Why should we care about Hunter Biden’s possible influence on his father as he made deals around the world? Why do we care what Ginni Thomas does for a living? Why do we care where Congressional and Senate candidates get money for their campaigns?
They work for us, right?
It’s all pretty simple, isn’t it? The U.S. Supreme Court justices, the President of the United States and members of Congress and the U.S. Senate work for us, not others.
Trump’s Big Oil bribe solicitation
Do we care that former President Donald Trump recently promised oil executives that if they gave $1 billion to his campaign, he would get rid of all the regulations the Biden administration has enacted to combat climate change? This was uncovered by the Washington Post early this month. But it wasn’t widely picked up.
Teapot Dome origins
What a change! In the 1920s, President Warren G. Harding’s secretary of the interior, Albert Fall, went to prison for a year for accepting a $385,000 bribe from oilman Edward L. Doheny. This was in exchange for leases to drill for oil on naval reserve land in Elk Hills and Buena Vista, California, and Teapot Dome, Wyoming. Fall was the first former cabinet officer to go to prison. And the scandal was considered so outrageous that “Teapot Dome” has gone down in U.S. history as shorthand for a corrupt presidency.
Today’s Teapots
So what about Teapot Domes today? Corruption appears to be everywhere. While justices spouses must disclose their places of employment, no other details are required. It’s the same with Congressional spouses. And as for campaign contributions, those are regularly disclosed. But members of Congress can go merrily on their way voting in favor of issues important to large donors.
Citizens United added to the problem
Remember, too, that the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010 ruled 5-4 that freedom of speech prohibits the government from restricting campaign contributions by corporations, nonprofits, labor unions and other groups. So we got a free-giving free-for-all. And lobbyists offering money wield a lot of influence. Just look at the NRA, as a tiny example and our inability to pass effective gun legislation.
Spouses of federal judges
Two years ago a coalition asked Congress to pass reforms calling for greater disclosure of the income sources and amounts for spouses of federal judges. The coalition included Fix the Courts, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Free Law Project and the Project on Government Oversight. Nothing has happened so far.
The Supreme spouses!
And right now, in addition to Clarence Thomas’ wife, Ginni, the spouses of Chief Justice John Roberts, Amy Comey Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson all have law firms in Washington. Disclosure of Mrs. Thomas’ income and clients for her consulting firm is in order. The same for the attorneys. And the money they earn there also should be disclosed.
Plus gifts and trips
This is, of course, in addition to Judge Samuel Alito’s flag controversies and gifts Justice Thomas has received from those with business before the court. Come on, folks! Transparency, that’s all we ask.
Pots and kettles
As for Congress passing judicial reforems, it’s a little hard for the pot to call the kettle black here. What about Congressional and Senate spouses? What about campaign donors?
Swamp draining
I know Donald Trump promised to “drain the swamp.” He didn’t. It may even be worse now. But Congress, the Senate and the entire federal judicial system, including the U.S. Supreme Court, must clean up their acts and quickly. Public confidence in they all is eroded already and heading downward as we speak.