The concept of certain people being held to a higher standard is one has been around for quite a while. The notion that certain people, or roles, are of such importance that they are expected to behave differently than others seems like a reasonable expectation. We expect that those who enforce laws, will not break the laws. If they do, then we don't have a problem with them receiving a greater punishment because of their position.
As I watch the Hunter Biden drama play out, especially as we learn more about the investigation that led to his plea deal, I've been reflecting on this. I understand that he's not an elected official, or in an official position of power, but as the adult son of the president (VP, Senator, etc) shouldn't he be expected to live up to even a slightly higher standard than Joe schmoe?
The Biden administration has made no secret that it is trying to crack down on guns. They're trying really hard to restrict what law abiding citizens can do with their legally owned property, protected by the 2nd amendment. Given that stance, isn't it even a tiny bit strange that Hunter got a slap on the wrist for a felony related to guns?
Isn't it also a bit strange that Hunter (along with Jesse Jackson and a number of other prominent tax cheats) got away with such a sweet deal for failing to pay his taxes? As we've recently learned taxes are simply our fair share of the bills we accrue as a nation, and that we should happily pay our fair share of those bills. Yet I haven't heard any outrage from anyone about how Hunter is not paying his fair share and is burdening the rest of us with his fair share of the bills.
I kind of wonder if maybe it wouldn't have been better if Hunter hadn't gotten the sweetheart deal. If he'd gotten the same sentence that a black dude in the hood would have gotten for the gun crime, and had been made to repay all of his tax debt along with interest and penalties just like those of us who's fathers aren't president. I'm thinking that it might be a good thing is Hunter was made an example of. I'm not suggesting that he should have gotten extra punishment, just that seeing the son of a president have to answer for his crimes might actually set a good example. Maybe hold the elites and their families to at least the same standard as the rest of us, if not a higher standard.
4 comments:
I recall often my sainted late mother holding lowly me to a higher standard without her being just a widow with five kids doing waitress work to support us. She never bailed me out of any trouble into which I got myself, basically leaving me to endure the consequences of mu misbehavior (before imposing her own punishment afterwards).
I definitely think that my parents tried to hold me to a higher standard as well. I'm simply arguing that perhaps those who have such wealth, power, and the like should not get lesser penalties than the rest of us.
Years ago, I had royally screwed up in regards to paying my federal taxes. I was on the hook for a shitload (to me) of tax, penalties, and interest. I was scared, intimidated, and had no clue how I was going to get out of this mess I'd gotten myself into. Then I hear on the news that Jackson or Sharpton had owed millions in taxes, penalties, and fees and ended up paying pennies on the dollar. At me next meeting I flat out asked them why they were going after me with such force (given that I owed thousands), while letting the rich and powerful get off with a a sweetheart deal. It did work, and I got a small break on penalties and interest, but nowhere near what folx like that or Hunter get.
It's not about the penalties as much as the double standard, and my belief that folx like Hunter should be held to a higher standard.
Just to be clear, I'm using Hunter because it's a current example. My principle on this would apply to any one of any political persuasion in exactly the same way.
Well, equal application of the law, as well as Christian teaching, dictates no favoritism. Clearly that's not happening now, or Trump wouldn't constantly be defending himself in such frivolous lawsuits, and his supporters wouldn't be held indefinitely in jails while leftist rioters aren't even sought. As to higher ups like Sharpton, Biden and others, especially those on the left, the left won't eat their own when the meat is ready for cooking. They'll wait until they can persecute a political opponent or their supporters.
Art,
I'm not suggesting that those in positions of power be treated more harshly than everyone else, just that they be expected to live their lives to a higher standard.
This recent spate of political prosecutions, however is a house of a different color. These are more about trying to embroil Trump in prosecution as he runs for president, than anything else.
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