2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumRobert Reich speaks to a former Republican member of Congress (this is how dictators get into power)
Yesterday I spoke with a former Republican member of Congress whom Ive known for years.
Me: What do you think of your partys nominee for president?
He: Trump is a maniac. Hes a clear and present danger to America.
Me: Have you said publicly that you wont vote for him?
He (sheepishly): No.
Me: Why not?
He: Im a coward.
Me: What do you mean?
He: I live in a state with a lot of Trump voters. Most Republican officials do.
Me: But youre a former official. You're not running for Congress again. What are you afraid of?
He: I hate to admit it, but Im afraid of them. Some of those Trumpistas are out of their fu*king minds.
Me: You mean youre afraid for your own physical safety?
He: All it takes is one of them, you know.
Me: Wait a minute. Isnt this how dictators and fascists have come to power in other nations? Respected leaders dont dare take stand.
He: At least Im no Giuliani or Gingrich or Pence. Im not a Trump enabler.
Me: Ill give you that.
He: Let me tell you something. Most current and former Republican members of Congress are exactly like me. I talk with them. They think Trump is deplorable. And they think Giuliani and Gingrich are almost as bad. But theyre not gonna speak out. Some dont want to end their political careers. Most dont want to risk their lives. The Trump crowd is just too dangerous. Trump has whipped them up into a g*ddamn frenzy.
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No link, found on Facebook.
napi21
(45,806 posts)Whatever they have to do or say to get reelected, the good of the Country be damned.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)Dem2
(8,168 posts)BSdetect
(8,998 posts)Dictators and fascists thrive on your silence
Angel Martin
(942 posts)We wouldn't want to sacrifice a lucrative lobbying career now, would we ?
Funny how the same exchange between Reich and this congressman can be posted several days in a row, and depending on what else is going on...