Now we need to consider the ex-Public Security Director who started this campaign against Pallin. The big problem that McCain and Pallin are running against is the culture of an entitled bureaucracy. The “Civil Service” has two components, one elected and the other appointed. That definition goes back to 18th century England. Both tend to become entrenched and deeply corrupt. Pallin had a Department Head who calculated that the old rules of get along go along in a unionized government administration meant that you handled a problem like an abusive trooper by kicking the can down the road as long as possible and then issuing a nominal suspension that is subsequently cut in half. Pallin said “No. You do your job.” The Department Head figured that he knew everybody and the trooper knew everybody and it would blow over until everybody retired. That is the way these things work. Pallin offered to move him to another Department, proving that she is not only principled but a savvy player herself.