Loyalty above all.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It's just the same old corrupt patronage system

Last edited Thu Dec 8, 2016, 12:05 AM - Edit history (1)

found in so many failing states. The King (dictator, "president," whatever) selects aides and lackeys who he knows will be loyal to him, whether or not they are actually qualified for the position. Presidents have often rewarded a big donor with an ambassadorship to a friendly, harmless country; the ambassador could thereby enjoy the perks of travel and prestige that came with the job while the career Foreign Service employees did the actual work. This practice stunk a little but seldom caused any real harm so it was tolerated and widely practiced. Ambassadors to powerful and important countries still had to have some real qualifications, though.

But Trump has decided to turn his entire Cabinet into a big, smelly stew of patronage. Kiss Trump's ass and swear absolute loyalty and you'll get a much better job than an ambassadorship to, say, Monaco. Suck his tiny dick and maybe you'll get State (although that doesn't seem to have worked for Mitt Romney).