Vernon, It’s the Content of Your Character That’s the Problem

Vernon Parker has been the subject of a couple of blog posts in Arizona Right to Win.  The more one looks into Vernon’s actions, the more one realizes that you could almost have a blog dedicated to Vernon Parker’s serious character flaws that should dissuade any serious person (of any ideology) and certainly any conservative from voting for Vernon Parker for Congress in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District.  In just the short time Arizona voters have gotten to know Vernon Parker, he has literally lied and misrepresented himself and the truth in so many different ways that one must seriously question anything and everything he claims about himself and wonder if any or some of it is even true.

Before going back to the most recent stories that ultimately were covered by the Arizona Republic, the Sonoran News and Arizona Right to Win, let’s look at a few things that happened since those stories were finally brought out into the open.  Well, for starters, Vernon Parker went on FOX News nationally and not only lied to all the voters of Arizona, he lied to the entire country.  Vernon went on FOX News and claimed he was “endorsed by the largest Tea Party in Arizona.”  Well, there is a little problem with that claim.  Vernon Parker as of this writing (and certainly at the time he made the claim on FOX News) has NEVER been endorsed by ANY Arizona Tea Party, much less “the largest Tea Party in Arizona.”  Rest assured he’s got his people scrambling to offer anything and everything to find him a Tea Party endorsement, but it hasn’t happened yet and he’ll still be liar even if they are eventually successful in bartering an endorsement or threatening one (which is what this campaign does with those perceived to be threats to them politically).

It goes beyond a misstatement and beyond and “oops, I slipped up” comment to tell an outright total and complete lie on national TV.  One honestly must be flabbergasted by the idea that a human being can run for office and make up a total and complete lie and tell it on national TV and somehow think that’s okay.  It must make you wonder about the veracity of anything and everything Vernon Parker has ever said in this campaign or his life.  If you’ve wondered why Vernon read from notecards talking about his life at forum after forum after forum, at this point one can’t be a serious person without wondering if the whole story or parts of it are a total fabrication.

That’s just the beginning.  In a recorded autodialer that has been making the rounds in the cyber universe, that was done on behalf of Vernon, includes another total and complete fabrication (not a misstatement).  The autodialer says “Vernon Parker is the only candidate that opposes amnesty” in the race.  And at the end, you guessed it, this message was authorized and paid for by Vernon Parker for Congress.  If you haven’t heard it yet, you’ll probably get in your email because its making the rounds.

Well, Vernon lied.  Only one of the ten candidates has clearly come out in favor of amnesty and that was when Steve Moak supported amnesty in a recorded interview with the Arizona Republica while trying to secure the paper’s endorsement.  Since he didn’t get the endorsement, even Moak has changed his tune and claiming to have always opposed amnesty, but his prior position was caught on tape.

Bottom line is that Vernon Parker’s autodialer indicated that he was the only candidate who opposed amnesty when there may be as many as NINE candidates in the race who oppose amnesty and a tenth who says he does now (but supported it earlier).  Russell Pearce, the author of SB 1070 is supporting two candidates in this race, neither of whom is named Parker.  Senator Pearce is a staunch opponent of amnesty and you can rest assured that the candidates he’s supporting in the race oppose it as well.  On that basis alone, it’s shameful that Vernon Parker has chosen to spread lies about all of his opponents and he owes them (and Russell Pearce) an apology.

What are some of the other whoppers in Vernon’s life? Well, I guess a pretty big one was when Vernon allegedly lied on his application for special (affirmative action) status as a disadvantaged or minority business classification that would move him to the front of the line before others to get a $1.25 million government handout.  Vernon said he wasn’t an employee of the government when he applied.  But he still collected a paycheck and benefits for many months after applying.  The simple fact of the matter is that any objective look at Vernon’s character reveals a willingness to lie if it serves his self-interest and there were 1,25o,ooo ways that lie would have served Vernon’s self-interest.

And the debate over this particular lie is actually used to benefit Parker by obscuring the real question:  Why was Vernon Parker applying for special disadvantaged or minority status to move other more capable an experienced candidates aside so that he could access $1.25 million in taxpayer dollars?  If he were running as a liberal Democrat in Philadelphia, it would be par for the course.  But you can’t say you’re a conservative and oppose affirmative action when you used it yourself to cash in and get rich.  And when Vernon got investigated for his alleged misdeeds, he now has sued the government in an effort to secure an additional $2 million in taxpayer money for his trouble.  That says it all.

Vernon’s bread  and butter is being the victim.  He’s used it to get ahead and get rich. And he’s using it to obscure his lies by claiming victim status again and asking for $2 million more from the taxpayers.  And he’s playing the victim to try to win votes.  But Vernon is no victim.  He’s actually been and continues to be the victimizer of the taxpayers.  Vernon has still never answered fundamental questions.  Did you apply AT ALL for special status as a minority or disadvantaged business with the Small Business Administration?  Yes or No?  Did you ever secure taxpayer dollars (and how much and can you document all received) as a result of that status?  Yes or No?  Did you ever secure taxpayer dollars in any other way (how much and will you document it)?  Have you ever helped others acquire that very status for their businesses?  Yes or No?  Have you ever assisted others to receive government contracts or grants or loans?  Yes or No? Vernon has never answered these questions and let’s face it, our media here generally doesn’t trouble themselves too much with extra work or questions.  That’s what allows candidates like Parker to even get this far.  If proper media scrutiny were paid to these issues, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Vernon Parker has been caught lying again and again.  And his campaign, by far, has been the dirtiest, sleaziest operation of any of the 10 in Arizona’s 3rd District.  He spread rumors about one candidate being in rehab without owning the comment or offering any proof or substantiation.  He and his operatives spread stories about other candidates (yes, that is plural) that were deeply offensive and damaging and totally unsubstantiated and untrue.  No care to them because all were to benefit Vernon.  And Vernon claims to have served as a substitute Pastor for two years at a church.  Did he, really?  That is a darn scary thought, but on behalf of the possible flock attending, we can take some solace in knowing it’s very possibly completely fabricated or at least totally exaggerated.

There is one dangerous and reckless supporter of Vernon’s that goes around town actually making the absurd claim that Vernon’s already been vetted by the FBI so he’s the only candidate who could win the primary who will have no dirt on him.  No statement could be more untrue or more idiotic.  Some people say this lady wears a sequined hat in order to keep the space aliens from eating her brain matter.  If that were true, we’d have to say that she must have slept with her hat off because they seem to have gotten some.  Vernon is the subject of an investigation.  Vernon may have seriously violated the law.  Vernon has now counter-sued and assuming the litigation continues, we will learn a lot more about Vernon and what went on before this issue is resolved.  Vernon has lied on national TV with a straight face.  Vernon has spread absolute and total lies in his autodialers.

The simple fact of the matter is that there is no candidate in this race with more ethical baggage and political vulnerability than Vernon Parker.  If you are a Republican and a true conservative, unless you are Vernon Parker’s mother or his wife, it would be the height of extreme irresponsibility to vote for this deeply flawed man.  Vernon Parker’s absolute lack of character disqualifies him from this position.  He’s made a career and a lucrative one playing the victim, taking advantage of affirmative action laws (that NOW he claims to oppose) and telling absolute lies and falsehoods for the sole purpose of benefitting himself personally.  There are some who are not qualified to win the 3rd District seat because they lack knowledge or experience in the political arena.  Vernon Parker is the sole candidate that lacks the ethics, character and integrity to be considered in this race.