Behavior Quote by George Will
“Jay Carney, whose unenviable job is not to explain but to explain away what his employers say, calls the IRS’s behavior “inappropriate. ” No, using the salad fork for the entree is inappropriate. Using the Internal Revenue Service for political purposes is a criminal offense.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion piece, The Washington Post, 2015
The author likens the IRS’s political misuse to a table‑setting faux pas, emphasizing its inappropriateness.
In simple terms: Using the tax agency for politics is as improper as using a salad fork for the main course.
Key Takeaway
Demand accountability for political exploitation of agencies.
Themes
politics
ethics
government
accountability
Mood
concerned
analytical
serious
Type
opinion
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- policy debates
- public hearings
- media analysis
Key Concepts
misuse of power
public trust
institutional integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can safeguard agencies from politicization?
- How does public perception shift when institutions are misused?
A Different Perspective
Legal constraints may limit direct action against such misuse.
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