By Jim Blaine
Most of us hope that folks really do eventually "get what they deserve" in life. But these days in our nation's capital, such old adages–and many other basic concepts of truth and fairness–no longer seem to apply. Take for example the May11th Washington Post article, “This man runs a federal agency near Washington - from his home in Dallas.”
In the article, Mark McWatters, the chairman of the NCUA, is taken to task for a host of minor matters, while his demonstrable effectiveness in draining his part of the swamp over in Alexandria is downplayed and, by insinuation, impugned. The Post's chief complaints appear to be that the NCUA Chairman 1) "... did not respond to questions emailed to him,” and 2) that McWatters was leading the agency from his home in Dallas. A gaggle of career, policy-apparatchiks are brought forth, frenzied and agog by this "breaking news,” citing it as "...unprecedented and incredibly troubling.” Oh, really?
The article plainly quotes several responses from NCUA's chief spokesman, John Fairbanks to questions posed by WaPo. If you'll call Mr. Fairbanks (703-518-6336) and mention (in a somewhat menacing tone!) the Freedom of Information Act, he'll "cheerfully" send you a list of three-dozen or so responses sent to the WaPo reporter over a period of four weeks in April.
The "real news" is that McWatters refused only to be personally interviewed for the article, but appears to have responded in full written detail to the reporter's inquiries. The reporter purposefully tweaked his "no interview" pique into the underhanded "half news" that McWatters "...did not respond..." "Fake news," "make news,” "flake news"? Any wonder that Americans find the professional status of the Fourth Estate to be "incredibly troubling?”What happened to the Watergate era journalism of Graham, Bradlee, Bernstein, and Woodard? Perhaps the Post is just trying to emulate its crosstown peer in being "fair and balanced"? Evidently "tabloid journalism" is no longer an oxymoron around D.C.
Reducing the 'Swamp Muck'
The Washington Post also attempts to imply some sort of ethical lapse in McWatters’ work routine. The reporter conveniently ignores the unchallenged fact that the NCUA chairman is not required to work from Duke Street in Alexandria. Period. Mr. McWatters is well-known for his outreach to credit unions, thereby bypassing the "filters" imposed on prior chairmen by an entrenched, self-serving, and less than transparent central bureaucracy. McWatters frequently ventures "out into the provinces" to meet with local credit union leaders. He listens, he questions, and then most importantly, he has acted decisively to reduce unnecessary, regulatory "swamp muck" in a balanced, rational manner.
Washington still seems to believe that no good ideas can originate outside the Beltway. Maybe it is still "incredibly troubling" to the alleged "deep state" that the main reason for the Trump presidency is, that "We the people" in 2016 rejected the "SOS" offered up by the traditional standard bearers of both parties. The country has indeed demanded something "unprecedented.” The people want less of Washington, not more. Less bureaucracy, less intrusion, less noblesse oblige. Fewer folks working in Washington is a great idea and true leaders always set the example. Let's hope McWatters keeps showing the way!
NCUA still has a long way to go to recover from its Malice in Wonderland years of the recent past, but the leadership solution is not to be found buried in the wetlands of D.C.
Dallas, however, inspires much hope. Lead on, brother!
Jim Blaine is the former CEO of State Employees Credit Union in North Carolina.