He has never mentioned American Management Systems except to refer to his management experience there. He has significantly begun the reorganization process in full compliance with congressional intent. However, the country s need for the commissioner s service does not dilute his ethical responsibilities, give him any leeway in meeting those responsibilities or relax my duty to watch for ethical conflicts. Bush administration lawyers and the Senate Finance Committee carefully reviewed this issue before the commissioner was confirmed, and full disclosure occurred then. Appropriate disclosure should continue and receive wider, balanced dissemination and explanation to the public.
Vigilance is high.
I ve seen no actual conflicts and, based on my experience with the commissioner, I would expect none. Still, it s my job to watch, and I will. When someone has come up with a reasonable way to dispose of nuclear waste, I will be happy to change my mind. I also support alternative-energy production and research in areas such as fusion. Again, I say no to fission power plants and their horribly destructive byproducts.