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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKrugman: The Slippery Slope of Complicity
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/opinion/the-slippery-slope-of-complicity.htmlThe real news of the past few weeks isnt that Trump is a wannabe Mussolini who cant even make the trains run on time. Its the absence of any meaningful pushback from Congressional Republicans. Indeed, not only are they acquiescing in Trumps corruption, his incitements to violence, and his abuse of power, up to and including using the power of office to punish critics, theyre increasingly vocal in cheering him on.
Make no mistake: if Republicans hold both houses of Congress this November, Trump will go full authoritarian, abusing institutions like the I.R.S., trying to jail opponents and journalists on, er, trumped-up charges, and more and hell do it with full support from his party.
But why? Is Trumpocracy what Republicans always wanted?
Well, its probably what some of them always wanted. And some of them are making a cold-blooded calculation that the demise of democracy is worth it if it means lower taxes on the rich and freedom to pollute.
But my guess is that most Republican politicians are spineless rather than sinister or, more accurately, sinister in their spinelessness. Theyre not really ideologues so much as careerists, whose instinct is always to go along with the party line. And this instinct has drawn them ever deeper into complicity.
The point is that once youve made excuses for and come to the aid of a bad leader, it gets ever harder to say no to the next outrage. Republicans who defended Trump over the Muslim ban, his early attacks on the press, the initial evidence of collusion with Russia, have in effect burned their bridges. It would be deeply embarrassing to admit that the elitist liberals they mocked were right when they were wrong; also, nobody who doesnt support Trump will ever trust their judgment or patriotism again.
-snip-
Even now, I dont think most political commentators have grasped how deep the rot goes. I dont think they understand, or at any rate admit to themselves, that democracy really could die just a few months from now.
And if it doesnt, if Republicans lose Congress and Trump leaves office on or before January 2021, the same people who kept declaring that Trump just became president will try to go back to pretending that Republican politicians are serious, honorable people who care about policy. But they arent.
-snip-
Emphasis added.
Krugman also goes into why the GOP is especially vulnerable to a slide into leader-worship.
spooky3
(34,451 posts)Ohiogal
(31,996 posts)He is one of my heroes!
olegramps
(8,200 posts)The majority of the Republicans' constituency are racists trash. The party is owned by the oligarchs while the majority are nincompoop racists that don't know their ass from a hole in ground. They are so blinded by their ignorance that can't fathom that they are nothing more than a pack of howling morons that are being taken for a ride. The sad fact that one of the most unqualified, immoral charlatan, hucksters in the country can become president has been fulfilled in our lifetime. Trump even makes Nixon look good in comparison.
skylucy
(3,739 posts)Squinch
(50,949 posts)the future forever. If they can rig it, they absolutely will, and we are doing nothing to stop them.
RVN VET71
(2,690 posts)"Hey, Is Closing All But Two Polling Places In A Mostly Black County Racist? Asking For Georgia?"is the headline as Georgia state legislature voted to close down 7 of 9 polling places in a country that is over 60% black.
It isn't just Russian hackers that are taking down our voting system. Lots of lily white Americans of the Republican persuasion have been actively chewing away at it -- and continue to do so. In this instance, it's all made possible thanks to John Roberts and his "brilliant insight" that racism is behind us.
I think -- and fear -- it will be necessary for the Dems to out vote the GOP by huge margins in order for enough of our votes to be counted to squeak by to victory. The GOP proudly stole votes from John Kerry in 2004 and have been working at the state and federal lever on voter suppression since before 9/11. Now, at last, all pretense to patriotism has been cast away by that Grand Ole Party as they cooperate with Russian and continue with their own efforts to cheat, to rig, to destroy the voting system and with it the Republic.
GOTV!!
Mr. Ected
(9,670 posts)There are tens of millions of Americans who are just as culpable as Trump or Congress. They have allowed themselves to believe that any accusation against their leadership is solely based on partisanship, envy and malice. By abdicating their responsibility to remain objective in their critique of ANY politician, they have availed themselves to the propagandists and malevolent players who seize upon their weakness to stage a quiet coup.
murielm99
(30,739 posts)If we don't, we keep fighting. Our democracy is not going to die.
Wait until the world closes ranks against us. They haven't even begun that yet. We may need to form a resistance and get help from our erstwhile allies. I think, unfortunately, there will be bloodshed.
I am not giving up, no matter what happens.
Girard442
(6,070 posts)It's my belief that, since the late 20th Century, the GOP has been purging members from it's ranks who might have had consciences and principles. The process is complete. The only reason Republican politicians might turn on Trump now is if they see that as the only way to keep their necks out of nooses. Otherwise, they're perfectly happy turning the country into a third-world fascist shithole.
Uncle Joe
(58,361 posts)Thanks for the thread highplainsdem
Hekate
(90,681 posts)Love Professor Krugman.
Stuart G
(38,421 posts)DallasNE
(7,403 posts)But one point is missing. Citizens United. Until the mega donors speak out nothing will happen. The American oligarchs are the real holders of power and until they speak out forcefully the Republican politicians will remain silent. And the chances of that happening is near zero. This is the reality until something is done about Citizens United.
zentrum
(9,865 posts)malaise
(268,993 posts)November?
zentrum
(9,865 posts).....Brooks.