Typical Politicians

When I think about an average politician it is not an overly flattering picture. I view them as being relatively easily corruptible through oversized political donations from individuals, corporations, and special interest groups. I think they actively pander and shift their opinions to conform to the perceived audience. I think they are largely out to advance themselves and line their pockets above and beyond truly representing their constituents. I view them as slippery and slimy, willing to use sleazy political moves to get where they want to go. In general though I do not view them as explicitly criminal, though that does happen.

There are a lot of politicians who are much much better than my average view, as well as some that are much much worse. I want to address one of those extremes today after an epiphany I had yesterday. I was talking politics with a friend when I realized that I had been hearing a lot about Hillary Clinton's failings in the light of "oh just another corrupt politician". I started to think about it. She does reflect the negative elements from my above list, but not in a typical way.

1. She mishandled classified material which, regardless of intent, is a crime and even in small cases results in jail time.
2. Through the process of the mishandling of classified information she used a personal server and deleted a large number of emails. Some of which were potentially classified. If that is true she is guilty of obstruction of justice which is what got Richard Nixon kicked out of office.
3. Her Clinton Foundation seems to be an organized and intentional front for overt corruption. She has actively sought out donations and payed speaking engagements in exchange for giving political favors even as Secretary of State.
4. She collaborated with the DNC to rig the Democrat primaries in order to prevent Bernie Sanders from winning. Not only that, but Hillary hired Debbie Wasserman Schultz the DNC chair as her assistant campaign manager after DWS got fired for the rigging.
5. The Clinton campaign has been found to incite violence at Trump events.

There is more, but that is a good representation of her less than ideal activities. That puts her well beyond corrupt. That is advanced corrupt. Given that most if not all of these activities have been illegal, and have involved collaboration between her and her staff I would categorize her not just as a criminal, but as the head of an organized crime organization.

Hillary Clinton is a mob boss.