EGONOMICS. My new word...

So, I'm sitting in the waiting room at the car dealership (which should be renamed BOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes Again) waiting for them to cure the screeching-cat brake system on our car, when I came across a news article that prompted me to create a new word...EGONOMICS.

First, let me define this new word, and as I made it up, I get to define it. EGONOMICS (n) - derived loosely from the concept in economics, where prices are driven inversely by supply (prices go up as supply goes down). Along this path, EGONOMICS is a term that describes the inverse relationship that exists between affluence and accountability. In other words, how those in high places can't accept the responsibility of those positions because their egos get in the way.

Case in point - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. Mr. Steele was elected as the RNC leader in 2009, but has been under criticism by his own party for his allocation of party funds, most recently for $2000 spent by the party for entertaining donors at a Los Angeles nightclub. Mr. Steele's response was to fire his chief of staff.

Now, I understand that poop runs downhill, and that this may be seen as taking accountability, on some level, for questionable financial decisions which occur ultimately under your supervision. One cannot know everything that happens in an organization of that size. That's not the issue.

The issue is that, in the midst of his own party calling for his resignation, based on a variety of spending questions, Mr. Steele said that he was being held to a higher standard because he was the first African-American to lead the party. (I know what you're thinking..."No, he di'in't")
Oh, yes he did, so here is my letter.

Dear Mr. Steele -

The fact that you MAY be critiqued on how well you do your job is a function of the fact that (a) you are the leader of your committee, and (b) you were ELECTED to that position BY your committee. My guess and hope is that such positions are not filled based on ethnicity, but instead by experience and qualifications.

So, how about realizing that ANYONE in leadership of finances will have their spending scrutinized? When there are problems, deal with them. Investigate the issues, find the problems, fix them and move on. And yes, along the way, realize that it's not the end of the world to admit that something may have gone wrong on your watch. We're humans, we make mistakes. And ask Bill Clinton and Kobe Bryant how forgiving people are in general.

Because you are the top rung on the ladder means that you are most accountable, regardless of ethnicity. However, because you practice EGONOMICS, it means that you will find anyone or anything to blame but yourself when you come under fire.

You claim that you are held to a higher standard. Than whom? Please explain how you have to do things any differently than anyone else of a different ethnic background would. Is there an outline that says that white people have to do A,B, and C, but African Americans have to do D, E, and F if elected to be RNC Chairman?

Just wondering if you can explain that one for me.

So there you have EGONOMICS defined by example (also see Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, Kobe Bryant, etc...)