When Leaders Put Power Before Country: The High Cost to America

Episode Highlights:

 

·       Urgent Need for Transparency and Reform:

Leaders across the country are calling for immediate disclosure of Congressional stock trades from early April 2025, full investigations into possible market manipulation, and a permanent ban on Congressional stock trading to rebuild public trust.

·       Patrimonialism: When Private Interests Overtake Public Duty:

A dangerous pattern emerges when political leaders use public office for personal or family gain, undermining public confidence and national stability — a concept fully explored in Podcast 126.

·       Conflicts of Interest Embedded in Leadership:

New reports show repeated prioritization of private business dealings over national responsibilities, raising serious concerns about ethics, accountability, and the health of American governance, as detailed in The Atlantic’s "Kleptocracy, Inc."

·       Example of Self-Enrichment During National Crisis:

During a time of national tragedy and economic collapse, critical leadership decisions were overshadowed by personal financial interests, including profits tied to foreign sponsors with business before the U.S. government.

·       Protecting the Foundations of American Democracy:

Unchecked corruption and conflicts of interest threaten the core of American democracy, demanding urgent public awareness, truth-telling, and action to preserve our nation’s future.

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Podcast 130 References:

• Public Citizen, Monday, April 14, 2025, 1:27 PM, “Profiting from Trump’s Tariff Tantrum, by Lisa Gilbert & Robert Weissman, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen. (If you look up Public Citizen you will see the multiple lawsuits, they have against Trump and Musk. The best way to get information from them is their newsletter- [e-mail].)
• The Atlantic,  April 14, 2025, 6 AM ET, by Anne Applebaum, “Kleptocracy, Inc.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/04/trump-kleptocracy-autocracy-inc/682281/