“Do as I say, not as I do” has been a parental practice forever. It has also been prevalent in politics for almost as long.

Newly elected Gov. Josh Shapiro has quickly shown that he is special, and the rules don’t apply to him.

Shapiro recently grandstanded announcing that he would continue with limited bans on his staff receiving gifts of any sort that might appear to be trying to buy influence. That, however, does not apply to the millions of dollars his inauguration committee accepted to pay for his celebration of his being named apparently King of Pennsylvania for the next four years.

Greed is a bad first impression to leave, and couple it with snobbishness and disdain for commoners we can only expect Pope Shapiro to have a rough four years.

You shouldn’t worry too much about it, though, because he will do what politicians do best and blame it on someone else.

It is really a shame to start off 2023 with such an ugly political move but instructing others to steer clear of potential bribes and graft only to step in it yourself the first week on the job is cause for deep concern.

“Do as I say; not as I do” should be left to well-meaning parents not to people elected to serve the same people they are thumbing their nose at now. Mr. Shapiro, you can do better.

— RV