Utter submission to a thin skinned Twitter crybaby. Pathetic grovelling is truly all that it takes to make it in the GOP. I can't wait for the other Fox News shoe to drop, when they tell their viewers that Trump is no longer in favor, how quickly and loudly the "loyal" will turn.
24
@Alex - I'm not so sure. While Fox propaganda helped create today's horribly distorted political scene, they actually have created a monster. I believe that if Fox turns on Trump, Trump will turn on Fox (he's already done that in small ways) and the cultists will choose Trump over Fox.
2
"In an interview, Mr. Putnam accused Ms. Granger of being a 'full-on Never Trumper' during the last three years. 'We have to get people who are running for the right reasons,' he said."
All of these Republicans seem to have forgotten what it means to be an American. No one in the history of this country has ever said that the "right reasons" for voting is personal loyalty to a lying, corrupt, failed businessman and incompetent president rather than to the Constitution of the United States. Listening to the cultists that so many people have become is absolutely mind-boggling.
8
All of this is eerily reminiscent of Germany in the early 1930’s as the GOP is no longer a functioning political party but has devolved into a cult, its members goose-stepping to Dear Leader’s every command. Senators and Congressmen (and those who want to be) swear an oath to the United States, not to Trump, and their behavior during this impeachment process has been nothing short of shameful and bordering on treasonous. All of these people need to be voted out, or the America that millions know will be gone.
5
I still call myself a Republican only because I refuse to let Trumpists and the cowards bowing to his cult drive me out.
I will support almost any Democrat in 2020, although Trumpists of the left like Bernie Sanders would make that difficult.
2
Apparently the Republican Party has evolved to require absolute devotion with no room for criticism or deviation from the Leader. Those who due are threatened and drummed out. No one is allowed to call out bad behavior, poor policy decisions or unethical, immoral and illegal behavior. Only fealty and unwavering allegiance are permitted. What does this remind a thinking person of? It is the same thought process prevalent in authoritarian regimes like Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, Iran and North Korea. I'm not exaggerating - the only difference is those drummed out are not yet consigned to prison or a firing squad.
8
Loyalty to Trump, a man who is loyal only to himself. Unbelievable.
7
Eventually everything will be revealed, and in the revelation we will finally see, with the help of Donald Trump‘s tax returns, how deeply in debt monetarily ,he has been to Russia and Vladimir Putin. And when we finally have understood how and why a president can betray his country in favor of a hostile foreign power, these Republicans in the Senate and in the House who have blindly supported Trump will be considered accomplices to the fact. And in their arrogance and pretended ignorance no one will fall for the act in which they will say “we didn’t know…” The price that must eventually be paid for supporting a tyrant is always considerable in history. It will be no different for these gutless Republicans in the Senate. And a special place in the American Hall of Shame will be reserved for Mike Pompeo and Bob Barr, who as public servants, should have known better than to conduct themselves in such a reprehensible way.
6
DO we really want a House and Senate congress full of sycophants??
5
To follow so willingly and blindly is dangerous. To quote Khrushchev: "We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the U.S. We will destroy you from within..."
6
Too bad their loyalty is to a corrupt grifter instead of to the Constitution.
2
Goes to show you the Evangelicals say Trump recently is profoundly immoral so must be all the bad supporters. Shame on them for supporting the coal and fossil fuel polluting planet killer.
The repubs seem to love tough, rude guys. Obviously for them, chivalry is dead. Helping the less fortunate is for losers. I’m sure the nda’s he makes his staff sign promise financial ruin for anything less than total submission. A disgrace! Any repubs of honor and grit left?
1
Trump's supporters are dreaming if they think he would stick his neck out one inch for them.
2
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve ever voted for a Republican.
They deserve to wander in the desert for 40 years. Any party whose raison d’etre is to support the most corrupt President in history should go the way of the Whigs. We are turning into a banana republic because of Trump and the RepubliCONS.
VOTE THEM OUT, every last one of them! Send money to Democrats! No third party distractions. BEAT TRUMP!
4
Welcome, comrade. Check your brain at the door, you won’t be needing it.
2
As a financial advisor, The DOW is making him look way better than he deserves. And we know who he is thanking for that.
3
This is a measure of how comprehensively Trumpism has replaced Republicanism in the Republican Party. It would be naive to expect that it will relinquish it's grip in the near future.
2
Let's be clear here: This is not a question of loyalty to Donald Trump. It's doubtful even Melania is loyal to him.
People like Albert Schweitzer, Mother Theresa, Knute Rockne, Franklin Roosevelt inspire loyalty.
Donald Trump intimidates and terrorizes people. Besides, and probably more important, cynical Republican politicians (and a few lunatics) hitch their wagons to his horse, because they foresee it will profit them politically (perhaps financially as well!) Loyalty has nothing to do with it.
If they were to change their calculation==if they came to believe that continuing to kowtow to Trump would hurt them politically--they would abandon him in a New York minute/ Because--except for the lunatics, perhaps--they ultimately believe nothing, just as he does.
3
The GOP has sold its ethical principles for the chimera of power. If this continues it will lead to the destruction of most democratic institutions. Prepare yourselves for a long decline as a world power, further strengthening of the divide, and the possibility of slipping into violent protest. Bye bye American pie. The GOP slogan for 2020 should be LETS MAKE AMERICA! THIRD RATE AGAIN.! Remember you can stop it in 2020, vote against it!
3
When loyalty to an embattled impeached president dictates the moves of his fellow party members, it is clear that the party in question has, to say the least, lost it's way. More accurately we can say that the republican party has no integrity, no honor, and no loyalty to the country, only to power and money.
To Republican Senators: Whatever Trump has on you it can't possibly be as bad as what you've come, a spineless sycophant to a traitor. Think about it.
4
Last refuge of the Republican scoundrels: "Trump did it -- not that there's anything wrong with that."
(With apologies to Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine.)
2
My question to all these Republicans- why him?! It is quite clear that loyalty is a one way street for Mr. Trump - so what’s the benefit? Sounds like more of a risk to me.
10
“ Disloyalty “ to Trump is a rare and dangerous thing, for the GOP. One day, it will be seen as a badge of Honor. A Purple Heart, for politicians.
Just saying.
7
@Phyliss Dalmatian
I certainly hope you're right. But I'm convinced we've crossed the Rubicon. This blatant corruption and disregard for their constituents is the new normal. It'll only get worse from here.
1
The Republican party is still drinking the Kool Aid. Instead of being principled, conservative, and loyal, the GOP has been reduced to loyal only, showing blind obedience to the Grifter in the White House. As the daily outrage over this man turns to disgust, even revulsion, by the majority of the country, they persist in their folly. A rude awakening awaits them this November. When they ask, "What happened?", the rest of us will already know.
8
ALL of these politicians will be gone someday. Whether they lose their seat in the next election or resign some day in the future, they will no longer be U.S. legislators. Why wait to do the right thing: to find the obviously guilty president, guilty?
It's difficult to understand how somebody who wants to do something for this country can be so spineless as to fear this president. Have they really, after all, no life?
4
It's nuts.
His people believe every tweet & he knows it.
6
This illustrates that the "Republicans" are more like the moral self-serving and ethically devoid members of the Waffen who gave their utter loyalty to an evil, insane, lying, narcissistic autocrat than they are of being anything resembling the independent-minded servants of the People we would expect. They care more about politics and "winning" than about "doing what is right for the nation and the planet." They do not put country, truth or honor above self and subservience or one might say they live by the lie, dishonor, and selfish interests above everything else, including the salvation of their very souls.
This new breed of fake Republicans are servants of greed and fear. To me, the character of today's congressional republican politicians is lacking in every single characteristic of morality and ethics that should be even the minimum requirements to serve our nation.
With "leaders" like these and his Waffen, who needs enemies of freedom? They have already infiltrated our government.
So, what are we going to do about this invasion of our nation by criminals and servants of the Russians and their aligned domestic plutocratic oligarchs?
Who is in charge of actually defending national security? I'm not counting on William Barr or the plutocrats behind Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society. They don't care for democracy, freedom, or truth for anyone but themselves and in fact, they are enemies of such.
So, how do we change this condition?
14
@Tom Paine VOTE BLUE, no matter who!
7
This just demonstrates the truth of Adam Schiff's reference to the story that Republican Senators were warned that they would have their "head on a pike" if they went against President Trump. Despite all the faux Republican outrage, reported once again by the New York Times as if it is real when it is simply performance, the Republican Party is the party of Trump, who demands complete loyalty and fealty.
7
Slavish devotion to this malignant narcissist ranks above all else: facts and truth do not matter anymore; political devotion to a person of no character comes first ad foremost.
That is is sorry end of utilitarianism...if Trump asks GOP congressmen and women to sit on ice with their bare rear ends exposed, they will gladly do it...to gain their own re-election..
4
Like the Democrats weren’t equally loyal to Clinton.
1
@Rich Murphy Straw Man argument! Clinton is not soap to wash away Trump’s (many) sins.
3
@Rich Murphy
They weren't. As you Trumpies are fond of saying. read the transcripts. Many Democrats excoriated Clinton's behavior--as was appropriate. But he didn't abuse the powers of his office for personal gain.
Hey Mr. Meehan, this IS Bucks County, the one in Southeastern Pennsylvania, not some county in southwestern Wyoming. Nothing says Bucks County PA more than a cowboy hat. Didn't a MAGA hat provide enough protection from the inclement weather? What a 'snow flake'!
4
Having chosen the most mendacious liar of all time as their leader, Republicans now continue to support and defend his lies and deceits. Why–because the Republican Party has a single cause that towers over all else: fealty to their president. Loyalty to their leader is even valued higher than personal honesty and integrity. Republican Party members value loyalty to their leader and their party even above any loyalty to the people of the United States and even above pursuit of truth. The Republican Party is thoroughly and probably irretrievably corrupted.
6
The trajectory of the Republican Party has been on full display since the days of Richard Nixon and the men who surrounded him. Every subsequent Republican administration has gotten more and more authoritarian. Now the country is saddled with Trump with the true believers of an authoritarian leader have fallen in line behind him.
If we survive Trump, beware the next Republican president.
5
Exodus 20:3-4 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
4
America is looking more like 1930's Nazi Germany every day where loyalty to the leader, based on supporters who have become radicalised by propaganda aka FOX News, is all that matters.
We all know how that turned out for the German people. Trump and the republican party are about to implode, and he will take his followers down with him.
5
Republican loyalty not to the man. Their grip on power runs through him. McConnell wants control to appoint more judges; to protect gains made. Trump the means to that end. Both Ginsberg and Breyer in the eighties McConnell eyes one more Supreme Court seat. No he covets one more seat.
McConnell laser focused to the exclusion of considering health care, immigration or gun safety. Holding power the ability to stymie any Democratic measures plus getting judges approved all he cares about. A conviction by the Senate puts the Presidency and Senate up for grabs in 2020. McConnell not about to let that happen. Sad!
10
The thing that irritates me the most is, it’s not like this was unpredictable. I predicted Trump’s victory back in 2015, not because I am a Trump supporter but because it was easy, EASY to see what trajectory the country was on. It wasn’t rocket science.
The most defining moment was the invasion of Iraq. I remember, very, very clearly, being at an anti-invasion protest as a teenager in 2002. The entire rest of the world was telling the United States that there was no justification for invasion. But so called “moderates” here in the states didn’t want to listen.
And that was it. If you had to go back and pinpoint the day that Americans consciously decided to completely ignore facts and blindly follow party ideology, that was it. And I also remember, the same supposedly serious people who are so shocked at how Trump came to power today, were completely dismissing our concerns about the Bush administration’s actions back then.
Unpatriotic they called us. Didn’t know what we were talking about they said. Difficult decisions being made with incomplete information and who were we to question the president is what they told us. One very, very uncomfortable truth is that Trump isn’t new. Politicians have been doing the exact same Trump is doing for decades. Trump is just a lot louder about it, says the quiet part out loud. Y’all should have listened to people like me back in 2002. Maybe if you had, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in today.
8
unfortunately, many if not all republicans in office only have trump's coattails to hang onto. They certainly don't have a fresh idea on any issues of consequence to either the right or the left.
13
If they all in lockstep why do we need them? The point,is it not, is to represent us citizens, not the president. We could save a whole bunch of money by firing Congress and let the president run his/her agenda unimpeded if we don’t need or get representation
10
@Hardworking Texas Guy
“If they all in lockstep why do we need them? The point,is it not, is to represent us citizens, not the president. We could save a whole bunch of money by firing Congress and let the president run his/her agenda unimpeded if we don’t need or get representation”
I agree Congress is supposed to represent the people, not the President. We get that. But to let the president run his/her agenda unimpeded without a Congress? That sounds like a monarchy or dictatorship to me. Not lockstep but goose step.
3
Of course, yes. I was tongue in cheek, and inferring where we were headed if we take out Congress, either literally or effectively
I want a strong open minded thinking and ethical Congress fighting for our democracy and the beautiful messiness of that
Trump's GOP has evolved from a party which was born opposed to slavery to one willingly enslaved by a charlatan for the price of fat donations, for support of mean-spirited policies, and princely offices and pensions. All for a man whose political manacles they don, and feel some assurance that the Don will one day wear shakles made for one such as himself.
9
What? Are we a dictatorship? With an imbecile at the helm? Hie can Americans be so stupid? What has Trump done that would benefit thus country? He removed restrictions on air and water polluters, he removed restrictions on oil drilling, and he is in the process if removing more and more restrictions that only benefit his donors but not Americans in general! He is appointing ultra conservative judges that bring America back into the middle ages and overcrowd our prisons! The only thing missing is bringing back Jim Crowe laws - give him time!
17
@Walking Fan
He is exactly what that 42% wanted -- a xenophobic, racist misogynist who understands that you can fool some of the people all of the time.
@Walking Fan
In all but name, yes, you are effectively a dictatorship.
This is shown more so with the trial - all the Republicans have lined up behind Trump, and are still supporting him and voting to acquit even though the evidence is there.
Trump is dangerous, and destroying America for his own interests for the reasons you stated, and more.
By openly supporting Israel he is making America a target - I don't think the Palestinians and their friends will go away quietly.
By alienating the traditional Allies he may find America stands alone if they are needed. He can't be trusted, why would they want to risk being betrayed like the Kurds?
He is sidling up to authoritarian leaders and dictators - North Korea, Russia, China, Iraq, Iran - these are all leaders he has openly stated he admires and would like to be like.
The only thing standing between Trump and a full dictatorship is the Democrat controlled Congress who are now trying to hold onto democracy and the checks and balances system - if Congress were to become Republican, as well as the Senate then those check and balances will be non-existent and Trump will have what he wants.
The Republicans would be so stupid and so sycophantic that they would probably give a line of succession to one of his inexperienced children.
As it stands, America's days of a fair and open democracy are numbered.
2
This really goes to the heart of the expression that "we are a nation of laws, not men". Those who take a federal oath swear to protect the Constitution, not protect a person. Are the Trumpsters really any different than religious zealots who become so enamored by a wannabe messiah that they will kill, drink the koolaid, or march over a cliff with a promise of eternity?
7
Boy oh boy has Trump created a space for the nuts of our country. All you need to join the party is a pair of boots, an American flag, and a head full of lies and delusion. Many of these crazies know the uniform, but at the end of the day are just crazy.
Vote for members of the GOP clown car for 2020 if you want to continue to watch our democracy crumble in the hands of fools.
Vote for Democrats in 2020 if you value the power that facts play in decision making.
15
We need Republican Congressmen to stand up to Trump like the little boy who said, “The emperor has no clothes!”
We need the Republicans to speak the truth and abandon Trump because he is a racist and a misogynist, to call for witnesses and documents in his impeachment trial, then to vote on the facts of the case.
5
The Republican God is still mortal.
What happens to the Party of Trump when the man “Trump” is gone, whether by political means or simply because he’s flesh and blood? The Party will be left with no equally entertaining following act and a small, quickly bored base.
That’s the thing political scientists have noticed about charismatic leaders. Their power does not survive their reign.
The Republican Party will go with Trump, however and whenever that happens.
11
@Chickpea
You're forgetting mr. trump's terrible children. mr. trump has set the party up to be the 'party of trump' for a long time to come. It's hard to imagine one of the trump offspring not running in 2024, and being mildly successful. These people want a dynasty/monarchy/dictatorship, and the rhetoric (from trump or his sycophants) does nothing but normalize and reinforce this notion.
6
@Chickpea
There is much in what you say, but it seems clear to me that Trumpism is the disease, and the Impeached One is the symptom. These are the same haters who fought against civil rights, against women's suffrage, against immigrants, against gun control, against everything. They are for nothing. And I don't think they'll ever go away. I just pray we can keep them out of power long enough to restore majority rule in this country.
10
@Chickpea Ivanka and Don Jr. have been overheard arguing about "who gets to be president next." This is true, by the way, not something I made up. They assume the country is now theirs.
I long to see them all in orange jumpsuits behind bars for the rest of their lives.
4
I find this slavish devotion from R’s, where, “charges of a lackluster allegiance to Mr. Trump,” are enough to derail a candidate, extremely curious. Theoretically it is based on his alleged commitment to being pro-life, his support of Christian faith, and his pro-business point of view. He may be pro-business, but any Christian faith he proclaims seems a utilitarian pose, and his anti-abortion stance seems likely as phony.
He has opened fashioned an image of himself as a philanderer, going so far as to call reporters claiming to be a Trump employee in order to give information on his latest female conquests to the reporter. Though I have no facts, it isn’t hard to imagine that Trump has likely paid for a number of abortions in his life, along with the money he openly paid to make women go away and promise to never talk about him.
That behavior doesn’t bother me–if he did so then it was good that he helped these women avoid an unwanted pregnancy. However it is hypocritical in the extreme for him to proclaim to be pro-life. Clearly any Christian moral outlook that he pretends to live by is just a pretense that is in clear opposition to the decadent life style he has openly bragged about.
The deeper question has to do with the hypocrisy of his Christian supporters who overlook his obvious faults because of the utility supporting him provides to their mutual benefit. Slavish Christian political devotion to a man like Trump is certainly a mystery wrapped in a conundrum.
16
@Marshall Doris
Clearly, these right-wing evangelicals are not true Christians. I'm more Christian by a country mile, and I'm an atheist! But I do consider Christ to have been an important philosopher. If they practiced one-tenth of what Christ actually preached, they could never support Dumb Donnie in a million years.
They are desperately clinging to the rapidly-vanishing white patriarchy. They are driven by anger arising out of fear, and they are easily exploited to turn that fear towards "the other."
17
At this point, Republicans are just putting together their team that will roll up Social Security and Medicare.
13
President Nixon, President Trump, and his supporters:
I don’t understand: why do Republicans, who are important people, like to cover up?
It’s not the beach.
2
It's really bizarre to me that people are loyal to, and Republican politicians are afraid of, television personality and faux real-estate developer Donald Trump.
The emperor has no clothes. If all these fearful Republican politicians held together and voted against Trump, we could be done with him. There's nothing to be afraid of. The man is in poor health and in his mid-70s.
17
@Jeff
Trump is a great distraction from the completely destructive, long term grasp of power that the party is taking on the country. If not for the daily tweets of insanity distracting the masses from hyper-partisan judge appointments, racially motivated election rigging, and draconian social policies in several states, we'd be talking about those things, and bringing to light how massively corrupt the entire party is. Instead we just point at king doofus and say 'it's him - he's the problem', which is exactly what the rest of the GOP wants. They can't get rid of him, they need him. Look at how quickly all of the above (and so much more!) is getting done.
1
The GOP is of the same ilk as their unpopular leader Mitch McConnell. For them it is the Republican Party over country, over the rule of law, over the Constitution, and over working to serve all their citizens, not just their religious right base and corporate sponsors. They will do anything to hold onto power including preventing a fair and impartial impeachment trial despite their oaths to be impartial. Nothing Trump does is impeachable in their circular and illogical reasoning including bribing a foreign leader by withholding vital military aid for personal political gain. They support a leader who prevents 400 passed bills from going through the Senate to deal with our many problems. It is disheartening and shameful how little moral courage they have and how little respect they have for the truth and for the viability and survival of our democratic institutions.
They just refuse always to do what is right!
12
@IN - But never forget that they were elected by our fellow Americans to do just what they're doing. We can--and should--criticize these boot-licking Republicans members of Congress but we should never forget that it was American voters who put them into office to do just what they're doing. How terrifying is that?
When I was a kid, in Pennsylania there were 2 branches of the Republican Party: the Lincolnians and Hamiltonians. Today, those people are mostly Democrats and independents.
Most of the Republican women were pro women's rights, pro civil rights and environmentalism.
You'd think that anybody could see through the fake Trump University, the fake Trump chaity, and now, the fake Trump impeachment defense but cult and peer pressure Trump reason.
10
How can we have a true democracy when the GOP is so afraid of one bully. Isn’t there any man among them that is truly a MAN or a WOMAN that stands up for what is right? I guess not.
21
Conservatives value loyalty over justice. To them being loyal is a moral virtue. Liberals value justice over loyalty.
The republicans know exactly how to use this to their advantage. They know that liberal voters will abandon a politician shown to have broken a law or otherwise behaved unethically. Republicans voters on the other hand tend to increase their support of a politician shown to have behaved unethically because to them, abandoning someone who is under attack (even under attack by the forces of justice) is akin to being a traitor.
This is why republican politicians are so willing to say that they won’t give a fair impeachment trial because they know voters want to see how loyal they are to Trump. Abandoning trump would be seen as immoral by conservatives, regardless of how much wrongdoing he has done.
Expecting conservatives to abandon Trump because he is unethical would be like expecting liberals to abandon Obama because he sometimes cooks breakfast for his wife.
8
@Matt D I know a few conservatives and their loyalties appear to be as distributed as liberals and they do react to disloyalty in similar ways (a continuum). Conservatives in other walks of life aren't that loyal to other things, including to each other.
I think it's a different phenomenon: ends justifies the means vs. not for the sake of power and doing what they think is right. It is not about loyalty to Trump, but about getting another conservative justice.
@RamS Yes, it's about banning abortion and consigning women once again to forced births. It's about misogyny, which runs deep with both evangelicals and Republicons in general.
2
This is incredibly sad. I have taken to going to Mass every day and praying for our country and our constitution. And I will vote and encourage all sane citizens to do likewise. Having worked in NYC in the early 80s I got to know Mr. Trump well and was not surprised to learn that 89% of the nearby residents (of Queens, where he was born and raised, Manhattan, where he lived until recently, and the two adjacent boroughs of The Bronx and Brooklyn) voted for someone else. What did they know that the remainder of the country did not know!?
14
@Eddie O'Donnell Thanks for praying - we need it.
3
This tribalism of "us against them" isn't new. Conservatives have used this strategy for years, but it was hidden. Trump has ripped off their hidden agenda for all to witness. We now observe Republicans have one objective: gain and maintain power at all costs to create laws that benefit the few at the expense of the many. Disgusted yet?
11
Some 40% of America has tightly bonded itself to the cult of Trump, aided by the constant drip-drip of the alternate reality of Fox News, Breitbart, Limbaugh, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Three years ago I would have protested if you had told me so much of America would be so gullible and addicted. I am afraid the detox program will be very painful for this nation, and like most addicts, most don't want to get off their high. How would intervention work on a national scale?
7
The Republican line now is "Trump over party, Trump over country, Trump over principles and ethics." As long as they adhere to that line, we are just a few votes away from being 1930s Germany.
21
@SWC you _are_ in the early 1930s, when you stop having elections you have reached the later 1930s Germany...
I keep frantically wishing this would turn into the “Wizard of Oz” finale, in this case with the GOP snapping out of their cultish trance and realizing Donald is evil, then celebrating his removal from office with song.
12
Although he is a Republican he also seems a human being. I have my severe doubts about the rest...
So many posters are criticizing the unity of Trump and the Republican party but they'll be the ones laughing once America is launched on a glorious global reign of a thousand years. Freedom!!!
1
@Keitr LOL.... are you a writer for Lord of the Rings series?
2
@Keitr
Ground Control to Major Tom...
@Keitr you are either being facetious or you are deeply deranged.
2
I’ve been in the “ belly of this beast” in Ct. caucus
Believe us when we tell you real Republicans from the Era before Reagan and Goldwater are long gone. I am the great grand kid of a real Republican. We have a trump Russian party now. It’s so bizarre. Surreal in the senates awe and wonder. Voters have been duped. We have no real say in the nations direction. Probably never did. The dreamer awakens.
IMHO it was the endless Oil Wars and Israel going rouge on Palestinians that caused our final military coup w trump and company. Billionaires always win the oligarchy. Not the hourly wage earner beset by regressive taxes. Turn off the MSM circus and read many books from the library. No blogs please. All about surviving despots ..
2
“Loyalty to Trump is all that matters to GOP candidates “
All the pieces for tyranny are locking into place.
5
This is disgusting. We are living in a very scary world now. How long will it be before we need to pledge allegiance to Trump? Are there no Republicans willing to put a stop to this autocracy? I thought we lived in a country that didn't believe in a dictatorship. Am I wrong?
8
Trump would throw absolutely any Senator under the bus if it would help save his own skin.
I ask that the US Senators honor their oath to serve the Constitution and to be an independent branch of government. Have the honor to call for John Bolton to testify.
I just phoned Senator Portman’s office and made this request.
Readers: Please contact your Republican Senators and ask them to support the call for Bolton as a witness.
Incidentally, last night Gen. John Kelly was a featured college speaker in Sarasota, FL, and he remarked on what Bolton reportedly said in his book about Trump demanding Biden investigations before any military aid would be released.
Kelly said: “I believe John Bolton.”
7
The GOP is a party now comprised largely of cowardly and corrupt politicians, unwilling or incapable of placing their oath to our country before their own self interest. History will remember how they traded any shreds of decency they may have had left for fealty to Donald Trump and his army of sycophants. God help the rest of us - my fear is that US democracy may not survive this menace.
12
Republicans are not(!) loyal to 45. They are loyal only to themselves. They are loyal only to money. Please stop making it so complicated. It isn’t. It’s about their money- staying on the gravy train funded by us the Taxpayers, and their foreign and domestic overlords. The Russians don’t funnel money to Republicans and the NRA for nothing.
9
@American girl - That may be true for the very rich who are Republicans, but it hardly applies to the ordinary person whose fealty to Trump is based on believing non-stop lying and whose expectation is simply that Trump is "good for America" and will bring back the America of 50 years ago.
Justin Amash is a perfect example of the extremist purity test on the right. They are not unified they follow a dictator or else. You are either with him or out of the party.
7
The problem for Mr. Meehan is that if facts don't matter, and he is a sycophant for a serial liar, then his 'advice' as a 'financial advisor' is 100% suspect.
Would you give this man your money?
5
Excellent. As the GOP hurries to board a sinking ship, we can see a glimmer of hope. Cause Americans aren't stupid. The people who never vote b/c there is no difference between the party now have a chance to see a difference: one party is not composed of Mafia members and Benedict Arnolds. I definitely hope the Dems are not so brainless that they don't see that they have an almost dreamlike situation here, a perfect GOP storm.
1
@rwgat - Perhaps. But blind faith is hard to overcome, and the Trump cultists have demonstrated blind faith in an incompetent and corrupt man.
'God', Guns, Greed and Blind Loyalty to the Lawless Trump .
What's not to love about the charming 2020 Republican party platform ?
Wake up, America.
This will not end well for anyone.
November 3 2020
21
As opposed to loyalty to the democrat party?
That’s worse.
Just when did we become inured to cult-of-personality nonsense, a la Erdogan, Duterte, MBS, Xi or Putin? Oh, right. We're talking Republicans here, so, they need a lead dog to follow blindly.
They certainly have one now.
9
Political "Loyalty."
Isn't that the word that is required in dictatorial systems?
As in "Dear Leader."
4
Since when has loyalty to one man become more important then loyalty to the country?
These people are to stupid to understand that the country will go on but the one man is going to die some day, we all do.
This type of politician needs to be voted out and true Americans need to be voted in.
5
Loyalty to trump is their only qualification.
How pathetic.
5
Here is Trump's plan for 2020. I wonder if his supporters will protest?
President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget proposal includes $25 billion in cuts to Social Security over the next 10 years.
He also plans to block grant Medicaid and make cuts to Medicare.
19
@Jacquie His followers will think it will only apply to other people not them.
1
@Blackcat66 They will find out when their SS checks are cut.
“a man of principles “ , he says. That means nothing. What, exactly, are those principles?
26
Fealty first, fealty second, fealty always.
5
@Patrick alexander Are you suggesting spineless boot licking isn't a principle?
2
I've grown very confused.
2 + 2
What's the line so far today?
Does 2 + 2 =3 or 5 or even 4?
-C
9
We are in serious trouble when our “representatives” pledge fealty to a wannabe dictator over the Constitution and country.
They must imagine that he will be grateful and reward them.
Good luck with that.
91
“I am the “Pied Piper trump” and have a secret charm for all the people who follow me”
And as I play my song of lies, false claims and personal attacks at my rally, I will happily lead my supporters into the deep waters of conspiracy theories, corruption and moral bankruptcy all for my own self interests.
trump knows what all conmen know, there’s a fool born every minute. And that for many Republicans, money and power are all that matter.
52
This is a long game for the Old Republican Party. They are here for now and forever. Most of the House and Senate Republicans are there to vote the Party Line- what is good for them.
What happened to:
”...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
18
You can have my "Bill Weld for President" sign when you pry it from my dead cold fingers.
This lifelong republican can't recognize the Grand Old Party any longer. Time to resurrect the Democratic-Republican party and embrace Thomas Jefferson's ideals
33
@B Dawson , you have to understand that it's the new republican party called the GOPP, Grand Old Party of Putin.
5
The transformation of the GOP from a political party into a cult is now complete under Trump.
There are no policy positions save for: Guns good, Abortion bad, support Trump no matter what.
85
Well, the gop is making it easy to identify their members fit for removal: They’re self-identifying as loyal to party and a reprehensible human being and disloyal to country. Vote Nov. 3. End our—and the founders’—nightmare.
41
All Americans used to be loyal to ideals - democracy, equality, justice.
Now, nearly a majority are loyal to a very flawed, very corrupt man.
Shame on the GOP.
40
Republicans are what is wrong with this country. They stand in opposition to everything this country is founded upon. We overthrew the King in 1776. Republicans have the guts to call themselves Americans. They're not even close.
51
Someday (soon, I hope), these people will be called to account for their blind loyalty to such an evil being. One's choice of heroes speaks volumes. djt & his minions--bad actors, one & all.
28
@Robin They might be called to account soon when they discover what Trump has in store for their Social Security in 2020 not to mention cuts to Medicare and block grants for Medicaid.
President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget proposal includes $25 billion in cuts to Social Security over the next 10 years.
Trump said the economy is doing great so there is no need for so much Social Security now, I hope his supporters agree.
5
@Jacquie - Wait. What? You hope they agree? Does that mean you're in favor of the cuts?
The Republican Party is dead. It is now nothing more than the cult of Trump.
50
@Dave
You are correct. They should drop the r and put a t behind there name. They are no longer republicans.
6
And people say the comparisons between Trump's Republican party and famously fascist parties of the past are overblown!
39
Since no other Republican will speak, lest they be the target of gutter-mouth tweets, then of course they have cornered themselves with their own pit bull.
As Machiavelli pointed out, once a domineering ruler is removed, the followers are quick to acquiesce because no one has been groomed for replacement.
15
Fitzpatrick was FBI supervisor Public Corruption Unit sent to Kyiv in 2015 to work w Ukrainian govt (NABU) on anticorruption issues. He knows 1st hand abt Shokin corruption, & more-- but says nothing about it, b/c would show Trump/Giuliani are lying. Fitzpatrick has seat on Foreign Affairs, & refused to attend 99% of SCIF testimony--called it a "zoo". Fitzpatrick is also co-chair of both Ukraine Caucus & new DiplomacyCaucus, but said nothing in support of Ambassador Yovanovitch. Fitzpatrick also was recipient of Igor Fruman campaign donations, and indirectly, Lev Parnas $$$, believed to be connected to Firtash. Fitzpatrick knows all this and says nothing. Trump knows he has ultimate loyalty from Brian Fitzpatrick, the kind that counts.
13
@JGC I am as well waiting for the shoe to drop on the Russian oligarch money that was sent to a Lev Parnas account.
I can only conclude that lack of further discussion on this relates directly to the likely fact that it is an ongoing subject of investigation.
Trump and his cronies are as dirty as the day is long in the summer solstice.
6
Is fealty to Donald Trump now the ONLY thing that matters to most or all Republicans?
Incredible, and troubling.
I honestly thought that Republicans would finally grow tired of Trump’s behavior, and find a more qualified candidate for 2020. Clearly I was mistaken.
126
@Karen Lee
Tired? the GOP has made it so Trump will run unopposed in many states in the primary Season. Free and fair elections seem to be an anathema in the GOP.
59
@GUANNA
"Free and fair elections seem to be an anathema in the GOP."
Free and fair elections are an anathema in any dictatorship.
33
@GUANNA Kinda like the rules the DNC laid out for the nomination from them.
The Republican party is dead and in its place is an organization where fealty to Trump is the only currency. No original thought, no questions, no beliefs, nothing else welcome.
165
@Scott If he wins the next victim is our country and our constitution. These are not normal times. The GOP has degenerated into a dangerous fifth column.
30
@Scott
All signs replicating events in Germany in the 1930s...
8
@Scott. This is America's "Germany 1933" moment. I hope we fare better than they did.
6
Brian Fitzpatrick has a bigger problem than Andy Meehan. PA-1 is now a blue district and the only Philadelphia "ring" county that didn't swing to Democrats in 2018. He's not likely to hang onto his seat in November, but he'd have a better chance than Meehan, who would get trounced at the polls. The last fire-breathing Trump acolyte who ran against Fitzpatrick in the 2018 GOP primary, Dean Malik, was quickly disposed of.
Bucks County is also seeing an influx of voters from New Jersey, driven out by Trump's and the GOP'S SALT cap. And many of them are Democrats, accelerating the shift from red to blue. Moderates carry the day in this district, not MAGA hats.
Ironically, Brian Fitzpatrick would probably improve his chances for re-election by voting against Trump for the rest of the year.
65
Thanks,
That’s exactly what I saw on a visit to Philly couple of months ago.
2
@hdtvpete Not if he didn't make it to the general election. If he doesn't support the base, he won't. But if he does, you are probably right. He will lose the general. It already happened to the Republicans in New York and Virginia, who were forced by their base to pretend they were in Alabama. It will probably happen to Republicans in Pennsylvania, and one day the gerrymandering will not be enough to prevent it happening to Republicans in North Carolina and Wisconsin.
4
@hdtvpete. I grew up in Bucks County and my extended family still lives there. I am certainly hoping that the redistricting leads to flipping it blue in 2020, but it's far from a given.
Every time I go back it seems more Republican to me, but maybe I've just lived in Manhattan too long to tell.
1