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Opinion & Editorial

Responsibility Required: POTUS

In 1920, renown American journalist and disputant of populism, H. L. Mencken, wrote, “[a]s democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

Mr. Mencken, we have confirmed your assertion.

Politics is no longer a battle over policy but rather a never-ending scrutiny of ethics.

President Trump’s rhetoric throughout the campaign and policy making within his first two weeks in office sparked outrage amongst both parties, but an unwillingness to sympathize with the opposition at all costs has left members of the GOP undermining their own value systems.

Principles listed on the GOP website include supporting American families and their education system and rekindling hope in the American dream, yet, a feature on the GOP website also encourages Republicans to “Stand with POTUS.”

Speaker Ryan and Vice President Pence denounced Trump’s ban on the campaign trail for its unconstitutionality and immoral nature, yet now they refuse to condemn the measure.

The system of checks and balances was created to avoid corruption and ensure that politicians work for the benefit of the citizens. By our nation’s leaders not holding the executive branch responsible, they, too, are compromising what Paul Ryan would call, “America’s fundamental values.”

On a recent episode of 60 Minutes, Pastor Bryant Wright, former president of the Southern Baptist Church, remarked that “our calling . . . is far higher to follow Christ and do what Christ teaches us to do than whether there’s an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ behind your name. And that’s what we’ve got to live by far more than what people are hearing on talk radio, or on the news or from political candidates.”

Republicans across the country and in Washington must take Pastor Wright’s words to heart. Americans must challenge their congressmen to uphold their ideals, and representatives must dare to challenge the President and his cabinet’s decisions when they are unlawful.

In ethics class, students reflect on their top five moral values, independent of political policy. Popular examples include empathy and genuineness. There is little net evidence that Donald Trump represents a number of such virtues.

It is of paramount importance to champion a trustworthy moral conscience in government, where you are expected to make altruistic decisions even when the contrary is tempting.

By overlooking morality in favor of policy, Americans set a lower ethical standard for both citizens and their politicians.

Conservatives: hold this man accountable.

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