The recent pardons by President Donald Trump are just another glaring example of the political corruption permeating the governing bodies in our country. This “pay to play” by our local, state and federal elected officials has got to stop.
The time is now to amend the national and state constitutions and eliminate the ability of a president or governor to grant pardons and clemency for individuals found guilty of committing crimes. This practice has become an absolute abuse of power and contributes to the increasing problem of corruption involving our elected officials.
The individuals were convicted of crimes either by a jury of their peers, by judges, or by entering into plea agreements, and no elected official should have the power to grant pardons or clemency to convicted criminals.
Law and order in this country have been on the decline for many years, and it is time to start holding criminals responsible for their actions, not making excuses for them. We need to return to the mindset that “you don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.”
Dennis Luken, Batavia Township
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: It’s time to end the presidential and gubernatorial power to pardon | Letter
Reporting by Letters to the editor / Cincinnati Enquirer
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