Oh, to be on the federal payroll

Too bad the federal ethics laws don't apply in Montgomery County.

Here is a link to another blog citing to an article in USA Today about Air Force Employees who may have violated ethics standards by appearing in a video in which the pilots talk a product (in this case an advanced "dogfighter").

The blog discusses whether this directly violate ethics regulations that prohibit federal employees from misusing their position for private gain (see 5 CFR § 2635.702).

In Montgomery County Public Schools, our Board of Education and Superintendent let folks go traveling to endorse Promethean products and other fancy technologies. Principals run private businesses in their buildings - after all - this is all just part of the job, and we know we can't pay them what they are really worth.

Perhaps, if MCPS invested in people instead of products, we could pay our teachers and administrators what they are worth, instead of having them go out and sing for more money.

The bigger question - will Dr. Weast and Company accept stimulus money, with all its restrictions for disclosure? Perhaps we should ask to include a moral compass in with every electronic payment.