Yes, we do not want, future Presidents, to ignore much of the normal behavior, which we expect and deserve, from the individual we elect, to serve and represent us, it will be necessary to ensure enforceable norms, regulations and ethical requirements, to be firmly in their place! Whether one opposes or supports Donald Trump, one should be able to admit that his behavior, actions, rhetoric, amount of lies, contradictory actions, and refusal to accept ethical requirements have been potentially dangerous to many basic needs, including enforcement. equitable rule of law/justice, normalized foreign policies, greater transparency, clarity, ethics, etc., which potentially endangers the present and future, the health and well-being of our nation. To ensure that we don’t see this happening again in the future, we need restrictions, that they are enforced and have, teeth or claws, which ensures that they cannot be ignored if/when someone finds them inconvenient. With that in mind, this article will attempt, briefly, to consider, examine, review, and discuss 6 constraints, we need, and must hold accountable.
1. Limitation of the individual (non-advisory) powers of the president: President Trump, on several occasions, when he couldn’t get his way, in terms of legislature and/or approvals, he just proceeded to do it, anyway! Who can forget, when, despite the Legislature’s refusal to provide additional funding for its South Wall, it proceeded to transfer funds earmarked for other purposes (predominantly, from the Department of Defense budget). He has often ignored the Balance of Power, apparently proceeding more like a monarch than a President. We must ensure that this does not continue to happen and that no one is above the law!
two. Refusing to facilitate/address/cooperate, in a smooth transition: It appears that Trump does not want to leave his office and either genuinely believes, or it is in his own interest, to use any means possible to make any attempt at a smooth transition possible. While the above individuals, serving in his office, almost always cooperated or at least made essential and relevant information available to the president-elect, he is refusing to do so and, by procrastinating/delaying, doing what many believe, It should be a requirement, especially during this horrible pandemic and with so many international and national challenges.
3. Increased financial disclosure/transparency (potential conflicts): Every president since Nixon has released their personal financial statements, including several years of tax returns. Meanwhile, Trump submitted. limited information on these returns, he has been unwilling, and has sued, to prevent the disclosure of his tax returns. At a minimum, this creates an insight into what you might be hiding and why.
Four. Respecting the Congress has power of the budget: On several occasions, you have attempted to ignore and/or bypass Congress (House of Representatives) regarding the power of our budget! This is an essential component of our Balance of Powers and must be adhered to!
5. Pattern of judicial appointments: There is a problem when Judicial or Court appointments are made on partisan issues, but when the Bar Association declares a candidate unqualified to serve, it jeopardizes the fairness of our system! Shouldn’t there be some minimum qualifications/requirements to be appointed to a federal judge position, which is a lifetime appointment?
6. War powers: Shouldn’t we ensure that a president’s war powers are not absolute, but must be exercised in conjunction with the legislature? After all, a potentially unbalanced leader can cause a significant degree of damage.
We need to secure, protect, this nation and our citizens, if someone is elected to the highest office on earth, they refuse to abide by the standards, of that post! We cannot afford to allow this pattern of actual and/or potential abuse of power and influence to repeat itself! The politics, people, and best interests of our nation must take precedence over anyone’s personal/political agenda and/or self-interest!
