This will be a very simple post. And, yes, I understand that some would term it "simple- minded".

[Atticus]

What I believe to be an obvious but often overlooked truth struck me as I listened to a succession of Republican Congressmen screw on their "earnest" faces and then proceed to lie through their damned teeth about how the White House's briefing about why Trump killed Soleimani was "complete" and "crystal clear" and proved the attack was "legally justified". And, what is the "often overlooked truth" that I rediscovered while listening to this nauseating mendacity?

There are NO good Republicans. Period. Full stop.

I confess that, over the past several years, I have often let myself slip into the "Yeah, but---" frame of mind: "Congressman/Senator Asshat campaigned with Trump!" "YEAH. BUT---Asshat is basically a decent American. He/she will never support unqualified judges; will never support racism; will never look the other way when shown clear evidence of corruption and criminality." But, I'm all better now. I once again see clearly.

Some may occasionally vote with us, but they do so only when their own personal position, profit or liberty is threatened. (Looking at you, Matt Gaetz!)

If they make a statement, it is either false or a temporarily convenient truth.

If they ask a question, they are up to something because they don't need to ask questions---they know everything.

If they shake your hand, count your fingers.

"Good Republicans", like "left-over wine", may exist in theory, but I haven't seen any lately.

[pwb]

1. Fox news and talk radio that they listen to makes them feel normal.

In their world they are good. In reality they are uninformed about most everything IMO.

[matt819]

2. You are right, of course

I've said much the same thing in recent posts.

Let's watch Mike Lee and Rand Paul, who are "outraged." Wanna bet they vote party line when the time comes?

Collins and Murkowski - that's a given. Spineless.

Romney. Same. He'll sound good(ish) but he'll vote party line.

They can't be trusted.

Spineless. Cowardly. Traitors.

So-called left-leaning media outlets must stop inviting these slugs for interviews and giving them air time or print space.

They lie. All the time.

Why? Don't know. Don't really care all that much as long as we as a society agree to that premise and shun them. We really don't need to hear what they have to say.

Full stop.

Keep the posts coming, Atticus.

[dalton99a]

3. The good ones are resting comfortably in cemeteries

[Rorey]

8. Nailed it

[amuse bouche]

4. In the more than 35 years I've been voting, I've never voted for a Rethug

[rurallib]

6. I did once in 1986 - our congressman

never forgiven myself for that slip.
He was instrumental in bringing on the Great Recession with the Gramm-Leach-Blyley bill.
Mr. Leach was often cited as the ultimate congressman, but underneath was all Republican.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Simplicity speaks volumes

You have an election, you count the votes. But it didn't happen in 2000, and it was crooked in 2016.

You have a trial, you call witnesses. But will it happen when they try Trump?

I can't imagine drumming up much support for Mitch's sham show trial. Will MAGAt's be parading thuggery chanting "NO WITNESSES! NO WITNESSES!" I just don't think it would pass muster. You go to court you do expect certain procedures to be followed. There'll be a judge and a swearing in, for example. And witnesses.

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. Or if they actually do have any criticism.....they resign first

[SWBTATTReg]

9. Good point(s). One point that I've noticed is that the term 'politicians' has always been ...

associated with shifty characters who profess to be truly concerned with their voters' issues and concerns, while behind the scenes are stealing your baby's lollipops without being caught. How true is this stereotype today? Ironic isn't it?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

10. Atticus, stepping back from the brink, I fell we must somehow begin reversing.....

the polarization and division of our society based on political beliefs. Things didn't used to be this way and I remember when politics was rarely mentioned - perhaps until Nixon came along. Before then, we were divided enough already along racial, cultural and economic lines.

Will the day come when for every transaction in our lives we have to stop people and ask "are you a Democrat or Republican?" before moving forward and get our groceries, have our car fixed or get legal, medical and accounting work done?

In essence, you've asked the question "are there any good Republicans?" If we could put politics aside for a moment, yes a great many of them are good - - meaning good carpenters, electricians, scientists, brain surgeons and store clerks, and participants in community.

But that requires removing all the political labels the dividers have attached to the whole of our existence.

It's up to us to stop this slow intrusion of politics into every aspect of our daily lives and return to a nation of reasonable unity. If we don't, in the long run we will self-destruct. To use a trite, well-worn expression, at some point we have to ask "am I a part of the problem or part of the solution?"

Unfortunately, all the solutions I have to offer will never happen within the foreseeable future with the possible exception of events causing total global calamity that would force the whole of humanity on their knees with humility.

KY Friday rant done........

[scarytomcat]

11. I gave up on them long ago

I think we should try to get non-voters fired up and to the polls
Half of us don't bother, we must reach them
the world depend on it

[patphil]

12. I see simple as also meaning straight forward and direct, as was your message.

I also find it hard to identify any of these self-serving, greedy, feckless, spineless, subservient Republican Congressmen and Congresswomen as being worthy to hold the offices they so desperately cling to.

Patrick Phillips

[FailureToCommunicate]

13. Hey, some of my relatives are Republicans...

...but that don’t make ‘em correct. On much of anything political. Luckily they are not politicians.

[BarbD]

14. All they care about is their portfolio.

We need to concentrate on getting out the vote and hope that the cornered Trump will not bring on WWIII.

[Cyrano]

15. Sixty three simple minded voters. Will they vote for him again?

They seem to be incapable of critical thinking.

Will all 63 million of them vote for him again? I don't know. But if the Electoral College puts him back into office, this will no longer be a country in which I want to live.

Then again, no matter where i decide to relocate, it won't matter.

It will be virtuously impossible to find a place on this planet that won't be destroyed (nuclear or otherwise) by the orange madman.

[Skittles]

16. same with the people supporting them

[Wounded Bear]

17. They've been winnowing the party since at least 1994...

with Contract On America bullshit. The vast majority reneged on one of the key promises in the Contract, the one about self term limiting. IIRC Steve Largent was one of the few (the only?) who actually served a couple of terms and then didn't run again.

All the moderates have been culled.