I wouldn't describe either FDR or Eisenhower as grifters. Carter was very big on integrity. Difficult to see Obama as a grifter either, although his honesty has been somewhat compromised by the forever war.
Sure, but it's done with some restraint and fear of consequences. With shame, if you will.
The new way is obvious, shameless, blatant, and unapologetic. "We run this bitch, what are YOU going to do about it". No?
I grew up in Ukraine in the most corrupt post-Soviet era. Even then corruption was done with finesse. A lush mansion is hidden from the view, and you really need to go looking for it.
Not the Steve Mnuchin level of "we are going to take a private jet to Fort Knox, watch the Solar eclipse on top of a pile of gold, and put it on Instagram" kind.
In fairness, previous generations of politicians didn't have Instagram. The history of Pulitzer and yellow journalism reveals an equally vapid culture.
From my view it is more of a wink into the camera. A whiff of self-irony and an acknowledgement of the farce. Shamelessly reveling in the spectacle while calling out the closeted prudes as hypocrites. Parodying stilted, cliched performances.
That's a good point, but the increased visibility should act as a deterrent. That's why it's not OK for a President to have a sidepiece anymore, when back in the day it was a matter of course.
All of us are more aware of what comes up when someone googles us, that we will be judged based on what's out there.
Or perhaps it's just the money. One does not have to be a good citizen if you are loaded. Social contracts and norms are for losers. And, since Trump assembled the richest cabinet in U.S. history, it only makes sense.
When was this not the case?