Getting Rich off the Grift
Getting rich is not what the Presidency is about. It was never supposed to be about personal enrichment. The Presidency, indeed, all levels of political office were supposed to be about service. They were also supposed to be temporary. Our founding fathers always envisioned two of our three co-equal branches of government to be places where men of good will would temporarily put their own lives and fortunes on hold while they served the common good, and then return to private life, poorer in the pocket, but richer in the soul. But the best intentions also need laws to stiffen our all-to-human spines.
The Foreign Emoluments Clause, part of Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution, prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts, emoluments, titles, or offices from foreign governments or kings without congressional consent. This clause aims to prevent foreign influence and corruption of U.S. officials. When I first visited the Eisenhower Home and Museum I was astonished by the gifts from nations around the world, offered to President Eisenhower. None of these items were ever used or displayed in Eisenhower’s home. They were offered to Eisenhower as honors, not bribes. They were accepted, not by Eisenhower, but be the United States of America and turned over to the national archives. They are displayed at Eisenhower’s museum because of their historical context, not because they ever did, belong to the 34th President.
Wealth from power has become harder to adhere to as we move into the 21st Century, but every other President has accepted the idea that you don’t sell yourself while in the Oval Office. Until now. Let’s take a look at the Trump Wheel of Fortune.
Over $2 billion were dumped into Trump companies last month—yes, just last month. These monies were in the form of real estate, cryptocurrency and membership fees of $500,000 per person to his private club.
Let’s look first at the biggest scam of all, cryptocurrency. Personally, I have always explained that crypto is for suckers, and if you buy it you deserve what you get, which is financial loss, but it turns out it is also an easy way to bribe a President. The crypto designed and owned by the President and run by Donald Trump Jr., “…has no inherent value beside what people will pay for it; the family describes it as a collectible — like a baseball card. But every time someone purchases a coin (currently worth about $13), the family gets a share.”
The United Arab Emirates bought $2 billion of the Trump crypto and bought the man at the same time. This isn’t a one and out, either. The owners of the front company, owned by Eric and Donald Trump, Jr. will make millions of dollars each year off the UAE payoff. Since its introduction in the crypto market investors have LOST $2 billion by trading the coin while Trump MADE about $100 million from trading fees.
The Arabs have financed luxurious golf resorts, hotels, and mega-buildings under the Trump brand to the tune of over $7 billion dollars. And these “gifts for grifts” aren’t all on foreign soil. Donald Trump, Jr. is opening a private social club (dues are $500,000 per person) in Georgetown this summer. The club is aptly named the “Executive Branch” which lets you know who the membership is greasing. Even the Republican Party is on board with hosting events exclusively at Trump properties, Doral and Mar-a-Lago, at a cost of tens of millions of dollars. You would think Trump the Shill would at least comp his own party, but you would be wrong—again.
When choosing your friends it is important to remember that if they lie to others, they have lied to you. If they sell out anyone, they will sell you out. If they treat people with disdain, that is exactly how they feel about you. Half of this country picked a despicable louse in the last election. But, while it is hard to do, I keep the faith.
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