The American people have a right to say anything about Donald J. Trump. He has revealed himself completely during this long campaign season. We always knew that he was unqualified to become the President of the United States. Now, we know that he is a failed businessman, a racist, a xenophobe, a misogynist, a bigot, and even more of a megalomaniac than we aware of previously.
However, there are many other disreputable people in Washington who uninformed and brainwashed voters allow to have lives of wealth and privilege. At, or near the top of the list is Mark Sanford.
For those of you who have forgotten about Mr. Sanford, I will remind you. This is a perfect story about how voters who only vote for the party, and refuse to elect the best and most qualified candidates, make our nation look foolish, and our government a joke.
But first, let me tell you what Sanford is up to today. He is a Trump supporter, but is berating the “orange man” for not releasing his tax returns.
“To him, demands that he release his tax returns are just a ploy by his opponents and enemies to undermine his campaign. But that obstinacy will have consequences,” Sanford warned. “Not releasing his tax returns would hurt transparency in our democratic process, and particularly in how voters evaluate the men and women vying to be our leaders. Whether he wins or loses, that is something our country cannot afford.”
It’s not that he’s wrong; every American wants to know what he is hiding. Now that we know his campaign manager has monetary ties to Vladimir Putin, additional questions are forthcoming. This is simply another misstep by Trump which will ensure that he loses in November.
Now back to our self-righteous embezzler and philanderer.
In June of 2009, Sanford was the Governor of South Carolina. As it is with most politicians, he believed that he was overworked and needed a vacation. He told the voters of South Carolina and his family that he was planning to hike the Appalachian Trail. He was out of contact with everyone for six days.
The truth was that he was in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was with his mistress, Maria Belén Chapur, an Argentine journalist. They met first in 2001, and began a sexual relationship in 2008. Sanford used taxpayer money, lied to his wife and children, and deceived the voters of South Carolina.
Sanford resigned as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, but had no intentions of resigning his position as governor. On December 11, 2009, Sanford’s estranged wife announced that she was filing for divorce.
Although impeachment charges were brought against Sanford, the cowardly Republican-controlled legislature voted against the action. He was censured, but allowed to stay in office until his term ended in 2011.
That’s not the end of the story. Republican voters are not concerned with family values, morals, or criminal behavior. In 2013, he was elected to the House of Representatives representing South Carolina.
You understand why Sanford has no right to talk about any other politician; he should be behind bars, but is instead living a life of luxury and privilege.
Trump is an evil, depraved man; but he is not alone in the Republican Party.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of North Charleston
Follow me on Twitter: @jamesturnagenov
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