The Perilous Assault on Ethical Standards and Integrity—At Least Vote to Formally Censure The President's Conduct
February 4, 2020
(This is an update on my post of 1/31)
The Trump trial has been draining.
It has now become depressing as I witness the abandonment of integrity.
Why do I say this? Because all the Republican Senators , excepting Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, voted "no" on having witnesses. Several Senators including Rob Portman and Lamar Alexander, explain that they arrive at this decision even though they acknowledge that the President did indeed use the power of his office to hold up duly authorized aid in order to try to get the President of Ukraine to announce an investigation of his principal opponent, Joe Biden.
Trump has repeatedly denied this charge. In other words, These and other Senators acknowledge he has lied in addition to having done what the Impeachment charge states.
And beyond all that he has sought to cover it up.
These Senators explain their decision to vote "no" by in essence saying the evidence of his guilt is so clear to them that witnesses would not add anything to it even if they confirm what has been alleged.
They assert that while the President's actions were "inappropriate", they do not rise to the level of being an impeachable offense.
For me this is impossible to accept. If pressuring a foreign nation to stain the reputation of a leading opposing candidate seeking to unseat him as President isn't an impeachable "abuse of power", what is?
The Trump trial has been draining.
It has now become depressing as I witness the abandonment of integrity.
Why do I say this? Because all the Republican Senators , excepting Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, voted "no" on having witnesses. Several Senators including Rob Portman and Lamar Alexander, explain that they arrive at this decision even though they acknowledge that the President did indeed use the power of his office to hold up duly authorized aid in order to try to get the President of Ukraine to announce an investigation of his principal opponent, Joe Biden.
Trump has repeatedly denied this charge. In other words, These and other Senators acknowledge he has lied in addition to having done what the Impeachment charge states.
And beyond all that he has sought to cover it up.
These Senators explain their decision to vote "no" by in essence saying the evidence of his guilt is so clear to them that witnesses would not add anything to it even if they confirm what has been alleged.
They assert that while the President's actions were "inappropriate", they do not rise to the level of being an impeachable offense.
For me this is impossible to accept. If pressuring a foreign nation to stain the reputation of a leading opposing candidate seeking to unseat him as President isn't an impeachable "abuse of power", what is?
I search for an analogue in Corporate life which presents an example of the abuse of power for personal benefit--and contrary to that of the institution.
Imagine a CEO of a company learns that a subordinate employee is poised to disclose an act of serious sexual impropriety on his part. The CEO goes to the employee promising a big promotion in return for his not making the disclosure.
The Board of Directors learns of this. The CEO vehemently denies it happened. Do you think any Board Member determining the allegation was true would describe this as "inappropriate" and stop there? No, that CEO would be summarily fired.
But what if some board members were uncertain of the truth of the allegation? After all the CEO (like President Trump) is denying he made this proposition. Now, however, the Board learns there were two first hand witnesses to the CEO's conversation with the employee. One of the witnesses has said they are ready to talk to the board. Do you think the Board would decline to hear from these witnesses? Of course they wouldn't. They would demand that all the facts be put on the table.
The positions of these Senators fly in the face of all I have learned, believe and tried to honor when it comes to ethical behavior.
At a minimum, they should have sought first hand witnesses to confirm or deny the charges forwarded by the House of Representatives. The Senate should have taken every step to allow the "truth" of the matter to fully emerge. They owed that to the American public so they could better assess the merits or de-merits of candidates in the next election. They owed that to history. They owed that to the reputation of the Senate as an independent body. They owed it to their personal legacies.
Last week,, I read something Teddy Roosevelt said in response to sharp criticism he received for having asked Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House in October, 1901. He was affirming his conviction that he did the right thing.
"I say that I am 'sure' this is the right solution. Of course I know that we see through a glass dimly and, after all, I may be wrong; but if I am then all my thoughts and beliefs are wrong, and my whole way of looking at life is wrong. At any rate, as long as I am in public life, however short a time that may be, I am in honor bound to act up to my beliefs and convictions".
Roosevelt speaks for me.
At a minimum, they should have sought first hand witnesses to confirm or deny the charges forwarded by the House of Representatives. The Senate should have taken every step to allow the "truth" of the matter to fully emerge. They owed that to the American public so they could better assess the merits or de-merits of candidates in the next election. They owed that to history. They owed that to the reputation of the Senate as an independent body. They owed it to their personal legacies.
Last week,, I read something Teddy Roosevelt said in response to sharp criticism he received for having asked Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House in October, 1901. He was affirming his conviction that he did the right thing.
"I say that I am 'sure' this is the right solution. Of course I know that we see through a glass dimly and, after all, I may be wrong; but if I am then all my thoughts and beliefs are wrong, and my whole way of looking at life is wrong. At any rate, as long as I am in public life, however short a time that may be, I am in honor bound to act up to my beliefs and convictions".
Roosevelt speaks for me.
If as appears virtually certain, the Senate will not vote to remove Trump from office, it should at least hold a formal vote on censuring the President's conduct.
Let history not be silent on how his conduct was viewed. Let history not be silent on his failure to act in good faith and in line with the values that have made this Nation what it aspires to be.
Make no mistake: if the Senate's record remains silent or ambiguous, there will be many, likely including the President, who will assert he did nothing wrong. That will result in a devastating crippling of the standards of ethical behavior. And that would present a grave risk to our Nation's future. A vote should be taken on censoring the President's conduct.
Let history not be silent on how his conduct was viewed. Let history not be silent on his failure to act in good faith and in line with the values that have made this Nation what it aspires to be.
Make no mistake: if the Senate's record remains silent or ambiguous, there will be many, likely including the President, who will assert he did nothing wrong. That will result in a devastating crippling of the standards of ethical behavior. And that would present a grave risk to our Nation's future. A vote should be taken on censoring the President's conduct.
Mr. Pepper, as much as I loved you and respected you as a leader for P&G and a fellow Yalie, I cannot agree with your stance on President Trump. While I am the first to agree that he is not the polished President we have had in the past, he is the first to have other countries respecting the strength and policies of our country, as well as protecting the unborn and the minorities. I know you may disagree with me on this one, but he, while strengthening border control also increased the number of temporary migrant worker permits, allowing these workers to support their families on only a few months of US wages. (I have this from a manager of these workers in California) So, while people want to villianize this man, he has done of the deplorable things I have seen coming from the liberal side. He is my President, and I will support him.
ReplyDeleteJohn, as a lifelong Republican, well said!
ReplyDeleteMr. John Pepper. You spoke your Truth-that matters a great deal in being a CEO and in leading highly respected Business Organization. P&G is still alive today after 275 (?) Years. It continues to be one of the Best led and values driven innovative corporations. Whereas Mr.Trump, as a Real estate Mogul cares oabout winning his politics in the elections---safeguards those policies that will make him "win" the next elections. He must have paid a great sum of $$ to those attorneys during his impeachment proceedings. Do I truly believe that he is not for abortion?? How about being able to walk his talk and being a compassionate leader? He would rather see undocumented children suffer and die all for achieving his campaign slogans. We are now a divided nation. While many Republicans think that the stock market and US economy are all up because of him--many financial experts believe they're up inspite of him. Our nation is so divided that I'm reminded of a parable about the 12 Blind Men who have never seen an were asked to individually describe an Elephant. Certainly it depends which part of the Elephant is being held and being described by a Blind Man. Individually and collectively we are divided. My prayers and hope goes to our nation and leaders.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to publish this considered piece. Perhaps this piece, with the weight of your voice, will impell the senate to do something, now that they have failed to do the right thing. Any step towards integrity and accountability will be welcome - to continue the current willful blindness towards our president's actions is to step towards oligarchy.
ReplyDeletePolished doesn’t matter. Polished has nothing to do with cruelty. Polished has nothing to with making fun of people with disabilities. Polished has nothing to do with blatant racism and the rise in white supremacy and Nazis. Polished has nothing to do with clean water. Polished has nothing to do with healthcare and cutting Medicaid. Polished has nothing to do with transferring wealth to the already rich. Polished has nothing to do with lying.
ReplyDeleteI know plenty of people who are not polished who are ethical, believe in justice and equality, believe in peace.