Too often the wealthy and politicians go virtually unpunished for their criminal and immoral actions. Money and power create not only lives of privilege, they all too often receive special treatment from the legal system. A recent example is the slap on the wrist to the “affluenza” teen who killed four people, Ethan Couch. Former Speaker Dennis Hastert has been fined, but will he receive incarceration for his sexual abuse of young boys? A past example involves the criminal actions of another former Speaker, Newt Gingrich. Not only was he never punished, he ran for the presidency in 2012.

A case coming before the Supreme Court involves the former Republican Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell. He remains a free man, although he was convicted of ethics and bribery charges in 2014, and sentenced in January 2015. His appeal has reached its final destination; the Supreme Court.

If the Court makes its decisions along party lines, his conviction will be upheld; the vote would be four for McDonnell, and four against, once again proving that the choice of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to leave the ninth seat vacant has rendered the Court dysfunctional.

Some Jurors in McDonnell’s case responded to his alleged misconduct of taking $165,000 in cash and gifts in exchange for ‘favors’ granted to a vitamin company executive.

McDonnell’s claim is that it was simply ‘politics.’

“Politics as usual — that’s a lousy excuse,” juror Daniel R. Hottle said in a telephone interview. Two additional jurors agreed, and told the media that they did not have a single ‘second thought.’

If a single member of the Court supports McDonnell and denies the decision of a sworn jury, our entire judicial system must be questioned.

Americans must hold our elected officials to a higher standard, and the court system must support the will of the people. Privilege must be denied to those who abuse the trust of the people.

If an American worker was convicted of the theft of $165,000 from his employer, his or her case would not have reached the Supreme Court. His or her conviction would stand and punishment would already have begun.

Politics is the most corrupt occupation in America. Why are millions of dollars spent during campaigns to secure a positon which pays less than $200,000 per year. The truth is that the ‘perks’ of political office multiply the base salary of those elected tenfold or more.

Do not shed tears for McDonnell or his family unless you also shed tears for the young black man in your city who was convicted of selling marijuana, and will now spend multiple years in the prison system. There should be no difference in treatment by the legal system, but in fact there is.

The reality is that although McDonnell’s conviction is likely to be upheld, he will surely be elected by Republican voters to a position in the future. Republicans do not perceive criminality as a disqualification for holding public office.

Don’t believe me? Review the case of former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who is now a Congressman from his state.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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