As the impeachment trial begins, I want to reiterate the vital importance of conflict of interest not just in politics or law, but in a having a fair society. It's a cornerstone. It's everything.
The American Founding Fathers developed a framework to balance power and punish conflicts of interest, but it predates them. They were codifying a key part of Anglo-Saxon political culture.
King Charles I was executed in 1649 for treason, for using his power for personal benefit. His crimes were described as "wicked designs, wars, and evil practices." That's a more colorful "high crimes and misdemeanors".
Decades of shifting power away from the Legislative to the Executive has broken the checks and balances, as this trial will demonstrate further. Trump's defense is essentially that there is no such thing as abuse of power. A gross violation.
The historical line is clear, as is the rationale for it. No one can be above the law, *especially* the person with the most power. They have the ability to benefit the most by abusing that power, and can do the most damage to the national interest.
