Lawmakers Trading Stocks: Is 'Appearance of Impropriety' Just a Suggestion Now?

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously stated he was in favor of banning congressional stock trading to avoid the "appearance of impropriety," is now singing a different tune. He suggests that a ban could discourage "good people" from running for office, implying that profiting from privileged information is just part of the job.

This is a blatant disregard for the public trust. When elected officials can trade stocks, potentially profiting from knowledge gained in the halls of power, it creates a system ripe for corruption. We elect these people to represent us, not to enrich themselves on the backs of our unsuspecting markets. The idea that banning this practice would somehow deter qualified individuals is frankly insulting. We need ethical leaders, not those worried about missing out on a quick buck.

Are you okay with the Speaker of the House suggesting that we can't have both integrity and competent representatives? Are you okay with the perpetual "appearance of impropriety" becoming the norm? This isn't about preventing good people from serving; it's about ensuring that those who do serve aren't lining their pockets through insider advantages. Are you okay with this?