The Obama administration has shepherded in a new era of transparency and mutual responsibility, but an onslaught of financial scandal has threatened to derail the core message of his presidency. It should come as no surprise that many of his cabinet appointees bring with them not only vast knowledge and expertise, but a suitcase full of tax demons. After all, they are the quintessential Washington insiders: well-connected to the corruption-ridden establishment.

The dismemberment of President Obama’s cabinet began in early January, when then Commerce Secretary-designate Bill Richardson withdrew his name because of a federal investigation into his business dealings. Soon afterwards, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner had his laundry aired in the national media when it was revealed that he had failed to pay $34,000 in taxes over the course of three years, and hired an immigrant housekeeper with illegitimate paperwork. Then came the disgrace of another high-profile Washington figure: appointed Health Secretary Tom Daschle. His troubles with the IRS and dangerously close relationships to lobbyists and the health insurance industry made it painfully clear that he could no longer continue his duties honestly and honourably. On Tuesday, he withdrew his name as well—and on that same day, Chief Performance Officer Nancy Killefer withdrew her candidacy because of tax evasion.

Now, tax cheaters are not unique to any party; freeloaders exist harmoniously in both Republican and Democratic coteries, all the while maintaining cushy government jobs. What is perhaps most infuriating about all this scandal is the notion of a revolving-door syndrome, where politicians and civil servants flow in and out of the White House regardless of past financial transgressions or conflicts of interest with the private sector. Average taxpayers, on the other hand, are under constant scrutiny. Any indiscretion on the commoner’s part could lead to stiff penalties, or in extreme cases, jail time.

This obvious double standard has been commonplace for quite awhile. But in his first week in office, the president set forth stricter laws to tackle ethical misconduct and promised to open up the White House to the rest of the country, expanding it beyond a select few. On the bright side (if such a thing exists), we are all bearing witness to the humiliating fallouts of administration officials and eagerly awaiting their replacements. While it may be amusing to watch these tainted political figures struggle to explain themselves in the public eye, the standards are set even higher for the next cabinet selections. The president’s team needs to be a strong, cohesive unit in order to effectively implement economic and domestic policies. It would be ideal to bring more progressive voices into the White House, those with fewer attachments to Washington circles—or at the very least, those who actually pay their taxes.