Recent events in this country — and by recent, we mean at least the past four years — reveal how much of our governing structure depends not on laws, but on people doing the right thing. Putting aside how one might define "the right thing" and how long we might debate that definition, it is clear that there has either been disagreement on what the right thing is or that people in positions of power and prestige have chosen not to do the right thing.

It is not difficult to see examples: A presidential candidate who refuses to reveal his tax returns. While there is no requirement that he do so, it has been traditional that it was done. It seemed like "the right thing" to do. A presidential candidate, in fact, several candidates for political office, accused of sexual assault or other personal misbehavior. In those cases there are laws, but victims are understandably reluctant to come forward with accusations. Political candidates whose past behavior includes appearing in blackface in public.