Steve Bosquet wasted twenty seconds of my morning today by touting Senator Don Gaetz’ proposed legislation (watch Sen. Gaetz talk about the idea here) which would fine a candidate $5,000 if they lie about their military service:
In a state with such a huge military population, it only makes sense, said Gaetz. He got the idea after visiting an American Legion post in Panama City, where veterans were upset about Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut politician who said he had served in Vietnam when he hadn’t.
“They told me how offended they were by circumstances in another state,” Gaetz said. “It’s not earth-shattering, but it addresses a felt concern.”
This is what passes as an idea to watch?
Certainly, if a candidate politically stupid enough to lie about their military service (and is not fortunate enough to be running against the owner of a wrestling company as Blumenthal did) won’t they suffer far worse consequences than a $5,000 fine, like running for office and being embarrassed at the polls, then run out of town for lying about having served in the armed forces?
