A recent letter decried Democrats who are “given a pass” when it comes to personal “indecency.” The writer ignores current facts that discount this claim soundly: among them, the resignations in the last year of Al Franken, John Conyers and Eric Schneiderman.
But, at least as important is the viral spread of what may be called “public indecency.”
This has to do with corruption in government and mortal threat to democracy itself. It consists of constant lying and bullying one’s perceived opponents. It involves preaching and practicing hate and divisiveness and continually identifying scapegoats for problems real and imagined It is manifest in unjustified attacks on the law, the courts, and the criminal justice system for political and personal advantage. It has to do with using office to enrich oneself personally, or to spend lavishly, indulgently and wastefully the hard-earned taxes paid by ordinary citizens. It is displayed in consorting with foreign governments for reasons not serving the national interest. It means “pay to play” arrangements and looking after the agendas of those who possess inordinate wealth and privilege. It takes the form of ignoring or attacking the vulnerable in unfortunate circumstances who deserve compassion and support, not scorn and exploitation. It rests ultimately on no discernible comprehension or concern for the common good, the core value of democracy itself.
It seems only right that every public official, from those in the highest office to those in the lowest, who is guilty of public indecency in any or all of these ways must be cast out in total and utter shame.
Edward Mikel
Brier
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