Summerland Home for Clinton
President-elect Clinton recently issued restrictions on lobbying for anyone serving on his transition team and for those who accept positions with his Administration (Nov. 14). Clinton is to be applauded for these much needed and long overdue measures. However, the measure of a person’s leadership is not what they tell others that they can and can not do, but the example that the leader sets for his subordinates. We cannot have one standard for employees and another, less stringent standard for leaders. I think Clinton would agree.
Yet, in accepting the house in Summerland, leased for him by television producers Harry Thomason and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Clinton is setting up a dual standard and telling the people who work for him, “Do as I say, not as I do.” That’s not leadership.
One more thing, the cost to the taxpayers of ensuring the security of the President while in residence at the house in Summerland will be staggering. If the Secret Service’s renovation of President Nixon’s San Clemente property, and the cost of maintaining year-round security of the residence, is any example, the taxpayers will have to shell out several million of dollars.
Given the size of the federal budget deficit, such an outlay seems grossly inappropriate and wasteful.
I suggest that Clinton graciously turn down the house offer, and like other presidents, use California’s abundant hotels when visiting the state.
JOSEPH E. MILLER
Studio City
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