Fairness and Accountability Should Apply to All

Imagine that you are watching your local high school playing a game at another school. The home team is discovered to have various concealed devices like cameras and microphones to relay vital game information to the home team coaches. Would punishments be served on the home school, or would it be said, “They are just being competitive,” Or would they be called cheaters?

Americans do not like those who cheat. “Fair” is a word used to describe what we demand in sports, business, with our law enforcement, and in our everyday life. It is a word that children often use with parents and authorities when complaining about any number of situations. And employees use it too for similar circumstances. In sports, the demand for “fairness” has reached the point that cameras and other technology are now used to help “fairness” be achieved.

So, when I read the August 4, 2026 letter from Congressman Ben Cline, I was relieved to read: “We cannot allow fraud and abuse to go unchecked [retailer fraud in SNAP]. That is why I am devoted to ensuring that Congress continues to strengthen oversight, provide clarity, and earn the trust of the American people. Taxpayers deserve to know their hard-earned dollars are being protected.  Republicans are working hard to verify these findings, take action, and ensure that this corruption ends now.”

I am pleased to see Congressman Cline intent on ending fraud in the SNAP program, which is so vital for many families. However,  I encourage the congressman to look right up Pennsylvania Avenue to see Donald Trump’s media company charging companies (100k monthly fees?) for special access to his Truth Social posts, possibly including ones affecting national security and financial markets.

Wow! Congressman Cline. Just think of it—if I pay the President a monthly fee, he will grant me early access to all his posts on his private media company, on which he makes announcements about America’s policies. What an advantage I would have for market action. It would be like the batter knowing which pitch was coming, or a defense knowing whether a pass or a run was planned.

If that is not enough action for you, read what Dan Greenberg of the CATO Institute writes: “Trump’s pardon pen was a boon to ex-criminals like Trevor Milton (who no longer must repay the investors he defrauded $660 million) and Lawrence Duran (who no longer must repay the government he defrauded $87 million). It was also a boon to HDR Global Trading Ltd., which owed the nation a $100 million fine; in this case, Trump also made history by granting the nation’s very first pardon to a corporation.”

Sure, presidential pardons are legal, Congressman, but are some ethical, such as some of Clinton’s or Biden’s? But while those are history, Trump keeps granting them helter/skelter. So, you and the rest of Congress have an opportunity.

If you mean your quoted words above, Congressman, then help stop the corruption oozing out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Or resign from office.

Roger Barbee
Woodstock, VA

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