When your conscience forbids you from fulfilling your mandated duties you RESIGN

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Despite Illinois Sec State Jesse White's attempts to paint himself as a victim the fact remains that he has abused his office in a way that would lead to impeachment in a well functioning system.

The Secretary of State's signature on an official document is not a sign of approval, it is like a notary stamp. The SecState certifies the Governor's signature. It is a ministerial duty--a formality that is not optional.

The SecState certifies that the Governor signed the thing and that it is in the correct form. He has NO discretion.

If a State SecState decides, "I don't want Larch avenue widened to two lanes so I won't sign this" he is abusing his office and setting himself up as shadow governor.

Jesse White says his ethics prevent him from signing the thing. That's not unheard of. History is full of officials who have found their principles at fundamental odds with their official duties.

A president orders a Defense Secretary to invade Mexico. His morality or judgment prevents him from doing that. Fair enough.

So he RESIGNS.

1) Doing this is my official duty. 2) I cannot do this. Thus I cannot fulfill my duties and must step down.

That's how it works.

Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre" involved a series of Justice officials resigning because they were ordered to do something they could not ethically sanction. They all recognized that they were required to follow the president's instructions. That's why they resigned... "I have a duty to do this act, but a personal ethical responsibility not to. So I cannot function in office."

This new candy-ass "principles without consequences" racket denigrates both our form of government and the whole idea of principles.

[Occam Bandage]

1. I agree. If his principles prevent him from doing his job, he should resign that job.

Though I do not want to see any Blagojevich appointment be successful, Secretaries of State do not have the right to override the Governor.

[truebrit71]

5. Um...Jesse White is as corrupt as the rest of them...

...he's just smart enough NOT to say it on the frickin' phone...

[leftstreet]

2. Conscience Principles Ethics Politicians (you're hurting my thinkbone)

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[rateyes]

3. I'm with you. nt

[babylonsister]

4. Too bad Burris doesn't have a conscience either-

Danny Davis did.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/31/rep-danny-davis-turned-do_n_154430.html

[jberryhill]

8. Perhaps Burris was concerned about who might be next on the list and agree /nt

[Cha]

9. Burris is all about

Burris.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Like pharmacists who won't dispense birth control, or doctors who won't do abortions

Resign, you evil fuckers.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. The pharmacist example came to mind

I didn't mention it in the OP so as to not muddy the issue, but I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Everyone is entitled to their religious principles.

And everyone is free to be a pharmacist if they get the right qualifications.

But you cannot have religious principles with zero consequences. Pharmacists have duties.

(It's like thinking you should pay a lower tax rate because you tithe to your church and it gets expensive...)