By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Despite promises to “drain the swamp,” the Trump administration is rife with corruption, as evidenced by officials allegedly receiving payments, violations of ethics rules, and questionable contracts benefiting Trump’s associates. Polling indicates that a majority of Americans perceive increasing corruption under Trump, creating an opportunity for Democrats. However, Democratic leadership is slow-rolling efforts to address corruption, including protecting incumbents accused of wrongdoing and delaying a vote on ending congressional stock trading. This inaction undermines the party’s ability to capitalize on public dissatisfaction and presents a self-inflicted ethical problem for Democrats.
Read the original article here
House Democrats Squander the Opportunity of Trumpian Corruption | Democrats have a golden opportunity to be the anti-corruption party, but the House caucus is not seizing it. This is a critical point, a missed chance for the Democratic party. They’ve been given a golden opportunity, presented on a silver platter, but seem hesitant to grasp it fully. The corruption of the Trump era, so blatant and pervasive, should be a gift to a party that claims to uphold ethical standards. Yet, the House Democrats, specifically, appear to be dropping the ball.
The argument that Democrats have been highlighting Trump’s corrupt dealings for years, with little apparent effect, is a valid one. The electorate, it seems, has largely factored in the corruption, with focus now elsewhere – on the economy, healthcare, and other bread-and-butter issues. But that doesn’t absolve the Democrats of the responsibility to aggressively and consistently highlight any and all corruption on any side. The truth is, people *should* care about corruption, even if its effects aren’t immediately visible. It erodes trust, undermines institutions, and ultimately, hurts everyone.
The issue isn’t simply that Trump is corrupt, or that the Republicans are enabling it. It’s a systemic problem that seems to infect both sides of the political spectrum. It’s hard to be the “anti-corruption” party when you’re viewed as only marginally less corrupt. Some critics suggest that this is due to Democrats being “the slightly less corrupt” party. The reality is that the Democrats need to clearly distance themselves from any appearance of wrongdoing, regardless of whether it’s technically illegal or not.
The problem, as many see it, is that too many in the Democratic party are seemingly unwilling to engage in the fight against corruption wholeheartedly. It’s too often about “what is technically not wrong” versus what is actually *right*. There’s a hesitancy to truly go after the corrupt, perhaps because, as some suspect, many Democrats are also benefiting from the very system they should be fighting. This leads to a sense of cynicism and distrust, and undermines any claims of moral high ground.
The fact is, both sides are operating within a system heavily influenced by money. Legalized bribery, in the form of campaign donations and lobbying, has created a pay-to-play environment where the interests of wealthy donors are often prioritized over the needs of the average citizen. This is why you see studies showing that the wealthy have far more influence in the government than the average citizen. This system is the breeding ground for corruption, and until it is addressed, the cycle will continue.
The Democratic Party, in its current form, is not the ideal vehicle for true anti-corruption reform. They are funded by the same oligarchy and system of bribery that funds the Republicans. The Democrats are beholden to big money, reliant on corporate donations, and this reliance directly hinders any genuine attempt to limit the influence of money in politics. They risk alienating their donors if they pursue strong anti-corruption measures.
It’s not just the reluctance to attack Trump that’s the issue. It’s the reluctance to address any potentially corrupt activity within their own ranks, even actions that appear unethical, even if not illegal. It’s the failure to fully capitalize on scandals, or the lack of cohesive messaging, that lets them down. The fact is, they have made little headway in holding anyone, regardless of party, accountable for any corruption.
One of the biggest problems is the simple inability to get anything done in a legislative body where one side is willing to lie, cheat, and steal, and the other side won’t play the same game. You can’t fight fire with ice. But Democrats seem unable or unwilling to match the Republicans’ ruthlessness in this arena. The lack of a unified message, the tendency to get bogged down in internal squabbles, and the willingness to compromise on crucial principles, has left them consistently outmaneuvered.
The truth is, both parties are responsible for the current state of affairs. While the Republicans are undoubtedly worse, Democrats are not innocent. Until both parties are willing to truly root out corruption, regardless of the consequences, and until the influence of money in politics is curtailed, the situation will continue. Democrats need to be aggressive, persistent, and unwavering in their pursuit of justice and an ethical government. If they don’t, they will continue to squander the golden opportunities that the current political climate presents.