Protest Filed to Chief's Irresponsible Retirement Plan

I've got to give props to easternband.com. While I don't always approve of the way things are presented on that site, it probably does more to keep tribal members informed than tribal government can possibly hope, or desire, to do. I've noted before that Tribal Council approved an asinine proposal from Chief Hicks to allow him to draw a huge portion of his retirement upon leaving office after two terms. That means he can get his retirement benefits well before the age of 59 1/2, which is the minimum age for just about everyone else to draw retirement.
Not only is the plan smug and arrogant, it's financially irresponsible. Teresa McCoy, a former Big Cove Council Rep. and two-time candidate for vice chief, filed a protest asking Tribal Council to rescind the action, which Council can possibly make amends to its constiuents by doing. It was unwise and reckless.
McCoy and I have differed on some issues in the past, however, none of our disagreements have been taken personally, a world of difference from Michell Hicks and Cherokee County Snowbird Rep. Angie Kephart, who both advocate an absolutist and elitist position of "you're either with me or against me." It's why a number of people are so unwilling to cross either of these individuals, and why so many tribal employees and tribal business owners are scared to death of tribal government.
I've always believed in the philosophy of Edmund Burke. To paraphrase the Irish philosopher, "All it takes for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing." No good will come out of the chief's self-serving proposal. Furthermore, it would do a world of good for the tribe during these economic hard times, which are just beginning, that its leadership demonstrate a willingness to sacrifice. If Hicks, Vice Chief Blythe and Tribal Council aren't willing to do that, then they need to be booted out the door. While some will suggest that McCoy has a political motive, that doesn't matter. It's the right thing to do.