Maher DUI defies logic, common sense
It would be gratifying to believe that our elected official leaders set a high bar for principle, integrity, decency, common sense, and adherence to the law.
That notion has been shattered at the national level in this ugly era and in countless state and local jurisdictions.
The latest example of a brilliant individual doing something which defies logic and common sense is the DUI citation of longtime Republican State Rep. John Maher.
The man who is a member of the body which makes laws relating to drunk driving is caught violating these laws. To his slight credit, Maher acknowledged his infraction, apologized for it, and pledged that his foolishness will not recur.
It is reasonable to conclude that his misconduct will have no impact on Maher’s career. Influential State Sen. Pat Brown, a Republican from Lehigh County, has sustained multiple drunk driving citations, and he was injured on an occasion in which he was stupid enough to drive a motorcycle while intoxicated. It has had no effect on his status as a Senate leader.
The Upper St. Clair Republican Committee will always endorse Maher even in light of his votes for the massive pension enhancement of 2001, which helped to bring us to today’s unfunded liability of at least a massive $62 billion, the legislative pay grab of 2005, and a vote against the Clean Indoor Air Act, which despite the will of Maher, finally banished most second-hand cigarette smoke to the outdoors.
For the knowledgeable, honorable citizen, it is difficult to respect those we elect to office when they betray us.
Oren Spiegler
Upper St. Clair