Watch out for alternative promises
Merriam-Webster defines ethics as a set of moral principles or system of moral values. Many of us were bless with guidance in this philosophy of rightness during our formative years. Others, didn’t receive it or the lessons offered didn’t transition from thought to practice. In an age of alternative facts — where lies aren’t lies — I suppose we can call unethical behavior, alternative actions.
A little more than two months into Donald Trump’s presidency, the ethics monitors and fact checkers are getting a workout. I recall reports of half-truths, misleading statements and outright lies, told during previous administrations. But, I have never witnessed such blatant, routine snubs in the face of ethics – especially this consistently and routinely, this early.
Trump ran on a platform of his opponent being a liar and a crook. He consistently pointed to what he perceived to be the failed policies of the Obama and previous administrations: healthcare, immigration, America jobs, education. With this rhetoric, the self-proclaimed Washington outsider became the best alternative for voters, who chose Trump over familiar political names in the GOP.
The most troubling aspect of this alternative presidency is the finger-pointing – not just by the administration, but its supporters. When caught, the fingers point to who will be blamed or the situation is qualified by a reference to something similar or worse that President Obama or another previous commander-in-chief did.
This better alternative is not being held accountable by those who delivered him. This can be said of both parties, of course. When the masses are in a frenzy of disgust over what’s happening in Washington, a “swamp- dra i n - ing” candidate of “greatness” rises up and captures everyone’s imaginations. Once the oath of office is taken, the swamp plug remains firmly intact and business continues as usually, with only a shift in ideology.
That’s not what the people want. And according to Trump, that is not what he was going to deliver but, about 75 days into his presidency, this political circus has shifted from the big ring to the sideshow.
Candidate Trump pledged America first, but U.S. Department of Labor filings show foreign workers have been sought to staff Mar-a-Lago and his vineyard. For the record, I don’t care who he or anyone else’ pays to work at their private business interests, as long as the process is legal. What I do care about is the fact he says one thing and does another.
Candidate Trump said he wouldn’t take vacations, wouldn’t depart from the White House often and in the past, has criticized President Obama’s golf outings. President Trump has made five or six trips to his Florida resort Mar-a-Logo since taking office. For the record, I don’t begrudge the president vacations or rounds of golf. What I do care about is the fact he says one thing and does another.
He pledged American steel would be used for the Keystone XL oil pipeline or it wouldn’t be built. Domestic steel will not be used for the project because the steel for the project already has been purchased and it makes no sense to change horses in mid-stream, a Trump spokesperson explained. For the record, I agree. What I do care about is the fact he says one thing and does another.
Candidate Trump said no one on his campaign had any communications with the Russian government. We now know that several of his people have admitted to talking with or meeting with Russian officials.
Candidate Trump pledged no cuts to Social Security and Medicare. In the course of healthcare reform, candidate Trump promised no one would lose health coverage; everyone would have insurance; and it would cost less for everyone including the government, consumers and providers.