Lessons Learned”

Nixon

got “caught in the act” of openly deceiving the American public and

resigned in disgrace in 1974. Historians lament the resulting loss of

political idealism and prestige of public office.

• Agree
  or disagree with the following statement: “There has always been, and
  will always be corruption in public office in any democratic system of
  governance. Sometimes we learn about it, sometimes we don’t. You can
  only guess at who is telling the truth.” Give reasons for your opinion.
• Give a brief summary of President Richard Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal.
• Describe
  how President Clinton’s transgressions in the office during the 1990s
  differed from those of President Nixon’s in the 1970s, and how they were
  the same.
• The
  private life of Presidents and most other government officials is under
  increased scrutiny by the voting public. And yet only a few decades ago
  very few would have dared delve into anyone’s privacy under the same
  circumstances. Discuss the role of the media, polls, and “instant
  news” in the effort of swaying public opinion today.