We've been through a decade where we've been persuaded that the ends justify the means - whether its huge commissions for selling investments that are little more than gambling, torture to spread fear, or lying to preserve power, the key lesson we've been taught is that we can do whatever we want, without consequences, as long as it feels good. Those who preached values seemed to have forgotten that greed, injustice, and tyranny aren't justified just because we want to accomplish a particular goal.
The decision was the result of prosecutorial misconduct by the Justice Department under the last administration - the new Attorney General has decided the problem is so great, further efforts to defend the government's position is not a worthwhile effort. That's sad. Tthe case against the defendant was so clear, it is hard to believe the prosecutors thought they had to lie and cheat to get a conviction.
Major misconduct by Stevens [having a building contractor build a $250,000 addition to his house without charge - Steven's defense: "I forgot"], resulted in fairly a minor charge of failing to disclose the gift on forms designed to disclose such things. Politicians are usually bought pretty cheaply - this wasn't cheap, and pretty serious misconduct in benefitting from his position. We should have more stringent rules prohibiting our leaders from financially benefitting from their positions, whether by being given huge gifts, being given huge campaign contributions [or orchestrating gifts by others], or being given access to successful investments with those seeking influence. In a culture where politicians are usually bought on the cheap, the gifts to Stevens were huge, directly personal, and hidden from the voters.
At least with Stevens, his secrets are out and his political career ruined [until he can reinvent himself as an innocent victim]. Fortunately, he can't argue that Democrats unfairly targeted him, a Republican, for political reasons - his own served him up. The Justice Department that pursued him was staffed with political ideologues, often chosen for their political leanings rather than their ethics or skills.
We can hope the lesson learned is that we need to choose our leaders more wisely, and control their power no matter which side they are on.
