The Republican Fausts - David Brooks

[octoberlib]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/opinion/the-republican-fausts.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=0




Brooks' whole op-ed is a must read. Both Brooks' column today and Eliot Cohen's article in the Atlantic are trying to get the Republican party used to the idea that impeachment is on the table .

[Xipe Totec]

1. Even the NYT is talking removal from office.

"It will not be surprising in the slightest if his term ends not in four or in eight years, but sooner, with impeachment or removal under the 25th Amendment."

[Stuart G]

2. k and r..nt

[octoberlib]

3. Brooks' whole article is one big slam. They're worried about their party and democracy.

They can see what's coming. An ex-R congressman was on Lawrence last night and said more R's than people think are anti-Trump but they're afraid of him. He's vindictive.

[NewJeffCT]

7. I've gotten that impression as well

I bet the first few Republicans that defect will be the recipients of threatening phone calls and emails, as well as death threats. I would not be surprised if they get a brick thrown through an office window...

[pangaia]

13. Perhaps too many sleeping around, ya think?

And Bannon knows....

[totodeinhere]

12. I would rather see impeachment and removal because that would be a permanent

measure. If they revoke the 25th Amendment that would only be a temporary measure because Trump would only temporarily lose his power and could get it back at any time if he could get a majority of his cabinet to go along with him.

[thucythucy]

4. Much as people here dislike him, Brooks has been anti-Trump

from the very beginning.

On election night the look of disgust and despair on his face very much reflected how I felt.

He said something like, "Vladimir Putin is having a very good night tonight."

I give Brooks credit for refusing to alter in the least his distaste for Benedict Donald.

[octoberlib]

5. I agree. Our Democracy and country are at stake and we need

allies. A Republican commenter on Brooks' article said that he and his friends have discussed voting for Democrats in the midterms to control Trump if the R's don't take action.

[Achilleaze]

6. Finally the Repubes get a role model who embodies all their freaking faux "family values"

and now they whine about it?

They should have started whining when toes were tapping, and Republican senators were sporting diapers to cavort with high-priced hookers.

It sounds mighty freaking lame now that a cabal of Republican horse's asses is out of the barn.

[octoberlib]

8. We need them to whine about it. Trump needs to be impeached or more & more people

are going to be hurt and we're going to lose our Democracy. I agree with your point that they caused this and have always been like this but I have no intention of living in a version of the Handmaids Tale and right now will take allies where I can find them. The fact is the R'S control all 3 branches of government so they are the only ones who can get rid of this madman.

[Achilleaze]

9. valid point

Republicans: please continue to fuss & whine.

[DetlefK]

10. Do not dare to compare Faust and his deal with Lucifer with these people.

Faust was a curious romantic. He was driven by his thirst for knowledge. Faust's deal with Lucifer was that Lucifer would show him the secrets of the world and that Lucifer would get Faust's soul if his restless mind ever became sated. And Faust accidently came to a rest by falling in love with Gretchen, winning her heart (with lots of help by his wing-man Lucifer) and wanting to stay together with her. With all obstacles cleared and the couple finally united in love, Faust had lost the bet and Lucifer dragged him to hell.

The Republicans who made a deal with Trump, they have no passion and no thirst for more. And they are certainly not willingly entering the risk to sacrifice themselves to achieve their goal. They simply exchanged power for holding still. And now they have found out that holding still has not given them power.

[TomCADem]

11. Agree With His Critique, But Brooks Fails...

...to grasp that the Republican base has shifted, and for years the Republican elites have been making dog whistles at this base, and encouraging this intolerance and hate. Right now, Trump is closer to the Republican base than Ryan or McConnell. Jack Kemp would have no place in the current GOP.

[nolabels]

14. They control shit, the trampled on U.S. Constitution is an agreement

It is an agreement to agree. If you have issues on what indicates then contact Websters