: How did Nixon rationalize his decisions ? How does this compare with his foreign policy of detente? Was it necessary? The Plumbers came very close to getting away with the burglary of both the psychiatrist's office as well as the Democratic National Headquarters. Had it not been for the night guard doing his job, this might have never come to light. Is more transparency needed ? The system of checks and balances worked in the end because Congress and the Supreme Court upheld the "the Constitution is the law of the land" standard. Is there a need for strengthening this in some way, or does this simply rest in the quality of the people elected and appointed? Where does the public enter this discussion? What is their role?