America’s New Norm: The Consequences of Trading Decency for Chaos

President Joe Biden recently made the controversial decision to pardon his son, and it’s causing waves across the political spectrum. At its core, this decision reflects a broader shift in American politics: the erosion of accountability and the normalization of bad behavior at the highest levels of power.

There’s an old hip-hop lyric that says, “You can get with this, or you can get with that.” America, you can’t have it both ways. Either the law matters, or it doesn’t. Either there’s a code of conduct for our leaders, or there isn’t. Either presidents are held to a standard, or we abandon the concept altogether. But the reality is, if you’ve been willing to overlook misconduct for one leader, you can’t demand it from another.

Let’s rewind. Many Americans said they wanted stronger borders, a booming economy, and a return to greatness, and for them, Donald Trump was the man for the job. They got him. But in electing him, they threw the rules out the window—rules that define presidential behavior, decency, and respect for democratic norms. You can’t embrace a candidate who disregards these principles and then demand accountability from everyone else.

This mindset isn’t sustainable. As a Manager of people for most of my life, I’ve seen it firsthand with employees. Allowing one to act like a diva or another to disrupt the team inevitably leads to chaos. The same is true in politics. When you let one leader disregard norms, it sets a precedent. Others will follow, and before you know it, dysfunction becomes the standard.

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Joe Biden’s pardon decision speaks volumes. Regardless of the official reasoning, the underlying message is clear: If one leader can rack up 34 felony charges, misuse campaign funds to pay off strippers, and openly disrespect women and minorities without significant consequence, why should another leader be held to a different standard? Why should a father let his son go to jail if the public has already signaled that accountability doesn’t matter?

This isn’t a partisan observation—it’s a reality check. The normalization of bad behavior in politics didn’t start with Biden, and it won’t end there unless something changes. If you tolerate a leader who appoints unqualified individuals to key positions or who treats public office like a personal playground, don’t be surprised when others follow suit. The floodgates are open, and the chaos will only grow.

Consider a local example. In one city, a councilwoman compared MAGA hats to KKK hoods on social media, sparking outrage from Trump supporters who marched into City Hall and demanded her resignation. The irony is palpable. Those who celebrated Trump’s rise—despite his own controversial rhetoric—are now offended by someone else’s strong words. You can’t demand decency and accountability from others when you’ve excused it for your own candidate.

America, this is the world we’ve created. The bell has been rung, and it can’t be unrung. Unless we collectively decide to return to a standard of decency and accountability, this tit-for-tat chaos will define our future. You wanted unconventional leadership, you got it. You wanted someone to disrupt the system, and the system has been disrupted.

Now, you have two choices: accept the chaos as the new norm or demand a return to order and accountability. But don’t complain about the fallout if you’re unwilling to address the root cause.

As the song goes: “You can get with this, or you can get with that.” 

Just know, you can’t have it both ways.