Party Politics

Does corruption have to be a partisan issue? Aren't the participants in these schemes, the grifters, picking the pockets of devoted followers of every Party, independents, and the politically indifferent in a similar measure? How can someone be a zealot of a Party platform but find it impossible to say “no” to blatant graft, cronyism, nepotism, or thinly veiled bribery?

I recently listened to an acquaintance venting over his $100 deposit for the President's “American made” smartphone offer. After a year's delay, and learning that it is actually made in China, he tried unsuccessfully to get refunded. I commiserated and simply mentioned the 600,000 others in the same boat for $60 million. He went on the attack, defending his Party and justifying the fraud.   

Why are we so accepting of the venality of our politicians? Why is it a loyalty pledge to a Party to excuse the crookedness and shadiness, even if you recognize the moral and cultural decay it foments?

Our President made 3711 stock trades in just the first quarter of 2026, mostly within one day of major market events. He bought shares of a military contractor that has a $10 billion Pentagon contract and then touted the Company on social media that included the firm’s stock symbol. He bought millions in a chip stock before allowing it to sell its AI chips to China. However, members of Congress of all Parties have made dubious stock trades, and no Party is pushing legislation to rein this in. We can talk about corrupt crypto deals that have netted billions, but the People have become so desensitized that no one cares.