By James W. Dolan, Reporter Contributor
To see how far the country has fallen regarding corruption in high places, one need only look back to 1958, when Dwight Eisenhower (above) was president and his chief of staff was Sherman Adams, a former governor of New Hampshire, who had managed Eisenhower’s 1952 election campaign. During the six years he served in the White House, Adams was considered one of the most powerful men in Washington.
But he was forced to resign that year after it was discovered that he had accepted a vicuna overcoat and an oriental rug from Bernard Goldfine, a Boston textile manufacturer who had business dealings with the government. The news was a big deal at the time, but today it seems like a minor scandal when compared to the corrupt enrichment now occurring in the Trump administration.
The president, his family, and his friends are enriching themselves far beyond anything that could have been imagined in 1958. He accepted the gift of a new $400 million Boeing jet the Qatar government and appears to have business investments around the world. He is given honors, tributes, cryptocurrency, property to satisfy his ego, anything that underscores the grandeur of his own self-image.
His overriding standard is “What’s in it for me?” Adoration will do if you have nothing else to offer. President Eisenhower reluctantly discharges Sherman Adams because of an ethical violation. There appears to be no such luxury as ethics in this administration.
Unless we reverse course and our nation resumes its albeit sometimes imperfect effort to promote truth, integrity, and justice, we are doomed to fall by the wayside like so many great powers in the course of human history.
It is in the striving not necessarily the achievement that we demonstrate our commitment to those values – spiritual, political, and social – that underscore a humane society. We must care about what is important and not get lost in the inconsequential aberrations of living day to day. Respect and confidence in governing are lost when those in power use their position to first satisfy themselves. Power does corrupt when not carefully bound in humility, respect, honor, and service to others, particularly those in distress.
“Balance” is my favorite word. It stresses the significance of equilibrium and fulfillment in life and is rarely fully achieved. It requires a constant awareness of what is and what is not important and a commitment to do what is right and honorable. Yes! And to love one another as difficult as that may be from time to time.
As a nation, we are on the wrong track. We have lost sight of the social, spiritual, and honorable foundation so necessary to a just society. Love one another is a goal we will never fully achieve but we must never stop trying.
James W. Dolan is a retired justice of the Dorchester District Court.
