Discussions often centered on the topic of the proper form of government to facilitate free enterprise. Chinese culture had been founded on emperor authority. Relating rationally to democracy was a historical stretch. At one official session, the then-Secretary of State asked me how is democracy doing? The Robert Mueller investigation and resulting report offers new evidence for the answer to this question.
A government of the people stands on five principles of freedom: rule of law, due process, a free press, independent courts, and transparency. The overriding umbrella of economic activity supported by these “pillars of principle” that best ensures the right to individual pursuit of happiness is free enterprise. Robert Mueller’s investigation consumed twenty-two months of interviews, collection of evidence, and analysis. Access through subpoenas and financial support was unlimited. He and his team had unrestricted authority to follow every lead. At the conclusion, by every measure of what appears to be a nonpartisan, thorough judicial exercise of the mission of a special prosecutor, Robert Mueller found no collusion with Russia in the 2016 presidential elections involving the President of the United States, his family, or his campaign officials. This is in spite of immense partisan pressure by special interests, political groups, and the elected officials who support them, to render a finding of an impeachable offense.
In this test of the democratic form of government, the rule of law held. Due process was applied. A free press presses on. Independent courts, bound to a constitution, not a political cause, enforced rule of law and due process. Transparency is being demanded. A political scenario that would have torn most countries to shreds, leaving them with riots, coups and insurrections, was once again avoided by a democracy.
Living in these times, we may feel that political divisions are extraordinary in their depth of struggle and pain. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr fought a lethal duel in 1804 over economic political ideology. Certainly, the Civil War was believed to be an age of no possible recovery. Yet the Union survived. In fact, one could surmise that the governing of society is conducted consistently in an environment of political tensions, ideological disagreements, and cultural conflict. It has always been messy.
What really happened in the Trump Presidential campaign? I have managed a presidential campaign. Often, foreign representatives would approach us with questions and offers of help. I would require them to put in writing exactly the substance of their intentions dated with a signature. Nine times out of ten, I never heard from them again.
I knew Paul Manafort. Rather than screen contacts, he would pursue them in curiosity. Yes, there were meetings, but there was no conspiracy of collusion. Donald Trump, as a first-time candidate, was not sensitive to the appearance of meeting with foreign operatives. Such meetings were normal course of business in the New York real estate development industry. If there was evidence of any conspiracy, an aide or family member would have been indicted.
On the issue of obstruction of justice, evidence was not substantial enough to pursue criminal charges. First, a prosecutor must determine that a crime has been committed. Activity, in and of itself, does not constitute a crime. Once a determination that a possible criminal offense may have occurred, the next step is to determine if there is enough evidence documented to prove the case in court. Mr. Mueller left this determination of fact to the Attorney General.
Democracies around the world have had no easier pathway to governing. Great Britain, who established the underpinnings of democracy in the Magna Carta of 1215, faces crisis on the issue of Brexit. Developing countries experiencing the persecution of socialism seek the freedom of democracy. Governing is not easy. Regardless of your personal opinion of President Trump or Speaker Pelosi, what’s important is to keep in mind the objective of government is to protect freedom and freedom of choice.
Winston Churchill famously stated that “…democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time…” Deng Xiaoping and President Jiang Zemin were right in 1990 when they came to the conclusion that free enterprise was critical for society to flourish. They were wrong when they chose communism for the structure of their new government over democracy.
The question posed to me by the Chinese leaders as to how is democracy doing was, of course, a rhetorical question. China addresses political conflict without rule of law or due process. A citizen is subject to the dictates of the state. There are no individual rights superior to the government. I would like to ask my Chinese counterparts today how is communism doing. Tiananmen Square may, in fact, have been prologue.
Twenty-nine years later since the original question was asked, once again, the democracy of the United States has honored the mandate of its destiny. Freedom has been protected.
The answer to the question then and now, is that the legacy of democracy is doing just fine.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?