Thread: President of the US of A

Originally Posted by Jimbo

So just on a technical note, maybe. If someone like Trump (an active businessman with active businesses) wins the presidency are they required to step down from those businesses or whatever?

James.

He has already said that his kids will run the business.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

He has already said that his kids will run the business.

That's good, but I guess what I meant was is it a general rule of any President in that situation that they must give up their business interests?

James.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

He has already said that his kids will run the business.

Well, that eliminates any potential conflict of interest then...

I have *no* idea what the laws are down there across the border, but do feel that whenever anyone enters a position responsible for directing national (or state/provincial/regional/whatever) policy, he or she should either fully divest him/herself of business interests or place them into blind trusts. I'd also be interested to know what they law is on this.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I would say the one we've got now, and his predecessor, were no more qualified than Trump is. Presidents surround themselves with people who are qualified and delegate authority and receive advice. I'm not sold on Trump, but I'm not buying the premise that he is inexperienced. If 'experience' got us where we've gone the past 15 years I will opt for something different.

Then in that case I'll write in Kim Kardashian. She's been successful, and is a lot easier on the eyes.

Yes, you would think...HOWEVER many of the past presidents have greatly increased their "net worth"...so I am sure there are some not so up and up happenings to help them to prosper. When I say prosper, I mean prosper GREATLY!

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Yes, you would think...HOWEVER many of the past presidents have greatly increased their "net worth"...so I am sure there are some not so up and up happenings to help them to prosper. When I say prosper, I mean prosper GREATLY!

Is it too late to sign up? I could use some prosperity!

Beat Bloomburg to the punch on the independent side!

Originally Posted by Jimbo

So just on a technical note, maybe. If someone like Trump (an active businessman with active businesses) wins the presidency are they required to step down from those businesses or whatever?

James.

No, elected officials are not. A very good recent example is Berlusconi of Italy and all the problems that fell from his time in office. Essentially, any person running for office can continue to run their businesses from office if they choose to. There is always the risk of the appearance of impropriety and the political fallout (hearings etc) from that effort.

Employees, not elected, of the executive branch are supposed to eliminate any conflicts of interest. There are examples of some elected officials using blind trusts for their assets to show that they do not have conflicts of interest, but this is not used by any where near a majority of elected office holders.

There are guidelines laid out covering conflict of interest and elected officials on this side of the border.

See: Information archivée dans le Web | Information Archived on the Web

IIRC when Paul Martin was Prime Minister he had to set a blind trust wrt his interest in CSL, Canada Steamship Lines. Even then there was controversy Ethics, Paul Martin and the circle of CSL - The Globe and Mail .

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

There are guidelines laid out covering conflict of interest and elected officials on this side of the border.

See: Information archivée dans le Web | Information Archived on the Web

IIRC when Paul Martin was Prime Minister he had to set a blind trust wrt his interest in CSL, Canada Steamship Lines. Even then there was controversy Ethics, Paul Martin and the circle of CSL - The Globe and Mail .

Bob

Yes - Paul Martin, the guy who complained about tax avoidance as he re-flagged all his ships to avoid tax...