Over the past several months serous questions have been raised about the ethics of justices on the Supreme Court. This past week Clarence Thomas amended his 2019 filing to include the gifts from billionaire Harlan Crow he “inadvertently” omitted. How someone can just forget that he received “gifts” exceeding $500,00 in value is, as the King of Siam said to Anna, “a puzzlement.”
Over the past 20 years, it is estimated that Thomas has received about $4 million in “gifts.” I don’t know about you, but if I received that kind of “gift” and didn’t disclose it to the IRS, not only would I be disbarred, but I’d be in jail. It’s called tax evasion.
Other Justices reported book advances, even ticket values – Justice Jackson reported four concert tickets from Beyoncé valued at $3700 (that’s more than it costs to go to the Met). Thomas put no value on his “gifts.” What’s the difference between him and Hunter Biden, accused of tax evasion?
Prayer for the Day
Why is it, Lord, that those who sit on ivory couches,
With power to affect our lives, have different rules?
Why is it, Lord, that the mass of people suffer from deprivation,
As the wealthy dispense their largesse on the corrupt?
Asking questions, Lord, there seems to be no recourse,
For corruption among the powerful goes unpunished.
In the name of the One who threw out the money changers,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
When people can get away with crimes just because they are wealthy or have the right connections, the scales are tipped against fairness and equality.
Suzy Kassem, American writer and poet
Without justice being freely, fully, and impartially administered, neither our persons, nor our rights, nor our property can be protected.
Joseph Story, Associate Justice, Supreme Court (1779-1845)
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches,
And eat lambs from the flock and calves from the stall;
Who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments;
Who drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
But are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
Therefore, they shall be now the first to go into exile and their revelry shall pass away
Amos 6: 1, 4-6