The most important thing we will learn from this crisis/scandal?

[kentuck]

Does our system work?

Or does it fail the people?

In my opinion, it has already failed in many respects.

I'm sure the Founding Fathers never envisioned such a scenario when they wrote our Constitution.

[PearliePoo2]

1. BIG test we are witnessing, that's for sure. What Franklin said about this:

A Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."



K&R

[CrispyQ]

2. It's not over yet, but anyone who thinks we have until 2018, much less 2020 isn't facing reality.

These investigations better be in hyper-drive or the damage Trump inflicts will take decades to undo. I am so angry at the assholes who voted for him. If there were a way to wish every bad thing coming down the pike, on just them, I would.

[bresue]

5. Agreed!

There has to be some urgency of investigators before Dump does so much damage that it will be irreversible! Dump with his entourage ooze filth and evil....everything we have been taught not to do!!!

I wonder once it is all over and the evidence is concrete, if the Rublicans will then believe the truth?

[murielm99]

3. It worked during Watergate.

Of course there are differences between then and now.

We have to see if our system will continue to work, or if it will continue at all. There were reforms after Watergate. Will there be reforms if we get through this? Will we still be alive to enact reforms?

[frazzled]

4. The people failed, not the system

And it's not just the Trump voters—and I am still bewildered by the number of whom failed to see his horrendous character, lack of knowledge, corruption, and demagoguery.

It's also anyone who did not actively support the candidacy of Hillary Clinton--all those who might have been too disinterested, or who think all politicians are the same or that both parties are the same, all who let the perfect be the enemy of the good—anyone who did not vote or who voted third party, or who participated during the primary in bashing Clinton as a wicked corporatist and carped about emails and therefore contributed to the weak turnout or to people actual voting for Trump ... that is what failed us.

The lesson we learn is that politics--and more importantly governing--is never going to be "perfect." But you MUST choose, and your choices will have VAST consequences. Sadly, this is something we have to relearn in every generation. The Nader voters had to repent after the debacle of the 2000 election (yes they did, even Michael Moore), and the naysayers in 2016 will have to do the same.

Donald Trump was an open book. And for anyone who didn't read that book, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and every Democratic member of Congress was out there telling you he was temperamentally unfit for office, and dangerous. That should have made everyone run, not walk, to the polls to vote. They didn't. And here we are.

[GBizzle]

6. We are literally pushing every institution in this country to the absolute limit here.

The integrity of elections, Congress, the justice system, the Executive Branch, the FBI, journalism, free speech, and basic human rights are all on the line here.

If we fail to obtain justice, we can count on all of these falling, one by one, in rapid succession.

Time will tell, but I'm cautiously optimistic that there are more than a few Republicans uninvolved with the Russian mafia in the White House.