I'd love to be a mouse in the impeachment hearings today, listening to the testimony of Fiona Hill, President Trump's former adviser on the National Security Council. I have no idea where she stands, if she's full of sour grapes or if has legitimate facts to offer. This I do know: I think Congressional Representatives like Nancy Pelosi have all the credibility of a used car salesman, and anything behind closed doors I find suspect. I am not alone.
No matter what Hill testifies, no matter the outcome, the hearings will always be suspect. As Daniel Davidson wrote l in The Federalist last month, "For an impeachment, the importance of public trust in our political institutions can’t be overstated. Generally speaking, the American polity can only afford impeachment when social cohesion and trust in public institutions is high." Unfortunately, it's not.
How many people actually distrust Congress is a number also suspect, depending on which publication you read. Have we ever been so divided? Has Congress ever been so poorly regarded? Oh wait. Just prior to the Civil War, I think the world looked very much like it does today.
Between coup allegations on one side and rhetoric fomenting impeachment on the other, the honest American finds himself in a dilemma. Only the foolish sit steadfastly in either camp, never questioning, never questing for the truth. I read with interest the Washington Post article by Marc Thiessen, where he penned, "Trump may be remembered as the most honest president in modern history." Without a filter, he may be right. Donald Trump says what he thinks and lets the chips fall where they may.
To try and reason things out, I'm looking at the money: Joe Biden's obvious corruption with Burisma; the net worth of our politicians. Here's an interesting tidbit I read yesterday: The Trumps' held $4.5B prior to taking office, and now have a net worth of $3.5B. The Obamas' net worth before taking office: $3M, and after: $40M. The most shocking figure was the Clintons': $500K before taking office and $100M after leaving office. I'm wondering how they grew that rich. But I don't see anyone else following the money.
Used car salesmen may bear a bad reputation, but we do them a disservice when we compare them to politicians. Politicians are worse. Sadly, we find ourselves on the brink of sharp division and transparency is the only solution to what ails us. That means no closed door hearings.
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