Acceptable Boundaries?

As many of us watch the testimony of James Comey, former Director of the FBI, speak about his interactions with the President of the United States, I'm struck by the boundaries that have been crossed by various parties.

Obviously the President himself has crossed boundaries that shock many. He either doesn't understand or doesn't care about protocol, ethics, legal roles, the independence of law enforcement, separation of branches of government or leadership itself. Many knew this based on his past actions and statements about women, minorities, immigrants and muslims. Traditional boundaries were easily ignored during his campaign. So there really shouldn't be much of a surprise relative to Donald Trump's actions, statements, etc. Trying to influence or stop an investigation and bragging to representatives of another nation that he has stopped an investigation are some of the newer actions. What a low bar has been set for acceptable behavior by a President. Policy by Tweeting is an established method of administrative operation and communication.

Directors of the intelligence agencies are allowed to refuse to answer questions from oversight committees of Congress with no justification of classified information, executive privilege or Fifth Amendment protection. Others would face consequences for sure. Contempt of and for Congress is accepted by Congress and this administration. Staff working for Donald Trump seem to believe they have to walk on eggshells and leave any ethical standards at the door every morning.

But what about the rest of us? What about the President's political party - the GOP? Most leaders and elected officials in the Republican Party sit in silence or worse, defend or excuse the actions that play out in front of them. Some are ashamed but most are afraid of Trump and his base and a few others shamefully believe in the President's iconoclastic actions. Ads are put together to attack people who try to act with some level of integrity.

Democrats are no better. Most have forgotten how to reach across an aisle or a table to work with colleagues. Much of their outrage is false. They have helped create an environment of confrontation and non cooperation. Their poor leadership on a national party level is insulting to the electorate. Their treatment of dissenting voices leaves them with little respectability.

Of course then there's us - the electorate, the voters, the non-voters, the sheep. We excuse the election of an inexperienced government chief executive due to frustration and anger. We celebrate democracy in other countries and don't practice it at home. Many don't vote. Some of those who do, allow themselves to be manipulated by others. We accept incompetence. We accept non accountability.

Many are exhausted from this Presidency, this show, this theatre. One melodrama after another takes place. It all unfolds slowly. Donald Trump is exhausted, the people working for him, Congress and people in general are exhausted. Worse yet the United States has become an embarrasement around the world. Some actions taken or not taken by the Trump administration have made the world a more dangerous place.

Boundaries have been tossed aside, crossed and torn down. We're all responsible and we all need to take responsibility. The emperor has no clothes. He stands naked before us. Shout it and make sure others hear you.