From Nixon to Trump: The Decline of the Common Good in American Politics

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:32:30 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-common-good-chapter-5-three-big

"Friends,

America’s failure to hold Richard Nixon accountable for his attacks on
democracy when he was president undermined the common good and paved the way
for Donald Trump to mount even worse attacks.

The scandal that came to be known as “Watergate” and led to Nixon’s resignation
from the presidency was a shock to the American political system. Afterward
(analogous to putting locks on the doors after a town’s first robbery),
Congress enacted many reforms, but all were eventually watered down or found by
the Supreme Court to be unconstitutional.

The Watergate scandal began the modern era of “whatever-it-takes-to-win”
politics — blatant disregard of any and all norms and laws that interfered with
gaining or keeping power. Trump is the logical and inevitable consequence.
"

Via Kevin O'Brien.

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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