In my book, How to Select an American President by James A. George with James A. Rodger (c) 2017 Archway Publishing, we provide a historical perspective that shows the many times that the "system" encountered the brink of crisis. Surely, the Civil War was the most violent instance of a complete breakdown.
Today, the magnitude of importance in addressing the dysfunctional government is amplified by global threats that include nuclear-armed enemy states and suicidal terrorists who appear to know no moral bounds.
Many Americans are watching the news while attending to their work and families where they witnessed a polarization between the President and members of his Republican party, the President and members of the opposition Democratic party, the Democratic and Republican parties in both chambers of Congress.
They hear allegations that President Donald has committed violations:
1. Emolument Clause of the US Constitution prohibiting conflicts of interest.
The evidence includes failure by Trump to divest of business relationships cleanly. The evidence includes members of his family serving in government capacities that Ethics advisors say warrant nepotism, while those members continue to engage in Trump private business or commingled activities.
2. Misprision of Fraud whereby President Trump participated with Michael Flynn in covering his comprised dealings with the Russians and allegedly lying to Vice President Pence about that.
Anyone watching the nightly news could have seen those acts firsthand.
3. Lying by a Federal Government Official that includes Trump having made false charges against former President Obama and others in government which are manifest in his incessant Tweet storms.
What is invisible as part of active investigations is any additional evidence held by the FBI and National Security authorities as well as the Treasure that reveal specifics about the Trump enterprise in which transaction and relationships may be of a compromising nature and a national security risk.
The first act of correcting the situation is in applying the rule of law and engaging the House and Senate to conduct investigations. While that is happening, it is apparent that both the House and Senate leadership have conflicts of interest with the President and his campaign, and their actions have obstructed justice and the investigation process.
Evidence the resignation of the House investigation chairman for inappropriately sharing evidence with The White House. Evidence the line of questioning by Republican members who are intent on witch hunts about leaks versus attending the National Security Advisor's specific conflicts of interest including receiving payments from Russia while being an unregistered foreign agent as in Michael Flynn.
Knowingly or unwittingly, this Presidency has surrounded itself by persons of suspicious and compromising relationships including Attorney General Jeff Sessions whose profession has sought to disbar him while he had to recuse himself from investigating Trump and the campaign because he is a subject of the investigation.
Having established that this fish's head is rotten, and some of the parts along with it, what is salvageable and how?
Fortunately, the US Constitution and the rule of law, as well as uncompromised members of Congress and the Court are powerful instruments to navigate the unchartered way forward.
To be continued.
The economy is working today for two reasons: 1) Obama's recovery actions, 2) American consumers. Threats to the economy include government disruptions including crime and corruption as well as foreign policy actions that are manifest in military actions that we cannot afford. Glad to discuss.
ReplyDelete