Blunt settlement

A campaign committee for Gov. Matt Blunt agreed to a settlement of $15,000 for alleged violations in his 2004 campaign.

Democrats in 2004 alleged that Blunt’s campaign didn’t properly report a tour bus leased from a mid-Missouri car dealer, according to The Associated Press. That dealer was later appointed to the state Highways and Transportation Commission.

The Ethics Commission was set up to work under a model similar to the American system of justice — innocent until proven guilty. That means the entity making allegations bears the burden of proof, and the one being charged is protected.

But, Democrats waited almost four years before hearing whether their complaint was addressed. The answer they got was a settlement, which doesn’t indicate guilt or innocence in an official capacity.

Seriously, who cares about Blunt’s campaign errors now? It was four years ago, the man who got appointed to that state commission still serves on it and hasn’t caused any problems, and the governor’s not even running again. Harmless, right?

Wrong. The message to candidates is clear: Skirt the law to win, pay a small price later.

Address correspondence to Joe Hadsall, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802 or e-mail jhadsall@joplinglobe.com.