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President Trump is engaged in graft that does not meet the moral standards of one of the most corrupt politicians in the most corrupt political organization in United States history.
As the Kabuki Theater of the Senate Impeachment Trial plays out on our screens, let’s reflect on what transpired in this White House over the course of this administration.
We often hear the phrase “All politicians lie.” It’s probably true. But does quantity matter? Do the dozens of Obama lies during his presidency justify the thousands of lies by Donald Trump three years into his first term? Does the qualitative nature of the lie matter? Are all lies equal? If “all politicians lie”, does it not matter how many lies or what kind of lie?
“We do that [quid pro quo] all the time … That’s why we held up the money … I have news for everybody: Get over it. There’s going to be political influence in foreign policy.” — Mick Mulvaney
Since there is always going to be “political influence in foreign policy”, does it matter if the quid pro quo is pressure in the service of United States policy objectives or if it is extortion in the service of the President’s reelection effort? Does motivation matter? Does corrupt intent matter? Is it all the same to Trump apologists when “everyone does it”.
