My local paper gets a spate of impeachment-related letters. The most interesting comes from one Jeff Lassle of San Diego, who makes a right-wing case for removing Trump from office:
It is time to impeach and convict President Donald J. Trump and begin the process of running an alternative Republican in his place for the 2020 election. It is also time to end the trade wars with China and other countries as part of Donald Trump’s command economy and distribution of wealth. Work with Democrats to resolve the border issue and curtail the far right cult leadership of the Republican Party. Although I do not like Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, I believe his centrist values will help in the healing of the huge divide within our country. I do know he would be open to run against Trump in the Republican primary.
The alternative is a far-left socialist momentum gaining power in the U.S. and all that entails for our nation, our economy and our way of life. This is not advice, but rather a warning to the Republican Party and the voters of the United States [Jeff Lassle, letter to the editor {paywall}, Aberdeen American News, 2019.11.02].
I characterize Lassle’s letter as right-wing because he adopts the false, fascist rhetoric of branding Democrats as “far-left” socialists. Democratic candidates, proposals, and voters are mostly moderates just looking to find practical solutions to public policy problems, not ideologues pushing a radical agenda. Nonetheless, I do give him credit for honestly recognizing the “far right cult” characteristics of the Trumpist party. Lassle is at least half-right in his portrayal of the political landscape.
I also credit Lassle for amplifying my own argument to Republicans: the best thing Republicans afraid of Democratic victory in 2020 (not to mention the destruction of America and their own loss of moral credibility) can do is impeach and convict Donald Trump as soon as possible. Get your Romney on, Republicans! Be the true moral leaders you claim to be and get your party and America back on track!
I’d run Kasich rather than Romney, but for the good of the country it’s a good idea to dispose of the doggy doo as fast as you can. On the other hand, dumping Trump too soon might allow Trump to get on the ballot as an independent, and that would mess up any hope of Republican redemption.
I don’t understand the gutlessness of the Republicans. When Clinton had his fling with Lewinsky, I and most Democrats had no problem condemning his behavior. Daschle and Johnson certainly weighed in negatively about Clinton’s dalliance and his lying. While we didn’t think what Clinton did rose to the level of impeachment, it certainly did deserve the condemnation it got from most Democrats. But where are the gutless current South Dakota Senators? They are squeezing their butt cheeks so tight because they are scared sh*tless. Being a responsible representative of people means you can’t be a coward. Sure, be against impeachment and removal if you want, but have the guts to condemn Trump’s actions. Better yet, put Trump on a short leash through the budget process and oversight. Don’t allow him to skip Constitutional oversight.
Democracy dies exclusively at the hands of right wing nut jobs.
Bonnie Blodgett, a freelance writer in St. Paul, writes an excellent commentary in today’s Opinion section of the Strib. It’s really outstanding and complex. I wish there was a way to make it available to the commenter here. You may be able to read it if you haven’t read anything in the Strib lately because there are a few freebees. http://strib.mn/2qd7Ddf
She discusses the trajectory of US politics and economy. While I would describe Blodgett as on the left side, Democratic presidents Clinton and Obama do not escape criticism. She closes by endorsing Warren, but her path to get there is definitely worth your time.
Romney?
Mitt Romney?
Aye yay yay.
This guy defines “neo” – his anti American investment footprint is offensive.
He’s a stiff suit.
Recipe for losing.
John, you say,”Recipe for losing,” like it’s a bad thing! ;-)
I don’t like pandering politicians. Trump panders to his base, telling lies about The Wall and “middle class” tax cuts. Sanders and Warren and the rest of the so-called “progressive” candidates pander to that base with Medicare For All and “free tuition” pie-in-the-sky. Gimme a break. No one in their right minds thinks any of that stuff is really going to happen. I prefer candidates who tell the truth. Shoring up what’s wrong with Obamacare and more money for education grants is realistic. A public option might happen if the Senate swings wildly to the Democrats or the filibuster rules change. Otherwise, it probably won’t happen right away.
The truth is Trump is driving America into the ditch–fiscally, morally, internationally, environmentally, and in every other way. I want someone whose first priority is driving the country out of the ditch. That’s it. Don’t promise me very much more than that.
So, that means that, even though I like Warren and many of her detailed “plans,” she’s just not leveling with people. She’s lying to them.
I’m sorry to burst everyone’s bubble. If it takes aspirational, but unrealistic plans, to get you excited enough to support an alternative to Trump, you are the problem.
Miss Lindsey has the vapors again. See how seriously he takes his job as Chair if the sinate judicial committee….
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/11/a-bunch-of-bs-lindsey-graham-chairs-senate-judiciary-but-refuses-to-read-any-transcripts/
Wingnuts will most likely vote to acquit drumpf regardless of the damning info that comes out every day.
Does that make Miz Lindsey the “See No Evil” or the “Hear No Evil” monkey?
Seriously, isn’t it the duty per senate rules for the chair to follow up on all the evidence even if she or he does not like it? Miz Lindsey should be censured at least.
I think I’ll stop calling Miz Lindsey that because I think it’s insulting to LBTG folks everywhere. I’ll just call him Weasel, at least for a while.
“I characterize Lassle’s letter as right-wing because he adopts the false, fascist rhetoric of branding Democrats as “far-left” socialists.”
In my defense Cory, you obviously haven’t lived in California and interacted with the California left. I have always said that the Democrats in South Dakota are more like Republicans in California with just a few differences of opinions and there are more Republicans in California than any state in the union.
I would doubt that few Democrats in South Dakota would have anything in common with the California progressive left. My goal has always been to rid both parties of their extremism sectors.