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When the truth is bypassed for political gain

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden (Photograph by Keith Srakocic/AP)

The problem America is facing at the moment, over major concerns with that nation’s leadership, is not unusual with many countries around the world.Top journalists of print and electronic media, toil day and night to keep truth out front, despite those who resent being questioned.Making their task extremely challenging is that some reporting is deliberately slanted, with the clear objective of supporting a particular political group no matter what.This causes confusion with the public over who or what to believe, with conflicting statements that leave more questions than answers, which also leads to a lack of trust in the political arena.Such devious tactics are only effective in a divisive environment, where some people are willing to ignore truth, when it is not in the best interest of their objectives.Whenever politicians are seen to embrace similar attitudes in dealing with vital matters involving truth, democracy itself, is threatened and that is never comforting for people who cherish freedom.With Dictators, that is never a problem, because under their system, those who voice disapproval are regarded as traitors, and usually encounter harsh consequences, especially without the existence of the free press.What most of the world is concerned about these days, is that America hailed as the most powerful country on earth, with democracy seen as the moral foundation for freedom and justice, finds itself locked in a bitter struggle, over whether the current administration of Donald Trump, has engaged in activity that violates democratic principles, with no regard for truth.Political war rages between the Republicans and the Democrats, causing much of the world to ponder the potential outcome. Opinions vary in America and around the world, over the impeachment process of the president by Democrats for alleged misuse of power.This all exploded, when information emerged, claiming that Trump used the power of his office, to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joseph Biden, a key opponent in the upcoming presidential election.Ukraine an ally of America, is currently involved in battles to keep Russia from claiming more of their territory. Ukraine urgently depends on American financial aid and military equipment, to sustain efforts against furtherIncursions by Russia. Trump is accused by the Democrats, of withholding funds approved and earmarked for Ukraine, until Ukraine announced publicly, it would investigate Biden and his son. Such a demand according to Democrats is illegal. They insisted no president should involve another country, in trying to gather negative information, aimed at helping him politically. Biden so far continues to be a candidate with the potential for defeating Trump at the polls.Casting a long shadow over the political scene in America, is the Robert Mueller report, that never exonerated Trump from potential obstruction of justice, and also concluded that the Russians not only interfered with the 2016 election, but had their eye on the 2020 elections.It is no secret that Trump has some type of relationship with Russia’s Putin, and that some political observers believe Putin is calling the shots when it comes to diplomacy.In fact the Russians have been cited by US intelligence, for falsely blaming Ukraine for 2016 US election interference, and that it was not Russia.While there are other factors involved in launching an impeachment process against the president, the Democrats see Trump as operating as though he is above the law.However, many veteran observers have expressed concern, that Republicans have no intention of convicting the president in a Senate trial, irrespective of evidence produced.In a sense, it is similar to a jury reaching a not-guilty verdict, without considering evidence.The Republicans in the end will have to decide whether they wish history to record them as bypassing truth for political gain, or will they have the courage to place truth above politics or economic status.It is a decision that could have a major impact on the future of the Republican party.The real issue here, is that the Republicans have so far shown no intention of considering powerful evidence publicly flashed around the world in public hearings, that revealed highly questionable activity from the White House, involving international policy, especially regarding Ukraine.So much attention is being lavished on this controversial subject, that many Americans are probably wondering when more focus will be made on bread and butter issues, that most Americans face every day.People around the world are watching closely, to see if America will decide which path to take, in trying not only to keep democracy alive, but to provide sound values for generations yet to come.Countries around the world, including Bermuda, can learn from what is happening in America.Serving the people with dignity and truth, should always be above political interest. That is a challenge for all politicians who are elected to serve under democratic principles.