HOYT PURVIS: In governing, corruption doesn't stick to one script

Corruption comes in many forms.

Often it involves money and greed or gaining political or financial advantage or inside information. Not infrequently, it pertains to conflict of interest, which should raise ethical and/or legal questions. It may include corruption of the political process or of the inter-workings of public institutions or agencies. Greed can make individuals vulnerable to financial exploitation or blackmail, as former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort was trying to achieve debt forgiveness from a Russian oligarch. In his appearance before congressional committees, Robert Mueller noted that the Trump campaign welcomed help from Russia and said he fears a willingness to accept foreign help could become the "new normal" in U.S. political campaigns.

Let's be clear: There are countless dedicated public servants and organizational officials who render valuable service to society. But let's also be clear on this point: We have a long history of corruption and scandal within and beyond government and public affairs -- from Teapot Dome to Watergate and in business, sports and much more.

There are numerous examples of graft -- in which politicians use their positions of authority for personal gain or when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirected to benefit themselves or other private interests.

We don't have to look beyond Arkansas to see wide-ranging examples of this kind of graft, much of it related to the state Legislature's General Improvement Fund, which some legislators apparently viewed as a kind of slush fund. Earlier, this led to conviction of five former Arkansas legislators who used their positions to divert funds from government programs.

Most recently, lobbyist and former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson pleaded guilty to political corruption charges involving bribery and filing a false state tax return. There have been some 20 guilty pleas or convictions resulting from federal investigations, with more to come.

The reality is that corruption presently pervades much of society and a laissez-faire attitude sets a tone that is not particularly concerned about abuse of authority. Or those in positions of responsibility look the other way in the face of such corruption.

Recent times have brought us an exceptionally heavy dose of alleged or documented cases of malfeasance in the form of unscrupulous actions such as kickbacks or payoffs. Arkansas' long-running corruption scandal involved Medicaid funding and the aforementioned General Improvement Fund. Legislators, lobbyists and others diverted funding to pet causes such as Ecclesia College, "a Christian work college." This very small private institution in Northwest Arkansas was engaged in financial chicanery, with some legislators channeling money to college officials and receiving significant kickbacks.

And when we think about corruption, we need to take into account that it can be much more than the spoils system or misdirection of funds. Take note of some other recent occurrences -- the college admissions scandal or the particularly tawdry case of the arrest of 16 U.S. Marines for smuggling of undocumented migrants.

Consider the hypocritical charade over budget deficits and debt, when promises are made with no real expectation that they can be achieved. Or President Trump's insistence on claiming that he was exonerated in the Mueller report when it is clear that he was not.

There is the case of Rep. Duncan Hunter, Republican from California, accused of spending about $250,000 in campaign funds on luxurious international vacations with his girlfriend. In some cases, he claimed personal spending as charitable contributions for veterans. His wife has also been indicted for misuse of funds.

There's no shortage of controversies involving Trump and his administration, failure to release his income tax returns being among the foremost. And we shouldn't overlook hush-money payments to women claiming to have had affairs with Trump, one of them pornographic film star Stormy Daniels. We have had a parade of high-living officials with high-level appointments in the Trump administration. A number of them have seen their extravagant lifestyle brought to light by the media, and, of course, the media are often the object of Trump's criticism.

In recent days, we have witnessed the scathing screed and corrupt language directed by Trump against Rep. Elijah Cummings, Maryland Democrat, and his Baltimore-area congressional district. There is no doubt that Baltimore, like many urban areas, has serious problems, but not at the level of this over-the-top corruption of language. Mick Mulvaney, Trump's acting chief of staff, said Trump's language was exaggerated for effect. Cummings has been one of the most Trump's most outspoken critics in Congress as chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee. Trump had tweeted that the majority-black district is a "rodent-infested mess" where "no human being would want to live."

It should be pointed out that Cummings' congressional district is the home of Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the nation's leading medical centers; the headquarters of the Social Security Administration; the beauty of the Inner Harbor and history of Fort McHenry; and a district where the median income is above the national average.

We could continue with many more examples. And if we don't want to see betrayal of the public trust, we should hold those in positions of responsibility to a high standard. We should also recognize that dishonesty, deceit and deliberate misinformation are also forms of corruption.

Commentary on 07/31/2019

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