip ways, he would still be pocketing money from the People of Texas.

Making excuses for Joe Driver may cover the foul smell of corruption for some people, but I know that if the events were presented to a child, they would call it what it is "Stealing Money". How can you teach our most valuable assets our Children the difference between Right and Wrong? if we teach them "It's OK to Support and Vote for Joe Driver because he has an (R) by his name. So, should we be surprised when they grow up they follow Mom and Dad's lead and support the Corruption over Honest Government.

Joe Driver will have to face an investigation and possibly a Grand Jury in Travis county sometime after the election. Rep. Joe Driver who confessed to his Double Dipping ways to the Associated Press with only the statements like "This sure screws my week" shows how long the conscience of a Scallywag reserves time for remorse.

Well, I've included a Photo of the unrepentant Rep. Joe Driver after the election so those of the Tea Party can get a taste of the Lemon they have chosen to endorse. Remember this endorsement will last past the election and just as Joe Driver will be remembered for his corruption so will you for supporting him.

One last thing about Joe Driver don't let him "Pee on your leg and tell you it's raining". because "A fool and his money are soon parted".

"TRUST ME"

Rep.Joe Driver Needs Ethical and Moral GPS

Texas Rep. Joe Driver announced to the Press that he had repaid $49,456.00 to his campaign the amount he had pocketed from double dipping. Well, Surprise! Surprise! in reviewing the latest filings with the Texas Ethics Commission that $49,456.00 is nowhere to be found. Do we have another error or is Joe Driver's Moral Compass stuck in the wrong direction again, maybe Joe Driver's Moral Compass has been missing the pointer for the last 18 years. The Question I have is "Where's The Cash Joe?" Although I do believe the Travis County DA will get to the answers posed by Media and Constituents in this matter.

We still have a problem with the placement of a Re-Elect Rep. Joe Driver Campaign sign inside the entrance of The Sachse Cemetery. Is the placement another error in judgement or a loss of understanding of decorum and decency. We cannot understand why the City of Sachse or the Cemetery board would allow anyone to desecrate the cemetery grounds with any political signage. Is Rep. Driver so desperate he must campaign within the cemetery grounds for votes.


Sachse Cemetery Entrance Sachse,TX

 Well, now Rep. Driver's campaign has left the paved path of respectable campaigning to attemp a short cut down a dirt path with portions knee deep in mud. This quote comes to mind:" He who slings mud generally loses ground." (Adlai E. Stevenson)

REP. JOE DRIVER CEMETERY CAMPAIGN

Folks, If I hadn't seen this for myself I wouldn't have believed it. A Re-Elect Joe Driver campaign sign just inside the entrance to the Sachse Cemetery. I'm not even going to venture a guess as to the electorate he is trying to reach.
It seems Rep. Driver goes from not knowing it's wrong to pocket State expense money after his campaign has already paid the expense, to intruding upon the sanctity of a Cemetery with his campaign signs.  What is the next progression in political missteps and unethical  behavior?

To refresh our memory some The Dallas Morning News Watchdog report gave the details of the Double Dip Driver scam perpetrated on the People and State of Texas.

Another question that needs an answer is who allowed Rep. Joe Driver to place this campaign sign at the entrance of the Sachse Cemetery?

We believe Rep. Joe Driver and those who allowed the placement of a campaign sign in this location owes the families with loved ones at rest in the Sachse Cemetery and the citizens of Sachse an apology.

THE JOE DRIVER SYNDROME

The video produced by the Lone Star Project hits the nail on the head. The question is will voters,some news and bloggers comprehend the seriousness of this transgression committed against the people of District 113 and Texas. I have read some bloggers that claim Joe has been a friend and I know him to be honest, well evidently a confession of guilt from his mouth isn't enough to penetrate the common sense portion of the brain.
To condone theft and malfeasance from an elected official with the intention of supporting their re-election is the same as saying "Well I had this leach attached to my back side and although it has continued to suck blood and grow larger, I've grown fond of it I don't want it removed" I must shake my head and marvel at the misguided logic of some people. This thinking I've labeled the "Joe Driver Syndrome" it must be a malady because a well person wouldn't think this way.

I think only Rep. Joe Driver the Travis County District Attorney, possibly the IRS and those in the legislature are really aware of the seriousness of the charges facing Rep. Driver.  Joe Driver has recently told reporters he won't answers any more questions or grant anymore interviews till after the election. Does this sound like a man that is proclaiming his innocents?   There are plenty of questions to be answered the people of Texas deserve answers.

With all the bannering and political posturing  a quote come to mind that sums it up. I will leave you with the thought and quote.
"Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong."  ~Richard Armour

Dallas News Goes With Dorris Over Driver

The editorial staff of the Dallas Morning News has decided to endorse Jamie Dorris a first time candidate for The Texas House District 113 over nine term incumbent Joe Driver. It is best stated by the Dallas News "State Rep. Joe Driver's double-dipping on travel reimbursements is such a lapse in ethics and judgment that it's impossible to recommend him for re-election from Garland-based House District 113."


Driver's double dipping was practiced over 18 years in the House, he would charge his campaign for Air Fare, Hotels, mileage and expenses, then he would submit the same receipts for the same expenses to the State which he would then pocket. All he could say to the AP reporter that confronted him with his misdeeds was "It pretty much screws my week.".He seems unable to take responsibility for his actions, making excuses such as he was doing what others in the House of Representatives were doing. and he just made an error, he didn't know he was doing anything wrong. Why would anyone in their right mind send a person back to Austin to represent them that couldn't determine the difference between right and wrong.  Also, this error that Driver insist on calling it is currently being investigated by the Travis County District Attorney.

The Dallas Morning News found favor with candidate Jamie Dorris for Her "instincts seem right on environmental and transit issues and the need for bi-partisan solutions." For the complete article from the Dallas Morning News Click here.