I saw multiple stories about multiple senators who appear to have sold large amounts of stock in response to briefings that they received regarding the Wuhan Virus.
If they actually sold stock based on the information they got during the briefing, then they deserve the absolute most severe punishment that can be imposed on them. Without a doubt that would be reprehensible behavior.
However, if it's possible to prove that there was no direct connection, that would be a different story.
I fully understand and agree that sometimes the appearance of impropriety is bad enough to warrant negative consequences. But, we live in a world where we claim to believe that innocent until proven guilty is a thing.
From my experience, it's difficult to impossible to sell stocks without some sort of record of the stock owner asking their financial person to do so. Further, many if not all, elected officials give up control of direct management of their investment portfolios while they are in office.
How about we stop the partisan calls for vengeance, let the appropriate authorities investigate, then we can decide on a response. I know that in this hyper partisan world, this will draw some scorn, but it's literally the right way to go about this.
It does seems strange that there isn't a rule that would mandate that anyone at a certain level of government service be required to turn over management of their investments to a third party to avoid this sort of thing altogether.
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I agree. It's too easy to fall prey to temptations, and too easy to be seen as having done so. Imagine simply having a feel for how one's stocks would fare due to whatever pressures move them but being unable to act because you spoke with the wrong people at the wrong time. It's hard enough to be a successful investor.
There are now four suspected of having acted on insider info. I've yet to hear their side. The first was Barr and one particular troll was thrilled to report a Republican may have stepped in it. Soon thereafter I heard it was three, with Diane Feinstein being among them. I don't much care about the politics of the accused nor of the convicted.
We live in a political climate where it’s more important to jump in with both feet and condemn people, than it is to wait for all the facts to come out.
If these people did do what they’re accused of, they deserve the worst punishment that is appropriate. Certainly to be removed from office. But, if they didn’t, then we should investigate first.
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