Sometimes my feelings about Republicans and the manner and sincerity with which they dispense their Constitutional duties or duties as citizens of this country are best represented by an Abbott and Costello sketch. This story takes me there.
When running for the Presidential Elector Nominee some six months ago, I had no idea the conflict that would ensue both from without and within. To say that it has been an “educating experience” would be an understatement.
Most of us here are used to typical Republican discourse, much of which amounts to “the sky is actually yellow, dontcha know?”, “the earth is flat”, “up is actually down”, “the Hamilton Theatre in Hamilton, Canada are meanypants because they dared to speak out against hate, durrrrr, oops, I mean Hamilton the Musical, of course” “tax-breaks for the rich help the poor.” Etc. Etc. Etc.
This takes the Republican Derangement Syndrome to a grotesque and new low. In a blog post, a Texas Republican Elector writes that he will resign rather than vote “Skittles for dinner.” His resignation will allow the remaining electors to find a replacement who can vote Skittles for dinner. Yes, he actually equated the President-elect to having “Skittles for dinner.”
“The people will get their vote. They will get their Skittles for dinner. I will sleep well at night knowing I neither gave in to their demands nor caved to my convictions”
You will “sleep well at night?”
Words fail me that a person who is in a position to stop the madness. Who knows it is madness. He feels the pangs of humanity pulling at his soul and conscience and is in a position to act.
By exercising his conscience and position as an Elector, he can stop the hate-mongering and dog-whistles that will be Tweeted out from the twit in the highest office in the land, and that will result in people being murdered, kids being maimed and teased, their lives forever changed because a narcissist wanted to advertise his brand.
He could stop the monetization of the Office of the Presidency and he is in a most unique position to stop the “loss of our Republic,” a phrase that this Elector even finishes his screed with, by petitioning his peers, the other electors, some of whom likely feel similar, to act, as Alexander Hamilton wrote regarding Electors with “discernment requisite to such complicated investigations.”
I guess conscience — or even the loss of our Republic for that matter — doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing to everybody. Complicated investigations will remain obscured.
I believe to resign is to honor the intent of the pledge as it relates to the people of my district. Since I can’t in good conscience vote for Donald Trump, and yet have sinfully made a pledge that I would, the best option I see at this time is to resign my position as an Elector. This will allow the remaining body of Electors to fill my vacancy when they convene on Dec 19 with someone that can vote for Trump.
At least Abbott and Costello was sorta funny. This whole thing is just pathetic and sad.
Costello: All I'm trying to find out is what's the guy's name on first base.
Abbott: No. What is on second base.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first.
Costello: One base at a time!
Abbott: Well, don't change the players around.
Costello: I'm not changing nobody!
Abbott: Take it easy, buddy.
Costello: I'm only asking you, who's the guy on first base?
Abbott: That's right.
Costello: Ok.
Abbott: All right.