Trump is pretty much a bottomless pit of greed, but you still shouldn't refer to his excesses as the "New York lifestyle." Far from enjoying Trump's opulent lifestyle, most New Yorkers cram themselves into subways twice a day, endure long commutes, and work hard to make rent.
10
I am a registered Republican. Why? Let's not go there. Not right now.
That means--I am inundated (from time to time) with e-mails from President Trump--Newt Gingrich (though not lately)--and the Republican National Committee. I grit my teeth and read them. I want to know what they're saying.
When Mr. Obama was President, I got messages excoriating "his liberal lapdogs in Congress." Prancing about that sinister shape (cloaked and hooded) as he plotted to subvert American democracy. As I say--I grit my teeth.
And now--pull that shoe off, gentlemen! Fit it onto the other foot! How I ask you--HOW could these "liberal lapdogs" be half so spineless as Mr. Trump's diehard supporters in the House and Senate? So craven? So abject? Hey! I have an idea. Pay attention, Democrats!
Send each diehard Republican senator, each diehard Republican representative . . . . .
. . .a recording (with signed photo) of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." Because, so help me! these guys are standing by their man through thick and thin. Honor--integrity--even common sense go by the boards--but they stand by their man. Half the people in America stare at this man aghast--the things he says, the things he does . . . .
. . .but they stand by their man. It may be Mr. Trump and his administration goes down in flames. In which case . . . .
. .. I hope, I pray he pulls them down with him. Gentlemen (and ladies)--you deserve no less! Enjoy the long ride down!
That means--I am inundated (from time to time) with e-mails from President Trump--Newt Gingrich (though not lately)--and the Republican National Committee. I grit my teeth and read them. I want to know what they're saying.
When Mr. Obama was President, I got messages excoriating "his liberal lapdogs in Congress." Prancing about that sinister shape (cloaked and hooded) as he plotted to subvert American democracy. As I say--I grit my teeth.
And now--pull that shoe off, gentlemen! Fit it onto the other foot! How I ask you--HOW could these "liberal lapdogs" be half so spineless as Mr. Trump's diehard supporters in the House and Senate? So craven? So abject? Hey! I have an idea. Pay attention, Democrats!
Send each diehard Republican senator, each diehard Republican representative . . . . .
. . .a recording (with signed photo) of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." Because, so help me! these guys are standing by their man through thick and thin. Honor--integrity--even common sense go by the boards--but they stand by their man. Half the people in America stare at this man aghast--the things he says, the things he does . . . .
. . .but they stand by their man. It may be Mr. Trump and his administration goes down in flames. In which case . . . .
. .. I hope, I pray he pulls them down with him. Gentlemen (and ladies)--you deserve no less! Enjoy the long ride down!
10
The attention grabber does it again.
Trump is a go-it-alone type of person totally enamored of his own self-centered behavior.
His only business is himself and that of his family as well.
He derives great satisfaction from flexing his muscles and throwing his considerable weight around - all for display purposes only.
Look Mom, no hands. My next trick will be __________.
He has abdicated his position as the Leader of the Free World because he no longer has a coterie of world-wide followers he can count on to back him up.
The Climate Change agreement has a very large number of countries that support the agreement and Trump has dumped himself from this large group with no thought for the outcome as it affects the World at large.
Trump seeks total isolation for himself and by extension also for the USA.
He has marginalized himself and would take us down by the same process.
The sooner we impeach this creature the better for us and for the World itself.
The time has come for the experienced elders of the Republican Party to isolate this poor excuse for a so called Leader of the Free World and to unite against him as soon as possible.
Dump the Donald or risk being dumped yourselves - GOP wimps and weak hangers-on that you happen to be, almost without exception.
In order to be a Leader one must have followers and World Leaders will begin to Dump the Donald, join together, and ignore him ..... and by extension also the USA.
Get a grip - GOP goof offs. Dump Trump.
Trump is a go-it-alone type of person totally enamored of his own self-centered behavior.
His only business is himself and that of his family as well.
He derives great satisfaction from flexing his muscles and throwing his considerable weight around - all for display purposes only.
Look Mom, no hands. My next trick will be __________.
He has abdicated his position as the Leader of the Free World because he no longer has a coterie of world-wide followers he can count on to back him up.
The Climate Change agreement has a very large number of countries that support the agreement and Trump has dumped himself from this large group with no thought for the outcome as it affects the World at large.
Trump seeks total isolation for himself and by extension also for the USA.
He has marginalized himself and would take us down by the same process.
The sooner we impeach this creature the better for us and for the World itself.
The time has come for the experienced elders of the Republican Party to isolate this poor excuse for a so called Leader of the Free World and to unite against him as soon as possible.
Dump the Donald or risk being dumped yourselves - GOP wimps and weak hangers-on that you happen to be, almost without exception.
In order to be a Leader one must have followers and World Leaders will begin to Dump the Donald, join together, and ignore him ..... and by extension also the USA.
Get a grip - GOP goof offs. Dump Trump.
6
"Mr. Trump’s excesses chip away at the integrity of the ethics program."------- Someone may not be motivated to go the extra mile (ethics), more than the law requires. They aren't breaking the law, so they continue. They aren't going to get caught/punished. So they are unethical, so what? ------ IQ Scores, that's what! IQ Scores are on Resumes, and High Power Jobs require certain IQ Scores. If a person does not follow ethics, then that person doesn't gain the IQ Point. An IQ Point Total can get very detailed, as an IQ goes from Average to High to Extremely High: by each IQ Point. Power Jobs, Power Positions require High to Extremely High IQ Scores. IQ Score Gains happen way into a person's Age of 52 years-old, and even beyond that. Usually people think that IQ Scores are permanent at Elementary School Age. They definitely aren't. ----- It looks like the Educational Requirement for the USA Presidency needs to go Higher, much Higher. A well-educated person goes above the basic law requirements, and goes the extra credit, the extra ethical mile!
1
Trump voters don't understand and don't care! That's the problem!
4
In order to force ethics on the elected officials of either party I suggest the NYT investigate every single elected official in Washington and publishes which corporation they are receiving money from and how much. Shine the light. We deserve to know.
3
It's sad that we need to strengthen these rules and laws because the person currently in office has no honor.
Many Republicans say that we hate Trump just because he's a Republican, which is not true. It would be nothing like this with Romney, McCain, Jeb, etc.
Many Republicans say that we hate Trump just because he's a Republican, which is not true. It would be nothing like this with Romney, McCain, Jeb, etc.
6
The problems with this particular president reminds us of the laxity of qualifications for president. The article states the obvious in terms of ethics; they were not deemed necessary for 44 previous presidents. New rules are needed now. We need a winnowing process. It should be necessary for a presidential candidate----indeed, ANY candidate as a representative of the people in the federal government--- to pass an exam. Requirements of aliens for US citizenship is a must; why not for our representatives? All Americans are required to pass a test for nearly everything, even children. A Civic Duty exam should require a thorough knowledge of our government. the Constitution, Bill of Rights, American & World History, Finance and all the other Cabinet positions for which the president appoints candidates. Mental and physical evaluations are a must. Before anyone gets on the national stage to spout off for almost 2 long years (way too long!), that person should have to undergo a rigorous vetting process. This is common-sense, not elitism. Would you go to a doctor who didn't graduate from medical school? The how and the who will be difficult. but it's imperative that we find a way to fix a broken electoral system. Congress is not capable, without fundamental changes, to enact legislation for vital change. What is the alternative? To continue down the same path and suffer future illegitimate, even dangerous, people entrusted with the fate of America and beyond?
5
You forgot the part about Hillary using her position as Secy of State to fund the Clinton Foundation and get Bill positions that yield massive payouts. The Clintons took ethical transgressions to never before seen heights.
3
This is the Republican agenda, not just Trump. The fact that they put forth this buffoon to enable their agenda is mainly just an extra stick in the eye, a sneering mockery of the accepted rules, the honest, and the decent. It is not only the imposition of "me first" but veritably "me only" that they impose, because now, they can. Lord help us.
2
Pulling out of the Climate Accords is an act of terrorism
1
What you can get away with. The new ethics. If it makes you rich it must be good. don't get caught it must be good. The fact that this editorial, excellent in every respect, had to be written in the first place may be the saddest commentary on our nation I have ever experienced. I had taken to calling him our Faux-President. Now I'm beginning to think Anti-President might be better.
2
This behavior by donald trump is nothing new for him & the way he's conducted his business dealings for decades. He learned these practices from Roy Cohn (see the New York Times article from June 21, 2016). He warps & skews the meaning & intent of the law to suit his needs. In doing so, it becomes hard to determine if he's breaking the law.
Everything trump does is to enhance himself at the expense of others. As president, he continues to do so at the expense of The United States of America, all of its citizens & the rest of the world.
Reigning in his behavior & actions will be a monumental undertaking. Unfortunately our elected officials in the Republican Party are seeing these ethical & moral lapses as method to gain & hold onto power. Right now they're all benefiting from these bully tactics. But all of this puts not only our democracy at risk, it also puts the lives of every living thing the world over at risk as well.
Without a personal ethical grounded center, this reckless man makes decisions affecting all of our lives for the sake of enriching himself & other wealthy people. Over time, even they won't be saved by these dangerous choices.
Everything trump does is to enhance himself at the expense of others. As president, he continues to do so at the expense of The United States of America, all of its citizens & the rest of the world.
Reigning in his behavior & actions will be a monumental undertaking. Unfortunately our elected officials in the Republican Party are seeing these ethical & moral lapses as method to gain & hold onto power. Right now they're all benefiting from these bully tactics. But all of this puts not only our democracy at risk, it also puts the lives of every living thing the world over at risk as well.
Without a personal ethical grounded center, this reckless man makes decisions affecting all of our lives for the sake of enriching himself & other wealthy people. Over time, even they won't be saved by these dangerous choices.
5
I beg to differ.
Since the election of mr. Trump, the nytimes has embarked on a all-line war against him.
If a government needs law, that is for its people to behave correctly in respect of each other, and to such extent that liberty is not owned by anyone but shared by many so that any offense is punished proportionally.
There's no need for special law to be applied to special case, emerging from the curent laws. I mean, if mr.Trump has used the laws of the land to pay less taxes, he has done it legit.
If he is a businessman, their family members are business-oriented, imposing a freeze of their activities is simply preposterous, and if realized, would require for the state to provide for them to keep their current lifestyle.
Now imagine this situation extended to all the government officials at all level, and the leviathan descended from Cato the Censor would materialize straight up.
Plus, since when a state needs special laws to deal with single people, the state is not anymore fair. This is in fact the very definition of persecutory extent of the law.
The presidency of the U.S. is clearly a case of his own, and due to its high power there was the need to constraint it from aberration. That's why the impeachment was introduced.
Now as the ed board has made its hidden intent clear:
".. failure to disclose financial interests should be considered an impeachable offense.."
this nytimes' clause -to be legit- needs to be validated. Good luck with that.
Since the election of mr. Trump, the nytimes has embarked on a all-line war against him.
If a government needs law, that is for its people to behave correctly in respect of each other, and to such extent that liberty is not owned by anyone but shared by many so that any offense is punished proportionally.
There's no need for special law to be applied to special case, emerging from the curent laws. I mean, if mr.Trump has used the laws of the land to pay less taxes, he has done it legit.
If he is a businessman, their family members are business-oriented, imposing a freeze of their activities is simply preposterous, and if realized, would require for the state to provide for them to keep their current lifestyle.
Now imagine this situation extended to all the government officials at all level, and the leviathan descended from Cato the Censor would materialize straight up.
Plus, since when a state needs special laws to deal with single people, the state is not anymore fair. This is in fact the very definition of persecutory extent of the law.
The presidency of the U.S. is clearly a case of his own, and due to its high power there was the need to constraint it from aberration. That's why the impeachment was introduced.
Now as the ed board has made its hidden intent clear:
".. failure to disclose financial interests should be considered an impeachable offense.."
this nytimes' clause -to be legit- needs to be validated. Good luck with that.
2
Let's cut to the chase here, we need campaign finance reform immediately. The unscrupulous in the 1% have found a way to get even more power - buy yourself a government. Campaign finance reform along with ethics reform will go a long way to fixing our problems.
11
So you expect taxpayers to pay more than required? And you're the judge of what's right?
2
In a reverse of the Great Man theory, it's sobering how a single determined individual can damage, if not destroy, centuries of convention and precedent. And this in the United States, with strong and deep institutions. Now imagine what it would be like in kleptocracies or in fragile, stressed, autocratic third world states.
9
This is just another example of the most corrupt and greedy President that we have had in modern times.
Further, notwithstanding everything else, his most heinous violation, is putting himself, his family and his cronies first, before upholding the sanctity of his oath of office and putting our country first, which is despicable.
For Trump, this is just another way to enrich himself, his family and his cadre financially.
Further, notwithstanding everything else, his most heinous violation, is putting himself, his family and his cronies first, before upholding the sanctity of his oath of office and putting our country first, which is despicable.
For Trump, this is just another way to enrich himself, his family and his cadre financially.
6
The existing rules could use some clarification and strength, but more importantly the American people need this Byzantine legal process to move faster than its current Geological time frame, if our nation is to survive this decade.
3
One of the problems since Watergate is the confusion that things that just not illegal are thus all right. There needs to be a stress that ethical standards include things that wrong but still legal.
2
I applaud the intentions of this editorial, yet its intetion of impact is misplaced. The suggested remedies would to take the choice of the people away from them and allocate it in piecemeal to autocrats, senate, house, congress...
Voluntary disclosure of tax returns have been a story for long time, people know about it. With or without tax returns from Treason Trump, the impact on presidential votes would heve been negligible, people would have interpreted the tax return data the way they wanted. Let us not try to influence the candidature for public service the same way some (mostly Republicans) are trying to influence the voter rolls. Don't you see, the people who voted for Treason Trump, mostly would still vote for him, today.
The so called intellectual analysis of the state of affairs, in my opinion, is focused on the wrong thing - the result of last election. The focus, imho, should be on electorate. The symptoms of electorate malaise have been there - despite a non working congress, (especially the house because it failed to produce a timely budget) the Representatives and Senators have been returned back to office en-mass. Let us figure something to educate and influence the electorate to be more scientific and result oriented.
Voluntary disclosure of tax returns have been a story for long time, people know about it. With or without tax returns from Treason Trump, the impact on presidential votes would heve been negligible, people would have interpreted the tax return data the way they wanted. Let us not try to influence the candidature for public service the same way some (mostly Republicans) are trying to influence the voter rolls. Don't you see, the people who voted for Treason Trump, mostly would still vote for him, today.
The so called intellectual analysis of the state of affairs, in my opinion, is focused on the wrong thing - the result of last election. The focus, imho, should be on electorate. The symptoms of electorate malaise have been there - despite a non working congress, (especially the house because it failed to produce a timely budget) the Representatives and Senators have been returned back to office en-mass. Let us figure something to educate and influence the electorate to be more scientific and result oriented.
5
As this fine editorial states, the US's ethecial sickness did not start with Trump, however he brought it to a new low.
When the SCOTUS decided Citizens United in an predicented procedurial request from the bench the ethical lines among business and lobbyists and government were erased. Considering the behavior of big corporation from Enron to Wells Fargo if it makes money it legal. This will change only when the public stands up to shady white collar crime.
And we have a major political party who is not interested in regulating shady behavior.
Their interests are to protect the single bottom lines of the affluent.
When the SCOTUS decided Citizens United in an predicented procedurial request from the bench the ethical lines among business and lobbyists and government were erased. Considering the behavior of big corporation from Enron to Wells Fargo if it makes money it legal. This will change only when the public stands up to shady white collar crime.
And we have a major political party who is not interested in regulating shady behavior.
Their interests are to protect the single bottom lines of the affluent.
4
We have a wrecking ball in power. He smashes and destroys and hurts us all. For the first time in my lifetime (52) and perhaps in the history of the US we have a president who actively wants to destroy our country, our democratic institutions, our public lands, our education system, our justice system. He hates everything our country stands especially freedom and justice. He is an ignorant, racist, despicable human. It's astounding to me that the powers that be are sitting back and not only allowing this to happen, but defending him because they can get tax breaks or campaign donations. I wasn't a fan of the Bushes or Reagan or Nixon, but I never doubted that they were on the side of our nation.
19
It seems inevitable that where power goes, party will follow. If you strengthen the power of the Office of Government Ethics, the parties will simply devote more money and attention to infiltrating and suborning it. It is currently independent mostly to the degree that it is powerless.
A well-informed citizenry is the only real defence against abuses of power, as Jefferson pointed out. You can't fix a democracy that a decisive, misinformed voting majority don't want fixed, short of foreign intervention.
A well-informed citizenry is the only real defence against abuses of power, as Jefferson pointed out. You can't fix a democracy that a decisive, misinformed voting majority don't want fixed, short of foreign intervention.
4
Trump is a business person, and like all Good Business persons, rules are merely obstacles to overcome, bend, or otherwise circumvent if they actually or potentially limit profit. Hence, Trumps glee in pointing out that he was "smart" in avoiding the paying of taxes.
Trump has no moral compass. He is an egoist, at the very least. Many CEOs and other wealthy folks are of the same ilk: profit is the meaning of life; all else is obstacle to be skirted legally, or illegally.
So, more rules? Pointless.
Refer to the Constitution. Meditate upon "other high crimes and misdemeanors against the state."
Acting a fool may not constitute a misdemeanor against the state, but certainly denying truth, rejecting cooperative efforts to protect the world environment, and other such idiocies do constitute misdemeanors against the state if anything does.
And if people do not like that (which is a party issue apparently, since the Republicans were lined up to impeach Clinton over a bit of sexual No-No in the Oval office....one might think that is hardly a misdemeanor in comparison Trump's lunacy), Congress should consider Section 4 of the 25th Amendment which allows Congress to form its own body to evaluate the President’s fitness for office without impeaching him.
And then get off their butts and save this country.
Trump has no moral compass. He is an egoist, at the very least. Many CEOs and other wealthy folks are of the same ilk: profit is the meaning of life; all else is obstacle to be skirted legally, or illegally.
So, more rules? Pointless.
Refer to the Constitution. Meditate upon "other high crimes and misdemeanors against the state."
Acting a fool may not constitute a misdemeanor against the state, but certainly denying truth, rejecting cooperative efforts to protect the world environment, and other such idiocies do constitute misdemeanors against the state if anything does.
And if people do not like that (which is a party issue apparently, since the Republicans were lined up to impeach Clinton over a bit of sexual No-No in the Oval office....one might think that is hardly a misdemeanor in comparison Trump's lunacy), Congress should consider Section 4 of the 25th Amendment which allows Congress to form its own body to evaluate the President’s fitness for office without impeaching him.
And then get off their butts and save this country.
6
A camel enters a dog show. Journalists, not wanting to appear biased, decide to cover all entries into the dog show on the same basis. For the past year and a half, journalists have been discussing how this one "dog" is so non-traditional - it has a hump, it's really tall, it spits, it hardly need water - could it be a new species of dog? Do we need to broaden our understanding of dogs? Why can't we understand how this dog behaves??
Finally, as this article implies, we are willing to see what is actually there and drop our false "unbiased" analysis of this dog - and finally say it has a hump, spits, and drinks water rarely because it's a camel! All of the behaviors now make sense and we can finally start to manage the damage inflicted by animal. Maybe other journals can now stop covering their no traditional dog that's not in the Oval Office and start covering the camel that is.
Finally, as this article implies, we are willing to see what is actually there and drop our false "unbiased" analysis of this dog - and finally say it has a hump, spits, and drinks water rarely because it's a camel! All of the behaviors now make sense and we can finally start to manage the damage inflicted by animal. Maybe other journals can now stop covering their no traditional dog that's not in the Oval Office and start covering the camel that is.
8
Can we "bullet proof" the language and enforcement of ethics regulations to the degree suggested/needed? Yes, but who can succeed?
Ground floor legal bureaucrats that can succeed, they exist. An incredibly smart, strong-willed, and politically-adept agency head, she/he can be found.
From there, it's a MI operation against internal and external forces. One, the political-office-holding action committee will have a propensity to be wagged. To "dumb it down" until result will be ineffective. Two, the people protecting their power, their birthright ideology, or just their just right to fight, they will do everything and anything to derail, delegitimize, and destroy.
How many legitimate grassroots people will coalesce to choose their requisite leaders of "grassroots oversight" upon the office-holders? And how talented will those leaders be?
If the office-holders' efforts are not effectively displayed IN REAL TIME against a believable standard for success, what real chance is there for "bullet proof" ethics regulations?
Ground floor legal bureaucrats that can succeed, they exist. An incredibly smart, strong-willed, and politically-adept agency head, she/he can be found.
From there, it's a MI operation against internal and external forces. One, the political-office-holding action committee will have a propensity to be wagged. To "dumb it down" until result will be ineffective. Two, the people protecting their power, their birthright ideology, or just their just right to fight, they will do everything and anything to derail, delegitimize, and destroy.
How many legitimate grassroots people will coalesce to choose their requisite leaders of "grassroots oversight" upon the office-holders? And how talented will those leaders be?
If the office-holders' efforts are not effectively displayed IN REAL TIME against a believable standard for success, what real chance is there for "bullet proof" ethics regulations?
Be clear, this is not simply Trump, this is modern day Republicanism. If the goal is to shrink government and drown it in a bathtub, this is how you do it. Haters of government will love this axing of moral and institutional order. It's so clear what is going on even as it tumbles chaotically out of the white house in a blur of smoke, the flames of which are from the burning constitution. Bring down government! (And by the way, let the rising oligarchy enrich without conscience.) There is war being waged against democracy. The worry is, given a choice would America, having only one choice, choose democracy over the 2nd amendment? I don't think so
9
Mr. Trump’s excesses do not "chip away at the integrity of the ethics program, and of the government itself"; they have slashed and burned the integrity of our nation in front of all the world. This amoral, petulant fool seems to be demonstrating that the great experiment in democracy will ultimately fail. This afternoon all I can think is that Americans owe it to our future, to our personal integrity, and to the watching world to descend upon the white house in "huge" numbers (the greatest, most beautiful crowd in history) to protest Mr. Trump's Paris Agreement high crime.
8
When Hillary was anointed Secretary of State, she signed an agreement that any foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation as well as foreign payments to her her family members would be pre-approved by the Obama administration in order to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
Examination of the Clinton income tax returns shows that Bill Clinton received an average of $30 million per year in speaking and consulting fees from governments, government officials, foreign businesses and others with business before Hillary during her eight years as Senator and her four years as Secretary of State.
Flynn is now under close scrutiny because he worked as a lobbyist for a UK business owned by a Turkish citizen that wanted to put together a promotional video pointing out the advantages of Turkish products. While the government ethics group was investigating, they determined that Turkey was the ultimate beneficiary of Flynn's work and that he should have registered as an agent of the foreign government which he did, retroactively. Unidentified leaks from dark government insiders leaked that he was an agent of a foreign government, which the media interpreted as Russia, and he was promptly fired.
Where were the ethics in government authorities when the Clintons were taking money from Russia and Kenya while they were seeking to buy US uranium assets from a Canadian donor to the Clintons or when Kenya was seeking US funding for a pipeline?
Examination of the Clinton income tax returns shows that Bill Clinton received an average of $30 million per year in speaking and consulting fees from governments, government officials, foreign businesses and others with business before Hillary during her eight years as Senator and her four years as Secretary of State.
Flynn is now under close scrutiny because he worked as a lobbyist for a UK business owned by a Turkish citizen that wanted to put together a promotional video pointing out the advantages of Turkish products. While the government ethics group was investigating, they determined that Turkey was the ultimate beneficiary of Flynn's work and that he should have registered as an agent of the foreign government which he did, retroactively. Unidentified leaks from dark government insiders leaked that he was an agent of a foreign government, which the media interpreted as Russia, and he was promptly fired.
Where were the ethics in government authorities when the Clintons were taking money from Russia and Kenya while they were seeking to buy US uranium assets from a Canadian donor to the Clintons or when Kenya was seeking US funding for a pipeline?
3
Mr. Trump probably doesn't have the word "ethical" in his vocabulary. His entire business life has been an effort to "win" while others lose. Nepotism is perfectly acceptable in a private business, but it should not be allowed in the White House. We were lucky that Bobby Kennedy was a decent attorney general. But the 1967 law was enacted to prevent another presidential relative being appointed to high office.
Meanwhile, if new laws are required, then Congress needs to whip up some ethical behavior itself and get to it. Mr. Trump is making a mockery of the White House and the presidency and the rules of decency they have generally upheld.
Meanwhile, if new laws are required, then Congress needs to whip up some ethical behavior itself and get to it. Mr. Trump is making a mockery of the White House and the presidency and the rules of decency they have generally upheld.
5
There isn't much hope for reining in Trump this way - he would certainly veto any "clarity" bill. An override seems unlikely
2
Just for the record, Mr. Trump did not say he was smart for not paying his taxes, he said he was smart for paying not a dime more than required. Name one American who would voluntarily pay more than legally required to. There are a lot of ways in which DJT is slimy, but so far the IRS has not said this is one of them.
4
Just for the record. The I.R.S. hasn't said anything because they're still obviously "auditing" Trump's taxes.
And by the way, we STILL haven't seen them.
And by the way, we STILL haven't seen them.
4
Does "innocent until proven guilty" ring any bells with you?
There are enough known things to keep DJT in hot water until the IRS gets to him.
There are enough known things to keep DJT in hot water until the IRS gets to him.
2
Lock him up
Lock him up
Lock him up
8
I say look to the balance sheets of any company, any entity in which Trump or his immediate family have more than a 5% ownership interest. Trump's attorney said that he has no income from foreign governments, but what about debt? Then we would really see where his true interests lie. There are probably some receivables too, but knowing how Trump leverages himself, I imagine they would be quite small. Think about what it means if he is indebted to a Russian bank for $100 million or more. Forensically examined debt would tell us everything we need to know.
6
I am afraid that his motto of America First and Make America Great Again will take precedence over the rule of law. While that would be taking a shortcut, for instant gratification of a semblance of greatness, he might be chasing a mirage: America will never become like Ancient Egypt, which he praised in one of his speeches in the Near East. And America should not have a military parade, like the one that he expressed interest in. It all revolves around one man, the antithesis of a democracy. But because people feel that is the only way to get things done, people have complied with his demands. I bemoan the lack of patience. The real problem is agency capture and corporate interests, not foreign countries or even ISIS.
1
Fine editorial.
You've almost ruined my day. (No irony intended.)
You've almost ruined my day. (No irony intended.)
2
This man is sick ,deluded , criminal.Others are saying ,how can one idiot destroy our countrys and so many others attempts to help others and to help each other to slow climate change.Everyday He does or says something else horrible.I hope the GOP never gets another man or woman elected,ever. Their
Agenda and thirst for power keeps him in office.Get him out!
Agenda and thirst for power keeps him in office.Get him out!
1
We know our system is broken. Citizen United institutionalized the supremacy of money over the vote. But now that money runs the show, how do we stop it? Even as we speak, the Trump financial conglomerate does pretty much what it feels like and stuffs all the money in its pockets that it can. The Trump value system of gaudy hotels, glitzy shoes and handbags, and all sorts of other trash accumulation is a disgusting embarrassment to our nation.
And now we've got this bloated, pompous ignoramus with the world on tenterhooks, waiting to see what collection of ungrammatical half-thoughts will issue from his mouth and decide the fate of the planet. In effect, a dictator.
USA, we'd better clean up our act. All those "conservatives" are not conserving any of our values at all. Can you imagine George Washington meeting Donald Trump? He'd give him a handshake that would have Donald's red tie flapping in the air.
And now we've got this bloated, pompous ignoramus with the world on tenterhooks, waiting to see what collection of ungrammatical half-thoughts will issue from his mouth and decide the fate of the planet. In effect, a dictator.
USA, we'd better clean up our act. All those "conservatives" are not conserving any of our values at all. Can you imagine George Washington meeting Donald Trump? He'd give him a handshake that would have Donald's red tie flapping in the air.
6
Tut. Body shaming.
And maybe you could look up the definition of the word "dictator".
And maybe you could look up the definition of the word "dictator".
1
Body shaming? Because of his handshake trick or what? What are you talking about?
Dictator in the dictionary: a person who tells people what to do in an autocratic way or who determines behavior in a particular sphere
Dictator in the dictionary: a person who tells people what to do in an autocratic way or who determines behavior in a particular sphere
3
First of all. "Body-shaming" isn't even half of the problem when it comes to Donald Trump.
And whether or not you've noticed it, with all of his Executive Orders, and an almost pathological need for sworn loyalty - Trump is coming across as something of a dictator.
Feel free to look it up.
And whether or not you've noticed it, with all of his Executive Orders, and an almost pathological need for sworn loyalty - Trump is coming across as something of a dictator.
Feel free to look it up.
4
New plan...Break so many rules that it just confuses people. The public can only focus on one rule breakage at a time. Yesterdays outrage is forgotten.
3
We don't necessarily need new rules.
What we need are people ( republicans ) to hold their President and themselves accountable by putting country over party.
Otherwise, we just have to elect in Democrats to uphold the law.
What we need are people ( republicans ) to hold their President and themselves accountable by putting country over party.
Otherwise, we just have to elect in Democrats to uphold the law.
6
What is also needed is a constitutional amendment to give the power to prosecute presidential (and vice-presidential) crimes and violations of the constitution to the courts, just as any other violation of the law is prosecuted.
Because of the political structure, and given congresses' unwillingness to act in the national interest if it jeopardizes their reelection chances, this means that impeachment of the president, the only real check on presidential power, is blocked by the 35% of the country that supports Donald Trump.
The founding fathers did not anticipate a situation like the current one where congress is unwilling to act as a check on a rogue president, thus seriously weakening the system of checks and balances.
Suit for violation of the constitution should be allowed to be brought against the president and/or vice-president in federal court. Ultimately, the suit, if it had merit, would wind up in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, flawed though it is, is still a much better jury than the US Senate.
A constitutional amendment seems far-fetched. But so did the phrase "President Trump" a few years ago.
Because of the political structure, and given congresses' unwillingness to act in the national interest if it jeopardizes their reelection chances, this means that impeachment of the president, the only real check on presidential power, is blocked by the 35% of the country that supports Donald Trump.
The founding fathers did not anticipate a situation like the current one where congress is unwilling to act as a check on a rogue president, thus seriously weakening the system of checks and balances.
Suit for violation of the constitution should be allowed to be brought against the president and/or vice-president in federal court. Ultimately, the suit, if it had merit, would wind up in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, flawed though it is, is still a much better jury than the US Senate.
A constitutional amendment seems far-fetched. But so did the phrase "President Trump" a few years ago.
5
Hey, whatever happened to those Panama Papers?! Right? It's been over a year now. Anything new there?
3
It is mindboggling and depressing to see how Trump, his family and his cronies can trample on every ethical standard with impunity and support from the Republicans like McConnell and Ryan. If this was our African American President Obama committing even ONE of these Trumpian ethical violations, there would have been Blue Ribbon commissions, hearings, impeachments, indictments all aimed at removing him or imprisoning him. This is White Privilege on full display.
8
What prepared the ground for a president with little respect for our institutions? Our political culture is compromised to begin with, thus is not set up to deal with a leader who is really a blatant exploiter of his office for his own gain.
Why does he think he can get away with pushing boundaries it? Because big business has been paying for our elections, and getting excellent return on investment. The Supreme Court is dominated by pro corporate justices. Legalized lobbyists have increased by thousands over years, directing lawmaking itself to their specifications.
The average citizen’s needs are long neglected. Professor Martin Gilens at Princeton proved how most laws are passed per the wishes of the 1 percent, and the 99 pct are ignored.
Jimmy Carter has told how our system has changed since he ran for president---now it takes huge sums to run for any office. Where can ethical standards go? Only down. They are redefined, than rationalized for public consumption. We stand in line to vote for the nominees the rich have picked and marketed to we the people. Even our Dem candidate got millions from Wall St speeches.
Our very norms are now in favor of the elites, to the disadvantage of we the people. Our middle class has more downward mobility than in other capitalist democracies. But compare how we vs they finance elections.
This editorial laments a problem but should describe one of the biggest 1st steps to solution----campaign finance reform.
Why does he think he can get away with pushing boundaries it? Because big business has been paying for our elections, and getting excellent return on investment. The Supreme Court is dominated by pro corporate justices. Legalized lobbyists have increased by thousands over years, directing lawmaking itself to their specifications.
The average citizen’s needs are long neglected. Professor Martin Gilens at Princeton proved how most laws are passed per the wishes of the 1 percent, and the 99 pct are ignored.
Jimmy Carter has told how our system has changed since he ran for president---now it takes huge sums to run for any office. Where can ethical standards go? Only down. They are redefined, than rationalized for public consumption. We stand in line to vote for the nominees the rich have picked and marketed to we the people. Even our Dem candidate got millions from Wall St speeches.
Our very norms are now in favor of the elites, to the disadvantage of we the people. Our middle class has more downward mobility than in other capitalist democracies. But compare how we vs they finance elections.
This editorial laments a problem but should describe one of the biggest 1st steps to solution----campaign finance reform.
6
Unfortunately you are right,the wolf is in the henhouse. We should first jail Trump. Then have a trial with a foireordained outcome. That would be fitting for thgis White house.
1
Why isn’t anybody complaining about the federal taxes that were spent for all of the politically influenced “PAY TO PLAY” NO-BID contract awards, gigantic Military-Industrial Complex type NO-BID military contract(s), pork barrel NO-BID contract(s) for infrastructure improvements, Solyndra type PAY TO PLAY business loan default deals, and other no-bid federal contracts awarded by previous presidents to their political campaign contributors for contract amounts much larger than would have been bid by other contractors?
The very worst of the "PAY TO PLAY" no-bid US government contract awards might be President Obama's $650,000,000.00 CGI Federal ACA software contract to create the new "Obamacare exchange web portal" website. That is 2/3 of a billion dollars.
This interactive website could have been created for a tiny percentage of that amount. This was a gigantic waste of taxpayer's money?
Ask any of your computer programmer friends how much their company would have charged to create the ACA "Obamacare exchange web portal" website.
Was the remainder of that $650 million CGI Federal government no-bid contract just "PAY TO PLAY" free cash money paid to campaign contributors?
I believe that some of the people in President Obama’s government administration need to be arrested, tried, convicted and then sent to prison if US taxpayer citizens want this type of corruption to dis-continue.
The very worst of the "PAY TO PLAY" no-bid US government contract awards might be President Obama's $650,000,000.00 CGI Federal ACA software contract to create the new "Obamacare exchange web portal" website. That is 2/3 of a billion dollars.
This interactive website could have been created for a tiny percentage of that amount. This was a gigantic waste of taxpayer's money?
Ask any of your computer programmer friends how much their company would have charged to create the ACA "Obamacare exchange web portal" website.
Was the remainder of that $650 million CGI Federal government no-bid contract just "PAY TO PLAY" free cash money paid to campaign contributors?
I believe that some of the people in President Obama’s government administration need to be arrested, tried, convicted and then sent to prison if US taxpayer citizens want this type of corruption to dis-continue.
2
Absolutely, the ACA and state exchange websites and back end software were a huge money grab, with a number of them paid for that had little delivered. Think of the states of Nevada, Washington and, oh, did anyone retrieve the code written for Maryland from the developers in the Ukraine?
Not only was a huge amount of money wasted, but federal funds were spent that was used to subcontract work to be done outside the US and/or by foreign workers (H1b visas) in the US. Word on the street has it that a very large number of foreign workers were used to produce the ever so effective Washington DC exchange.
Nothing like choosing incompetence over loyal Americans, eh?
I would like to see some new rules on federal tax dollars being spent in the US on American workers rather than on foreigners who don't know or understand our ways of doing things.
That would be more productive than the whining by people determined to complain about anything done by the current president.
Not only was a huge amount of money wasted, but federal funds were spent that was used to subcontract work to be done outside the US and/or by foreign workers (H1b visas) in the US. Word on the street has it that a very large number of foreign workers were used to produce the ever so effective Washington DC exchange.
Nothing like choosing incompetence over loyal Americans, eh?
I would like to see some new rules on federal tax dollars being spent in the US on American workers rather than on foreigners who don't know or understand our ways of doing things.
That would be more productive than the whining by people determined to complain about anything done by the current president.
1
Good luck.
2
Nice try but the Republicans make and enforce the rules, and there is no honor or morality there. More likely is a scenario where Trump's behavior trickles into state and local government, with the Democrats left as the only ones feeling the need to behave ethically.
3
The problem is that although it seems counterintuitive, research shows people are more likely to cheat or engage in unethical behavior when they sees others in their in-group cheat. It seems to give them "permission" to bend the rules because if "we" do it it must be OK. This in part explain how they can be scandalized by the "other side's" transgressions and blind to their own.
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02306.x
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/inside-the-cheaters-mind
I do wonder if this phenomenon is the true observation behind the old saying "Do as I say and not as I do". People will take their cues from what they observe and not what they are told. Especially if what they are told was defined by some unknown entity and not by their "side". Sadly this means that the more they bend the rules, the more OK it will seem to their followers.
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02306.x
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/inside-the-cheaters-mind
I do wonder if this phenomenon is the true observation behind the old saying "Do as I say and not as I do". People will take their cues from what they observe and not what they are told. Especially if what they are told was defined by some unknown entity and not by their "side". Sadly this means that the more they bend the rules, the more OK it will seem to their followers.
3
Donal Trump: The Lord of Misrule and Imp of Impropriety.
1
Until he became POTUS, the Trumpian behavior, when accused of a crime, was to hire an entourage of attack lawyers and threaten to counter sue. Because the defendant doesn't the funds for a legal defense, the entire matter evaporates. Basically, since was wealthy, Trump lived a life of impunity and immunity.
Ethics and morality are sometimes explicitly the intention of a law or rule. Up to this point the American people desired a President who was 'better' than they were. (Not someone who simply looked 'Presidential'. We, the people, can no longer assume that our President will hold to ethical and moral principles.
Ethics and morality are sometimes explicitly the intention of a law or rule. Up to this point the American people desired a President who was 'better' than they were. (Not someone who simply looked 'Presidential'. We, the people, can no longer assume that our President will hold to ethical and moral principles.
3
You think? You can't expect play by gentlemen's rules when there are no gentlemen in government.
3
Our public government allows commerce to rule. In commerce the guy that is the most audacious in their heist of the public, wins. Greed has become our system's guiding principle.
How do we change that?
How do we change that?
4
Given new rules, the rule-bending Trump clan will bend them with gusto.
3
Great editorial. Unfortunately nothing will get done until the people demand it, and I just don't see that happening with the existence of Fox News.
3
The Republicans are not principled conservatives, which is how they like to style themselves. In fact, they haven't really stood for any principles in quite a while. Rather they are mostly reactionary opportunists hoping to get as much of their backward agenda on the books even as Trump's brazen flaunting of accepted norms debase both the government and the country. The GOP, deformed by 20 years of Fox News distortion and the unrelenting malignancy of Big Money, is a disgrace.
4
I think we need to distinguish between the greedster Trump stuff, which probably can't be prosecuted until he's out of office & the environmental horrors of Trump's reign, which could result in the deaths of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people. In terms of saving humanity, along with other species, I think we best narrow & intensify our focus, as opposed to being in a perpetual state of ineffectual outrage 24/7.
5
One must have and ethical base if one is to advance ethical behavior and principles. Mr. Trump obviously is lacking.
1
Trump and his clan have underscored the "im-" in "impropriety." Let's just hope that some investigatory body can show that they have now put the "il-" in "illegal."
The Trumps' possible laundering of money for Russian oligarchs might prove worthy of inquiry.
The Trumps' possible laundering of money for Russian oligarchs might prove worthy of inquiry.
1
Bold and courageous editorial. One is dismayed as to why in India a Prime Minister or the President , though he has no powers, could not be subjected to any law of the land unless the permission is taken and the very person is the person to grant permission to prosecute and that is the reason there has been lot of Ministers working under the Prime Minister have been prosecuted but the Prime Minister is not or never. Indian Prime Minister has very cleverly blocked the New law being implemented of Lokpal since that is the only law enacted before the present PM came to power which can prosecute the Prime Minister without seeking permission from anyone. Modi while as a Chief Minister of Gujrat made Lokayukt dysfunctional all the years that he was in power and while he is PM he is ensuring that Lokpal does not come into being functional. It is a tendency on the part of politicians who do not work transparency and be accountable while they seek the same from all others. Trump could be so disastrous is unimaginable. But the media unlike in India which has surrendered to the establishment, has not in America and that is the reason Trump accuses media often. Thanks New York Times.
1
Ethics does not enter into the minds of businessmen or millionaires so talking about them is just to self-assure the masses that playing by the rules and having a moral compass is good. We have had Presidents who have secretly no morals and play by no rules. King Trump does it in front of us and now we can see the corruption in Congress. If we want ethics back into our system, we need to hold them accountable by impeaching them, recalling them, and not voting for any millionaire or businessmen or lawyer or .... It is time we run for office ourselves, the little guy before they make a mockery of our country.
2
Frequently I hear political pundits remind us that although Trump is the ruinator-in-chief,we should fear not, that the system is working. So, I ruminate about the system, and because I am one of those people who always seeks original sin, I think I have found it.
The designers of the Constitution created a magnificent document which, though full of compromise, mirrored their greatest fear: a too powerful central government. Their error was assuming men of integrity running it.
What must have been inconceivable was the possibility that one man could embody all the flaws possible in mankind.
They cannot be blamed for not foreseeing Donald Trump, a man of prodigious ignorance, so possessed by greed, consumed by pride and psychologically flawed , so hateful and bent on revenge,a man harboring no molecule of integrity could ever become the government's leader.
The designers of the Constitution created a magnificent document which, though full of compromise, mirrored their greatest fear: a too powerful central government. Their error was assuming men of integrity running it.
What must have been inconceivable was the possibility that one man could embody all the flaws possible in mankind.
They cannot be blamed for not foreseeing Donald Trump, a man of prodigious ignorance, so possessed by greed, consumed by pride and psychologically flawed , so hateful and bent on revenge,a man harboring no molecule of integrity could ever become the government's leader.
5
And yet, the answer was actually found in the Electoral College. Unfortunately, it appears as if none of them read the reasoning behind the creation of the college which was to save democracy from the whims of the people. They totally abdicated their duty to this country when they rubber stamped the Electoral vote.
5
Trump is not a thoughtful person. Trump is driven by selfish, base interests, not by any principled set of convictions. Trump has no boundaries. Trump has no sense of responsibility to the nation. Trump is all id and no superego. Anyone who trusts him without continual monitoring is asking for big problems.
24
"Set foot," not "stepped foot." Argh.
1
As this nightmare of a presidency continues on its current track to its befitting end, eventually exposing Trump's long history of financial malice and deceit - maybe treason, justice may be finally be served if all of his, and his accomplices' assets are seized by the DOJ.
1
Paying taxes is our civil responsibility
It makes for a functioning society
Paying lobbyists to write legislation to give tax breaks to certain groups and funding candidates directly may not be illegal but it is immoral and unethical
The dems need a spine and the republicans need an apocalypse
It makes for a functioning society
Paying lobbyists to write legislation to give tax breaks to certain groups and funding candidates directly may not be illegal but it is immoral and unethical
The dems need a spine and the republicans need an apocalypse
4
Those taxes are difficult to swallow when they fund $50,000 pothole fillers, $100,000 cops and $1,000,000 retirement plans for teachers.
It's the national version of the broken windows policy, enforce the laws or risk the loss of the rule of law. All of us know people like Trump and his family, who only obey social customs and laws that provide them with advantages while they evade or break all that don't. If the laws are enforced consistently, it's not worth their efforts to evade or break them so they do so less. If the laws are not enforced consistently, they will defy any that inconvenience them right up to violating the rights of others.
2
Go to www.transparency.org which rates country's level of corruption.
We really should be paying more attention to Thomas Piketty words too.
We really should be paying more attention to Thomas Piketty words too.
2
Is it any wonder that this administration's very first efforts were in expressing the desire the end the Ethics Committee?
5
The unethical administration, starting with its head and extending to the tips of its tentacles, is something that the voters asked for in 2016. One can only wait for the tide of popular sentiment to turn, but if it does not, then it is the end of the US, as it was known for 240 years.
4
You cannot legislate ethics. But you can elect it. If you have an ethical government, you are much more likely to have an ethical country. And vice versa.
2
Remind me when that last was present?
1
I can imagine circumstances in which a president's relative might be an excellent choice as an advisor. I'm not sure precluding relatives completely is a good idea. We could require Senate confirmation by 2/3 majority. That would insure that the proposed advisor is at least qualified. Were such a rule in place we would not have the Kushner's in the White House.
3
The author's quote regarding not paying taxes as 'smart' has nothing to do with ethics. No one should be criticized because they followed the 'rules'. Simplification of the tax code rules, including the elimination of various loopholes (called deductions when we take them), so that it is fair to all of us, would produce more 'ethical' behaviors.
The belief that all of human behavior can be codified by legislative rules is simply a full employment policy for bureaucrats.
The belief that all of human behavior can be codified by legislative rules is simply a full employment policy for bureaucrats.
1
The Trump crime family has exposed all of the weak links in legally enforcing American ethics.
We know the old saw of the error in "assuming."
Therefore all of the legal holes must be plugged: those hopeful for president/vice president and all cabinet members must be vetted by a non-partisan office before even reaching the level of candidacy. All financials must be on the table before even running.
The non-partisan office can also appoint an independent prosecutor should anyone reach office and break conflict of interest, treason and nepotism laws.
We also need to fix some serious ills that are plaguing our country: remove the antiquated electoral college; revoke Citizens United; pass the Equal Rights Amendment; require showing up at the voting booth (eliminates voter suppression and voter ID laws); replace gerrymandering with an algorithm to set up districts; remove "right to work" legislation and finally, Single Payer healthcare.
We know the old saw of the error in "assuming."
Therefore all of the legal holes must be plugged: those hopeful for president/vice president and all cabinet members must be vetted by a non-partisan office before even reaching the level of candidacy. All financials must be on the table before even running.
The non-partisan office can also appoint an independent prosecutor should anyone reach office and break conflict of interest, treason and nepotism laws.
We also need to fix some serious ills that are plaguing our country: remove the antiquated electoral college; revoke Citizens United; pass the Equal Rights Amendment; require showing up at the voting booth (eliminates voter suppression and voter ID laws); replace gerrymandering with an algorithm to set up districts; remove "right to work" legislation and finally, Single Payer healthcare.
6
While I totally agree with the concept, you are going out of your way to unfairly pick on our President.
1
The reason this president is "picked on" is that he and his administration is without precedent directly and egregiously violating those very concepts you just SAID you agree with!
3
No mention of Obama administration! Were you asleep the last eight years? Why do you think Trump was elected?
1
Bob, Trump was (almost) elected because of an outdated, unneeded electoral system that we should now know that its time to get rid of. He was also elected because a lot of ill-informed people listened for decades to far right wing conspiracy theories, investigations and hearings about the Clintons, none of which ever produced indictments. There are lots of other reasons why Trump won, but you can bet your last dollar that this travesty will not happen again because hopefully, we all have our eyes open and have learned a great lesson.
2
You're kidding, right?
Trump won because he promised pie-in-the-sky, by bragging he could fix the problems he (naively) believed the outgoing POTUS created. He managed to deflect attention of his own malfeasance from himself, by continually pointing to the albatross around his Democratic opponent's neck (which his party put there, in the first place), and by telling the rubes gullible enough believe him; not smart enough to know better, he, and he alone could "make America great again." (paraphrasing from another GOP knucklehead, Sarah Palin, "how's THAT workin' for ya, Sunshine?")
So, why has Trump succeded in bending the rules?
Because he IS Donald Trump; who does it because he can; because he foolishly thinks he's above it all, and he had the fools who elected him think so, too.
We're you one one them?
Trump won because he promised pie-in-the-sky, by bragging he could fix the problems he (naively) believed the outgoing POTUS created. He managed to deflect attention of his own malfeasance from himself, by continually pointing to the albatross around his Democratic opponent's neck (which his party put there, in the first place), and by telling the rubes gullible enough believe him; not smart enough to know better, he, and he alone could "make America great again." (paraphrasing from another GOP knucklehead, Sarah Palin, "how's THAT workin' for ya, Sunshine?")
So, why has Trump succeded in bending the rules?
Because he IS Donald Trump; who does it because he can; because he foolishly thinks he's above it all, and he had the fools who elected him think so, too.
We're you one one them?
2
Did you even read the article? -- or, is this just the usual knee-jerk defense you all come up with all the time??
Just for the record.
Obama wouldn't have been able to get away with 1/10 of what Trump and his band of grifters is doing -- you woudn't have let him.
Just for the record.
Obama wouldn't have been able to get away with 1/10 of what Trump and his band of grifters is doing -- you woudn't have let him.
3
June 1, 2017
Obsessive compulsive bender for opportunistic gratification and always on the edge of falling off the cliff of what's are the rules for common folks. Just one smart dude and the rest is now America having to satisfy his OCD. Fixing the ethics rules surely makes Mr. President more excited and more lusting for trophies for his collections - not to exclude women, towers, and slight of hand to incorporate any willing accomplice for living as a great, greater, winner and so where does this all end - oh! psychotropics injections could bust evil bubbles for the good of us, the planet, and all human folks that just want enforced rules -and let's be thankful for today's editorial with many more to come to stay of page and keeping on the mature civil track for America.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
Obsessive compulsive bender for opportunistic gratification and always on the edge of falling off the cliff of what's are the rules for common folks. Just one smart dude and the rest is now America having to satisfy his OCD. Fixing the ethics rules surely makes Mr. President more excited and more lusting for trophies for his collections - not to exclude women, towers, and slight of hand to incorporate any willing accomplice for living as a great, greater, winner and so where does this all end - oh! psychotropics injections could bust evil bubbles for the good of us, the planet, and all human folks that just want enforced rules -and let's be thankful for today's editorial with many more to come to stay of page and keeping on the mature civil track for America.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
2
"Rule benders" really how quaint. These people flaunt the law and should be in prison next to all of the drug dealers they incarcerated.
4
While we're at it, let's examine Melania's transition from Slovenian to American. How did that happen? Did she violate her visa?
Clinton was placed under an electron microscope yet no one raised a finger to lift the Drumpf rock and all the little rockettes surrounding it.
New Yorkers first experience of Trump was the noise of him jackhammering away Art Deco bas reliefs on the side of a building he was tearing down, bas reliefs that he'd promised to preserve. When asked why he violated the agreement, he said "time is money" and that's more important.
Clinton was placed under an electron microscope yet no one raised a finger to lift the Drumpf rock and all the little rockettes surrounding it.
New Yorkers first experience of Trump was the noise of him jackhammering away Art Deco bas reliefs on the side of a building he was tearing down, bas reliefs that he'd promised to preserve. When asked why he violated the agreement, he said "time is money" and that's more important.
4
How about simply enforcing the rules? Why pile on with more new ones that CAN be ignored?
That is the problem - Rules are not enforced. The big question is why?
Is it simply a matter of the GOP controlled government letting Trump get away with violations? If so, what can be done to stop this purposeful lack of enforcement?
At present, anyone can see that the GOP one party control of all three branches of government has rendered said government's checks and balances null and void. Rules and ethics only apply to people named Hillary or Barack. The total lack of personal morals and ethics of each Republican in Congress is also the problem. As an entity, The GOP functions as an amoral cancer infecting our government. Trump is so blatantly ignoring every rule and norm because he CAN.
What are you going to do about it? In 2017, Trump knows the answer to that!
Does this total collapse of rules and ethics in Washington reflect a larger problem outside the body politic, in our society?
That is the problem - Rules are not enforced. The big question is why?
Is it simply a matter of the GOP controlled government letting Trump get away with violations? If so, what can be done to stop this purposeful lack of enforcement?
At present, anyone can see that the GOP one party control of all three branches of government has rendered said government's checks and balances null and void. Rules and ethics only apply to people named Hillary or Barack. The total lack of personal morals and ethics of each Republican in Congress is also the problem. As an entity, The GOP functions as an amoral cancer infecting our government. Trump is so blatantly ignoring every rule and norm because he CAN.
What are you going to do about it? In 2017, Trump knows the answer to that!
Does this total collapse of rules and ethics in Washington reflect a larger problem outside the body politic, in our society?
4
So needed, so long overdue, so not going to happen.
3
While we wring our hands in despair Trump continues his attack on the office of the President, tweeting his nonsense out to a rapturous audience. The problem is not what should be done to insure integrity in future presidents, but what can we do to neutralize this one. His aggressive misbehavior must not be permitted to destroy not only the presidency but the nation as a whole. This is the closest the nation has come to complete anarchy since the civil war. Witness the proliferation of hate crimes since his campaign, giving permission to thugs to attack minorities and muslims alike. He is stirring revolution here at home whether he knows it or not. But of course he couldn't care less. After all "It's good for the brand".
3
We knew all about Trump, but elected him anyway. "A nation gets the government it deserves."
No. Not everyone knew about Trump .... and that's how he got elected.
Just for the record.
Most of us here in NYC knew about Trump, and he couldn't scare up enough votes here if he tried -- he didn't.
Those who voted for Trump have only themselves to blame.
The rest of us don't deserve this.
Just for the record.
Most of us here in NYC knew about Trump, and he couldn't scare up enough votes here if he tried -- he didn't.
Those who voted for Trump have only themselves to blame.
The rest of us don't deserve this.
4
Isn't the real problem the Presidential pardon? Perhaps I am naive, but I believe that, say, if Kushner engaged in espionage, sold nuclear secrets to the Russians, enriched his real estate empire by various illegal quid pro quo's with the Russians etc etc, and was criminally indicted and found guilty, and sentenced to a long federal prison term, doesn't dad-in-law just pull out the pen and hand him a get out of prison pardon card and clean slate? Same may be applied to Carter Page, or Sessions, or Flynn et al...
1
Trump seems to be able to get away with anything so he might try something like that for his son-in-law, but again it's something a President with a sense of propriety wouldn't do. Presumably the political fallout would destroy him but who knows? The Republican controlled Congress seems enthralled to Trump and his loyal base.
Also, if Jared Kushner was found guilty of some sort of crime involving the Trump Campaign ties to Russia it would be very difficult for Trump to credibly claim that he had no knowledge of it, in that case he may not be in a position to Pardon anyone.
Also, if Jared Kushner was found guilty of some sort of crime involving the Trump Campaign ties to Russia it would be very difficult for Trump to credibly claim that he had no knowledge of it, in that case he may not be in a position to Pardon anyone.
None of them had ethics in the first place.
2
How about some laws about congressmen failing to execute their constitutional duty?
1
When it comes to ethics Republicans just wave.
1
I remember how it felt to witness the arraogance of Richard Nixon in the endless days until we were rid of him. Then, there were patriotic highminded republicans who put country and duty first. That made all the difference.
Now we have a party in power whose intentions are clearly evident--retain power at all cost, reward wealthy backers by trying to legislate for their strange notions of what this country should look like, and profit from these sordid connections. That is all that matters to them and is why we are in this mess.
Everyday, I look for signs of hope that somehow reason will return. I find it in editorials like this and in the work of persistent truth seeking journalists whose work is more threatened by this regime than at any other time in my memory.
I find it as well among my clear eyed fellow citizens who aren't for one second buying into the lies that ooze out of this administration.
Now we have a party in power whose intentions are clearly evident--retain power at all cost, reward wealthy backers by trying to legislate for their strange notions of what this country should look like, and profit from these sordid connections. That is all that matters to them and is why we are in this mess.
Everyday, I look for signs of hope that somehow reason will return. I find it in editorials like this and in the work of persistent truth seeking journalists whose work is more threatened by this regime than at any other time in my memory.
I find it as well among my clear eyed fellow citizens who aren't for one second buying into the lies that ooze out of this administration.
32
A good friend from Tennessee told me Trump is the definition of a word often used in the early part of the last century... "Uncouth"... lacking the basics of social good manners.
I'm afraid he's just an obstinate child in an adult body!
I'm afraid he's just an obstinate child in an adult body!
2
Again, you can write as many articles as you like about how horrible Trump is (and he is) and how negligent the Republican Congress is acting (and they are), but how did those people get to where they are in the first place?
Yes, the electoral college and gerrymandering played a part, but in no small way we have a government that is a reflection of the people that voted to hand the current group of misfits the power to make these retched decisions.
Until the American people know better and expect better, there really is no one else to blame but ourselves.
Yes, the electoral college and gerrymandering played a part, but in no small way we have a government that is a reflection of the people that voted to hand the current group of misfits the power to make these retched decisions.
Until the American people know better and expect better, there really is no one else to blame but ourselves.
2
With each passing day of the Trump presidency, we are being forced to digest the unintended consequences of electing a man, who has been allowed to flout various rules and standards on conflict-of-interest, release of tax returns, nepotism and what-have-you?
Before becoming president, Trump ran a private business enterprise that did not report to a board of directors, so he was “master and commander” of his domain. Trump brings this unfettered authoritarian style to the presidency with snarky contempt for the Constitution and the law.
If Trump is not reined in by some constitutional means, such as the judicial branch and/or the office of special counsel, we might be headed towards a Zimbabwean or other banana republic experience.
Before becoming president, Trump ran a private business enterprise that did not report to a board of directors, so he was “master and commander” of his domain. Trump brings this unfettered authoritarian style to the presidency with snarky contempt for the Constitution and the law.
If Trump is not reined in by some constitutional means, such as the judicial branch and/or the office of special counsel, we might be headed towards a Zimbabwean or other banana republic experience.
2
To say the current administration "chip[s] away" at ethical standards certainly puts it mildly. The current administration car bombs ethical standards. Drain the swamp indeed!
3
The only way for any new ethics rules to be enacted is for the Trump presidency to be the train wreck we NYTimes readers expect it to be. There must be a clear national consensus of this; anything short will result in gridlock and no change.
1
Get over it... nothing is going to happen. This is the new normal. The Republicans will make sure that this is dragged on and on and on. I have no faith whatsoever in the government to change this behavior.
4
And to this I say; Nothing ventured, is nothing gained.
RESIST.
RESIST.
3
What this article is implying is that we should basically let lawyers run this country. Seriously. That's what it's saying.
"Candidates should be required to name creditors and investors, so voters know to whom they’re indebted." By investors I assume you mean corporate, PAC and individual sponsors/donors. Maybe when they address joint sessions of Congress they should wear NASCAR type overalls with sponsor logos scaled by amount of $ invested.
1
45th presidency and elections leading up to it have been a "Perfect Storm" where all negative or undesirable events came together at the same time.
The nation will be well served if the painful episode of Trump presidency will awaken the people to demand for and the law makers to enact following reforms:
(1) Make every vote count in every corner of the country so election is not decided by a fraction of swing states.
(2) The electoral college failed to do precisely what it was designed to do. Remove electoral college from the equation.
(3) The federal elections should have same rules across entire nation to remove political bias, voter intimidation, etc.
(4) Limit the duration of campaign cycles for primaries as well as main elections.
(5) Develop a judicial appointment system that is merit based with input from many (and that is not a presidential and gubernatorial privilege). Limit the term of judicial appointment.
(6) Of course, as the editorial suggests, redefine ethics laws as they apply to campaign financing, conflicts of interest, curbing lobbying, etc etc.
Ok, I will snap myself out of daydreaming now ...
The nation will be well served if the painful episode of Trump presidency will awaken the people to demand for and the law makers to enact following reforms:
(1) Make every vote count in every corner of the country so election is not decided by a fraction of swing states.
(2) The electoral college failed to do precisely what it was designed to do. Remove electoral college from the equation.
(3) The federal elections should have same rules across entire nation to remove political bias, voter intimidation, etc.
(4) Limit the duration of campaign cycles for primaries as well as main elections.
(5) Develop a judicial appointment system that is merit based with input from many (and that is not a presidential and gubernatorial privilege). Limit the term of judicial appointment.
(6) Of course, as the editorial suggests, redefine ethics laws as they apply to campaign financing, conflicts of interest, curbing lobbying, etc etc.
Ok, I will snap myself out of daydreaming now ...
1
7) Recounts should be easy and cheap and transparent. How can a vote count be trusted if it can't be independently verified?
An amoral con man such as President Trump will never respect ethical guidelines.
Laws for Trump are invitations to look for loopholes.
Even worse, his GOP enablers and supporters, by failing to demand that Trump adhere to the ethical norms that undergird "republican virtues" (George Washington's term), themselves besmirch the ideals of American democracy.
Our Constitution, in its ideals, assures that there are certain fundamental legal principles--now accepted and recognized in all mature democracies--which limit and control the effect of any decisions made by government officials. The rule of law requires courts to uphold these principles and to protect the rights they articulate. In a rights-based constitutional democracy, checks and balances are in place to guarantee that no person is sovereign and no decision or action is above the rule of law.
Our political institutions are designed to protect individuals against the authoritarian and demagogic potential inherent to majoritarian rule: bias against and scapegoating of minorities, neglect of the vulnerable, rank political opportunism, consolidation of anti-democratic power, xenophobia, jingoism, abuse of power by governmental and economic elites, and conflicts of interest on the part of elected officials.
President Trump disdains these ideals. His GOP enablers and supporters besmirch them--as was evident in their unethical strategy for replacing Scalia and in their many other anti-democracy tactics and policies.
Laws for Trump are invitations to look for loopholes.
Even worse, his GOP enablers and supporters, by failing to demand that Trump adhere to the ethical norms that undergird "republican virtues" (George Washington's term), themselves besmirch the ideals of American democracy.
Our Constitution, in its ideals, assures that there are certain fundamental legal principles--now accepted and recognized in all mature democracies--which limit and control the effect of any decisions made by government officials. The rule of law requires courts to uphold these principles and to protect the rights they articulate. In a rights-based constitutional democracy, checks and balances are in place to guarantee that no person is sovereign and no decision or action is above the rule of law.
Our political institutions are designed to protect individuals against the authoritarian and demagogic potential inherent to majoritarian rule: bias against and scapegoating of minorities, neglect of the vulnerable, rank political opportunism, consolidation of anti-democratic power, xenophobia, jingoism, abuse of power by governmental and economic elites, and conflicts of interest on the part of elected officials.
President Trump disdains these ideals. His GOP enablers and supporters besmirch them--as was evident in their unethical strategy for replacing Scalia and in their many other anti-democracy tactics and policies.
3
Sigh. A reasonable idea, which fails on two principles: (1) Creeping barndoorism, or closing the barn door after the horses have escaped does not solve the problem. (2) Belling the cat, or how can one implement the good idea, especially with the current swamp that calls itself the congressional majority party.
If only you and the other critical media had realized that this is more crucial than maintaining false equivalence in the face of coming catastrophe.
If only you and the other critical media had realized that this is more crucial than maintaining false equivalence in the face of coming catastrophe.
1
As long as McConnell is in power, nothing will change.
1
Actually Trump can help us understand where the ethic' rules weaknesses lie. I would love to cut out all those tax loopholes that let losers like Trump make the American people pay for his carried forward business losses. There are many, many changes to the tax laws that need to be made.
Then, of course, I would like to be able to change the electoral process, getting rid of the Electoral College, which gave us Trump and George W. Bush, the War Criminal of the last Iraq War.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
Then, of course, I would like to be able to change the electoral process, getting rid of the Electoral College, which gave us Trump and George W. Bush, the War Criminal of the last Iraq War.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
1
Donald Trump’s disdain for the rules is merely a symptom of a much larger underlying ethical paradigm that, from the beginning of the country, has tainted our core values and national character. Namely, while we tout lofty collective moral ideals, we rarely practice what we preach. For example, the founding fathers’ moral claim that “all men are created equal” applied only to Anglo-Saxon, property-owning, males. Furthermore, the core energy of our national values has always centered on the individual rather than the collective. Our apotheosis of “personal freedom” (reinforced in the religious concept of personal salvation) results in a cynical Darwinian view of ethical restrictions that would “tread on me.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the spiritual engine of the country - capitalism and the legions of lawyers who defend it. Look at the so-called “ethics” courses in any business or law school and you are likely to find that they don’t address standard notions of ethical systems. Instead they restrict discussions of “moral code” to notions of “compliance.” In other words, they are concerned with what they can get away with and still “appear” to be in compliance with the law. And, if by chance they are caught, they pay the fine, or settle out of court. It’s the price of doing business. Big picture ethics? Please. It’s the American way. It’s what our children see everywhere, and what they emulate. Or, as Donald Trump demonstrates, “ethics are for suckers.”
3
What US institution can protect the citizenry and constitution from this nonsense? Not the Republican controlled Congress, obviously. They are enablers of the first order. too frightened of Trump and his minions to enforce the law. How about the SCOTUS? How would that work? Who has standing to bring an action against the administration for corruption? Or - at a minimum - an action to enforce the emoluments clause. Or maybe we just have to sit here and seethe until the Democrats take control of the House.
1
Dave B
The Trump takeover (including his family members) has definitely been a wake up call, hasn't it?
Elections have consequences, and boy, are we living it.
To sink off the face of rational earth and join Syria is unbelievable, as if some kind of weird convoluted science fiction. Can we fathom to believe it is real, and as you have said, with no one to stop it.
MIMA
The Trump takeover (including his family members) has definitely been a wake up call, hasn't it?
Elections have consequences, and boy, are we living it.
To sink off the face of rational earth and join Syria is unbelievable, as if some kind of weird convoluted science fiction. Can we fathom to believe it is real, and as you have said, with no one to stop it.
MIMA
1
It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say this current administration has very little to do with anything that even remotely resembles something ethical -- there's more and more proof of that everyday.
In fact, it should be remembered that Donald Trump barely had one foot inside the Oval Office, before there was talk of a Republican attempt to gut the independent House Ethics Committee.
That's when the flares should've started to go off.
Since then, it's been on mesmerizing gaffe after another.
That's why at this point, it's safe to say it makes no difference about whatever law might be written or in place, because Trump will ignore it.
Worse than that -- he's now in a position where he can.
And Americans have only themselves to thank for this.
You call this winning???
In fact, it should be remembered that Donald Trump barely had one foot inside the Oval Office, before there was talk of a Republican attempt to gut the independent House Ethics Committee.
That's when the flares should've started to go off.
Since then, it's been on mesmerizing gaffe after another.
That's why at this point, it's safe to say it makes no difference about whatever law might be written or in place, because Trump will ignore it.
Worse than that -- he's now in a position where he can.
And Americans have only themselves to thank for this.
You call this winning???
3
We need to be able to have far more frequent recall and "no confidence votes" in ur political system. The British got one thing right that we need to adopt - big time.
Imagine it... a vote to get rid of Trump as early as August!
We should also make ethics waivers absolutely impossible to get. Nobody should get a free pass to break laws others must follow!
Imagine it... a vote to get rid of Trump as early as August!
We should also make ethics waivers absolutely impossible to get. Nobody should get a free pass to break laws others must follow!
3
"You can't legislate morality." Case in point.
3
... nor character
Donald Trump's presidency has been a total nightmare. He has managed in just his first few months in office to do serious harm to the reputation and leadership of the United States around the world. He is a strange man whose actions are designed not to promote the vital interests of the United States, but, more often than not, those of Putin's Russia. There is ample evidence that something is seriously wrong and it should not be allowed to continue. His thoughts, words, and actions are often highly questionable and often disgraceful. Compared to his Trump University, his ascension to our presidency has been his biggest and most dangerous scam of all. And we are his victims.
4
This article details how to carefull close the gate after the orange horse has bolted.
It's amazing to witness, in real time and excruciating detail, the USA turn into the kind of crony state typefied by former communist or second-rate powers; and equally amazing that the new grifter in chief has the power to retract America's commitment to multilateral treaties of enormous significance, to the US itself and to the world. Good luck with trying to fix this mess. We're all going to need it.
It's amazing to witness, in real time and excruciating detail, the USA turn into the kind of crony state typefied by former communist or second-rate powers; and equally amazing that the new grifter in chief has the power to retract America's commitment to multilateral treaties of enormous significance, to the US itself and to the world. Good luck with trying to fix this mess. We're all going to need it.
3
It seems as though our almost 250-year experiment with democracy has come to a shrieking end with Trump simply thumbing his nose at both tradition and law and the Republican-held Congress either ignoring what he's doing or happily backing every unethical move he makes. Trump is doing it to pump up his already gigantic but fragile ego...and to make a few billion bucks. Congress is in it for the money. The American People simply don't matter to these "public servants." Our nation is in deep, deep trouble.
4
I am wondering why a president should enjoy any outside income during his/her term in office.
2
Don't worry. Ethics will matter to republicans again when the next president is a Democrat.
2
Writing new rules with a family of grifters in mind? Welcome to the United States of Greed.
1
Congressional term limits, campaign finance reform, redistricting and elimination of fat pensions with free health care would make all elective offices less attractive, more ethical and restore the meaning of the words "public service." Only then will be get less venal politicians to work for us, the common people, as opposed to working for lobbyists, corporations, special interests or the lowest of the low, like the current occupant of the White House, selling the presidency for personal gain. These are not "rule benders," as you call them, but gross violators of every ethical norm.
4
Well written. Thank you.
Ethics go out the window when one party is set on "winning at any cost".
The banana republics with their strongman and compliant ministers are the model of what we have taking root right now in this country.
Are there patriots ready to correct this?
We will find out, sooner than later.
The banana republics with their strongman and compliant ministers are the model of what we have taking root right now in this country.
Are there patriots ready to correct this?
We will find out, sooner than later.
2
One party?? It applies equally to both, and we all know it!
2
Awww, the dreadful editorial board has an issue with unethical conduct and breaking the rules/laws; perhaps it can explain its wholesale support and advocacy for illegal aliens/open borders, who are law-breakers BY DEFINITION.
Perhaps it can explain why it advocates for those lawbreakers, but has an issue with Trump, who mind you, has not been proven to have done ANYTHING. And hillary's whining over alleged "russian interference" doesn't count.
Perhaps it can explain why it advocates for those lawbreakers, but has an issue with Trump, who mind you, has not been proven to have done ANYTHING. And hillary's whining over alleged "russian interference" doesn't count.
2
Nonsense. Typical nonsense from the Editorial Board that wants it both ways. It wants to preach and hold others to a standard that it won't hold to itself.
Same with the Democrats at this point. They've lost and have no idea what to do.
Same with the Democrats at this point. They've lost and have no idea what to do.
4
So, do the editors of the NYT not take any deductions on their tax returns? Please, your readers deserve to know, if you are going to sanctimoniously harp on taking advantage of the tax code to minimize one's tax burden. Or are you going to hide behind "Trump didn't release his tax returns"?
3
Well said. We have currently the most anti-ethical swindler in the White House, and seemingly arrogantly proud of it, and worse, apparently immune to proceed with his crass behavior to enrich himself at our expense. And to destroy civics and trust in each other, and to sow discord in the international community, favoring our foes and condemning our allies for imperfections he himself is so well endowed with. Trump seems impervious to the truth and the facts, that he is above the law, and free of conflicts of interest the rest of us are held liable for, in a country presumably made for law and order to prevail...except for this fraudster in chief, inept and corrupt, and dragging us down into his foul-smelling swamp of ignominy. Why are we so seemingly oblivious to this abuse of power, resigned to accept this assault as the "new normal"?
2
Reading this NYT editorial --and the accompanying readers' comments -- I see an uncanny resemblance between the US/BR. The latter shaken by the worst political corruption case ever in the Western Hismipshere.
The reader Sarah O'Leary writes about the US: " American politicians look more like rival gangs than CIVIL servants. Without some ethical accountability, our values crumble."
In the case of Brazil, political parties are organized around swindlers fighting among themselves for control of power and money.
Brazilian politics is perfectly set for corruption aimed at stealing easy money from two plump sources:
a. thousands of state-owned enterprises, such as oil company Petrobras; and b. shakedown of private companies in return for low-interest rates from state-owned banks, tax breaks or whatever action requiring legislation.
The Americans are lucky. There are few public owned enterprises in the US.
The reader Sarah O'Leary writes about the US: " American politicians look more like rival gangs than CIVIL servants. Without some ethical accountability, our values crumble."
In the case of Brazil, political parties are organized around swindlers fighting among themselves for control of power and money.
Brazilian politics is perfectly set for corruption aimed at stealing easy money from two plump sources:
a. thousands of state-owned enterprises, such as oil company Petrobras; and b. shakedown of private companies in return for low-interest rates from state-owned banks, tax breaks or whatever action requiring legislation.
The Americans are lucky. There are few public owned enterprises in the US.
1
What is absolutely unbelievable is the rapid way in which as a country so many of us have adapted to a new normal....that lying in every other utterance, that ignoring all factual basis for statements, that denigrating our most precious institutions in the most disrespectful ways is somehow acceptable. Just 20 years ago we were in a constitutional crisis because a married man had a dalliance with a flirtation adult - a consenting, even aggressive coquettish adult female who sought his attentions. He lied in a moment of embarrassment and, I'm sure, paranoia given the last 7 years of the Republican posse chasing every possible mistake to protect America's moral superiority. It was what I called the "dirty underwear lie"...if at the end of a hard, difficult day someone asks you if your underwear is clean, how will you respond? Gotcha! Now, we are dealing with a man who lies 76% of the time and has been accused of everything from sexual assault, fraud, treason, and even dementia and there is no outrage from that Republican posse! Unbelievable!
2
Stop concetrating on Trump. He is a small problem. The real problem is the education system which raised so many ignorant unethical people who support this administration. I didn't see one article dealing with how to fix the education system.
1
What founder, studied in the Enlightenment, could predict such a covfefe? This is why our leaders have had to react when something upends the delicate balance of power the Constitution intends. We saw this after after Watergate and Iran-Contra, and we will see this again.
1
This is what happens when one conflates prostitution of office with governance. Truthfully, we can probably get better governance from the late Polly Adler, New York's premiere madame back in the 1930s.
1
No, they don't need new rules when they've already proven they've learned how to bend them and are good at it. That's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. Try a ruler across the knuckles.
1
This is what we have come to--a plea for laws to force our president to abide by standards of behavior so axiomatic they should go without saying, a call for rules to force our president to be presidential. Perhaps such legislation could net greater transparency in the elections process so that voters who care about ethics--and 2016 showed that we are a minority--could more clearly see what we are getting. But hasn't this president already shown that he can find more ways to be unpresidential than we can anticipate, that he is "smart" enough to find ways to meet the letter of laws while flying in the face of their spirit and that he can find spokespeople willing to call whatever he says and does is "right," to claim it is those "deep state" bureaucrats who are corrupt and to beat their breasts that he is the iconoclast who "alone can fix it"? And haven't we learned yet that a huge swath of the electorate either doesn't know the difference between right and wrong or doesn't care?
Many lifetimes ago when I was in law school, I had a professor who often parroted the old saw that "you can't legislate morality." Legislating eithics is not absolutely impossible (the American Bar Associations's model Code of Conduct for lawyers shows that it can be done, at least in broad brush), but forcing compliance is immensely harder. And it is likely be impossible if the electorate really does not care.
Many lifetimes ago when I was in law school, I had a professor who often parroted the old saw that "you can't legislate morality." Legislating eithics is not absolutely impossible (the American Bar Associations's model Code of Conduct for lawyers shows that it can be done, at least in broad brush), but forcing compliance is immensely harder. And it is likely be impossible if the electorate really does not care.
3
More rules are not going to keep the rule breakers from breaking the rules. What is needed? Proper oversight of standing rules and prosecution of wrong doers. The problem is greed and the fact that white collar crime is not prosecuted.
The scum in the White House now and the Republican party in general, are long term offenders. They get away with their greed and bullying, so they keep doing it.
The scum in the White House now and the Republican party in general, are long term offenders. They get away with their greed and bullying, so they keep doing it.
3
Enforcing the rules we already have is another problem.
Who could have guessed that this country would allow such a corrupt, ignorant person to become President?
And, let him stay in office?
Every single person who voted for him, and every single Republican in office today who sits by and does nothing, will go down in history as screwing up this country and endangering our citizens, big time.
Who could have guessed that this country would allow such a corrupt, ignorant person to become President?
And, let him stay in office?
Every single person who voted for him, and every single Republican in office today who sits by and does nothing, will go down in history as screwing up this country and endangering our citizens, big time.
1
Who could have anticipated that we the people would be stupid enough to elect a known con man & grifter to the Presidency? We'll need new rules all around to protect us from a repeat, should the USA still exist post-Trump. Perhaps eliminating the Electoral College is in order.
2
When you are a "banana republic" none of this "should" surprise you.
2
It's same as those cry for immigration.
We do have laws.. GOP is choosing to enforce as their liking.
Look at Sessons, liar-in-chief is our DOJ head. What can be worse then that.
Benghazi was a problem but 9/11, Russian attack on our immigration system is not.
Clinton lied, paid price; Martha Stewart lied, went to jail; I haven't heard anyone from GOP went to jail for lying from 5th avenue.
We do have laws.. GOP is choosing to enforce as their liking.
Look at Sessons, liar-in-chief is our DOJ head. What can be worse then that.
Benghazi was a problem but 9/11, Russian attack on our immigration system is not.
Clinton lied, paid price; Martha Stewart lied, went to jail; I haven't heard anyone from GOP went to jail for lying from 5th avenue.
1
Again, these fair and accurate criticisms play to the fan base like crackers. They love him for getting away with it. This guy didn't even have the class to make a speech, even a small one, about the two selfless men in Portland who died protecting a stranger from a racist lunatic.
White Supremacist websites are now saying that the two dead heroes were the aggressors! Trump knows that if he said anything good about the two fallen men it would cost him votes. That's how ugly it is.
I used to say think that if it got any worse there would be blood running in the streets. There is now blood running in the streets.
White Supremacist websites are now saying that the two dead heroes were the aggressors! Trump knows that if he said anything good about the two fallen men it would cost him votes. That's how ugly it is.
I used to say think that if it got any worse there would be blood running in the streets. There is now blood running in the streets.
1
Trump, of course, is the swamp.
2
As an independent voter who hails from 2 swing states (Michigan and NH), I always had gripes with both the Republican and Democratic party, but each also had my respect. But one thing I always admired about Republicans was that they seemed to demand "good behavior," not just adherence to the "letter of the law." I cannot believe how wrong I have been. Where are the republicans holding this administration to account for all their ethical misbehaviors? I do not recognize my country any longer. America under Pres. Trump is an utter, shameless embarrassment.
From Pres. Trump many did not expect anything more--but from elected Republicans we did! We were told how congress, the Senate and Mike Pence would keep him in line if he won. And how Ivanka and Jared would steer him the right direction. What an utter con. Yes, even you Sen. McCain, where are you? Speaker Ryan, you seem to care less. Sen. McConnell--you look utterly gleeful watching as Rome burns. What "leadership" is this? You should all be sounding the alarms and doing your job by drafting new rules if the rules we have are not (which they are not) clear or strict enough to contain this deceitful, opportunistic administration who puts themselves, not America, first. You should all be protecting us and our country and you are not. Not even you Rand Paul, Ted Cruz--you have all become simple cut out soldiers in Trump's assault.
Republicans, you are no longer the party of Lincoln, you are the party of Benedict Arnold.
From Pres. Trump many did not expect anything more--but from elected Republicans we did! We were told how congress, the Senate and Mike Pence would keep him in line if he won. And how Ivanka and Jared would steer him the right direction. What an utter con. Yes, even you Sen. McCain, where are you? Speaker Ryan, you seem to care less. Sen. McConnell--you look utterly gleeful watching as Rome burns. What "leadership" is this? You should all be sounding the alarms and doing your job by drafting new rules if the rules we have are not (which they are not) clear or strict enough to contain this deceitful, opportunistic administration who puts themselves, not America, first. You should all be protecting us and our country and you are not. Not even you Rand Paul, Ted Cruz--you have all become simple cut out soldiers in Trump's assault.
Republicans, you are no longer the party of Lincoln, you are the party of Benedict Arnold.
81
We certainly don't have to look far to see what the Third World looks like. We just need a mirror.
2
The evil members of the current administration aren't chipping away at our ethics program. They're wielding a giant axe.
2
Unmentioned in the essay detailing scandal and corruption is the name Obama. He exemplified what the writer suggests is the intended ideal for the president. One more demonstration of the misplaced hatred by Republicans for the man and yet another illustration of the maliciousness of his detractors who now turn a blind eye to trump*. Disgusting.
2
Rule benders require: Enforcement of already existing Rules. It is the Enforcement that is not happening.
2
This is a family (and their hangers on) who live in a world of "you are for them or against them". They think everyone is like that, hence the mistake firing Comey and thinking the Democrats would be pleased. It was a "I know you are but what am I election" where everything they accused Clinton and Democrats of was actually true of them, as evidenced by ethics waivers, sloppy info handling and use of private phones, verified lies etc.....the only solution is to try to get everyone to consume multiple sources of information in order to come to more accurate, nuanced understanding of the people who seek to govern us. Not just Fox or Huffpost but back to mainstream media. It has its problems but take it from someone in a river state: there's a reason for the term "mainstream"- it's a clearer, deeper float, free of snags and eddies.
2
There once was an unethical chief
Whose list of praiseworthy deeds was brief
As laws went unheeded
Some new rules were needed
To resist the power of this thief
Whose list of praiseworthy deeds was brief
As laws went unheeded
Some new rules were needed
To resist the power of this thief
1
Ironically, the New York Times editors do not seem to read the New York Times carefully enough. NYT’s own highly respected Gretchen Morgenson indicts the U.S. system of Justice for decades of rampant corruption during White House occupation by Democrats and Republicans.
As NYT’s Morgenson points out, Americans are furious that other Presidents from both parties have failed to prosecute most of the financial crooks – who still need to be subjected to global asset forfeiture for the trillions of dollars they stole from the American middle class in recent decades.
Gretchen Morgenson, How Letting Bankers Off the Hook May Have Tipped the Election, NEW YORK TIMES, November 11, 2016. Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/business/how-letting-bankers-off-the-h...
As NYT’s Morgenson points out, Americans are furious that other Presidents from both parties have failed to prosecute most of the financial crooks – who still need to be subjected to global asset forfeiture for the trillions of dollars they stole from the American middle class in recent decades.
Gretchen Morgenson, How Letting Bankers Off the Hook May Have Tipped the Election, NEW YORK TIMES, November 11, 2016. Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/business/how-letting-bankers-off-the-h...
4
And Obama did not chip away at ethics with his flagrant use of executive orders and other sneaky actions. And Hillary Clinton would have been better? LOL.
4
I hope visitors leaving the WH check their wallets automatically, and count their fingers after a Trump handshake. Like the former TV detective Monk, they should carry antiseptic wipes with them as well in order to thoroughly clean off the contagion of corruption.
The Trump virus has totally infected most of our GOP. Evidently it spreads throughout the body starting with numbness in the brain, a total blindness to justice, selective hearing as far as the deafening roar coming from Americans who want Trump removed from office, and their hands keep twitching and reaching into the taxpayer pockets for yet more money.
Our WH has a big time thug and crook in residence and he loves breaking the law because he crows that he is untouchable.
The Trump virus has totally infected most of our GOP. Evidently it spreads throughout the body starting with numbness in the brain, a total blindness to justice, selective hearing as far as the deafening roar coming from Americans who want Trump removed from office, and their hands keep twitching and reaching into the taxpayer pockets for yet more money.
Our WH has a big time thug and crook in residence and he loves breaking the law because he crows that he is untouchable.
2
I agree that strong legislation is needed. The problem as I see it is, who will pass that legislation. The kleptocrats in Congress or the plutocrats in Congress or the party over country Republicans in Congress?
We already know that the GOP does not give a flip for the Constitution, the rule of law or their oaths of office. For all intents and purposes the USA has been laid low by a foreign invasion and is a satalite of Russia and the Trump Family Business and the Trumpain majorities in the House and Senate get to show their utter contempt and loathing for 99% of the American people.
We already know that the GOP does not give a flip for the Constitution, the rule of law or their oaths of office. For all intents and purposes the USA has been laid low by a foreign invasion and is a satalite of Russia and the Trump Family Business and the Trumpain majorities in the House and Senate get to show their utter contempt and loathing for 99% of the American people.
2
I have become deeply ashamed of my country. i have no respect for the chinese police state, the keptocracy of russia, or the various vile theocracies that abound, but the stupidity, the willlful ignorance, and the celebration of greed of the political culture of the US is disgusting. Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand should distance themselves from this rotten government.
I believe it was Ross Perot who to my mind was the first to articulate what truly was happening in government. People get themselves elected to use their government service as a way to make themselves rich. Trump can rightly be described as the most egregious example of this type of politician.
Sadly, I'm at a loss as to how it is that so many Republican politicians and voters know this fact and don't care. What has become of my country that once prided itself in honesty and hard work? My grandfather taught me "An honest dollar for an honest day's work". For Trump and his Republican followers its better to be "smart" avoid your civic duty to pay taxes and cheat your way to a comfortable lifestyle at public expense. My only hope for my country is that in 2018 the popular vote winners of 2016 usher in an honorable group of representatives and send these societal leeches in the Trump party to bankruptcy court.
Sadly, I'm at a loss as to how it is that so many Republican politicians and voters know this fact and don't care. What has become of my country that once prided itself in honesty and hard work? My grandfather taught me "An honest dollar for an honest day's work". For Trump and his Republican followers its better to be "smart" avoid your civic duty to pay taxes and cheat your way to a comfortable lifestyle at public expense. My only hope for my country is that in 2018 the popular vote winners of 2016 usher in an honorable group of representatives and send these societal leeches in the Trump party to bankruptcy court.
1
The strange is this article comes now and not a year ago. During the campaign it was obvious Trump has no respect to basic human beings manner and behavior. Mocking handicapped man should have been enough to kick him out. America is complimenting itself by concentrating on Trump. There are millions of people who think like him. This country looks more every day like the biggest concentration of selfish unethical people on the planet hiding behind suits and hypocritical manners.
1
We see the laws that are broken daily by this administration: to whit, the Wash Hotel--the lease is crystal clear in that no one employed by gov may be a leaseholder. The Pres may not receive emoulelments. Our Pres and his family are bragging about their increased value in Trump business.
It's Congress that has failed to enforce the rules on the books, that tolerated lying under oath by numerous administration, and that in fact turns a blind eye to the constant dishonesty that is given to the public by the WH.
How do you pass a law to enforce the laws on the books?
It's Congress that has failed to enforce the rules on the books, that tolerated lying under oath by numerous administration, and that in fact turns a blind eye to the constant dishonesty that is given to the public by the WH.
How do you pass a law to enforce the laws on the books?
Professional politicians are all ethical game players. Patronage and advantage are part of the spoils of office. How many "public servants" don't make a fortune from their time in office? You can count them on one hand. Most run for office in the first place hoping for a lucrative career. If they can't do it while in office they do it afterwards as a lobbyist or "consultant".
Trump isn't in this for the money. He's not a career politician. That drives the political class nuts. He's not one of them. He can't be bribed into doing things he doesn't want to.
This also drives the "liberals" crazy. They've lost the power they once yielded over the political class and they still can't believe it. Like spoiled children, they're throwing a prolonged tantrum using innuendo instead of fact to accuse Trump of any charge they can come up with.
This sorry state of ethical affairs in American politics isn't coming from within the White House, but from outside.
Trump isn't in this for the money. He's not a career politician. That drives the political class nuts. He's not one of them. He can't be bribed into doing things he doesn't want to.
This also drives the "liberals" crazy. They've lost the power they once yielded over the political class and they still can't believe it. Like spoiled children, they're throwing a prolonged tantrum using innuendo instead of fact to accuse Trump of any charge they can come up with.
This sorry state of ethical affairs in American politics isn't coming from within the White House, but from outside.
5
Your argument that trump isn't in this for the money and that he can't be bribed is laughable at best.
4
John - you're 100% correct. Trump isn't playing the liberal game and it's driving the liberals and MSM crazy. The divas can't stand not being in charge, although the hypocrisy is plainly visible to anyone who cares to look.
He's dealing with issues like trade, jobs, illegal immigration and the priorities of what the people have said are important to them, rather than what the media and elite tell us what we should be concerned about. And he's unbowed.
And it shows in the crazy, increasingly shrill, nasty and obnoxious (and sometimes dangerous) things they are doing to convince themselves and their comments and priorities are relevant.
He's dealing with issues like trade, jobs, illegal immigration and the priorities of what the people have said are important to them, rather than what the media and elite tell us what we should be concerned about. And he's unbowed.
And it shows in the crazy, increasingly shrill, nasty and obnoxious (and sometimes dangerous) things they are doing to convince themselves and their comments and priorities are relevant.
1
Isn't in it for the money? The whole family is making out like bandits, including #45 and his properties. And the next bankruptcy for this grifter will be US (the U.S.).
2
I fail to see how Trump's conflicts of interest are fundamentally any different than a typical US politician who works with unlimited amounts of campaign money provided courtesy of the Citizens United ruling. Our politicians are laughing their way to their next term of office, rolling in campaign money, and staying real quiet in any discussions of ethics.
As far as "failure to disclose financial interests should be considered an impeachable offense" is concerned, how about a rule that doesn't allow them to be sworn into office until a financial disclosure is filed and reviewed. Lies or inaccuracies should involve jail time. If we wait until they are in office we end up with another Trump who refuses to follow the rules and a Congress/Government that refuses to enforce them. People get security clearances after their applications are filed, not before. In industry, salaried employees are not hired until after completion of conflict of interest and ethics forms, not after.
As far as "failure to disclose financial interests should be considered an impeachable offense" is concerned, how about a rule that doesn't allow them to be sworn into office until a financial disclosure is filed and reviewed. Lies or inaccuracies should involve jail time. If we wait until they are in office we end up with another Trump who refuses to follow the rules and a Congress/Government that refuses to enforce them. People get security clearances after their applications are filed, not before. In industry, salaried employees are not hired until after completion of conflict of interest and ethics forms, not after.
3
While reform is unquestionably needed with the likes of Don-the-Con in office and his slippery friends joining in the fleecing of America, it will not come in time. Besides, there are violations of the Constitution (and, likely, other federal laws) taking place on a daily basis and those who have the power to act either lack the spine to do so, or they were removed from office and replaced with ethically challenged stooges.
While new, more robust ethics rules and enforcement will be helpful in the future, those in Washington are abdicating their responsibility and the power that they DO have to enforce the rules we already have.
While new, more robust ethics rules and enforcement will be helpful in the future, those in Washington are abdicating their responsibility and the power that they DO have to enforce the rules we already have.
We have much affirmation, that we are obliged only to pay that the taxes we are obliged to pay.
if Mr Trump's language is infelicitous, I doubt that he 'failed' to pay, but rather that the tax code permits of minimization of tax obligations, then he is indeed as smart as anyone who interprets rules favorably, which is all of us, the same IRS that slow walked conservo 501-c-3s
Mr Trump advises he is under IRS review. I am content to let them look at his taxes. otherwise such interest is prurient.
Oh and the McCarthyism of NYT the Red Menace, is quite quaint, maybe THAT is how NYT does throwbacks, MAGA! quite back to 1950s!
if Mr Trump's language is infelicitous, I doubt that he 'failed' to pay, but rather that the tax code permits of minimization of tax obligations, then he is indeed as smart as anyone who interprets rules favorably, which is all of us, the same IRS that slow walked conservo 501-c-3s
Mr Trump advises he is under IRS review. I am content to let them look at his taxes. otherwise such interest is prurient.
Oh and the McCarthyism of NYT the Red Menace, is quite quaint, maybe THAT is how NYT does throwbacks, MAGA! quite back to 1950s!
1
All ethics are situational and there are no absolutes. However, Trump and today's GOP have obliterated the concept entirely and replaced it with hypocrisy.
Trump promised to "drain the swamp" and instead filled it with toxic waste.
McConnell refused to do his sworn Constitutional duty to hold hearing on Merrick Garland, but whines whenever Democrats drag their feet.
Ryan and the House Republicans say they want to improve healthcare and produce a bill that decimates Medicaid and throws 23,000,000 Americans into the ranks of the uninsured so that fat cats can get even larger tax breaks.
Trump thinks nepotism is a "family value" and treats the Presidency as his private family business. He is amoral and immoral.
So exactly who is going to create rules and regulations to enforce any sort of ethical standards? Those in power - the GOP - think ethics is for "losers."
Trump promised to "drain the swamp" and instead filled it with toxic waste.
McConnell refused to do his sworn Constitutional duty to hold hearing on Merrick Garland, but whines whenever Democrats drag their feet.
Ryan and the House Republicans say they want to improve healthcare and produce a bill that decimates Medicaid and throws 23,000,000 Americans into the ranks of the uninsured so that fat cats can get even larger tax breaks.
Trump thinks nepotism is a "family value" and treats the Presidency as his private family business. He is amoral and immoral.
So exactly who is going to create rules and regulations to enforce any sort of ethical standards? Those in power - the GOP - think ethics is for "losers."
3
By the way, I love reading your columns.
This editorial should be required reading for all the elected officials in DC. The only problem is that probably only the impotent Democrats would really pay attention.
It is very difficult to be patient and to wait for the 2018 elections to see if the now minority's party can gain enough seats to provide a legislative counterbalance to the run-amok executive branch.
Trump is a very good showman and he is putting on the show of his life with the Paris climate accord decision. Of course, he's going to pull out. Then, he'll change his mind and cause another stir when he goes back in. All of this, of course, obscures the egregious ethical issues and Russia gate.
It is very difficult to be patient and to wait for the 2018 elections to see if the now minority's party can gain enough seats to provide a legislative counterbalance to the run-amok executive branch.
Trump is a very good showman and he is putting on the show of his life with the Paris climate accord decision. Of course, he's going to pull out. Then, he'll change his mind and cause another stir when he goes back in. All of this, of course, obscures the egregious ethical issues and Russia gate.
Thank you for this article. We are in the middle of a civil suit with a monopoly. It is a culture of abuse, nepotism, secrecy. The emphasis is on profits and public image at the expense of doing the right thing. .Watching NOVA on Flint, MI , we couldn't get over the similarities. SOX has given us the weapon to fight Goliath
You have got to be kidding me. If anyone knows about bending rules it is the NYT and the Democrats.
Remember when a Democratic Congressman couldn't step into his district for decades to avoid being arrested for failing to honor a court judgment while continuing to serve.
Remember when the Democrat administration outrightly lied by blaming a film on the Benghazi disaster even though they absolutely knew it was a lie.
Remember when Hillary outrightly lied when she said no foreign government before her election had ever tried to influence another country's election even though she knew her husband Bill had funneled money to Yeltsin against Putin's candidate in Russia.
Look at the number of times the NYT has reported on Russian involvement in Trump's win using an unnamed source when they knew full well that the information was false. The latest example is the reporting on Cobey's actions.
Look at the NYT report on the Paris climate change agreement. There is not one word on the fact that most of the signers are receiving money, not contributing, there is no absolute commitment to pay up, many of the signers never pay their portion just like at the UN, there are real issues on what is causing global warming, etc.
Please NYT. Clean up your act before throwing stones!
Remember when a Democratic Congressman couldn't step into his district for decades to avoid being arrested for failing to honor a court judgment while continuing to serve.
Remember when the Democrat administration outrightly lied by blaming a film on the Benghazi disaster even though they absolutely knew it was a lie.
Remember when Hillary outrightly lied when she said no foreign government before her election had ever tried to influence another country's election even though she knew her husband Bill had funneled money to Yeltsin against Putin's candidate in Russia.
Look at the number of times the NYT has reported on Russian involvement in Trump's win using an unnamed source when they knew full well that the information was false. The latest example is the reporting on Cobey's actions.
Look at the NYT report on the Paris climate change agreement. There is not one word on the fact that most of the signers are receiving money, not contributing, there is no absolute commitment to pay up, many of the signers never pay their portion just like at the UN, there are real issues on what is causing global warming, etc.
Please NYT. Clean up your act before throwing stones!
3
Why of course Gene, nothing to see here. Keep on walking.
1
Your suggestions are well taken. Nevertheless, who is going to step up to the plate to right these ethical wrongs? Right now we Americans feel like caged birds, and singing is not enough to free us from our downward spiral as a country under the non-leadership of Trump and company. Our Republican Congress is in no rush to preserve our democracy. After all, their base is Trump's, and power is more important to them than conscience. Our Democratic representatives? Well, they need to awake from their stupor and lead us, their constituents, with a louder and more proactive voice. They may be the minority in Congress, but that does not mean that they are chained to our present, awful paradigm. Recent history shows us that in 2008, Democrats rose to the challenge. They can do it again. And we are watching them.
3
And we wonder why we are "burdened" with regulations. Somehow we forget, or some of us deny, how we have become so. Now we have as our Head of State a perfect example of how people lacking an ethical compass, driven entirely by ego and hubris, create the circumstances under which all of us are shackled by oversight and regulations. That we collectively agree it is better to suffer these burdens than allow a handful of miscreants to destroy our democracy, degrade our environment, commit fraud and indulge corruption is one of the proofs we are civilized. So bring on the new rules and remind us all that they are created for a reason, not arbitrarily by some cabal of bureaucrats closeted away in the deep state. We are not burdened by regulations. We are burdened by those who require the rest of us to create and enforce them.
9
I think most Americans agree with the premise of your column, but the problem is really not just Trump. In representative government, it is assumed that Congress and the Courts will act as a check on the conduct of the President, just as the President can use his/her bully pulpit and executive branch powers to keep the other branches honest.
What we have here is a failure of the system because of the highly unethical leadership of Ryan & McConnell. McConnell would sell his mother to get what he wants, and yes I mean that as a disparaging remark. He spent 8 years under Obama doing everything in his power to keep Obama from having a legislative victory. Has a member of Congress ever acted so unethically, undemocratically, or small-minded? Wasn't he supposed to do what was best for the country? Is he really an American?
Ryan is not much better, he is just more savvy in acting small-minded and capriciously. The rank and file followed them, so they share the same blame.
The Trump problem would easily have been solved in the minds of the founding fathers that the GOP alludes to so often as they would have impeached him. Unfortunately, they were actual patriots and never imagined such morally corrupt and ethically devoid individuals would be allowed into leadership positions in Congress. Thus, the system doesn't work and we need to enact new rules to guard against the GOP's abhorrent actions (or non-actions).
What we have here is a failure of the system because of the highly unethical leadership of Ryan & McConnell. McConnell would sell his mother to get what he wants, and yes I mean that as a disparaging remark. He spent 8 years under Obama doing everything in his power to keep Obama from having a legislative victory. Has a member of Congress ever acted so unethically, undemocratically, or small-minded? Wasn't he supposed to do what was best for the country? Is he really an American?
Ryan is not much better, he is just more savvy in acting small-minded and capriciously. The rank and file followed them, so they share the same blame.
The Trump problem would easily have been solved in the minds of the founding fathers that the GOP alludes to so often as they would have impeached him. Unfortunately, they were actual patriots and never imagined such morally corrupt and ethically devoid individuals would be allowed into leadership positions in Congress. Thus, the system doesn't work and we need to enact new rules to guard against the GOP's abhorrent actions (or non-actions).
9
Let's face it, the behavior that made Trump so entertaining as a reality star is disgusting in our commander in chief. We rightly have higher expectations of the President than we do of the average person.
Perhaps the only positive thing that comes out of this presidency is the realization that we need rules in place to ensure future candidates are held to higher ethical standards. We also need an independent agency not beholden to the political system to uphold those standards because we can't trust our politicians to police themselves, they've demonstrated time and again that they will always play politics with such responsiblity.
Perhaps the only positive thing that comes out of this presidency is the realization that we need rules in place to ensure future candidates are held to higher ethical standards. We also need an independent agency not beholden to the political system to uphold those standards because we can't trust our politicians to police themselves, they've demonstrated time and again that they will always play politics with such responsiblity.
4
Ami, what do you suggest we call this supreme entity? The name God is already taken. The Church would sue us if we tried.
There are more than 11,000 lobbyists in Washington and they spent more than 3 Billion Dollars in 2016. (https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/).
You get the best Congress money can buy. The current administration just wants in on the gravy train.
Ethics? Don't hold your breath.
You get the best Congress money can buy. The current administration just wants in on the gravy train.
Ethics? Don't hold your breath.
3
Right on!
Rules and laws do not apply to people like Trump and the uber wealthy. How many get to millions and billions in wealth without cheating or breaking the law a long the way?
The bigger problem right now is whether Trump decides to destroy the planet or follow his daughter's advice to save the planet for the little Trumps of the future.
"Possible collusion with the Russians" continues to give Trump a break and a license to continue colluding with them as he obviously is - by undermining NATO, splitting the alliance with our strongest allies, dividing and destroying our governmental institutions from within, trashing the Paris Planet-Saving pact with the world, praising the worst humanity has to offer while disparaging the best humanity has to offer - all to please Putin. If Putin wants to harm the American population, he could not have chosen a better lacky than Trump and Republicans to do his bidding.
Rules and laws do not apply to people like Trump and the uber wealthy. How many get to millions and billions in wealth without cheating or breaking the law a long the way?
The bigger problem right now is whether Trump decides to destroy the planet or follow his daughter's advice to save the planet for the little Trumps of the future.
"Possible collusion with the Russians" continues to give Trump a break and a license to continue colluding with them as he obviously is - by undermining NATO, splitting the alliance with our strongest allies, dividing and destroying our governmental institutions from within, trashing the Paris Planet-Saving pact with the world, praising the worst humanity has to offer while disparaging the best humanity has to offer - all to please Putin. If Putin wants to harm the American population, he could not have chosen a better lacky than Trump and Republicans to do his bidding.
1
In Latin "Nemo Est Supra Legis." No One Is Above The Law.
Why are they still running around free?!
Forget the Constitution and the impeachment. We don't have that kind of time as the longer they are there, the worse it becomes. Get rid of them immediately today now.
Why are they still running around free?!
Forget the Constitution and the impeachment. We don't have that kind of time as the longer they are there, the worse it becomes. Get rid of them immediately today now.
3
"They" are running around free, in large part, perhaps, because that law you reference requires actual probable cause to arrest and evidence to convict. Rumors, leaks, innuendo, supposition, and popularity, etc. are just air and don't form the basis for criminal proceedings.
1
The needed rules are already in place, they just need to be enforced by a weak-kneed republican congress. If they don't do their job by 2018, the American people then need to clearly and thoroughly voice their displeasure at the voting booth. If the public doesn't decisively act in 2018 and 2020, then we clearly deserve the country we have allowed the U.S. to become.
3
As your sensible editorial demonstrates, there are ways to avoid the quagmire into which trump and company have so gleefully plunged our nation. Clarifing and codify ethical standards is a great start. Now let's continue with campaign finance reform to break the stranglehold super pacs and dark money have on congress, then move on to ending partisan gerrymandering that makes it impossible to vote the scoundrels out. Finish up with each individual citizen taking seriously his/her responsibility to vote, and to hold elected representatives accountable for their actions.
3
Although I fully agree with the substance of this editorial, as a New Yorker, I am offended by your description of the Trump family's lavish living as a "New York lifestyle." The lifestyle lived by the Trump family bears little resemblance to that of the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers. The Trumps are the .01%.
"to protect our democracy against future presidents with so little respect for the office". I agree that the ethics program must be strengthened but I certainly hope that the extravagant unethical behavior of Trump will keep us from again voting into office such an amoral/immoral person. Unfortunately we knew what he was before he was elected. Can't the country learn from the Trumpian example that an essential criteria for a president must be morality and respect for ethics. Or am I a dreamer? Has unethical behavior become the "law of the land"?
The answer to laws that don't work is more laws.
The answer to government overreach is more government.
The answer to excessive presidential power is more presidential power.
etc. ad nauseum.
The answer to government overreach is more government.
The answer to excessive presidential power is more presidential power.
etc. ad nauseum.
1
Please don't forget that the big screen political horror movie we are living in now started with small screen local politics. Remember gerrymandering? Remember the faceless folks who are charged with safeguarding ballots, counting the votes, and keeping voting machines from "breaking down?" Remember all those little people with agendas who make the rules about when and where voting will take place at all and distribute, or don't, information about how to vote? Remember the ID laws requiring IDs that minorities are least likely to have? Remember the relentless "checking" of voter roles in order to toss out voters and their votes? Remember the Electoral College system, our founders' original bargain with the devil, that allowed a couple of hundred thousand people to nullify the voting choices of millions of us? No ethics housecleaning needed at the top if you don't go back to the dirty laundry where all this started.
3
For me, all this began when Mitch McConnell refused to allow Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee to have an up or down vote. At that point, the GOP's ethics issues were out there in the open for all to see. Our media, by its silence, allowed that situation to stand. Then the GOP decided that they were more than willing to back Trump even though he has no qualifications to be President and had long-standing moral and ethical issues. Since then, the Republicans and their uninformed base have not looked back. Trump has their total support no matter what he does. Russian collusion? No problem. Nepotism? Nothing to see here. Profiting from the Presidency? Why shouldn't he? Telling lies? Not a problem for us. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement? Who needs clean air and water, besides we promised the coal miners. GOP has an answer for everything. Until they don't.
5
You can bet the farm that Trump's decision about the Paris Accord is heavily influenced by Stephen K. Bannon and Pruitt! Trump doesn't have the capacity to plan on his own all of the messes he's creating! Is there a competent person in that bunch at the White House - and in the Cabinet?
And the GOP Senate approved of these people!
And the GOP Senate approved of these people!
2
As a society we have become less ethical over time, seemingly accelerating that trend in recent decades, with situational ethics becoming the norm. In politics, while perhaps not new, we often see people who have one set of standards for the politicians/parties they support and another for those with whom they differ. They will twist themselves into pretzel like knots trying to excuse one pols conduct while immediately condemning another on the slightest whisp of innuendo.
The same is applied to themselves; to use the example this article starts off with, a lot of people will gleefully take every single means available to them for deductions, exemptions, etc. to lower what they pay in taxes, but when some prominent opponent does it on the broader scale available to one of substantial means (note - it's a different debate as to whether those means should exist) it's wrong, unpatriotic, or whatever. There has been zero evidence (again, not innuendo or supposition) that Trump has committed any violations of the tax law but "not paying" taxes is abhorrent in his case, the utterly fuzzy "fair share" standard being hurled about as a concrete metric by which to judge.
In short, we're becoming every more hypocritical. Same in daily life, where the entitlement attitude often rears its ugly head. Rules for thee, but not for me.
The same is applied to themselves; to use the example this article starts off with, a lot of people will gleefully take every single means available to them for deductions, exemptions, etc. to lower what they pay in taxes, but when some prominent opponent does it on the broader scale available to one of substantial means (note - it's a different debate as to whether those means should exist) it's wrong, unpatriotic, or whatever. There has been zero evidence (again, not innuendo or supposition) that Trump has committed any violations of the tax law but "not paying" taxes is abhorrent in his case, the utterly fuzzy "fair share" standard being hurled about as a concrete metric by which to judge.
In short, we're becoming every more hypocritical. Same in daily life, where the entitlement attitude often rears its ugly head. Rules for thee, but not for me.
3
Yes, this makes sense. But the fact is that our fundamental values are failing here, and no rules will change that. When Congress is willing to lie and cheat to protect a corrupt President and wealthy donors, all bets are off. Honor, patriotism, the courage of conviction will save us....but if we don't rise up now it could mean we'll have to face ruin first.
Sometimes I, who despise Donald Trump and everything he stands for, take a step back and have to admit that the press is going after him in a way I've never seen before. Trying to keep an open mind, I wonder if the media aren't being almost obstructionist with their constant digging and criticism. And aren't they playing into the hands of Trump supporters who claim he is being treated unfairly because (so far) he has done nothing technically illegal and that his actions do not rise to the level of impeachment?
Then I have to think that it is precisely because what he has done may not turn out to be technically illegal that we, the press and the people, have to continue to call him out. It has been said that we can't legislate morality, and perhaps we can't, but we can recognize amorality, expose it, and consider the consequences it brings about.
Rule-benders can follow the letter of the law and while doing so commit crimes against civility and humanity, crimes that can alter to path of humankind in ways much more consequential than some actually indictable offenses. Those rule-benders may require new laws, but they also require us to speak out and to support a vigorous free press.
Then I have to think that it is precisely because what he has done may not turn out to be technically illegal that we, the press and the people, have to continue to call him out. It has been said that we can't legislate morality, and perhaps we can't, but we can recognize amorality, expose it, and consider the consequences it brings about.
Rule-benders can follow the letter of the law and while doing so commit crimes against civility and humanity, crimes that can alter to path of humankind in ways much more consequential than some actually indictable offenses. Those rule-benders may require new laws, but they also require us to speak out and to support a vigorous free press.
2
This is an excellent editorial and the suggested corrections and strengthening's proposed for the Office of Government Ethics could not possibly be more correct.
Unfortunately, Trump has snuck up on us and is currently winning. Having 62 million or so avid supporters makes controlling him and his suspect cabinet choices nearly impossible to stop.
We need doable solutions and people to make them happen.
Unfortunately, Trump has snuck up on us and is currently winning. Having 62 million or so avid supporters makes controlling him and his suspect cabinet choices nearly impossible to stop.
We need doable solutions and people to make them happen.
2
As much as I truly revile this administration and this president, I have to opine that he is merely a symptom of a general decline of ethics in this country.
We are surrounded every day by "no fault" insurance, legal settlements where no guilt or culpability is admitted, and wrong-doers routinely offer the "non-apology apology" without ever saying what they are truly sorry for.
We too often careen towards writing yet more laws and regulations, as if codified and written documents are what are needed to regulate our lives and ourselves. I do believe in the "rule of law", but I also believe that laws and regulations govern a very small part of our lives, and that we're all responsible for our own moral and ethical compasses, hopefully grounded, tuned and calibrated through good parenting, schooling, and a positive interaction with society.
So many of us who oppose just about everything that this president does, says and thinks believe that he lacks such a moral and ethical compass, but do we truly believe that more laws, constitutional or not, will somehow magically give him one?
We have speed limits, yet is it really the occasional cop who catches a speeder that keeps us at 65, or is it our own inner voice that makes us ease up on the pedal on an empty stretch of road, in the middle of the night, with nary a patrol car in sight?
Laws are great, but they cannot cure what ails this president, his enablers, or this country at this point.
We are surrounded every day by "no fault" insurance, legal settlements where no guilt or culpability is admitted, and wrong-doers routinely offer the "non-apology apology" without ever saying what they are truly sorry for.
We too often careen towards writing yet more laws and regulations, as if codified and written documents are what are needed to regulate our lives and ourselves. I do believe in the "rule of law", but I also believe that laws and regulations govern a very small part of our lives, and that we're all responsible for our own moral and ethical compasses, hopefully grounded, tuned and calibrated through good parenting, schooling, and a positive interaction with society.
So many of us who oppose just about everything that this president does, says and thinks believe that he lacks such a moral and ethical compass, but do we truly believe that more laws, constitutional or not, will somehow magically give him one?
We have speed limits, yet is it really the occasional cop who catches a speeder that keeps us at 65, or is it our own inner voice that makes us ease up on the pedal on an empty stretch of road, in the middle of the night, with nary a patrol car in sight?
Laws are great, but they cannot cure what ails this president, his enablers, or this country at this point.
38
Laws are written by Congress and translated into regulations by the executive branch to facilitate enforcement.
Obama created regulations that had never been authorized by legislation.
Obama created regulations that had never been authorized by legislation.
1
Why it took you so long to reach the obvious conclusion, in view of Trump's flagrant assaults to our constitutional system, that new laws need to be created?
Long past are the days in which unethical people could not possibly occupy the White House. So we need to bring the down to earth qualifications to be President.
For a start, and in addition to be a citizen of the US and older than 35 years, I would say:
1) No person shall be eligible to the office of President unless he/she makes public his/hers last 10 years of tax returns.
2) No person owning a money-making business shall be eligible to the office of President.
3) No President can use the office of the President to accuse anyone of breaking the law. These grievances must be channeled through the judicial system. Purposeful and/or repeated violation of this law will constitute ground for immediate removal from office.
Long past are the days in which unethical people could not possibly occupy the White House. So we need to bring the down to earth qualifications to be President.
For a start, and in addition to be a citizen of the US and older than 35 years, I would say:
1) No person shall be eligible to the office of President unless he/she makes public his/hers last 10 years of tax returns.
2) No person owning a money-making business shall be eligible to the office of President.
3) No President can use the office of the President to accuse anyone of breaking the law. These grievances must be channeled through the judicial system. Purposeful and/or repeated violation of this law will constitute ground for immediate removal from office.
4
Can we bring a CLASS ACTION lawsuit? Take Donald to court for total lack of class?
9
Mr. Trump has refused to adequately separate his business interests from his public office. Every day, he is in clear violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. It is unconstitutional for him (through his businesses) to accept any money from any foreign government, without the express consent of Congress.
For the sake of argument, let us assume:
1. Mr. Trump has legitimate business entanglements with Russian citizens (loans and investments).
2. Mr. Trump believes that his pro-Russia policy shift is in the best interest of the United States. For example, he might assert that we should partner with Russia to fight ISIS and terrorism, and to stabilize the Middle East.
The problem is that there is the appearance that Mr. Trump is pivoting toward Russia in government policy because of his business interests. Even if his business arrangements and his foreign policy are separate, and are both completely above board, the mere appearance of a connection damages his credibility, and the credibility of the United States.
This is why the Founders included the emoluments clause in the Constitution. This is why we require disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.
For the sake of argument, let us assume:
1. Mr. Trump has legitimate business entanglements with Russian citizens (loans and investments).
2. Mr. Trump believes that his pro-Russia policy shift is in the best interest of the United States. For example, he might assert that we should partner with Russia to fight ISIS and terrorism, and to stabilize the Middle East.
The problem is that there is the appearance that Mr. Trump is pivoting toward Russia in government policy because of his business interests. Even if his business arrangements and his foreign policy are separate, and are both completely above board, the mere appearance of a connection damages his credibility, and the credibility of the United States.
This is why the Founders included the emoluments clause in the Constitution. This is why we require disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.
6
Deconstructing government means taking down its ethical infrastructure as well. Many Americans seem all-too-ready to support this direction. What will follow?
6
The president is out of control. The Presidency is out of control. The depth and breadth of ethical violations is staggering. This administration is characterized, indelibly, with disrespect, dysfunction, and derision. If Americans, irrespective of party, choose to abrogate their responsibility to demand ethical accountability from those who say they represent our interests, we have no hope and no one else to blame. It's not supposed to be easy.
31
Not just ethical regulations but the constitution itself wasn't written with this sort of administration in mind.
Had the founders imagined a Trump type president they would have made the impeachment option simpler and faster to implement.
Had the founders imagined a Trump type president they would have made the impeachment option simpler and faster to implement.
16
The GOP is supporting this conduct. They have not demanded that Trump, his family, or his associates release anything, not the ethics waivers, not his tax returns, not their returns if they haven't been released, not their conflicts of interest, nothing. The GOP, which derided Clinton for her actions during Benghazi, had several committees formed to try to discredit her, has done nothing to protect Americans against our Cheater in Chief.
We have a cabinet composed of unqualified people who are willing to dismantle or ignore decades of research and work about the environment, diplomacy, poverty, education, etc., in favor of enriching the economic elites and themselves. The Trump family and associates do not require new rules. The GOP needs to grow a backbone and demand that this First Family and friends be as ethical as they demanded Democrats to be. Then again, the Greedy Obnoxious Pirates aren't known for their ethics either. Just look at McConnell, Ryan, Cruz, Rubio, and the rest and you see a party of sore losers and ungracious winners.
Whether we like it or not, the GOP is symptom of what's wrong in America. We elected a man who said that not paying income taxes made him smart. How smart is it? The taxes we pay fund our schools, our roads, public health services, government research, environmental protection. Trump is a wealthy freeloader. If he were poor we'd call him a parasite who belongs in jail. So the rest of his cronies.
We have a cabinet composed of unqualified people who are willing to dismantle or ignore decades of research and work about the environment, diplomacy, poverty, education, etc., in favor of enriching the economic elites and themselves. The Trump family and associates do not require new rules. The GOP needs to grow a backbone and demand that this First Family and friends be as ethical as they demanded Democrats to be. Then again, the Greedy Obnoxious Pirates aren't known for their ethics either. Just look at McConnell, Ryan, Cruz, Rubio, and the rest and you see a party of sore losers and ungracious winners.
Whether we like it or not, the GOP is symptom of what's wrong in America. We elected a man who said that not paying income taxes made him smart. How smart is it? The taxes we pay fund our schools, our roads, public health services, government research, environmental protection. Trump is a wealthy freeloader. If he were poor we'd call him a parasite who belongs in jail. So the rest of his cronies.
80
The White House released a list of staffers granted waivers yesterday. Donald Trump and all his aides have filed financial disclosure statements. The IRS audits Trump's tax returns.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/us/politics/lobbyist-ethics-waivers-t...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/us/politics/lobbyist-ethics-waivers-t...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Too bad the media didn't spend more time on Congress during the election rather than ratings due to Trump's antics. If people wanted change, that was where it had to begin. Hopefully, they will not fail us in 2018.
20
We are working on registering the 200,000 voters the Republicans took off the voter rolls because they had not voted in 6 years. Guess which race was most effected.
15
They failed in the census year of 2010 to turn out to reinforce the president they elected in 2008, which led to the gerrymander that armlocked the rest of his administration.
1
The President's violation of former ethics standards are a useful reminder that hard rules and hard enforcement are necessary. A starting place to illustrate the consequences of going over the ethics line would be for Special Prosecutor to indict and try any Trump Officials, including the President and his family, who are engaged in illegal activities. Jail time and massively heavy fines are what is required to focus the attention of this family and its Administration and serve as a warning to future Presidents. Nothing less will do.
20
The simple and only acceptable solution to the Trump hotel issue is for 100% of the net profits to be turned over to the U.S. treasury while Trump is in office. Period.
35
Unfortunately, to focus on Trump's thievery and contempt for ethics is to ignore the broader picture. The conflicts of interest rife among his cabinet and appointees are similarly eliciting not the slightest interest among those who could clamp down on them. For just one example, Tom Price has traded thousands and thousands of dollars in stocks in companies whose stock prices he directly influenced while in Congress and especially now as HHS secretary. He has profited directly from trades in companies whose stock prices he influenced and bought and sold stock on the basis of insider information to which the broader public had no access. Accountability? Not so much.
Until the country takes this kind of white-collar crime seriously, nothing will happen. As usual, Trump just took what was already happening out there and pushed it even further, violating the Constitution with impunity every day. He bet no one would do anything about it, and so far he's right.
Until the country takes this kind of white-collar crime seriously, nothing will happen. As usual, Trump just took what was already happening out there and pushed it even further, violating the Constitution with impunity every day. He bet no one would do anything about it, and so far he's right.
33
The whole system is rigged to let the people with the power to make the news front run what they know will happen in financial markets.
I disagree.
The ethics rules need to be weaker to accommodate Trump.
At least, then, we would not seem to be a country that has abandoned our basic values of respect for the law and that no man is above the law.
The ethics rules are not the problem. Congressional Republicans don't care about the obvious breaches. There are more than enough grounds to put pressure on Trump. But they won't. And their voters are ok with the breaches. Make the rules comport with the accepted behavior.
The ethics rules need to be weaker to accommodate Trump.
At least, then, we would not seem to be a country that has abandoned our basic values of respect for the law and that no man is above the law.
The ethics rules are not the problem. Congressional Republicans don't care about the obvious breaches. There are more than enough grounds to put pressure on Trump. But they won't. And their voters are ok with the breaches. Make the rules comport with the accepted behavior.
6
The American system of democracy thrived so long as the three institutions - Presidency, Congress and Supreme Court uphold their respective responsibilities. The downhill trend started with the Supreme Court when it accepted Corporations, not the promoters of corporations as citizen. This decision morphed into an elected Congress that is controlled by rich and wealthy - the top 1%. And finally, came the election of Trump - the great con man as the President. Currently, our all three branches of governments are compromised. Our only hope is the Free Press and patriotic civil servants. The history of other countries on this aspect is not very ensuring - an economic down turn or a national emergency will weaken this resistance and the country will become like Turkey and Russia. Markel understood this possibility and warned Europe to separate its destiny from US. The ethics violations are only the tip of the iceberg.
96
The idea of corporate personhood (different from a natural person, but applicable in terms of contracts) emerged in the early 1800's, not from Citizens United, as so many in here like to believe.
Perhaps the problem is actually one of how the public has changed its view of the presidency, a mixed result of media, lack of civics and history instruction, and our apparent need to have "someone" to look up to; thus we get people looking to the president as the head of government in all things, to whom the other branches must yield, whose programs and ideas are what should take precedence over Congress, who must be lionized to the point where even their spouse is oohed and aahed over like a consort, a national mommy and daddy who must be there to comfort us in every little thing no matter how far removed from what the constitution calls for (witness the latest, the criticism of President Trump for not having expressed something about the local killings in Portland).
Perhaps the problem is actually one of how the public has changed its view of the presidency, a mixed result of media, lack of civics and history instruction, and our apparent need to have "someone" to look up to; thus we get people looking to the president as the head of government in all things, to whom the other branches must yield, whose programs and ideas are what should take precedence over Congress, who must be lionized to the point where even their spouse is oohed and aahed over like a consort, a national mommy and daddy who must be there to comfort us in every little thing no matter how far removed from what the constitution calls for (witness the latest, the criticism of President Trump for not having expressed something about the local killings in Portland).
1
The courts got more corrupted under cover of the backlash to the Roe v. Wade ruling the plutocrats cleverly funded to sneak in crackpot judges.
Obama had more rebukes from the SCOTUS and other federal courts than any President in history, several of which he simply ignored. Obama had zero experience in building consensus and was not even able to persuade Democrats in control of both houses of congress to pass global warming or immigration reform legislation. Absent legislation, he decided would exceed his executive authority by making new laws. It turns out those laws were written in ink that disappeared as soon as he was out of office.
When Bush was President, Democrats complained that he was expanding the power of the executive. Obama made him look like a piker.
Obama implemented his signature legislation in ways that violated his own law. He waived the employer mandate for 2014 and 2015, depriving the treasury of penalties due. He paid money to insurers that had never been appropriated by congress. He provided employer subsidies to Congress and their staffs despite it being a violation of the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. He created the illusion in foreign governments that he could bind the US to the Paris treaty absent a Senate vote.
If you examine the actions of Trump, those that Democrats find most offensive are reversals of unilateral actions taken by Obama. Trump is not writing new laws, he is resetting the illegal actions of his predecessor's pen and cell phone.
Obama ignored the separation of powers. Trump, Congress and the courts are now jointly rolling back his regulations.
When Bush was President, Democrats complained that he was expanding the power of the executive. Obama made him look like a piker.
Obama implemented his signature legislation in ways that violated his own law. He waived the employer mandate for 2014 and 2015, depriving the treasury of penalties due. He paid money to insurers that had never been appropriated by congress. He provided employer subsidies to Congress and their staffs despite it being a violation of the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. He created the illusion in foreign governments that he could bind the US to the Paris treaty absent a Senate vote.
If you examine the actions of Trump, those that Democrats find most offensive are reversals of unilateral actions taken by Obama. Trump is not writing new laws, he is resetting the illegal actions of his predecessor's pen and cell phone.
Obama ignored the separation of powers. Trump, Congress and the courts are now jointly rolling back his regulations.
1
The problem isn't the rules. The problem is the kind of people we elect. As long as we continue to confer power on those who most want it, we'll be stuck in this morass.
It seems unimaginable today that once upon a time candidates didn't themselves campaign for the presidency. And while the cynical will say that was just a show for voters who didn't want their elected officials to want the job too much, the real takeaway is just that -- we the people had a completely different stance toward the ideal character of a leader. Those who were ambitious and power hungry were seen as dangerous in our highest offices. No more.
Until we change what we look for and reward, ain't no rules that won't be bent by those who view their elected office not as a duty assumed reluctantly, but as an opportunity to be bled dry.
It seems unimaginable today that once upon a time candidates didn't themselves campaign for the presidency. And while the cynical will say that was just a show for voters who didn't want their elected officials to want the job too much, the real takeaway is just that -- we the people had a completely different stance toward the ideal character of a leader. Those who were ambitious and power hungry were seen as dangerous in our highest offices. No more.
Until we change what we look for and reward, ain't no rules that won't be bent by those who view their elected office not as a duty assumed reluctantly, but as an opportunity to be bled dry.
17
I just finished reading a book that described how our founding fathers, Jefferson chief among them, designed our system specifically with the belief in the people to recognize "good" leaders, for all that term implies, and elect them. And they also designed checks and balances in the inevitable event the people's judgement occasionally missed the mark. But no system can be designed to protect our nation when so many are ethically bankrupt, and when the people, confronted with clear evidence that candidates for leadership positions are thoroughly deficient in both capabilities and ethics, elect them anyway. We're in uncharted territory, and we have lost our compass. It is up to the people to find our way out. Whether we can, and will, remains to be seen, but the signs are not encouraging.
33
Jefferson was as incorrigible a stiffer of merchants as Trump is of contractors.
This report, as is the case with an increasing number of mainstream media reporting, is yet another effort to manage public perception by discussing governmental wrongdoing, with no intention of developing solutions, and doing everything possible to continue the fake battles between the elites, as they jockey for power and control.
Our democracy existed and exists in name only, planned from inception to hide the indisputable fact that we exist, barely exist, under authoritarian after authoritarian regime, with slight carefully crafted differences deployed to momentarily quell dissent.
It makes not one whit of difference which of the two mainstream parties is in power; they feed each other, starve the masses, and continue the age old game of divide, conquer, and own the wealth and own the people.
Any and all suggested change to benefit the masses, is pure diversion, created so the real business of subjugation can continue.
Our democracy existed and exists in name only, planned from inception to hide the indisputable fact that we exist, barely exist, under authoritarian after authoritarian regime, with slight carefully crafted differences deployed to momentarily quell dissent.
It makes not one whit of difference which of the two mainstream parties is in power; they feed each other, starve the masses, and continue the age old game of divide, conquer, and own the wealth and own the people.
Any and all suggested change to benefit the masses, is pure diversion, created so the real business of subjugation can continue.
6
This article isn't strong enough. Trump has killed the ethics rules. They don't exist to him. If we had a real Congress, they'd pass by veto proof majorities stronger ethics laws. But we don't.
60
'What you can get away with'. Since Regan the US has made the illegal legal. And this illegality begins with corporate cheating which we all know is okay because freedum! The ethics of the corporate business world are the ethics of the US. Example: General Electric getting a 400 million dollar rebate.come on!
Starts there, the graft! Different rules for different classes. Not a democracy!
Starts there, the graft! Different rules for different classes. Not a democracy!
32
Yes, the ethics rules need to be strengthened and clarified, but don't hold your breath expecting that to happen any time soon! And even when it is done (if it is done), one wonders if it will matter. In a country and amongst a people for whom the meme "Rules were made to be broken" is the unwritten law of the land, the strength of the rule probably won't matter. My father used to say that locks only protect you from the honest; ethics rules only protect the country from the ethical.
So how can we make our elected officials follow ethical standards? Where's the public outcry? Who's the person who will champion the saving of our democracy? Citizens United created a pay for play culture. People who can buy media and politicians can brain wash so that the "common man" is lulled into a self-centered stupor.
I kind of resent hearing Trump's cheesy, tacky ostentatiousness, the wearing of greed on his sleeve, his wife's optics-blind public donning of a coat that costs most people's annual income, etc., being referred to as a "New York lifestyle." I know plenty of wealthy people in New York, and they live low-key, if nice, secure lives. They don't paint their names in giant gold letters on the outsides of their homes, engage in constant, flagrant unethical behavior, lie, steal, cheat, or walk around murmuring "Let them eat cake" to poor people. What the Trumps do is some reality TV fantasy of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." It has nothing to do with New York.
52
If these new rules are implemented, then and only then Trump's presidency may not have been completely vacuous.
10
What is going on in Washington, is that we now have a businessman in the WH. Up until this time we have always had politicians, who " had no business ties".
Shall we now exclude future candidates who are businessmen,?
It is. It so easy to divest from a business, to become the president.
Shall we now exclude future candidates who are businessmen,?
It is. It so easy to divest from a business, to become the president.
3
This article makes so much sense. There already is a law that precludes Jared and Ivanka. They should be put out immediately. Our rule of law needs to be enforced. While Trump gets away with slowly destroying our Democracy, he now is starting to destroy our planet. How can people on D.C. sit back while Trump thoughtlessly pulls out of Paris Accord? Come on Congress - do your job. Save us.
38
When power and money are the ONLY motivating forces, anything and everything is OK in the drive to get that.
Donald Trump, in his inadvertently most telling moment, said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose a single vote. He's proven that to be true, but, he's not the first. In state assembly, gubernatorial, House and Senate races across the nation over the last several years, Republicans have proven again and again there is NO excess that disqualifies them from election. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee is an ardent anti-abortionist, hypocritically forced two women he impregnated to have abortions, yet was elected anyway in 2010. The late Jim Bunning of Kentucky, against Mongiardo in his 2004 re-election debate, cheated by getting the answers in real time off-camera--and won anyway. Rick Scot, Governor of Florida, committed over 75 criminal violations of Medicaid fraud as CEO of Columbia/HCA (leading the Frists to separate HCA from Columbia), yet got elected and re-elected.
And just a week ago, Greg Gianforte got easily elected in Montana a day after he assaulted and choked a reporter for asking a fairly innocuous and reasonable question. Then there were the thousands of "disqualifiers" of Trump that anyone else would have had to drop out for. Last one I remember was Jack Ryan in Illinois in 2004(?), which made Barack Obama a Senator.
Is it any wonder the GOP simply doesn't give a darn about ethics and ethical violations? Certainly their voters don't!
Donald Trump, in his inadvertently most telling moment, said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose a single vote. He's proven that to be true, but, he's not the first. In state assembly, gubernatorial, House and Senate races across the nation over the last several years, Republicans have proven again and again there is NO excess that disqualifies them from election. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee is an ardent anti-abortionist, hypocritically forced two women he impregnated to have abortions, yet was elected anyway in 2010. The late Jim Bunning of Kentucky, against Mongiardo in his 2004 re-election debate, cheated by getting the answers in real time off-camera--and won anyway. Rick Scot, Governor of Florida, committed over 75 criminal violations of Medicaid fraud as CEO of Columbia/HCA (leading the Frists to separate HCA from Columbia), yet got elected and re-elected.
And just a week ago, Greg Gianforte got easily elected in Montana a day after he assaulted and choked a reporter for asking a fairly innocuous and reasonable question. Then there were the thousands of "disqualifiers" of Trump that anyone else would have had to drop out for. Last one I remember was Jack Ryan in Illinois in 2004(?), which made Barack Obama a Senator.
Is it any wonder the GOP simply doesn't give a darn about ethics and ethical violations? Certainly their voters don't!
A person might almost suspect that a number of Republican senators are GLAD that Donald Trump and his family are so flamboyant in pursuing their own interests and organizing so many greedy, worldwide scams. Their antics provide a smokescreen behind which the Tea Party reps and Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell can work with their picks and shovels, smashing government regulations that protect the environment and our national parks, chipping away at publicly funded programs that provide healthcare and insurance for millions (Medicaid AND Medicare), programs that sustain our public schools and fund scientific research and the arts. Journalists are all watching Trump, Jared, and svelte Ivanka ... while Paul Ryan quietly wipes the sweat from his forehead and prepares to take another hard swing at the mountain ... i.e., America.
35
This, exactly. Does anyone really believe that if Trump is gone and, heaven forbid, Pence is in his place that Ryan & McConnell won't go right on with their hateful agenda?
"For Mr. Trump and his circle, what matters is not what’s right but what you can get away with."
That's the standard MO of people with no moral compas, be they immoral or amoral. And in that category, the Trumps are in a class by themselves.
The present rules were written with the understanding that people like Donald Trump could never be elected anywhere, let alone POTUS. Big mistake.
So new rules are needed. And they must cover literally everything, starting with: "It is forbidden to spit on the floor." That would be a daunting task. A better solution would be for political parties to start vetting their prospective candidates seriously, with publicly known common sense rules, before they are allowed to run for the nomination of the party.
That's the standard MO of people with no moral compas, be they immoral or amoral. And in that category, the Trumps are in a class by themselves.
The present rules were written with the understanding that people like Donald Trump could never be elected anywhere, let alone POTUS. Big mistake.
So new rules are needed. And they must cover literally everything, starting with: "It is forbidden to spit on the floor." That would be a daunting task. A better solution would be for political parties to start vetting their prospective candidates seriously, with publicly known common sense rules, before they are allowed to run for the nomination of the party.
15
Yeah, well those same rules need to cover instances like where a staffer stuffs presumably incriminating papers down his pants to remove them from access by investigators, not responding to subpoenas, exparte communications with Attorney General, deliberately working to avoid freedom of information act access to government records... the list goes on.
Let's cut through and see behind the "curtain: Can anyone even *imagine* the current Republican-controlled congress allowing even a single one of the suggestions for imposition of laws enforcing the ethical standards proposed in this article to even get to a floor vote? Read, also, today's op-ed "Is the Democratic Party Too Rich?" and consider what kind of apocalypse it might require to get enough Democrats to join sufficient dissident Republicans to overwhelm the present MO.
3
Only you people on the NY Times editorial board could ever criticize an American for giving the government the least amount of taxes that is legally required. That tells you all you need to know about the mindset of these people, hibernating in their safe spaces, in the upper west side with Manhattan's richest elites. Yes it is right to follow the law and give the government only what it is owed. So get over yourselves!
5
Hi Steve, I think you have missed the point. It was not that he paid only what was due, but rather that he was told that he "failed to pay income taxes" and that he did not deny it, but praised himself for being "smart" rather than illegal. And now this person has proposed to change the tax system that he pays *significantly* less. Do you not feel that there is something wrong with this picture?
....as they relentlessly advocate for illegal aliens while decrying the alleged malfeasance of Trump.
The hypocrisy of this disgusting editorial board truly knows no bounds.
The hypocrisy of this disgusting editorial board truly knows no bounds.
1
It's an outrage that Trump's flagrant unethical behavior is all "permissible." He knows he's in a great position as President to line his pockets with the money that comes his way via his D.C. hotel and other business promotions using his stature as President. The lack of basic rules forbidding presidential financial conflict of interest is glaring. All we have is the arcane and vague emoluments clause. Trump has exposed the many weaknesses in a system that allows a crook to operate unchecked in the White House. What should have been more obvious to the framers of the Constitution was that a significant one party majority in Congress was going to be an unlikely check on a President of the same party. Too much of the American political system appears obsolete or inadequate. And no one is even seriously talking about removing that holdover from slavery --the electoral college. That deserves to be knocked down like the Confederste statues in New Orleans. Americans need to stop their smug thinking their system is so perfect and demanding it's seriious and dangerous flaws be fixed.
40
Well argued!
Too many Americans believe that the US Constitution is a divine revelation like the Bible.
lurap, you nailed it!
Ironically, I had to give the bank more of my financial information to get a mortgage on my home than Trump had to give the country to gain the keys to the White House. Rules at my workplace would prevent my hiring a relative to work under my supervision. These are just two examples of ethical conventions that are widely accepted and observed among everyday people. No president should be exempt from them. To the contrary, the country's leader should be held to the highest ethical standards -- and if we can't trust voters to elect a president who is beyond reproach, then yes, there oughta be a law.
29
Cynicism seems to be the word of the times. Trump voters elected him to "shake things up" in Washington because they believed that the entire system was corrupt and stacked against them. They hated paying for health insurance under risk of penalty rather than getting free healthcare at emergency rooms, they hated having a smart, thin, literate, ethical black president, they hated everything about the Democratic party's efforts to increase voter participation, access to justice for all, and safety net for "those" people.
So they voted for a guy who they knew would run the country for his own gain, and who would be ill-suited to "make America great again" because his only interest was in how many faces were turned toward himself. When you "shake things up", it's the equivalent of throwing the baby out with the bathwater--everything, including ethical standards that worked for over 200 years, goes down the drain. Welcome to the cowardly new world "America" voted for. We not only need election reform--we need voter reform.
My fervent hope is that Democratic resentment of the mess Republicans are making of our country will overwhelm the resentment that swept our so-called president into office in the next election. Oh, and Democrats had better run a white male candidate next time if they want any chance of winning.
So they voted for a guy who they knew would run the country for his own gain, and who would be ill-suited to "make America great again" because his only interest was in how many faces were turned toward himself. When you "shake things up", it's the equivalent of throwing the baby out with the bathwater--everything, including ethical standards that worked for over 200 years, goes down the drain. Welcome to the cowardly new world "America" voted for. We not only need election reform--we need voter reform.
My fervent hope is that Democratic resentment of the mess Republicans are making of our country will overwhelm the resentment that swept our so-called president into office in the next election. Oh, and Democrats had better run a white male candidate next time if they want any chance of winning.
10
Yes, and that white man better be Bernie.
1
"Mr. Trump’s excesses chip away at the integrity of the ethics program, and of the government itself. "
We don't even have words to describe the crime spree that is the trump administration. This is like discussing an ethical way to rob banks. trump and his disgusting cronies are out to rob us, are robbing us. And the funny thing is, this will probably have a greater negative effect on states like Alabama, Wisconsin, Idaho and Texas than on New York and California where the states are very blue and state governments (and DAs and AGs) are very anti-trump. So at least those that gave us this travesty of a government will reap the lion's share of pain. Not that that is much solace. It's not.
We don't even have words to describe the crime spree that is the trump administration. This is like discussing an ethical way to rob banks. trump and his disgusting cronies are out to rob us, are robbing us. And the funny thing is, this will probably have a greater negative effect on states like Alabama, Wisconsin, Idaho and Texas than on New York and California where the states are very blue and state governments (and DAs and AGs) are very anti-trump. So at least those that gave us this travesty of a government will reap the lion's share of pain. Not that that is much solace. It's not.
14
NOT MY PRESIDENT has no ethics and never will. He is a vile, narcissistic, ignorant individual who has no sense of standards or conduct. Legislation will need to be enacted to force all elected officials to comply with specific ethical criteria.
10
Please tell me that I'm not the only one that sees the ironic humor in being lectured about ethics, by the New York Times Editorial Board. After all, journalism is supposed to have ethical codes as well.
But you wouldn't know it by the Times' hostile coverage of the Trump presidency, and its corresponding failure to attack with equal aggressiveness the myriad constitutional overreaches of his predecessor, the feckless Obama, or the equally myriad corruption issues of the Clintons.
Nope. Just blind, shrill, pointless carping and feigned indignance, about anything that doesn't bolster the socialists agenda.
The readers would be better served if the board spent more time focusing on the ethics issues in New York City government, which is one of the most corrupt governments in the United States.
1
You do know that the Republican party threw everything they could at Obama. That would suggest that if they had any evidence of prosecutable or impeachable offenses, they would most assuredly have followed up on them. Had that been the case, the NYT would have covered it in exquisite detail. Note that they had extensive coverage on Clinton for prosecutable or impeachable offenses.
Your complaint suggests a lack of grounding in fact. If you have any to follow up, please provide them. And, no, alternative facts do not count.
Your complaint suggests a lack of grounding in fact. If you have any to follow up, please provide them. And, no, alternative facts do not count.
3
I can't help but notice the use of a straw man to defend the utterly corrupt hollow man in the White House. No one voted for the New York Times Editorial Board, and they are entitled to their own opinions just as you are. The unprecedented corruption in the White House is not excused by corruption in a newspaper, a state government, or a board room. I am amused in an elitist, ironic way, that anyone would make that ridiculous argument. Alas!
What "overreaches" by the Obama administration? You do realize that Trump is on track with his myriad executive orders to bypass Obama in short order, right? Overreach, thy name is Trump. And funny, isn't it, how Republicans have no problem with so-called lawless overreach by a president when the president is Republican. But they scream self-righteously, instead of actually doing any work themselves, when a Democrat does much less.
Well, you would know if you would educate yourself.
Well, you would know if you would educate yourself.
This administration's a cesspool. Tighten the rules and they'd continue to ignore or defy them and lie about it with impunity.
7
The Trumps and Kushners have no morals or honor. Their only rule is to rake in as much money as they can and stuff it into their pockets. For them, corruption is a way of life ... the only way.
They're using Trump's position in the government as a tool to make money. The United States itself and its people don't matter to them. They're just a means to an end. They want more money. And more money. And MORE money! There can never be enough! Never!
It doesn't matter who they hurt. Human and civil rights don't matter. What did the old gangs used to call people who got in their way ... mushrooms? To the Trumps and Kushners that's what the rest of us are. And they like to hire thugs who like to subjugate other people and are often so addicted to hate they can't think of anything else.
They're not good in business like Bloomberg or Gates. Trump's endless bankruptcies are a testament to that. When honest banks refused to lend him money, he then had to turn to the Russian Mafia and Putin, who were very glad to help ... but at a price. A price which Trump and his crime family are still very glad to pay. The price is The United States of America. Putin wants it dead and Trump wants to sell it off for parts, with the proceeds of course going into his own pockets.
For the Trumps and Kushners there's no such thing as ethics. And there can only be one end to this. Either the U.S. becomes as corrupt as they are. Or we remove them and install men and women of real integrity.
They're using Trump's position in the government as a tool to make money. The United States itself and its people don't matter to them. They're just a means to an end. They want more money. And more money. And MORE money! There can never be enough! Never!
It doesn't matter who they hurt. Human and civil rights don't matter. What did the old gangs used to call people who got in their way ... mushrooms? To the Trumps and Kushners that's what the rest of us are. And they like to hire thugs who like to subjugate other people and are often so addicted to hate they can't think of anything else.
They're not good in business like Bloomberg or Gates. Trump's endless bankruptcies are a testament to that. When honest banks refused to lend him money, he then had to turn to the Russian Mafia and Putin, who were very glad to help ... but at a price. A price which Trump and his crime family are still very glad to pay. The price is The United States of America. Putin wants it dead and Trump wants to sell it off for parts, with the proceeds of course going into his own pockets.
For the Trumps and Kushners there's no such thing as ethics. And there can only be one end to this. Either the U.S. becomes as corrupt as they are. Or we remove them and install men and women of real integrity.
13
President Trump a smarty for not paying income taxes? Impropriety is Trump's bailiwick. "Whack-a-mole" (bloody image) is the current idiom for going after ethics violations in our 45th President's administration. Corruption beyond belief enveloped Trump and his extensive family long before he won our Presidential election in November. The federal ethics program is a house of cards regarding Trump, his grotesque lack of ethics and flaunting of his immorality and lack of respect for the Presidency. Conflicts of interest? Obstruction of government investigations? And what about the "Antinepotism Law" Passed in 1967? Integrity in a President like Donald Trump, does not exist. Integrity, which was President Barack Obama's legacy, is anathema to this Trump Presidency.
11
The lawlessness, criminality, thuggery are trickling down from the White House and GOP and spreading throughout our society. I now fear everyone and everything. I fear strangers, men and people in authority. All now know that bullying, demeaning the weak, and criminality are qualities that are respected and elected to our highest office. All now know that the "winners" are the ones who can cheat or steal the most from the undeserving victims.
5
And I thought British politics was bad!
Have you ever thought that you need to update all you're rules, regulations, and constitution, after all the world and your country have dramatically changed in the last 250 (apx) years.
The thing that Scare's me is, how close are you to imploding? When will you're next civil war start? The vitriol and distrust is escalating but this time instead if north and south it will be Republican against Democrats. Is history about to repeat itself?
I try to remember that you are a young country, but really you're not you just like to act it.
It's time to grow up and sort yourselves, laws, and constitution out. This is no longer a time of ME but of ALL. Please think of the bigger picture.
Have you ever thought that you need to update all you're rules, regulations, and constitution, after all the world and your country have dramatically changed in the last 250 (apx) years.
The thing that Scare's me is, how close are you to imploding? When will you're next civil war start? The vitriol and distrust is escalating but this time instead if north and south it will be Republican against Democrats. Is history about to repeat itself?
I try to remember that you are a young country, but really you're not you just like to act it.
It's time to grow up and sort yourselves, laws, and constitution out. This is no longer a time of ME but of ALL. Please think of the bigger picture.
5
It is sad, indeed, that that new ethics laws have to be written due to the record laid down by this one President, but it is necessary.
If the Republican Party had spoken out loud and long against his most egregious acts of ethical offense such radical action may not have been necessary, but as you point out, they most decidedly have not. They have chosen to be silent, or to back him with the most weak and transparent of defenses, choosing to make themselves look ridiculous and equally barren of ethical standards in order to hope to gain personal legislative advantage.
Trump has a history of saying that less than sterling business dealings he has made were "legal" and that is we didn't want him to do it, we - the country - should make it illegal. That's all he understands - all he obeys. If he can't be fined or jailed for doing it - it's ok.
So make it "illegal" to do what he's doing. Make him face a fine or jail if he does it again. But do it fast. As he says, nobody knows the system better than he does, and he and his family are robbing us blind, and destroying the dignity of the Presidency by the day, and if we can only rein him in by fear of the law - by god - make what he's doing illegal!
If the Republican Party had spoken out loud and long against his most egregious acts of ethical offense such radical action may not have been necessary, but as you point out, they most decidedly have not. They have chosen to be silent, or to back him with the most weak and transparent of defenses, choosing to make themselves look ridiculous and equally barren of ethical standards in order to hope to gain personal legislative advantage.
Trump has a history of saying that less than sterling business dealings he has made were "legal" and that is we didn't want him to do it, we - the country - should make it illegal. That's all he understands - all he obeys. If he can't be fined or jailed for doing it - it's ok.
So make it "illegal" to do what he's doing. Make him face a fine or jail if he does it again. But do it fast. As he says, nobody knows the system better than he does, and he and his family are robbing us blind, and destroying the dignity of the Presidency by the day, and if we can only rein him in by fear of the law - by god - make what he's doing illegal!
131
If the Democrats had spoken out against the unethical and illegal actions of the Obamas and the Clintons, they would have some credibility in their complaints As it is, they are reflecting partisan posturing.
It was a huge disappointment that despite spending more than twice as much money as Trump, they lost the election. Which goes to show that you cannot buy an election with a minority policy agenda.
It was a huge disappointment that despite spending more than twice as much money as Trump, they lost the election. Which goes to show that you cannot buy an election with a minority policy agenda.
The word "should" appears five times in this editorial. Five times! What, do you you can channel Cato the Younger to help us out here? Yours is an exercise in futility, for who among the Republicans controlling the House and the Senate will listen to you? Who will respond to your insistence that they "should" respond to Trump's flagrant ethical abuses by writing laws to prevent such outrages from ever happening again?
Get real. Republicans in Congress--the whole lot of them--are happy to turn a blind eye to the open venality and public pillaging of our treasury by Trump and his coterie of corrupt family members and vile venal friends. Most believe that so long as taxes for the rich are cut, and public spending on anything other than the military is slashed, what Trump does with his taxes, hotels and businesses, or how he supports his lavish lifestyle, or how he and his friends commingle government employment with their private businesses doesn't matter one little bit.
By being silent about all of this--by not responding to the ethical call of the word "should"--Republicans in Congress proudly announce that they are complicit in Trump's corruption. And yes, dear Republican voters everywhere, you are complicit as well.
Get real. Republicans in Congress--the whole lot of them--are happy to turn a blind eye to the open venality and public pillaging of our treasury by Trump and his coterie of corrupt family members and vile venal friends. Most believe that so long as taxes for the rich are cut, and public spending on anything other than the military is slashed, what Trump does with his taxes, hotels and businesses, or how he supports his lavish lifestyle, or how he and his friends commingle government employment with their private businesses doesn't matter one little bit.
By being silent about all of this--by not responding to the ethical call of the word "should"--Republicans in Congress proudly announce that they are complicit in Trump's corruption. And yes, dear Republican voters everywhere, you are complicit as well.
311
Absolutely right! The degradation of our democracy and of our standing in the world must be hung around the neck of the GOP. May the stench of Trump's corruption linger long after he leaves office to remind voters which party brought this country to its diminished state.
The current ethics laws are just fine. The problem is that no one will enforce them.
As an example, the actual nepotism law says "(b) A public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative of the public official.'
The "official" is defined to specifically include the President, and the "agency", which is the point of dispute from the Republicans, is specifically defined to include the entirety of the Executive Branch, which would cover the White House.
The law could not be more clear. The point is that Congress is too fully occupied with saving their owns seats of power, and figuring out how to spend the massive amounts of dark money coming to them, to worry about minor details like enforcing the law.
A law is only as good as its enforcement. If laws aren't enforced because public officials want to avoid accountability, which is the case with the nepotism laws as well as many others, then that is clear corruption. And THIS White House, along with THIS Republican controlled Congress, are fully and entirely corrupt.
As an example, the actual nepotism law says "(b) A public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative of the public official.'
The "official" is defined to specifically include the President, and the "agency", which is the point of dispute from the Republicans, is specifically defined to include the entirety of the Executive Branch, which would cover the White House.
The law could not be more clear. The point is that Congress is too fully occupied with saving their owns seats of power, and figuring out how to spend the massive amounts of dark money coming to them, to worry about minor details like enforcing the law.
A law is only as good as its enforcement. If laws aren't enforced because public officials want to avoid accountability, which is the case with the nepotism laws as well as many others, then that is clear corruption. And THIS White House, along with THIS Republican controlled Congress, are fully and entirely corrupt.
29
The writer of the article is absolutely right; however, you are also absolutely right. But even if all laws were written better and Congress monitored them with integrity, you would still have a heap of shenanigans. Case-in-point is Trump's next fiasco, which is his interest in rolling back Obama's Cuba policy change. This guy, who is the supposedly bold thinker and changer, really just spends his time reversing his predecessor's progress when he is not fighting allegations of impropriety on Twitter, making "W" look intelligent, firing his apprentices, and making America dumb again. (Let's overlook the fact that apprentices usually worked for a skilled master!) Words mean nothing to a Sophist. Lewis Carroll taught us as children that some people believe that words mean exactly what they want them to mean. When you have such a person who also cannot string together ten words without doubling them up or utter a phrase without a moral cue at the end, such as "sad", all bets are off. This cue, the obvious descendant of the laugh track, says a lot about our citizenry; and points to the absurdity of modern oratory.
33
45's only coherent poiicy, aside from enriching himself and his family at the public's expense, seems to be undoing everything Obama did. It is disgusting to see that psychopathology is so obviously his only driving force instead of reasoned decisions based on facts and advice from people who understand the situation. I can speculate why this is so - envy, resentment, whatever - but as a person who will suffer from what 45 is trying to do, I find it maddening. The only solution is to get rid of the guy. Impeachment, 25th amendment, prison for treason, I don't care how. Just get rid of him and let us elect a grown-up.
It’s an arguable point. We have in Trump a unique historical situation whose causal elements – great wealth dependent on continued operation of a company he built – never was envisioned by earlier rules-writers. However, we should avoid excess in rule-writing.
The agencies and Congress itself are not in the hands of those notably sympathetic to enhanced regulation. So, over-the-top restrictions on a president’s conduct to might simply go nowhere because those who have the power … refuse to act; and, if sufficiently excessive, over-the-top rules could support the charge that some seek to regulate too much, layer on layer … on layer.
It’s also a distraction. America doesn’t face challenges because Trump and undivided Republican government was elected. Trump was elected BECAUSE we face challenges that establishments, including those of BOTH Republicans AND Democrats, failed to address effectively; and we have an undivided Republican Congress built over several election cycles because Democrats tied themselves to the ACA and were seen to be in charge as we accomplished so little generally.
That’s the real issue that Democrats need to address in attempting to regain relevance. Writing rules that require that a president who must react nimbly and sometimes unconventionally to national challenges comport himself or herself in ways that satisfy an elite … doesn’t effectively address the real issue and may be unconstitutional to boot.
The agencies and Congress itself are not in the hands of those notably sympathetic to enhanced regulation. So, over-the-top restrictions on a president’s conduct to might simply go nowhere because those who have the power … refuse to act; and, if sufficiently excessive, over-the-top rules could support the charge that some seek to regulate too much, layer on layer … on layer.
It’s also a distraction. America doesn’t face challenges because Trump and undivided Republican government was elected. Trump was elected BECAUSE we face challenges that establishments, including those of BOTH Republicans AND Democrats, failed to address effectively; and we have an undivided Republican Congress built over several election cycles because Democrats tied themselves to the ACA and were seen to be in charge as we accomplished so little generally.
That’s the real issue that Democrats need to address in attempting to regain relevance. Writing rules that require that a president who must react nimbly and sometimes unconventionally to national challenges comport himself or herself in ways that satisfy an elite … doesn’t effectively address the real issue and may be unconstitutional to boot.
While you are likely right about finely detailed rules which tend to go "over the top", you are once again, dead wrong about your fondly held belief that it is Democrats who "accomplish little". In reality, when Democrats are in control of Congress, the country does much better than when Republicans are. You need look no further than the disasters of the Reagan & W administrations and then the subsequent digging out of the holes left by those administrations by Democrats.
You really ought to give reality a try instead of constantly banging that hollow drum that it is only Republicans who accomplish things. The exact opposite is the truth.
You really ought to give reality a try instead of constantly banging that hollow drum that it is only Republicans who accomplish things. The exact opposite is the truth.
We have Trump because our plutocrats are idiots and their stooges are fools. Rich people who play with nihilism are too stupid to know how stupid they are.
Steve,
We have Trump because Democrats ran a rigged Primary using Super Delegates and offered Obama 3.0 when the taxpayers wanted CHANGE!
You may loath Trump but he is change!
Before you Carp clean first your own house! So far not much at the DNC has changed!
Feel free to offer a better sort of change, although you did have 8 years and promised "Change you can believe in"!
We have Trump because Democrats ran a rigged Primary using Super Delegates and offered Obama 3.0 when the taxpayers wanted CHANGE!
You may loath Trump but he is change!
Before you Carp clean first your own house! So far not much at the DNC has changed!
Feel free to offer a better sort of change, although you did have 8 years and promised "Change you can believe in"!
1
It is not possible to write laws that cover every aspect of human behavior. Instead, we must rely on personal integrity. We rely on a sense of morality, respect for others, and respect for intent of the law. All of these are absent from Donald Trump. He is a pure Republican through and through. That is, you do whatever you think you can get away with, especially when in pursuit of power and profits. That is the essence of Trump's life, his campaign, and his presidency. Trump is the swamp. Trump is the biggest alligator in the swamp. Nothing matters to him except winning and he doesn't care how.
43
Trump excels at doing to others what he doesn't want done to himself.
As long as Big Money (thank you, Citizens United, NRA, Koch Bros., etc.), continues to determine who sits in Washington, there will be none of the changes you, or we, are advocating.
There has been a coup and its effects are fully underway. The "government" is no longer "of the people." It is of the Ruling Class. Anyone who expects a peaceful transition back to the days of bipartisanship in DC is ignorant of what has taken place. The pawns in the House and Senate, and the buffoon in the Oval Office, aren't going anywhere. And only they have the power to change the rules.
The henchmen of the billionaire class are here to stay, perpetuated in place by the combination of Big Money and a woefully ignorant electorate, tens of millions of whom believe this cretin in the White House is a good President. This is what happens as the result of neglecting our educational and healthcare systems for decades.
There has been a coup and its effects are fully underway. The "government" is no longer "of the people." It is of the Ruling Class. Anyone who expects a peaceful transition back to the days of bipartisanship in DC is ignorant of what has taken place. The pawns in the House and Senate, and the buffoon in the Oval Office, aren't going anywhere. And only they have the power to change the rules.
The henchmen of the billionaire class are here to stay, perpetuated in place by the combination of Big Money and a woefully ignorant electorate, tens of millions of whom believe this cretin in the White House is a good President. This is what happens as the result of neglecting our educational and healthcare systems for decades.
38
Call your senator, every day. One of mine happens to chair the Senate intelligence committee, but all are worth pressuring.
17
While new rules may be a good idea, what we are dealing with now is a crisis of good faith. A democratic government (small 'D') can only survive if a sufficient percentage of its members are committed to what some might call altruism, but which I would argue should be called more accurately enlightened self-interest. We all (or almost all) have to be committed to making this great experiment work, not for personal gain or animus, but in the interest of the thing itself.
We are now seeing the result of generations of self-selection on the right into a Republican Party devoid of any idealism regarding this country, and interested solely in transferring funds from New Deal and Great Society programs to the rich and powerful who subsidize the party. Confronted with a frighteningly incompetent and unaccountable President, they choose to enable him in his destructive and arguably treasonous antics, in exchange for being allowed to stay in power and loot the country blind.
The shift in consciousness required to exorcise our demons may very well be beyond us. If it is, I fear that this country's best days are behind us.
We are now seeing the result of generations of self-selection on the right into a Republican Party devoid of any idealism regarding this country, and interested solely in transferring funds from New Deal and Great Society programs to the rich and powerful who subsidize the party. Confronted with a frighteningly incompetent and unaccountable President, they choose to enable him in his destructive and arguably treasonous antics, in exchange for being allowed to stay in power and loot the country blind.
The shift in consciousness required to exorcise our demons may very well be beyond us. If it is, I fear that this country's best days are behind us.
92
One does not get liberty from people who will negotiate only from extreme advantage.
That sound you're hearing is the wind gently wafting through the silent chambers of our government when one discusses "ethics".
As your column points out, we've had an "ethics" problem since Nixon but if the NYT wanted to go back even further, you might find that talking about "ethics" while owning "people" (Slavery, as it was called) to be a bit, well, hypocritical.
So now we have Mr. Trump and his legion of relatives/advisers pushing the "ethics" envelope though SCOTUS still receives the "Grand Award" for "That's Not Ethical" by ruling that money really doesn't buy influence; it's "free speech" and corporations are folks just like the rest of us (They always seem to have more of that "free speech" to throw at our lawmakers and nothing talks louder than "Franklins and Grants" as pictured on the 50 and 100 dollar bills).
So, really, save your breath as nobody in D.C. cares about "ethics" unless you're going to use "ethics" to attack the opposing party. This stuff plays well to the voting public but since Congress has at least 1/2 of its ranks filled with millionaires, they're really not the crowd one would expect to allow "ethics" getting in the way of "making a buck".
As your column points out, we've had an "ethics" problem since Nixon but if the NYT wanted to go back even further, you might find that talking about "ethics" while owning "people" (Slavery, as it was called) to be a bit, well, hypocritical.
So now we have Mr. Trump and his legion of relatives/advisers pushing the "ethics" envelope though SCOTUS still receives the "Grand Award" for "That's Not Ethical" by ruling that money really doesn't buy influence; it's "free speech" and corporations are folks just like the rest of us (They always seem to have more of that "free speech" to throw at our lawmakers and nothing talks louder than "Franklins and Grants" as pictured on the 50 and 100 dollar bills).
So, really, save your breath as nobody in D.C. cares about "ethics" unless you're going to use "ethics" to attack the opposing party. This stuff plays well to the voting public but since Congress has at least 1/2 of its ranks filled with millionaires, they're really not the crowd one would expect to allow "ethics" getting in the way of "making a buck".
116
Slavery is a moral problem, not an ethical one.
People like Trump do not care about ethics any more than they care about lying. They care about what they can get away with without being caught or indicted. With Republican House and Senate members who still hope Trump will be a blanket legislative signing machine, which would allow them their wildest dreams of rescinding all social policies and legislation enacted since FDR's first election, Trump will continue to get way with his malignant narcissism. Unfortunately for them Trump has decided that he actually wants to govern at least as a president but preferably as a dictator, which makes passing such legislation nearly impossible. None of them knew that having a sociopath as President would be so complicated.
7
The deplorable individuals in Congress, otherwise known as Republicans, are quietly rejoicing that Trump is in office. His multiple daily embarrassments are what is keeping the eyes of the citizens off of the dismantling of our government by those same despicable Congress people.
1
Our politics mirror our culture.
Our cultural depravity has reached its truest expression in our ignorant and depraved President.
"The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
Our cultural depravity has reached its truest expression in our ignorant and depraved President.
"The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
6
I understand that the trumps and kushners are unethical. Their lifestyle, business behavior and pattern of dishonesty have never wavered. But what happened to the Republican Party? No one in that party is doing what is right and sticking up for our democracy. They are worse than the trumps. They have made a faustian pact as have the generals who signed on to his cabinet. Today when their leader turns his back on the planet, they will own this. They will bear responsibility for all the terrible things that they have let happen since he came to power. From robbing people of health care to siding with Russia to sowing hatred of minorities to destroying our environment. They are evil and their children will never forgive them. Nor should any other decent ( and powerless) citizen of this once decent country.
27
There will be no changes to the conflict of interest rules. Let's face reality. It was the Congress that put in a half-a.. rule in the first place. And given this gift of Trump to their Republican agenda, the rules will remain the same. And it was not just the Republicans who voted on these rules.
The best we can hope for is that anyone involved in the subpoenas by the various investigative committees will grant immunity to get at the full truth.
Then maybe the rules can be changed to include the President and the Vice-President regarding conflict of interest.
The best we can hope for is that anyone involved in the subpoenas by the various investigative committees will grant immunity to get at the full truth.
Then maybe the rules can be changed to include the President and the Vice-President regarding conflict of interest.
46
The whole system is rigged to let the money front-run the fake news it makes.
Where were the ethicists when the a Clintons were selling out the USA for personal financial and political gain? Where were you when Obama blatantly used the IRS and EPA and nsa for political purpose So?
Trump is an ethical Saint compared to the democrats. Democratism is the new communism and Americans are disgusted with it.
Trump is an ethical Saint compared to the democrats. Democratism is the new communism and Americans are disgusted with it.
2
Look again.
The President of the United States takes an oath of office solemnly swearing to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States so help them god.
Donald John Trump is primarily focused on trying to preserve, protect and defend his personal, family and business income tax advantages along with his personal, family and business profits.
Donald John Trump is primarily focused on preserving, protecting and defending the values and interests of Russia, Israel, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand, Philippines, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The ethics of the legal profession demand avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. While the prime directive of the medical profession requires doing no harm. Judeo-Christian- Islamic values require treating the least among us as we would ourselves as brothers and sisters.
Trump and his team in our White House and his cabinet are openly committed to clearly breaking the rules in our divided limited power democratic republic. The rules are not being bent. They are not being enforced. We do not need new rules. We need to enforce the ones we have.
Unless and until the American people ask their elected hired legislative help to do their job along with their selected hired judicial help then we the American people will have to evict and fire the President by any and all means permitted under our Constitution and history. Before it is too late.
Donald John Trump is primarily focused on trying to preserve, protect and defend his personal, family and business income tax advantages along with his personal, family and business profits.
Donald John Trump is primarily focused on preserving, protecting and defending the values and interests of Russia, Israel, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand, Philippines, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The ethics of the legal profession demand avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. While the prime directive of the medical profession requires doing no harm. Judeo-Christian- Islamic values require treating the least among us as we would ourselves as brothers and sisters.
Trump and his team in our White House and his cabinet are openly committed to clearly breaking the rules in our divided limited power democratic republic. The rules are not being bent. They are not being enforced. We do not need new rules. We need to enforce the ones we have.
Unless and until the American people ask their elected hired legislative help to do their job along with their selected hired judicial help then we the American people will have to evict and fire the President by any and all means permitted under our Constitution and history. Before it is too late.
11
This needs to be said many, many times in many, many different places. It may have to be written in large letters on the front pages of all major newspapers - before the US democracy becomes more impaired and before more reputational, political, social, financial, natural, .....and other forms of capital that this country has built over the years, are destroyed in a matter of weeks or days.
12
The people, knowing Trump's tendency to flout the rules if not downright break them, should never have voted him into office. Did they think he was going to all of a sudden go by the book? Perhaps, naively, they did. Perhaps they thought there would be a stronger framework for holding him to account as president than there was for his business practices and private conduct.
Oh well. There's a saying: Locks are for honest people. Apparently, we need bars.
Oh well. There's a saying: Locks are for honest people. Apparently, we need bars.
7
Making it a LAW to release your taxes to secure the nomination for POTUS would have spared us this Trump nightmare. It is simple and practical and effective. Other rules need to be looked at as well, but this seems to be the kingpin rule to help us avoid another situation where someone runs for President just to make a buck or strengthen his brand. It would also help to know what foreigners a person is financially beholden to.
16
These are all good ideas. But I'd got further and say that this President (and his family) are in a class of their own. There is no guarantee, whatsoever, that they will not lie and have not lied on their tax returns about their investors and their debts. Why do we think those books haven't been cooked long ago? There is simply no tenet or expectation of good government and citizenship that this family, headed by someone who in any other circumstances would be a convicted felon, will do. To put them to any kind of ordinary litmus test is like besides the point: there's no gravity on that planet, and therefore it's almost impossible to get any kind of ordinary moral traction.
11
As the saying goes that the door-locks are meant only for the ordinary folks who wouldn't generally commit theft, and not for the habitual thieves who would never be deterred by any locks; the laws too could scare the petty offenders not the habitual violators of law who are by nature contemptuous of the law and civilised behaviour. The personality traits of extreme abnormality, eccentricity, ignorance, deep rooted nepotism, and arrogance that Trump exhibits in abundance, if come to define his presidential conduct also with his contemptuous attitude to the constitution and its institutions, there's perhaps no remedy, except to initiate the removal process under the due impeachment provisions provided by the constitution.
6
To reiterate: "In his White House, if you’re avoiding the appearance of impropriety, you’re not pushing the boundaries hard enough."
The recommendations make sense; legislators in no way predicted that someone could even be elected who refused to even pretend compliance. A man who would probably sue his own government is forced to comply with even the current guidelines - because he operates by exploiting loopholes in the law, not by abiding by its spirit.
Eliminating nepotism should not be a difficult barrier to cross on either side of the aisle in Congress. You can talk to your spouse or daughter but you cannot pay them or give them
special clearances.
Unfortunately his practices also point to what has seemed- not only to Trump supporters - but a lot of us, no matter what our politics - as easy acceptance of the use of government experience and contacts to create a guaranteed lifetime income. How many elected officials segue from government to private industry and back, solely because they can provide access to those in charge? There doesn't seem to be much of a door there, from an outside perspective. As long as corporate money dominates campaign funding. and corporate lobbyists actually write legislation, at what point will the recipients of their largess take aim against their benefactors?
Trump is the grifter of all grifters, but others have set his place at the table.
The recommendations make sense; legislators in no way predicted that someone could even be elected who refused to even pretend compliance. A man who would probably sue his own government is forced to comply with even the current guidelines - because he operates by exploiting loopholes in the law, not by abiding by its spirit.
Eliminating nepotism should not be a difficult barrier to cross on either side of the aisle in Congress. You can talk to your spouse or daughter but you cannot pay them or give them
special clearances.
Unfortunately his practices also point to what has seemed- not only to Trump supporters - but a lot of us, no matter what our politics - as easy acceptance of the use of government experience and contacts to create a guaranteed lifetime income. How many elected officials segue from government to private industry and back, solely because they can provide access to those in charge? There doesn't seem to be much of a door there, from an outside perspective. As long as corporate money dominates campaign funding. and corporate lobbyists actually write legislation, at what point will the recipients of their largess take aim against their benefactors?
Trump is the grifter of all grifters, but others have set his place at the table.
12
"President Bill Clinton’s presidency... ended with the return of White House property amid public pressure."
Read your own article that you linked to regarding the Clintons and the furniture. It doesn't sound as if there were any misdeeds.
Read your own article that you linked to regarding the Clintons and the furniture. It doesn't sound as if there were any misdeeds.
1
The other law that should be implemented, besides being 35 and a US born citizen, is job experience. We should never be allowed to elect another president with absolutely no government experience. This experiment with a populist government has been a total failure and we are the laughingstock of the world, and I wish this were our only problem, but without changes to our laws I fear this is the decline of our once great republic.
11
Always keep in mind that the "decline" rests, above all, with the mentality of the voters who put this con job into the White House and support Trump no matter how much he violates any kind of ethical standard that was once expected of the president of the US.
Fine, get the votes and amend the Constitution!
1
This whole stinkin' lot of them need to be routed from the People's House.
Trump and his coterie have embarrassed us on the world stage, and will lead to his country to complete ruin, while lining their own pockets and laughing all the way to the offshore tax haven that is onion-layered within a global shell game.
Trump and his coterie have embarrassed us on the world stage, and will lead to his country to complete ruin, while lining their own pockets and laughing all the way to the offshore tax haven that is onion-layered within a global shell game.
14
American politicians look more like rival gangs than CIVIL servants. Without some ethical accountability, our values crumble.
We live in a society, and will only prosper morally and ethically when our leadership shows common decency and commitment to the society as a whole.
We live in a society, and will only prosper morally and ethically when our leadership shows common decency and commitment to the society as a whole.
32
Thanks. But your conclusion "Mr. Trump’s excesses chip away at the integrity of the ethics program, and of the government itself." is way too much of an understatement.
69
I believe the Editorial overlooks the fundamental flaws in the capitalist system, flaws that cannot be removed simply by 'tweaking' rules and regulations in response to individual failings.
The problem with U.S.-style capitalism is that it encourages purely material success to the exclusion of all else: Money is power, money is 'stored energy', money enables the creation of Heaven on Earth for those who want it and, in practical terms, money grants its owner enormous immunity from prosecution by dint of expert legal counsel that those without money cannot afford.
Even if you solve the problem of Trump, how do you control the excesses of his financial and political backers: Koch, Adelson, ...... ?
The System is at fault, not the people it creates.
The problem with U.S.-style capitalism is that it encourages purely material success to the exclusion of all else: Money is power, money is 'stored energy', money enables the creation of Heaven on Earth for those who want it and, in practical terms, money grants its owner enormous immunity from prosecution by dint of expert legal counsel that those without money cannot afford.
Even if you solve the problem of Trump, how do you control the excesses of his financial and political backers: Koch, Adelson, ...... ?
The System is at fault, not the people it creates.
75
The world obviously needs to apply negative feedback to runaway wealth concentration.
1
This is the same old story over and over again. The Philistines of the Bible, the end of the Roman empire. It is the system - and how wealth and power affects people. It is what happens when we no longer consider other people as one ut us - but them.
1
Unfortunately, we're currently seeing the true weakness of our form of government: it requires good faith from its various elected and appointed officials. There has to be an expectation that the rules, written and unwritten, will be followed and enforced. The Republicans stopped acting in good faith a few decades ago. They changed the rules in an effort to save themselves from demographic change. Now we're starting to see the results of this. Much like Trump himself, the Republicans have been shielded from the consequences of their actions because their opponents believe the rules matter. Trump and the Republicans understand that rules are meaningless if there's no one to enforce them.
There are no good options for us at this point; the cat is out of the bag, and we can't shove it back in. If the Democrats continue to pretend the same old rules apply they will continue to fail. Reform would require cooperation from the Republicans, who are well aware that reform would result in the loss of most of their power. I don't see a way forward at this point and fear for our country's future.
There are no good options for us at this point; the cat is out of the bag, and we can't shove it back in. If the Democrats continue to pretend the same old rules apply they will continue to fail. Reform would require cooperation from the Republicans, who are well aware that reform would result in the loss of most of their power. I don't see a way forward at this point and fear for our country's future.
105
Extremism in the name of liberty is a vice.
Liberty is the power to negotiate one's contractual gives and gets equitably.
Liberty is the power to negotiate one's contractual gives and gets equitably.
We cannot give up. There is always a way forward.
A good start would be finding decent candidates to run for office in 2018, support them with money and canvassing, and then vote for them and help others to the polls who will vote for them. Then, do the same for 2020.
If we can elect a Congress whose majority has enough integrity and intelligence to draft and enact smart and reasonable legislation, we can put this ship back on track. It will be difficult, yes, but not impossible. But, we do have to have faith, perseverance, and courage.
A good start would be finding decent candidates to run for office in 2018, support them with money and canvassing, and then vote for them and help others to the polls who will vote for them. Then, do the same for 2020.
If we can elect a Congress whose majority has enough integrity and intelligence to draft and enact smart and reasonable legislation, we can put this ship back on track. It will be difficult, yes, but not impossible. But, we do have to have faith, perseverance, and courage.
"Liberty" is also freedom from having the government take more than 45% of your earnings and redistribute them in ways you don't agree with.
We vote on these things and this time you lost!
We vote on these things and this time you lost!
All good points, but as you note, Trump & the GOP both know that Trump fans love him to break every and all rules. They love him for many things, but one is that he lives their dream, i.e., they dream of wealth and the ability to tell the boss and other authority figures who annoy them or lord it over them to go suck eggs. No real change in any of the ethics rules or the way ethical issues are handled will happen until after Trump. Just as the Watergate mess led to new laws and regulations, so too, the Trump mess will bring the same - eventually.
107
Yes you could start with primary rules for Democrats that outlaw Super Delegates!
1
Let's be clear - it's not a " New York lifestyle "; djt's is a glittery, gilted Billionaire lifestyle of studied excess.
It is a primary reason djt ran - to keep such opulence from being part of a continuing national conversation that began in 2008's campaign amidst the financial meltdown, and continued in the 2012 campaign with Romney's car elevator and his 43% remarks.
The biggest danger to the lifestyle of people such as djt is if it is ever revealed they are just illusionists, vastly over-promoting themselves and over-inflating their societal value, hence his decision to make sure there was no Romney-esque figure leading GOP'ers in 2016.
It is a primary reason djt ran - to keep such opulence from being part of a continuing national conversation that began in 2008's campaign amidst the financial meltdown, and continued in the 2012 campaign with Romney's car elevator and his 43% remarks.
The biggest danger to the lifestyle of people such as djt is if it is ever revealed they are just illusionists, vastly over-promoting themselves and over-inflating their societal value, hence his decision to make sure there was no Romney-esque figure leading GOP'ers in 2016.
15
It was 47%. Just sayin'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2gvY2wqI7M
No rules work well when the courts are judged by kangaroos.
10
new rules, enforced with the same selective effort as the present ones, will only being more of the same...
in this today, the times, itself ever on the line between advocacy and journalism (not just now, see the stuff in these pages back when, before civil rights became a cause) does not disappoint, deciding to leave "...aside the sins of Richard Nixon, the Reagan administration’s dodgy dealings ranged from the truly alarming Iran-contra to questionable “loans” of designer gowns to Nancy Reagan. President Bill Clinton’s presidency, the low point of which was his impeachment after lying to a grand jury about his sex life, ended with the return of White House property amid public pressure." etc. and deciding with all the weight of a white feather, that the issues therein are "almost quaint," pretty much lets us know that rules, old or new, are irrelevant as long as we have the paternal (big brotherly?) times to tell us what's really what.
talk about "getting stuck in swampy territory."
in this today, the times, itself ever on the line between advocacy and journalism (not just now, see the stuff in these pages back when, before civil rights became a cause) does not disappoint, deciding to leave "...aside the sins of Richard Nixon, the Reagan administration’s dodgy dealings ranged from the truly alarming Iran-contra to questionable “loans” of designer gowns to Nancy Reagan. President Bill Clinton’s presidency, the low point of which was his impeachment after lying to a grand jury about his sex life, ended with the return of White House property amid public pressure." etc. and deciding with all the weight of a white feather, that the issues therein are "almost quaint," pretty much lets us know that rules, old or new, are irrelevant as long as we have the paternal (big brotherly?) times to tell us what's really what.
talk about "getting stuck in swampy territory."
1
It's not just presidential ethics. All of Washington is awash in money, from unlimited re-election funds to lobbying cash to outright graft. As long as our lawmakers are on the receiving end of all this payola, don't expect them to change the laws. The taxpayers who fund the nuts & bolts of Washington will have to force any change, if they can manage to shift their focus away from whatever shiny object politicians wave in their faces to divert their attention. Meanwhile our taxes will continue to be used to enrich those who least need help, and ethics, like the Cheshire cat, will fade away, leaving only the smug grin of the victorious plutocrats.
344
No, not all of Washington is "awash in money". A small number of elected officials in the legislative branch, plus a few political staffers in the executive branch are "awash in money". The vast majority of Washington's 660,000 residents are normal people, with a range of incomes, who get up and go to work every day just like anyone else. Please do not confuse the District- a thriving, vibrant place that is the best-educated city in the country - with the grifters who are sent here from elsewhere.
This attitude is rampant in developing countries particularly among the illiterate underclass for they do not know any better, and where the economic elites have the upper hand that the underpriveleged probably feel that is the only way to survive. (I gree uo in one.) For this reason I do not ultimately enjoy traveling to those places because it can be exhausting to always worry about being tricked, robbed, mugged, pickpocketed, cheated so I can never let my guard down...It is in those places where corruption at the highest levels of government snd business is institutionalized. It is one of the top reasons said countries remain "emerging" rather than "developed" and so it would take a cultural shift that wiuld in turn take generations before they can move to the next level. It is mainly here at home (maybe also Japan and Switzerland and such countries) where I feel most people are by now aware that there are certain things you ought not do for they're just wrong; and in any case there are severe consequences if you're caught. If this administration behaves this way then even four years can bring enough ruin to our society's moral fabric. We may eventually become an emerging market. Think about what the young people would learn....We need to act quickly now.
6
A more fair statement is that these rules never anticipated that a billionaire with business interest located throughout the world would become the President. Just because such is true does not mean that continuing to own these interests in unethical. Frankly, I have witnessed much more ethical behavior by many businessmen I have known than the usual film-flam of most politicians.
No one had any problem with LBJ owning a ranch and his wife owning a CBS affiliated television station in Austin (and, at the time, the only tv station through political protection). Both LBJ and President GW Bush had extensive taxpayer funded improvements to their ranches. Small potatoes.
On the other hand where is the ethical discussion concerning the marketing of the Presidency by presidents Clinton and Obama? Really, going in basically broke and coming out worth hundreds of millions.........seriously, who is more ethically challenged here?
No one had any problem with LBJ owning a ranch and his wife owning a CBS affiliated television station in Austin (and, at the time, the only tv station through political protection). Both LBJ and President GW Bush had extensive taxpayer funded improvements to their ranches. Small potatoes.
On the other hand where is the ethical discussion concerning the marketing of the Presidency by presidents Clinton and Obama? Really, going in basically broke and coming out worth hundreds of millions.........seriously, who is more ethically challenged here?
4
Seriously, you would even pose such a question? Jeffrey Lord must be proud to see someone emulate him, and the Trump forces are no doubt grateful.
3
Wrong. Just wrong.
The Clintons came out of the White House in debt (they owed lawyers). The Obamas are making money *now*, yes.
You can check this by looking at their tax returns.
And then go compare them to Trump's.
Oh, wait ...
Seriously, do you have any facts, or are you just up really early in, uh, Texas?
The Clintons came out of the White House in debt (they owed lawyers). The Obamas are making money *now*, yes.
You can check this by looking at their tax returns.
And then go compare them to Trump's.
Oh, wait ...
Seriously, do you have any facts, or are you just up really early in, uh, Texas?
7
going in basically broke and coming out worth hundreds of millions.........
Illegally?
I mean in comparison to Trump who openly flaunts ethics and the laws? Really?
Illegally?
I mean in comparison to Trump who openly flaunts ethics and the laws? Really?
2
Go ahead, now, and add the United States of America to the list of history's failed democracies.
Our founders, 240 years ago, tried to create a system of constitutional government whereby no single person could ever place themselves above the law, that power was diffuse and many people had the authority to call any individual to answer to the law.
They warned about the threat of partisanship and of the threat of corruption, they recognized this Achilles heel of their design. If ever a single party controlled most of the institutions of government (and one now controls all three branches); and that party had become one in which all of its officials (as well as all it's backers and boosters) placed loyalty to party and ideology above loyalty to country and constitution; and then a demagogic leader managed to bend that entire party to his will (and this has now happened) then that one person WOULD have the ability to place himself above the law.
And that has now happened. And he's making a mockery of the law and the constitution and a shambles of our government and our place in the world.
The rest of the world is alternately mocking the US and searching for a new leader. Germany is now the leader of the free world. The US, by electing Donald John Trump, has abdicated that position.
Our founders, 240 years ago, tried to create a system of constitutional government whereby no single person could ever place themselves above the law, that power was diffuse and many people had the authority to call any individual to answer to the law.
They warned about the threat of partisanship and of the threat of corruption, they recognized this Achilles heel of their design. If ever a single party controlled most of the institutions of government (and one now controls all three branches); and that party had become one in which all of its officials (as well as all it's backers and boosters) placed loyalty to party and ideology above loyalty to country and constitution; and then a demagogic leader managed to bend that entire party to his will (and this has now happened) then that one person WOULD have the ability to place himself above the law.
And that has now happened. And he's making a mockery of the law and the constitution and a shambles of our government and our place in the world.
The rest of the world is alternately mocking the US and searching for a new leader. Germany is now the leader of the free world. The US, by electing Donald John Trump, has abdicated that position.
67
David,
If "Germany is now the leader" then Germany should now pay the bills and police the world. Perhaps something like a "Thousand Year Reich", that has a ring to it, but sounds familiar!
"Democracy" isn't just you getting your way!
If "Germany is now the leader" then Germany should now pay the bills and police the world. Perhaps something like a "Thousand Year Reich", that has a ring to it, but sounds familiar!
"Democracy" isn't just you getting your way!
1
The rules in place are just fine. What we need are people in the White House who have some kind of moral compass and belief that they are not above said rules.
Rules are only as strong as the commitment of those who follow them. Trump and his clan have shown time and again publicly and privately that they will do whatever they want, whenever they want, ethics be damned.
Not much you can do with an attitude like that.
Rules are only as strong as the commitment of those who follow them. Trump and his clan have shown time and again publicly and privately that they will do whatever they want, whenever they want, ethics be damned.
Not much you can do with an attitude like that.
7
Mr. Trump said loud and clear there are no rules. He is proud of his lying as it has made money for him. Congress applauds his lies, at least does not challenge them, so far. Will Congress permit this to go on forever? It appears the answer is yes and that spells the doom of our democracy. Trump has no conscience, I would hope that some members of Congress will regret their immoral behavior.
17
Perhaps the Pellegrino was chilled a tad too much and the collective brains froze? Was the Cherry Garcia invulnerable to a grapefruit spoon? Your laundry list, as written, would deter the following heroes of the haters from ever running: Mike Bloomberg, Kathy Griffin, Rachel Maddow, Beyonce, Theresa Heinz' husband (who?), the devil child of the loser crone, Elon Musk,
the "Boss" (let's face it - all things Jersey are soooo disposable), and any fatuously liberal silicon valley oligarch. Whom might qualify? Cher (nice dress, Madam President!), Al Franken (try wearing your shoe lifts dopey) and our favorite - Maxine Waters, no doubt a debater of Cromwellian skill. Good luck.
the "Boss" (let's face it - all things Jersey are soooo disposable), and any fatuously liberal silicon valley oligarch. Whom might qualify? Cher (nice dress, Madam President!), Al Franken (try wearing your shoe lifts dopey) and our favorite - Maxine Waters, no doubt a debater of Cromwellian skill. Good luck.
Talk about fatuous. I offer my sincerest snark infused compliments for the salad of fancy words and empty sentences you offer.
Your vacuous pedantry contributes nothing. So, many thanks for exactly that - i.e., nothing.
Your vacuous pedantry contributes nothing. So, many thanks for exactly that - i.e., nothing.
2
Perhaps her snark registers as "fancy" among tarheels, but here in LaLaLand, we call it employable, not to mention apt.
What if the Trump admin were Dems? They'd be out of office by now. There's something rotten in our United States.
14
It is challenging for ethics officials to create rules that will cover every contingency, because the determined rule-avoider will find or invent new loopholes. Instead, we may need a blue-ribbon panel of psychologists, psychiatrists, and ethicists to screen to Presidents and top cabinet officials for psychopathy and sociopathy. These are certifiable mental disorders in which the individual lacks a commitment to uphold laws and customary norms and standards. Instead of feeling proud of following a course of honesty and integrity, and feeling guilt over lapses, the psychopath and sociopath (who differ largely on whether the cause of the moral deficiency is internal or external, respectively) feels pride in breaking rules, pushing limits and getting away with transgressions. This form of screening is common in selecting recruits for top police departments, and for other sensitive jobs. It is time to use the same modern scientific tools to screen politicians, and keep the true deviates out of powerful offices.
8
Grifters have taken over the White House. Let's hope they are all indicted for ruble laundering and tax evasion on their ill gotten gains.
11
Would that some well-heeled person of conscience pay for this
editorial to be copied by the millions and dropped from planes
across the land where Trump fools dwell, and,
littering notwithstanding, and low tech as it might be, these poor
souls would finally get the point-by-point truth about Donald Trump
and the destruction he is causing.
editorial to be copied by the millions and dropped from planes
across the land where Trump fools dwell, and,
littering notwithstanding, and low tech as it might be, these poor
souls would finally get the point-by-point truth about Donald Trump
and the destruction he is causing.
3
The anti-establishment populism that pushed Trump to the top simply assumes all politicians are double-dealing, self serving, narcissists that are indebted to the PACs and donors that put them in power.
Trumps behavior isn't offensive to many Trump supporters because, perhaps, the fact that he doesn't even attempt to hide the appearance of conflict ironically makes he more trustworthy than a well polished establishment candidate that we all assume is shafting us while kissing babies and shaking hands.
Politics have sunk pretty far into the abyss of synicisim, when avoiding the appearance of impropriety actually makes you less trustworthy.
Trumps behavior isn't offensive to many Trump supporters because, perhaps, the fact that he doesn't even attempt to hide the appearance of conflict ironically makes he more trustworthy than a well polished establishment candidate that we all assume is shafting us while kissing babies and shaking hands.
Politics have sunk pretty far into the abyss of synicisim, when avoiding the appearance of impropriety actually makes you less trustworthy.
8
The overwhelming majority of politicians are "politicians are double-dealing, self- serving, narcissists that are indebted to the PACs and donors that put them in power." Hillary Clinton would have been as bad if not worse than Trump in that respect.
1
In a postmodern world, there is no real justice. There are only opinions.
Enjoy. First there was Bill. Now Donald. There is very little daylight between two boors of different (for now) political parties. Trump will return to his Democrat roots when he leaves office and no longer needs the GOP label.
Enjoy. First there was Bill. Now Donald. There is very little daylight between two boors of different (for now) political parties. Trump will return to his Democrat roots when he leaves office and no longer needs the GOP label.
3
It would take a breakdown in the government, something like Watergate, to make ethical reform happen. We're not there yet.
People are so cynical about government, especially the federal government, that they are willing to believe impossible promises and vote for someone known to distort the truth, just to shake things up. The campaign against Hillary Clinton had gone on for decades and it was effective. Don't discount the impact of the Russian meddling, or James Comey, or bad decisions by the Clinton campaign, but it all comes down to distrust.
Reform is needed to build trust, but it will take an upheaval of current practices to get that reform. That upheaval will itself be very dangerous.
People are so cynical about government, especially the federal government, that they are willing to believe impossible promises and vote for someone known to distort the truth, just to shake things up. The campaign against Hillary Clinton had gone on for decades and it was effective. Don't discount the impact of the Russian meddling, or James Comey, or bad decisions by the Clinton campaign, but it all comes down to distrust.
Reform is needed to build trust, but it will take an upheaval of current practices to get that reform. That upheaval will itself be very dangerous.
117
Why are we not there yet? Why are we waiting for the dangerous upheaval? What's holding us back?
1
Why souldn't people be cynical? They see both parties beholden to big money to run for office. 1 party is just much worse than the other. The big money is now planning Dem financing to beat Trump.
The campaign against the Clintons was full of lies and exaggeration, but their many ethical lapses gave it soil to grow. In what kind of democracy is it ok to make millions from speeches to Wall St, the same big banks that caused the crash, knowing your' re going to run for pres, and ask for the votes of millions, hurting from that crash? And then refuse to reinstate bank regulations that husband repealed, that had protected us from big crashes since the '30s?
And then the next Dem pres saves the economy, but also staffs his cabinet with Wall St biggies, and passes a health care bill designed by Gop, that preserves excess profits of big insurance, who are big campaign donors.
See a pattern here? Where are the NYT editorials and comments about how to start campaign finance reform---as step #1?
The campaign against the Clintons was full of lies and exaggeration, but their many ethical lapses gave it soil to grow. In what kind of democracy is it ok to make millions from speeches to Wall St, the same big banks that caused the crash, knowing your' re going to run for pres, and ask for the votes of millions, hurting from that crash? And then refuse to reinstate bank regulations that husband repealed, that had protected us from big crashes since the '30s?
And then the next Dem pres saves the economy, but also staffs his cabinet with Wall St biggies, and passes a health care bill designed by Gop, that preserves excess profits of big insurance, who are big campaign donors.
See a pattern here? Where are the NYT editorials and comments about how to start campaign finance reform---as step #1?
The references to Reagan and Clinton don't really fit here. Reagan violated the Boyland Act passed by congress and Clinton committed perjury by lying while under oath. Both resulted in congressional investigations and in Clinton's case an impeachment. Neither is like under a GOP congress.
Trump has business interests in countries that are looking for favorable policies from the United States. He also oversees federal regulations that affect his businesses and each agency head knows this. So is his government acting on behalf of the people or to enhance the presidents private interests?
This is what is at the heart of the Trump/Russia investigation. It is not against the law to "collude" with Russia or anyone else to "swing the election." Foreign governments often prefer one candidate over another and have various ways of trying to convince voters to support their candidate of choice.
While most leaders try to appear neutral some, like Netanyahu for example make comments that are the equivalent of an endorsement. In other words he uses his personality and influence with groups like AIPAC to try and "swing the election." None of this is illegal unless it's done in ways that violate specific elections laws.
Did Trump promise Russia anything in exchange for favorable policies for his businesses? We don't know, at least not yet. But for now the Government ethics office simply has to do the best they can. And maybe the courts will step in clarify some of these issues.
Trump has business interests in countries that are looking for favorable policies from the United States. He also oversees federal regulations that affect his businesses and each agency head knows this. So is his government acting on behalf of the people or to enhance the presidents private interests?
This is what is at the heart of the Trump/Russia investigation. It is not against the law to "collude" with Russia or anyone else to "swing the election." Foreign governments often prefer one candidate over another and have various ways of trying to convince voters to support their candidate of choice.
While most leaders try to appear neutral some, like Netanyahu for example make comments that are the equivalent of an endorsement. In other words he uses his personality and influence with groups like AIPAC to try and "swing the election." None of this is illegal unless it's done in ways that violate specific elections laws.
Did Trump promise Russia anything in exchange for favorable policies for his businesses? We don't know, at least not yet. But for now the Government ethics office simply has to do the best they can. And maybe the courts will step in clarify some of these issues.
5
While many of these suggestions are good, they won't solve the problem. Democracies are build on trust. Trust in our leaders to act with integrity. Trust in the majority party not to abuse its temporary advantage to consolidate power into eternity. Trust in a system of distributed power to excercise checks and balances when circumstances require. Without trust democracies crumble very quickly.
Democracies are not prescriptive for practical reasons. We cannot know hundreds of years into the future what problems our leaders will face. We need our leaders to be able to exercise judgment. That is what representative government is about. Tightly binding the options available to our government will certainly lead to poor outcomes as conditions change requiring frequent changes to the law and the Constitution. This leads to less stable government over the long run.
What is really needed is for Congress and the Courts to check Executive branch power. But since Congress itself has shown disdain for trust through abuse of the filibuster, gerrymandering and refusal to consider a Presidential Supreme Court appointment and the Courts are stuffed with partisan patsies, this isn't likely to happen. Threat of impeachment and the 25th amendment should offer recourse. Perhaps the only additional structural change should be on qualifications to run for office but surely the party apparatus could deal with this backed up by the electoral college.
Democracies are not prescriptive for practical reasons. We cannot know hundreds of years into the future what problems our leaders will face. We need our leaders to be able to exercise judgment. That is what representative government is about. Tightly binding the options available to our government will certainly lead to poor outcomes as conditions change requiring frequent changes to the law and the Constitution. This leads to less stable government over the long run.
What is really needed is for Congress and the Courts to check Executive branch power. But since Congress itself has shown disdain for trust through abuse of the filibuster, gerrymandering and refusal to consider a Presidential Supreme Court appointment and the Courts are stuffed with partisan patsies, this isn't likely to happen. Threat of impeachment and the 25th amendment should offer recourse. Perhaps the only additional structural change should be on qualifications to run for office but surely the party apparatus could deal with this backed up by the electoral college.
65
The US system systematically distorts apportionment and discards votes. It obviously does not trust its own people.
6
Response to Roxane in London: Actually, Roxane the Electoral College is not useful when it comes to the reviewing the qualifications for a nominee as President of the United States. The Electoral College was never set up to "screen" qualifications.
The Electoral College is a secondary screen, if you will, that was put in place by the authors of the Constitution to ensure that states with far less population would be equally represented with those having much larger populations. The "equality with representational voting" through the Electoral College system worked until it didn't.
The first sign of a problem arose in the 2000 Election with Al Gore winning the popular vote but losing the Electoral College vote to George Bush. Now we move to the 2016 election and the same problem occurred: Hillary Clinton wins the popular vote by 3.6 million votes and loses to Donald Trump in the Electoral College vote casting.
The Electoral College is the final and definitive arbiter for which candidate becomes the next President of the United States. We have hit a glitch and there must be a review of the Electoral College and reviewing every states population to realign the popular vote with that of the Electoral College. And I would suggest sooner rather than later. This disparity between votes cast in the General Election and the Electoral College will not go away and must be addressed if we are to truly have a democratic government where it is the voice and will of the people that elects our President and Vice President in the United States of America rather than outdated population census filings.
The Electoral College is a secondary screen, if you will, that was put in place by the authors of the Constitution to ensure that states with far less population would be equally represented with those having much larger populations. The "equality with representational voting" through the Electoral College system worked until it didn't.
The first sign of a problem arose in the 2000 Election with Al Gore winning the popular vote but losing the Electoral College vote to George Bush. Now we move to the 2016 election and the same problem occurred: Hillary Clinton wins the popular vote by 3.6 million votes and loses to Donald Trump in the Electoral College vote casting.
The Electoral College is the final and definitive arbiter for which candidate becomes the next President of the United States. We have hit a glitch and there must be a review of the Electoral College and reviewing every states population to realign the popular vote with that of the Electoral College. And I would suggest sooner rather than later. This disparity between votes cast in the General Election and the Electoral College will not go away and must be addressed if we are to truly have a democratic government where it is the voice and will of the people that elects our President and Vice President in the United States of America rather than outdated population census filings.
1
Roxane,
The U.S. and the U.K. Have fundamentally different forms of governments and ways of selecting leaders. The U.S. has a written Constitution with an amendment process. The qualifications to run for national office are spelled out there as are the way the election is conducted.
Like the U.K. We can and have had "Minority Governments". The A.C.A. was passed durning such a minority government and required the votes of 2 independents to pass our Senate which often requires a 2/3rds majority not your 1/2 plus one vote.
All of our rules are subject to change via the amendment process. The problem is the people demanding the changes don't have the votes!
The U.S. and the U.K. Have fundamentally different forms of governments and ways of selecting leaders. The U.S. has a written Constitution with an amendment process. The qualifications to run for national office are spelled out there as are the way the election is conducted.
Like the U.K. We can and have had "Minority Governments". The A.C.A. was passed durning such a minority government and required the votes of 2 independents to pass our Senate which often requires a 2/3rds majority not your 1/2 plus one vote.
All of our rules are subject to change via the amendment process. The problem is the people demanding the changes don't have the votes!
1
The bigger question is this: Where is "the people's house" when we need them? Who is representing the best interests of the American people?
Or is it just re-enforcement of the new belief that money is speech and corporations are people?
Or is it just re-enforcement of the new belief that money is speech and corporations are people?
13
We get the stinkiest Congresscritters plutocrats can buy for us.
2
"Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." -- Justice Potter Stewart
"I am the President and the President cannot have a conflict of interest."
-- Donald J. Trump
QED.
"I am the President and the President cannot have a conflict of interest."
-- Donald J. Trump
QED.
36
Trump has no internal moral compass, he needs the law to tell him what's right and what's wrong.
3
Except that when he disagrees with them the laws are wrong and he is right and will act accordingly.
I applaud the Board keeping the pressure on Trump, but I don't think this editorial conveys everything that is a stake here.
Trump and his circle of ghouls are the greatest threat to our Democracy this country has ever faced.
There is intense pressure not to see this. People never want to believe that their freedom and democracy is in serious danger. The problem is that by the time it is undeniable, it is too late.
People will say I am "paranoid", or that Trump is too much of a clown to be dangerous.
Well, I encourage people to listen to a recent interview Sam Harris conducts with Tim Snyder.
https://www.samharris.org/podcast/item/the-road-to-tyranny
People always say these things right before a dictator takes over their democracy.
The NYT and WaPo are very conscious of the fact that they were too "normalizing" and forgiving of dictators in the past.
That is why they are determined not to make the same mistake in this case.
Trump and his circle of ghouls are the greatest threat to our Democracy this country has ever faced.
There is intense pressure not to see this. People never want to believe that their freedom and democracy is in serious danger. The problem is that by the time it is undeniable, it is too late.
People will say I am "paranoid", or that Trump is too much of a clown to be dangerous.
Well, I encourage people to listen to a recent interview Sam Harris conducts with Tim Snyder.
https://www.samharris.org/podcast/item/the-road-to-tyranny
People always say these things right before a dictator takes over their democracy.
The NYT and WaPo are very conscious of the fact that they were too "normalizing" and forgiving of dictators in the past.
That is why they are determined not to make the same mistake in this case.
7
Trump proved that this radically distorted scheme of malapportionment and systematic voter nullification is a democracy in pretense only.
Steve,
If you want to speak of "Voter Nullification" first start with the primary process and its reliance on unelected super delegates that Democrats use! That's why Trump is now President! Want to blame someone just find a mirror!
If you want to speak of "Voter Nullification" first start with the primary process and its reliance on unelected super delegates that Democrats use! That's why Trump is now President! Want to blame someone just find a mirror!
1
The Board doesn't get who it was that Trump' supporters voted for. And it doesn't get how to assure that there will be no more Trump's elected. Those who voted for Trump were against business as usual in D.D. They didn't vote for complex codes of ethics that sound good but do nothing to protect them. These folks voted for something entirely new that might not play by the rules but would make life better for them. The Board needs to understand that Trump voters need to see for themselves what a disaster they got. Contrary to the belief of many, they aren't idiots. They are hard-core realists. And the worse Trump does, the better they will understand what they got. Keeping him in check with strict ethical rules may just get him re-elected. It's the conflicts of interest, the tax scandals, and the allegations of treason and other crimes -- the very ethical violations these folks have taken lightly--that will convince them that they have made a bad mistake. Don't save Trump from himself.
6
D.D.? I don't want to save Trump from himself, I want to save us from him and his supporters. I also don't believe they are "hard core realists", after all they voted for a "Reality" TV star, and get their "news" from Faux News and Breitbart.
5
Anyone who believes that any change whatsoever will be an improvement on what already exists is truly at the bottom of the heap of the human condition.
1
Do we have to wait until Trump's burned down the country?
I'm not willing to watch America suffer for Trump voters to find clarity.
I'm not willing to watch America suffer for Trump voters to find clarity.
2
It is clear this is how these people operate on a daily basis.
In the end, there can be no government without the good will of men. No system can be made that is un-gameable.
And there is no good will with Trump and the GOP. It is as plain as that.
In the end, there can be no government without the good will of men. No system can be made that is un-gameable.
And there is no good will with Trump and the GOP. It is as plain as that.
32
They are juvenile delinquents gaming every flaw in the system.
2
This should cover nearly unregulated print and electronic media in particular which has led us to an age dominated by fake news and information. It is reaching absurd levels presently and thereby frustrating the governments as also the voters.
3
Good luck with all these fine ideas. Until the American voters wake up and rid us of all the gutless Republican Trump enablers in congress, we are stuck with what we have for a government. Since a large share of the electorate still believes in Trump and accepts his transparent dishonesty, the kind of sensible changes the Times is advocating have little chance of happening.
22
The thrust of this editorial – that ethics rules need to be changed because existing rules never contemplated a White House with the avarice and audacity which Donald Trump has demonstrated – is completely correct.
A caveat should be added. Under existing rules there is enough for finding misconduct and even for mounting a prosecution. It would be a shame if Donald Trump were to argue that he, his family, cabinet, advisors and consultants were “grandfathered in” by gaps in the current rules.
That same argument for being free to do as they please, because of inadequate rules and laws, should never be allowed for lobbyists and members of the Senate and House.
A caveat should be added. Under existing rules there is enough for finding misconduct and even for mounting a prosecution. It would be a shame if Donald Trump were to argue that he, his family, cabinet, advisors and consultants were “grandfathered in” by gaps in the current rules.
That same argument for being free to do as they please, because of inadequate rules and laws, should never be allowed for lobbyists and members of the Senate and House.
10
Nail it all down. This administration has opened the door to the practice of greed on an industrial scale. The example invites others to do the same. At this point forward the rules must be as specifically stated as a technical contract with penalties and forfeitures spelled out.
7
Believing that the behavior of government officials, up to POTUS, are governed by their personal financial interests, rather than by the public good, is to believe in a chief tenet of Das Kapital. In his time Marx had much to say, but his were not the constricted thoughts of petty minds.
W White
W White
Today the whole world is watching to see if one man -- Trump -- will choose to adhere to the Paris Accord for climate control -- or if he will join Syria and Nicaragua by refusing it. How can it be that an agreement that was negotiated and agreed to legally now depends on the caprice of one individual, after the fact? Moreover, that one individual has made it abundantly clear that he places the interests of himself and his family above the national interest, is ignorant about history, culture, and world affairs, denies science, and freely discriminates based on race, gender, wealth, and power. Trump mocks the values that the Constitution was written to uphold, and generally behaves like a troubled adolescent. Yet he has the power to decide whether or not he feels like playing by the rules -- today, the Paris Accord, but also the NATO agreement, the NAFTA treaty, the Affordable Care Act -- and more. The standard of "acting in good faith" has been obscured by a cloud of smoke and lies as Trump blows past moral conventions and ethical standards. Would new rules make any difference?
The problem is that somehow -- and with massive rule-bending -- Americans gave the power of the Presidency to a man who is unfit to hold the office, and he is making a royal mess in every sense of the word. The whole world is watching, and wondering how far he and his followers will go.
The problem is that somehow -- and with massive rule-bending -- Americans gave the power of the Presidency to a man who is unfit to hold the office, and he is making a royal mess in every sense of the word. The whole world is watching, and wondering how far he and his followers will go.
681
There is no such thing as "good faith" in today's rotten to the core Republican Party. It is all delusion to prove sycophancy to "higher powers".
2
The Paris Accord has no legal status, nor is it a treaty - please get your fact straight. The President has wide latitude on foreign policy, with the Senate only having ratification powers.
1
This unqualified administration was put in place because of the electoral college. Trump did not win the popular vote. I should think it is obvious that the electoral college should be disbanded as the majority of American people knew which person would be best for the job of POTUS. America and the world should not have to be at the mercy of an inept and unstable individual because party politics played a part in enabling such a disaster for our country.
This New York Times editorial is perhaps the most apt description of Trump and his historically unethical behavior to date. Trump's issues around money are no surprise to the New York City financial community and beyond. From multiple bankruptcies to tax carryovers, Donald Trump has done it all. And it is these federal and state tax "loopholes" on which Trump and others exploit and rely to expand their wealth. These tax loopholes must be abolished.
I have repeatedly suggested a Federal law requiring anyone running for President or Vice President in the United States to disclose at least 5 years of tax returns and documentation for all other businesses -including foundations and personal transactions -for purposes of transparency. Voters in this country must know exactly with whom they are casting their vote and nothing makes that more clear than a candidate's full disclosure of their businesses and personal financial transactions.
In the case of Trump, his lie that he could not disclose his taxes because he was under audit was debunked by Warren Buffet in this newspaper several days after Trump's response. There is no Federal tax law precluding disclosure while under audit.
Trump is a slick con artist who will dupe anyone -anytime and anywhere -to retain his wealth. Hopefully, Robert Mueller, the Special Counsel, will subpoena Trump's tax returns and perhaps therein will lie the crux of the matter: Russian loans to support Trump's businesses.
I have repeatedly suggested a Federal law requiring anyone running for President or Vice President in the United States to disclose at least 5 years of tax returns and documentation for all other businesses -including foundations and personal transactions -for purposes of transparency. Voters in this country must know exactly with whom they are casting their vote and nothing makes that more clear than a candidate's full disclosure of their businesses and personal financial transactions.
In the case of Trump, his lie that he could not disclose his taxes because he was under audit was debunked by Warren Buffet in this newspaper several days after Trump's response. There is no Federal tax law precluding disclosure while under audit.
Trump is a slick con artist who will dupe anyone -anytime and anywhere -to retain his wealth. Hopefully, Robert Mueller, the Special Counsel, will subpoena Trump's tax returns and perhaps therein will lie the crux of the matter: Russian loans to support Trump's businesses.
99
Dealing with rule-benders by making more rules and having better enforcement does not work very well. The rules and enforcers will be trying to catch those who are determined to bend or break the rules and will find ways to do this that work. As long as those who find ways to bend or break the rules are celebrated and emulated and their creativity and daring are admired, the rules will be in bad shape.
Integrity and honesty must be recognized, honored, and demanded by the electorate, and much of the electorate prefers someone who is fighting for its perceived interests or principles and is willing to manipulate the truth to do so. Thus military contracts are defended as essential to national defense rather than as make-work subsidies essential to the preservation of an individual's career paths and the economic health of local communities. Ethanol is defended on environmental grounds rather than as help for corn farmers, their suppliers, and the companies that make ethanol.
If we stop too many of such programs at once, local economies and perhaps the national economy will collapse. Instead we should phase them out slowly enough that the resources they waste can be redirected to better uses. Our system has gotten to the point where most who are doing well benefit from some sorts of corruption, so we cannot fix things by finding bad guys. We are all bad guys and we have to figure out how to stop without crashing the system. The problem is more technical than moral.
Integrity and honesty must be recognized, honored, and demanded by the electorate, and much of the electorate prefers someone who is fighting for its perceived interests or principles and is willing to manipulate the truth to do so. Thus military contracts are defended as essential to national defense rather than as make-work subsidies essential to the preservation of an individual's career paths and the economic health of local communities. Ethanol is defended on environmental grounds rather than as help for corn farmers, their suppliers, and the companies that make ethanol.
If we stop too many of such programs at once, local economies and perhaps the national economy will collapse. Instead we should phase them out slowly enough that the resources they waste can be redirected to better uses. Our system has gotten to the point where most who are doing well benefit from some sorts of corruption, so we cannot fix things by finding bad guys. We are all bad guys and we have to figure out how to stop without crashing the system. The problem is more technical than moral.
2
There are plenty of lesser grifters out there who take personal ratification from the triumph of Trump.
Yes, we feel so fat and unprotected against this particular type of rule-breaking, this editorial is very well- said.
3
Since the days of Newt Gingrich, there has been a consistent pattern and practice of subterfuge and shady ethics that skirted by on technicalities or outright breaches of public trust among Republicans for the sake of greed and ideology. Republicans have also engaged in creating a culture of disbelief, a climate that makes rule breaking easier and takes away the monitor of common sense. Who remembers the “unnamed sources” that Trump wants investigated were once central to his own advance—when he claimed “a reliable source” told him Obama's birth certificate was illegitimate.
More than rule breaking, the country is developing a massive set of double standards of behavior, ideas, and practices (claiming to be in reaction to existing double standards!) that work to curtail freedom and opportunity, to reduce health and safety, to remove benefits for the middle class, poor and elderly, and leave the economy drifting at random with no plan, only to miss the sensational rise of a global middle class which will double to 5 billion in the next ten years.
West Virginia is an international leader in chemical and polymer manufacturing, fourth in the nation, yet all we hear about is coal. It's not just rules and regulations that are stretched and bent, but our streams of information and best models of success.
More than rule breaking, the country is developing a massive set of double standards of behavior, ideas, and practices (claiming to be in reaction to existing double standards!) that work to curtail freedom and opportunity, to reduce health and safety, to remove benefits for the middle class, poor and elderly, and leave the economy drifting at random with no plan, only to miss the sensational rise of a global middle class which will double to 5 billion in the next ten years.
West Virginia is an international leader in chemical and polymer manufacturing, fourth in the nation, yet all we hear about is coal. It's not just rules and regulations that are stretched and bent, but our streams of information and best models of success.
144
Walt,
Can you say "LBJ". "Gulf of Tonkin", or "Robert Strange McNamara"?
Can you say "LBJ". "Gulf of Tonkin", or "Robert Strange McNamara"?
1
Elect a plutocrat, get a plutocrat nobody who even remotely followed the election should be surprised by this which incidentally means that such blatant ethical malpractices are well and fine with most American voters.
Besides, if the ethics rules in place are both toothless and lacking in investigative power, one shouldn't be surprised they end up being laughed at and largely ignored. How did that ever work out for any kind of crime? These rules don't work because they were designed to be used in a discretionary rather than systematic manner.
Besides, if the ethics rules in place are both toothless and lacking in investigative power, one shouldn't be surprised they end up being laughed at and largely ignored. How did that ever work out for any kind of crime? These rules don't work because they were designed to be used in a discretionary rather than systematic manner.
3
Laws and rules are fine. Ultimately, however, the final and most important guardrail has to be us, the American people.
If we cannot be counted on to recognize and stop an obvious con man, a lifelong liar, betrayer, and narcissistic authoritarian bully, then another oversight committee can't save us.
If we cannot be counted on to recognize and stop an obvious con man, a lifelong liar, betrayer, and narcissistic authoritarian bully, then another oversight committee can't save us.
67
That's also what Congress is ostensibly for. Alas....
4
I agree, the problem is that we are not being counted, at least not proportionally. Almost 3 million voters said they preferred Hillary to Donald but Donald 'won'. I keep thinking we've gotten as low as we can but then the Republicans pull a new lower stunt; a 'healthcare' plan that denies coverage to 23 million people and takes away protections from us all, a 'budget' plan that double-counts $2 trillion and assumes quixotic growth which they calim will happen as we cut Medicaid by $1 billion and deport 5% of the people living in the USA. It seriously makes me start thinking of moving to another country. I just don't understand how people like McConnell and Ryan can sleep at night when they spend their entire day trying to screw over those who voted for them and enrich their billionaire pals with the hope that they too will one day join that club; and they grin at the cameras while they do it!
To top it off, they claim to be Christians - if Jesus came back today, I am sure he would be appalled at the depravities of GOP and overthrow the tables of the moneychangers.
To top it off, they claim to be Christians - if Jesus came back today, I am sure he would be appalled at the depravities of GOP and overthrow the tables of the moneychangers.
10
People who presume to know what God thinks have no limit to their own presumptions. That is why they overplay their hands after winning fortuitous victories.
2
It's time to move beyond 'preaching to the choir'
What person, leader or movement is going to emerge to organize and fight an administration that is destroying our country?
What person, leader or movement is going to emerge to organize and fight an administration that is destroying our country?
221
Who is trending on Twitter?
I agree wholeheartedly with this editorial. I would also like to point out that while I do not ever condone (nor would praise as smart) people who find loopholes and ways to beat the system -- I do find it telling that many who agree that Trump was "smart" to avoid paying millions of dollars of taxes become immediately outraged when learning that someone just scraping by found some barely legal way to say a few bucks on some form of public assistance. Both people are benefiting by getting cash that should be the people's. But some are billing way more than others.
120
The cash you refer to is decidedly NOT "the people's." Keeping you own money in your possession is not the same as the government giving it away.
1
@leave cap etc.., to state the obvious, the society has provided you many services that allow you to acquire the cash that allows you to spend for yourself. That is the meaning of taxes - if it only makes sense to you in one way, then think of it as a deposit on fixing the holes that will appear in the highways that bring you your food, right after the winter storms are done and spring is shedding it's light on the world. These potholes will appear - you will need food and stuff brought to you by the highways. The tax you pay that you resent so mightily is due as part of your functioning on the earth. No man is an island - how about that?
43
Ethics are simply quaint suggestions to this morally hollow man. The current administration seems to have made "conflict of interest" an appointment requirement.
138
"To make matters worse, Republicans in Congress have abdicated their duty to hold the White House accountable..."
The Republican party has rejected integrity and ethics. Their objective is to win regardless of any costs or damage to America. That is why Donald Trump was able to secure the Republican presidential nomination and why Congressional Republicans are now inventing new ways to justify president Trump's transgressions,or, at least look the other way.
Donald Trump and Republicans aren't just chipping away at the ethics program and the integrity of government. They are taking a sledge hammer to it.
The Republican party has rejected integrity and ethics. Their objective is to win regardless of any costs or damage to America. That is why Donald Trump was able to secure the Republican presidential nomination and why Congressional Republicans are now inventing new ways to justify president Trump's transgressions,or, at least look the other way.
Donald Trump and Republicans aren't just chipping away at the ethics program and the integrity of government. They are taking a sledge hammer to it.
356
No surprise.
The Republican Party and Republicans have been moraaly bankrupt for almost two decades.
Concerned? Then do everything you can to throw all Republicans out of federal and state offices.
The Republican Party and Republicans have been moraaly bankrupt for almost two decades.
Concerned? Then do everything you can to throw all Republicans out of federal and state offices.
2
That's why they tried to get rid of the House ethics office as one of their first acts.
8
"That is why Donald Trump was able to secure the Republican presidential nomination. . ."
I have never understood this argument, and I see it repeated in these comments almost every day. It's either just rage or ignorance. (BTW, I'm a die-hard Bernie guy who voted for Hillary.)
The Republican Party ran a primary with debates and elections in every state and DT vanquished, what, 13 rivals for the nomination? I think the party would have stopped him if they could, but his voters, of whom they are terrified, put him in there, both as nominee and in the general.
If we, as Democrats, are going to prevail in the future, we need to start thinking clearly, a la Bernie, about what will win votes. Let's start by discussing grotesque and increasing economic inequality.
I have never understood this argument, and I see it repeated in these comments almost every day. It's either just rage or ignorance. (BTW, I'm a die-hard Bernie guy who voted for Hillary.)
The Republican Party ran a primary with debates and elections in every state and DT vanquished, what, 13 rivals for the nomination? I think the party would have stopped him if they could, but his voters, of whom they are terrified, put him in there, both as nominee and in the general.
If we, as Democrats, are going to prevail in the future, we need to start thinking clearly, a la Bernie, about what will win votes. Let's start by discussing grotesque and increasing economic inequality.
Your editorial contains the reasons why it will not be realized.
For the ethics' rules to be strengthened, the law needs to be changed.
For the law to be changed, Congress needs to act, both by setting new tougher standards and then by making them the law of the land.
Congress is owned by the GOP.
The GOP is owned by the sort of people who think of DJT as one of their own and who see no problem with his or his courtiers' behavior.
So, this is a pious wish. It will not happen.
As long as DJT and the powers behind him (and I don't mean the Russians!) manage to keep enough Americans in their sway, they will maintain control over the Legislature. And self-enriching opportunism will slowly become the new normal.
For the ethics' rules to be strengthened, the law needs to be changed.
For the law to be changed, Congress needs to act, both by setting new tougher standards and then by making them the law of the land.
Congress is owned by the GOP.
The GOP is owned by the sort of people who think of DJT as one of their own and who see no problem with his or his courtiers' behavior.
So, this is a pious wish. It will not happen.
As long as DJT and the powers behind him (and I don't mean the Russians!) manage to keep enough Americans in their sway, they will maintain control over the Legislature. And self-enriching opportunism will slowly become the new normal.
55
I do not agree with congressional term limits. That way we would constantly have neophytes who don't yet understand the full duties and capacities of their jobs.
The downside to no term limits are the same downsides to tenure academically: some people just sit back and enjoy status and salary. But the upside is more important: an increasing understanding of the job and one' colleagues, often a chosen expertise valuable to government and, in the past, a camaraderie and increasing ability to work with colleagues in both parties.
That was how it was when I arrived here in the early Sixties, and I weep for the country in its present condition, which I could never have imagined back then.
We are on a cliff edge and it behooves us to look carefully where we step next.
The downside to no term limits are the same downsides to tenure academically: some people just sit back and enjoy status and salary. But the upside is more important: an increasing understanding of the job and one' colleagues, often a chosen expertise valuable to government and, in the past, a camaraderie and increasing ability to work with colleagues in both parties.
That was how it was when I arrived here in the early Sixties, and I weep for the country in its present condition, which I could never have imagined back then.
We are on a cliff edge and it behooves us to look carefully where we step next.
13
It seems that our current batch of Legislators "don't yet understand the full duties and capacities of their jobs." There is no compromise any more, and the bills written have gotten so complicated with unrelated matters, that no one can comprehend and understand them.
I wish every bill had a preamble to state the purpose and goals of the legislation, so we could know what the intent is.
I wish every bill had a preamble to state the purpose and goals of the legislation, so we could know what the intent is.
1
I agree with this editorial and would add two additional much-needed changes:
1. Term limits for re-election to Congress. Career politicians have no interest in governing according to what is best for our country and our people. All they care about is party, power, and profit. We need fresh ideas on the table instead of the same old repetitive insanity. This would also eliminate the incentive to gerrymander districts and suppress voters who favor the opposing party.
2. Amend the Electoral College to award votes proportionally. If a candidate wins 60% of the popular vote in a state, they get 60% of the electoral votes. This would bring the Electoral College in line with the will of the people. And, yes, I know this would result in counting electoral votes in terms of decimals rather than integers. So, either truncate the decimal or round to the nearest integer; whichever we the people believe would be the most fair.
1. Term limits for re-election to Congress. Career politicians have no interest in governing according to what is best for our country and our people. All they care about is party, power, and profit. We need fresh ideas on the table instead of the same old repetitive insanity. This would also eliminate the incentive to gerrymander districts and suppress voters who favor the opposing party.
2. Amend the Electoral College to award votes proportionally. If a candidate wins 60% of the popular vote in a state, they get 60% of the electoral votes. This would bring the Electoral College in line with the will of the people. And, yes, I know this would result in counting electoral votes in terms of decimals rather than integers. So, either truncate the decimal or round to the nearest integer; whichever we the people believe would be the most fair.
166
We have term limits. Vote.
2
3. Get rid of the Electoral College as a vestige of slavery that is no longer wanted or needed.
9
Any change to the EC will require a constitutional amendment. The states with small populations relative to the number of their votes in the EC would block any tinkering with this boondoggle. It will never happen.
It is a sad state of affairs when laws need to be enacted to impose ethical behavior in the White House. The nature of the job of the president, and any administration official, namely, serving the public interest above his or her own interest becomes a matter of legal obligation rather than a natural moral impulse. What does that say about democratic society at present?
404
It says a lot about the current occupant of the White House.
What was and still is a really sad state of affairs in the United States of America is what is 'legal'. Both humanity personhood denying African enslavement and equality defying separate and unequal African Jim Crow were 'legal'. Instead of being a democratic society, America is a republic of 50 United States plus the District of Columbia. What is 'legal' in America may not be moral nor just nor fair no objective.
1
The "natural moral impulse" of Donald Trump and those near him is toward self-interest. The "public interest" is a concept that has no meaning for them whatsoever. To people like this every day is a series of transactions, to be leveraged for maximum personal benefit. Ethical standards, legal strictures, and even other people are completely disposable if realizing their objectives requires that.