Nepotism, a word that is associated with so much that happens in America. The concept is that as a son, daughter, brother, sister or relative of an accomplished person, their abilities are then associated to you based upon favoritism. Your father was a great detective, then you are going to be one too.
A good example is Drew Barrymore. She comes from a long line of actors that many are too young to know about. Her great uncles and aunt were very accomplished radio and film actors; Lionel Barrymore, Ethel Barrymore and John Barrymore. Drew’s father John Barrymore was also a film actor. Acting was the family business, so it was not a surprise that Drew was selected to play the little girl in E.T.
An argument can be made that acting is in the Barrymore genes; a concept that cannot be proven. I must say Drew Barrymore was fantastic in Grey Gardens and deserved her Golden Globe for the role. The Barrymores are the exception not the rule.
We now have nepotism, at its worse, in the White House. Ivanka Trump is an assistant to the president. Officially. Taxpayers pay her a salary. Her qualifications: she owns a failing clothing line. Oh, and she’s the daughter of the president. It is the decline of American democracy that has allowed this to happen. The press has questioned Ivanka’s role and qualifications, but Congress believes that it’s the president’s prerogative to hire his staff.
Then comes Jared Kushner, Ivanka’s husband and senior advisor to President Trump. Kushner inherited a real estate empire from his father, Charles Kushner, who was put in jail by Gov. Chris Christie when Christie was the attorney general of New Jersey. Charles Kushner was convicted of 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering. Should we attribute the qualities of Jared’s father to him? Like father, like son.
I predict that there will be substantial financial conflict issues with Jared Kushner’s companies, as well as his wife Ivanka’s, and it will all come out in the special investigation of the White House that is underway. That’s why Jared has lawyered up. Yet, Jared is challenged with solving the Middle East crisis. Young Jared is going to bring peace to the Middle East. What are his diplomatic or educational qualifications about international diplomacy? Everyone knows that Jared’s father bought Jared’s way into Harvard through multi-million dollar donations. How are the American people letting this happen?
I assure you had President Obama appointed Michelle to a role other than first lady Republicans would have screamed bloody murder. Even though Michelle would have been qualified to take on numerous roles within the government.
Republicans always complain that affirmative action allows “minority” students to get a leg up on more qualified whites. Then why are Republicans not complaining about the nepotism of the Trump White House? A simple answer, Republicans are hypocrites. OK for Jared and Ivanka to get jobs for which they are not qualified, but when President Clinton allowed his eminently qualified wife to tackle health care, the sky was falling. I hate hypocrites.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
Stampp;
I guess you forgot about John F, Kennedy a democrat who appointed his brother to the position of Attorney General, I am surprised you didn’t mention that Presidency it would work more in your analogy. I do find it mildly entertaining that someone as well read as you went our of your way to ignore this.
Thee will be no conflict of interest, just like there is no involvement with Russia and the Trump campaign to fix the election. The loosing party, the democrats and the political establishment are throwing as much shit against the wall in the hope that something will stick, not likely to happen, not now, and not when Donald wins his second term.
Jimmy Carter (remember him) was a political outsider who managed to fill his cabinet with member of the political establishment to keep the political elite happy.. Carter’s presidency was an embarrassment, enough on that subject.
In the eyes of the political establishment Trump has a problem, to them it is a big problem, He ls clean, there has been nothing they can blackmail him with to use as an instrument of control. Obama had plenty of baggage, much of which came out in the media over the eight years he was in office. This is how things work in DC, you only get to the top if the others have something on you to use as insurance that you will not harm the Deep State Agenda or Hurt The Establishment. Donald J. Trump broke the rules, that is his only crime, and now the political establishment is throwing as much shit against the way as possible in the hope they can slow down his agenda, and stop him from making America Great Again.
Liz W
Liz W.
The rule was written because Kennedy appointed his brother. It is not relevant because there was no rule at that time. Today, there is an anti-nepotism rule.
Maybe you should read the rule, does not apply to the executive.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/315474-doj-trump-may-hire-kushner-without-violating-federal-anti-nepotism
Liz W
It is debatable whether Kushner is considered a relative of Trump. Notice no discussion of whether Ivanka is appropriate. In the end, it is the spirit of the law which everyone understands, including you.
It is not debatable at all, it is not an issue.
The law doesn’t apply to whoever the executive (President) decides to have on his staff, or appoint to his cabinet.
Applying logic to this, a sitting couldn’t appoint his wife to any cabinet of white house staff position, and we know Hillary Clinton was well into running the country along with his husband the President. (Bill Clinton)
Liz W