Opinion: From New York to North Carolina, politics is a mess. Are we stuck with corruption?
Despite how ugly it all appears, our politics is more civilized now than throughout much of history 鈭 at least on the surface. But the ambitious, self-interested and corrupt are still drawn to power.
Nicole RussellEverywhere we look these days, politics is a mess.
In North Carolina, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has been accused of posting ugly, outrageous comments on a porn site's message board more than a decade ago. Robinson, a Republican, denies he posted the messages.
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal fraud, bribery and campaign finance charges. Adams, a Democrat, is accused of abusing "his position as this city鈥檚 highest elected official ... to take bribes and solicit illegal campaign contributions," at a news conference Thursday.
And, of course, former and perhaps future President Donald Trump faces a slew of , ranging from election interference to mishandling classified documents.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are trying to figure out if we should vote for people who keep getting embroiled in scandal after scandal. Our political leaders seem ever more power-hungry and scandal-driven.
Secretly working as an agent for a foreign government?
Adams' charges are particularly striking. He's the first mayor of New York to be criminally charged while in office. That's saying a lot given New York's long and less than pristine history.
accuses Adams of illegal acts going back for a decade. He's even accused of working as an agent of the Turkish government. On Friday, the mayor pleaded not guilty in federal court to聽five corruption charges.
Incredibly, Adams isn't the only New York official accused this month of secretly working as an agent for a foreign government.
Opinion:Eric Adams owes it to New York City and its residents to resign
On Sept. 3, Linda Sun, who served as former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, was indicted on federal charges of . Sun's husband also is accused of taking millions of dollars in kickbacks from Chinese leaders.
The apparent corruption doesn't stop at the Hudson. last month after being convicted of taking bribes as an agent of the Egyptian government.
These are only a handful of examples. Dozens of other leaders at the local, state and federal levels have been accused of or outright corruption.
Has American politics devolved?
Politics may not be messier now than in previous generations. Politics is about gaining and using power, so it often reveals the worst of human nature.
Politics throughout history has been stained by corruption and blood. Julius Caesar was assassinated in ancient Rome. King Henry VIII upended in England for the sake of lust 鈭 then had the object of his desire decapitated to get rid of her.
Our own nation's history also is violent 鈭 and, from to , often corrupt.
Opinion:Trump isn't the real threat to democracy. The would-be assassins trying to kill him are.
Scandals aside, though, politics does seem to have changed 鈭 or should I say devolved? 鈭 in recent years. Our politicians seem more . Facts matter less than scoring political points. Division is more valued than unity.
Now, when I listen to congressional hearings, I think what a of caustic, arrogant fools.
Culture has changed. Have the people?
Cultural changes may well play a role in the way politicians behave now. Technology has made a slew of conveniences accessible and affordable, prompting many of us to waste hours every day scrolling through social media feeds. Apps deliver our needs and phones communicate our wants. The daily grind that used to occupy a person's life is not nearly as tedious or all-consuming as it was only decades ago.
In our strength, perhaps we have become weak.
Values that used to give life meaning have all but diminished: Church attendance is down, , .
Younger generations are , leave home and even . A meaningless existence has given way to a vacuous sense for power and childishness.
We are all modern-day Romans now, bored with our wealth and republic, demanding bread and circuses, apps and entertainment.
Despite how ugly it all appears, our politics is more civilized now than throughout much of history 鈭 at least on the surface. But the ambitious, self-interested and corrupt are still drawn to the flame of power and influence.
And scandal and chaos are sure to follow.
Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with 91影视.聽She lives in Texas with her four kids.聽, and get it delivered to your inbox.