Today Americans for Tax Reform, a non-profit taxpayer advocacy group, gave the first ever “Richard Rich Backstabber Award,” to current California State Senator and newly appointed Lt. Governor, Abel Maldonado.
For those unfamiliar with Rich and why Abel Maldonado should be bestowed with an award in his name, Rich was Lord Chancellor during the reign of Edward VI of England and Solicitor General under Henry the VIII. Rich is best known for perjuring himself in order to secure a death sentence for Saint Thomas More (who happens to be the patron saint of those who work in politics and government affairs). For this horrible deed, Henry the VIII named Richard Rich the head Noble of Wales.
In February of this year Abel Maldonado provided the deciding vote for a more than $12 billion tax increase on Californians, the largest state tax increase in U.S. history, breaking his pledge to constituents in the process. For his horrible deed Maldonado, pending confirmation by the state Senate, will now be awarded the post of Lt. Governor.
The 1966 film "A Man for All Seasons" depicted Rich’s betrayal of More in 16th century England. At the end, More asks Rich, "why Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world… but for Wales?"
Heavily taxed Californians might ask, "why Abel, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world….but for the Lt. Governorship of a bankrupt state?"