As he has nothing really to do, it is hard for a lieutenant governor to win distinction. There are stories of lieutenant governors who died in their offices, their indisposition unnoted for months or even years.
Nonetheless, the present l.g., Mark Darr, has promised to make a name for himself — (something other than “Fatuous Twerp,” which is the security detail’s code name for him) — and pursues his goal in a flighty and pesky sort of way.
As a candidate, Darr spoke of singlehandedly resisting President Obama’s health-care reform, a subject well beyond his authority, and comprehension. He was ignored, naturally. Undaunted, as an officeholder he’s said he’ll join another inconsequential sort, the lieutenant governor of Missouri, in a lawsuit to assure inadequate health care at least for Arkansans and Missourians. (A bi-state slogan: “Come die in the Ozarks.”) Maybe he’ll sue to prevent the expenditure of federal highway money in Arkansas, as well as federal assistance to public schools, and relief for disaster victims. Satan finds uses for idle hands.
What Satan can do, Secretary of State Mark Martin can do. As custodian of the Capitol grounds, Martin surely could find a riding lawnmower for Darr, a hose, some clippers. There are probably tiles that need replacing, cars in Martin’s large fleet that could stand a good wash. At the end of a hard day’s work, the lieutenant governor will be thinking libation, not litigation, and be much less likely to embarrass his fellow Arkansans.
