I have lived and breathed our political crises since the 1960's. Always as a well-informed but helpless bystander. I wanted to vandalize the prolific bumper stickers of Vietnam - America Love it or Leave It, redacting the 'or Leave It' part. I was immersed in the Watergate investigation from the time of the break in. I moved to Elmwood and got cable for the first time two weeks before the Drudge Report accusation in 1998. C-span was my most watched channel. Now is the third crisis of our Constitution. In the Nixon impeachment most people didn't believe the President knew of, directed, acquired pay off money, swore, or lied. As it became obvious Nixon was directly involved in illegal acts, that he intentionally subverted the checks and balances of our nation, was a bigot, swore, and lied, the majority were appalled shaken in disbelief. The truth of Watergate moved people even the most conservative of Republicans to demand impeachment.
The revelation of Clinton and Lewinsky came after a long-dogged investigation when accusations of murder, theft, and fraud had come back with paltry results. A few people were disbelieving of the revelations, but even Clinton supporters were, 'yes, I could believe it.' The process became scandalous and titillating, as it was manna for our hungry 24-hour news cycle. The majority of people felt embarrassed. It was more a personal affront than a high crime and misdemeanor. Many wanted censure. Impeachment seemed like revenge for the right wing, not a remedy.
Now we are here again. I am once again informed to the gills with the facts, politics, ins and outs. I am in an equally powerless position to affect the outcome. Yes, I can write the occasional letter to the editor, call my Congressman, or go stand in the cold in protest. Essentially appropriate and important responses, but not powerful ones. I doubt any Trumper all bristled up like an angry squirrel has read to this point. But if a Trump supporter is reading, let me lay out the differences in this impeachment crisis.
The actions of the Republican Party are designed to obscure and hide the facts. As long as enough of the base believes the rhetoric and ignores the actual events, maybe power can be retained. This seems the highest and only goal of today's Republican Party. It is very different from the 1960's. Another difference is a propaganda media on the right. People who watch Fox News, listen to right wing radio, head to right wing web sites believe in an alternative reality. A reality that is provably false. The cult doesn't care and will chose false over truth. Trump is a liar, a bigot, swears, demeans, cheats, defrauds, and is an adulterer. He is narcissistic and vile in his motivation; this is not a statement of a Trump hater. It is observable fact to anyone not deluding themselves.
I have long ago stopped looking for heroes. There are no perfect men or women in politics. Many Spiritual leaders have disappointed me, as well. I am a pragmatist. I do not hate; I simply avoid people like Trump. Trump however is President of the United States, it used to mean something. Trump may even be more openly transparent and less of a weasel than Pence, but Trump is a danger to the nation. I appeal to the 10% of Independents and thoughtful Republicans who do not support conviction and removal in the Senate. Now is the time to speak up. Dump a bucket of ice water on your head, then take a fresh look at where we are and how we got here. The vast majority of Americans, those in the small Blue boxes on the Red and Blue map, are helpless observers. The poll numbers of support from Trump voters must threaten the political chances of the GOP. If another 10 to 20 percent support removal it will happen. Many of the GOP friendly have left Trump. These are the Never Trumpers or the human scum as the Donald calls them. Yet many dismayed with Trump are still supporting and against removal. Yes, I call on you the still rational Republican voter and supporter, please speak up. You are the only ones among us who can save America. Stop hiding behind the skirts of the flag and be a patriot. Seek the truth, learn the truth, and then speak the truth. I know it is hard, but as Jiminy Cricket might say listen to the still small voice of right.
One county in Southern California has a population equal to Wyoming, Nebraska, South and North Dakota, Montana and Idaho keep that in mind as you read Trump's tweet of the Red Blue map. You may live among a land of Trump supporters, but the vast majority of Americans do not support Trump. We in that majority have no power in this process. We are the helpless bystanders. It is you the narrow margin of Republicans and Independents who are not in the Trump cult who have the power to save your country.
We once had presidents who asked us what we could do for our country. Who called us a city on a hill, who warned us of the bear in woods. Putin defended and praised Trump today. Please awake, ask what if it was Clinton, Obama, or Nixon? Our founding fathers are watching, our grandchildren are beseeching you, come to Uncle Sam’s aid one more time.