Perception: Hillary Clinton e-mail-gate has makings of questions

The reason many people distrust politicians is because many of them seem to have a difficult time actually being the open and honest representatives of their communities that they say they are.

Enter Hillary Clinton and her decision to put her State Department e-mails on her personally controlled server.

The question is not really just about legal or illegal -- although that is what it will likely come down to when this is all over.

What this suggests is arrogance -- a pattern of deciding what laws and what rules apply to whom and making the priority finding out how to manipulate them and not get caught.

And that is what scares most people about career politicians -- that they know and can navigate the system all too well.

You see it in many places -- especially from those who have served for decades in their offices.

And, quite frankly, it is a danger that has manifested itself in local and state politics across the country time and time again.

The problem with those who serve in government -- well, at least some of them -- is that they forget who put them in office and develop a bit of a "god complex."

They do not worry about bending the rules or outright ignoring them.

And that is why the Clinton question has to be explored if she is going to be seen as a legitimate candidate for president.

Call it better safe than sorry.

Published in Editorials on March 5, 2015 11:06 AM