Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) today gave a very critical speech in front of the US Senate. Flake expressed his frustration with what he sees as counter-productive GOP tactics – and his dissatisfaction with potus Trump’s bombast and grave shortcomings. In another stand against the current administration and against partisan politics, Senator Flake joined the very few Republicans with the moral conscience and backbone; willing to stand up to the dotard, narcissist, potus, Trump and against those who would give Trump a free pass because he is – a Republican.
Then not long after the Flake speech, came a very self and GOP illuminating interview by Senator John Thune (R-SD), on PBS Newshour. I have a phrase that defines what Thune had to say about Flake, about Thune’s pimp-potus, Trump, and about Thune’s own style of legislating.
100% GOP tribal partisan politics! 100%!!
Senator Thune stated that he is not even casually interested in any bipartisan engagement with the other party for a better tax bill – or for any bill. He is taking on the view of another US Senate stalwart to gridlock and zero productivity – Senator Mitch McConnell (current GOP majority leader of the Senate). These two are part of those with no moral conscience. They have suggested that to stand for one’s beliefs and to draw moral boundaries and then to go up against one’s own (GOP) Party, is the worst offense a Senator can commit. Thune’s is one of never disagree with the (GOP) President or with the (GOP) Party!!
That is exactly what tribal partisan politics means!
Continuing with the Thune interview; when asked about any morality in (his) decision making, Thune’s response was that there is “no moral element” in his choices or his views, in Congress (listen starting at 5:00 min). He therefore speaks volumes about the moral bankruptcy of he, and of many, perhaps most, of our elected – starting wit
h Trump.
Thune also rationalizes, and then turned the blind-eye towards, all the selfish, narcissistic garbage that Trump inflicts upon us and the world, daily. In essence, Senator Thune and the GOP who do not stand up to Trump, are enablers, giving the potus a “do whatever you want, be a bully on our dime”, free card.
This behavior by most Republican Senators in the US Senate is very concerning and highly dangerous to democracy. They are forgiving potential criminal actions by their leader that would never be forgiven if it were the other party President. In fact things were made up (lies) about the last POTUS, by these same tribal politicians, to try and dissuade voters. Now they accept a constantly lying Trump at face value as if Trump were king. Thune and the substantial part of the GOP are allowing a man (the current potus) to demean, use and abuse for self gain, the office – President Of the Untied States!
The GOP Trumpites have turned our Legislative branch into the same highly dangerous and dysfunction circus as is Weinstein’s company. Look what that did for Harvey; allowing him to get away with all the heinous horrible acts over and over again.
Is it too much to hope that Trump takes his neo-thud supporters over the cliff with him next year and again in 2020, if he survives that long. The need here starts in 2018 with a shift in the US Senate, a shift to the bipartisan center.