The Gazette on July 23 ran a political cartoon. It suggests, apparently without irony, that the elephants (Republicans) are working hard to stop fraud and corruption in government. Alas, the cartoon posits, the donkeys (Democrats) need the money that fraud and corruption apparently provide them to perpetrate their fraud and corruption.
To clarify the actual situation, President Donald J. Trump, the current leader of said Republican Party, is responsible for staggering amounts of fraud and corruption in his pay to play presidency. Donors to his campaign or to his families’ businesses enjoy plum positions or pardons. He and his family rake in profits from fees paid by the government at his properties. Trump’s personal wealth has increased by billions during this second term, with a big increase from crypto currency, over which he exercises significant power and influence. Legal settlements, think CBS and Meta; Trump branded merchandise, watches, cell phones (theoretically, they never materialized but brought in cash deposits); meme coins; foreign business deals — all have contributed to the $2 billion-plus he has brought in by leveraging his office.
This callous accumulation of wealth by all means available feeds off of the people of the United States. Directly, from wanton mismanagement and siphoning of our tax dollars, and indirectly, from the steady degradation of our reputation and standing in the world. It’s entirely from the Trump playbook to attempt to assign blame for fraud and corruption anywhere but at himself, the true perpetrator.
Marta M. Lev
Florence