The Ethics in Government Reform Act of 1978 & Creation of Independent Counsel

The institutional breakdown model (political science theory) states the institution of the presidency has broken down due to the decline of the political party and subsequently, political parties have not sought out new members through grassroots campaigns but instead turned on eachother's elected party officials for smear campaigns: RIP  revelation, investigation and prosecution to downgrade opposing party officials and accomplish political outcomes that could not be achieved inthe polls.  Robert Roberts states in "From Watergate to Whitewater", Watergate did not start the public integrity war but with the new institutions like the Office of the Independent Counsel, there was a tool where any wrongdoing or suspicion could be examined. The Office of the Independent Counsel must be used prunely, to determine illegal actions by a public official.  It should not be used for war mongering on their reputations.