April 25, 2009

The Destruction Of Public Trust

In 1832, New York senator William L. Marcy coined the phrase "to the victor go the spoils." The phrase describes the policy that when elected, Presidents may fill government jobs with friends and political allies.

By releasing national secrets to besmirch the reputation of his predecessor, Barack Obama has grossly exaggerated that concept.

To the victor goes the political axe.

He has unleashed a dangerous precedent that could destroy us.

Picture the spectacle of successive presidents releasing whatever politically damaging information they discover upon arriving in the white house. Candidates might even campaign on the notion of prosecuting the sitting President.

Imagine the character of people who would run for office. With a new tradition of prosecuting previous Presidents, what kind of people would run? No self-respecting person would want to serve the public trust, only to be outted and frog-marched as soon as their term in office concluded. With a depleted stock of willing, honorable candidates, what demons we would elect.

The result of successive and ever more catastrophic Presidencies would ultimately descend into either dictatorship when one side refuses to relinquish power, or war when the other side tries to take it by force.

Barack Obama has destroyed the public trust.

Posted by Richard at April 25, 2009 1:10 PM

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