Politicians Should Follow the Same Rules as Regular Americans
Polls show 93% of Americans want politicians to obey the same laws as everyone else.
3 min read
Americans are increasingly frustrated with the lack of accountability among elected officials, with recent polls revealing that 93% of respondents believe politicians should be subject to the same laws as the general public. Nearly as many — 92% — are convinced that special interests and lobbyists have too much influence over government decisions. These findings underscore a growing demand for transparency and ethical governance.
One of the most striking poll results is that nine-tenths of respondents want an independent audit of the federal government to root out fraud and corruption. Eighty-eight percent believe that government officials should not use their public service to enrich themselves, while 86% say that members of Congress shouldn’t trade stocks while in office. This last point is particularly significant, as the House recently voted on a bill that would restrict stock purchases by members of Congress. Every single one of the 198 votes against the bill came from Democrats, highlighting a clear divide in priorities.
“The bill would allow lawmakers to keep investments they already own,” explained RedState colleague Ben Smith. “Selling those shares, however, would require a public notice between seven and 14 days before the transaction. That notice would have to include the projected sale date, a description of the transaction, and the number of shares being sold. It would then be published on a website operated by the House clerk or Senate secretary.”
Let’s be clear: I support a total ban on Congressmembers trading stock. But Republicans are trying to package a fraudulent version of that with a bill to disenfranchise American voters. This is politics at its worst. Put a real ban on the floor if you’re serious.
Some of the Democrats who trade stocks the most prolifically — including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — even held a tony fundraiser for Elaine Luria, a Democrat running for Congress in Virginia, just days before that vote. “In addition to their Democratic politics, Luria and Pelosi also share their love of stock trading,” reported Townhall colleague Amy Curtis. “While a member of Congress, Luria traded hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of stocks. During her time in office, Luria was the largest trader of Chinese stocks. Luria also objected to a ban on such trades by members of Congress, calling any attempt to prevent such trades ‘bulls**t.’”
Granted, the reason these Democrats turned their backs on the Stop Insider Trading Act was that the House version also included provisions of the SAVE America Act, which protects our election system from illegal aliens voting. And you’d better believe that they used it to score cheap political points for their far-left base.
According to the America First Policy Institute, unfettered congressional stock trading “inherently creates an ethical concern with elected officials potentially prioritizing personal financial interest over the public’s best interest, and the practice has certainly played a role in influencing the nearly 70% of Americans who have an unfavorable view of Congress.”
Financial corruption is an issue that can easily plague both sides, and we need to be able to trust that our politicians will act in our best interests rather than seek to line their pockets. In this election, we need to consider which leaders are going to play by the same rules as the people who put them in office.
Families trying to afford groceries, healthcare, and a home deserve lawmakers focused on those costs. When Congress writes tax laws, spends our money, or decides which industries get special treatment, whose interests come first? We should demand that the answer be ours, regardless of the letter after a politician’s name. The cost of an ordinary life is high enough without wondering whether the people making the rules are using public office to secure a better deal for themselves.
Source: PJ Media
