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Post by doctork on Jan 25, 2020 12:23:34 GMT -5
Trump tries to be a dictator, yes, but why do all the Republicans drool to endorse him, or else roll over and play dead? Many of them, perhaps most of them, do not want to turn our democracy into a dictatorship.
Historically most democracies do not last longer than 200 years, and when they die, they die from within rather than destruction by outside invaders. I do not want my children and grandchildren to live in a dictatorship (or be killed because of their skin color or religion), which is one reason I have been looking into how to obtain a second citizenship.
Last night on his show, Bill Maher suggested that we all enjoy our last year in "normal America." He thinks Trump will not leave office regardless of any election result, and that may be correct. I hope enough of our military remember their oath "to preserve and protect the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic." Personally I have sworn to that oath 3 different times of government service, and I take it seriously.
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Post by BoatBabe on Jan 25, 2020 12:31:07 GMT -5
That is very true, Jane; not even a King (which the framers of the Constitution had just escaped,) but a Dictator. I watch for that moment when "The Emperor Has No Clothes!" is more widely seen. I think it is actually happening. Kinda. Call me Pollyanna.
Watching the Presidents' Lawyers this morning on the Senate Impeachment Trial, it is clear that his words, actions, and aspirations are not able to be defended. The House Process is the culprit.
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Post by BoatBabe on Jan 25, 2020 12:33:40 GMT -5
HA!, Jinx, Doc!! Good post.
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Post by doctork on Jan 25, 2020 12:56:34 GMT -5
HA!, Jinx, Doc!! Good post. I appreciate your optimism. I always try to be Pollyanna-like, so I have not turned on the TV. I am packing up for check-out from the hotel. Next week is the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV so Jay and I will be meeting up there for some (a lot of) cowboy poetry all week. I am wearing my Arizona boots while there, to try to fit in. |
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Post by Jane on Jan 25, 2020 22:32:20 GMT -5
I have been so distraught about the political situation that I honestly don't know what I will do if he is reelected. It seems unbearable.
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Post by doctork on Jan 27, 2020 1:39:51 GMT -5
If you are not eligible for another citizenship through your heritage then you might investigate retiree visas leading to "green card" long-term permanent residence in Central or South America. Canada is more convenient but pricier unless you have a profession that they need more of, while the other retiree visas require only proof of modest income (in the range of $1200/month), no 6 or 7 figure "investment."
Alternatively,choose a protected location where there is no overexposure to news and strident "neocons" (though the President is NOT a conservative). Appalachia and the Isolated Kingdom Of Whatcom are possibilities.
You'll also have to stop reading the newspaper, watching TV/listening to the radio, and monitoring online feeds or websites. Then just quit caring about the future of your grandchildren, and all the littles you work with.
How about signing up with Make America Dinner Again? Many Republicans do not like Trump either, or their reasons for supporting him are beliefs that are very different from yours and are lacking in critical thinking skills, but they are not actually evil. You might be heartened to learn that some of them are normal people, potentially amenable to civil discussion and persuasion. It's hostility and "melodrama" that turn them off.
Turn out is a major issue, as fewer than one in five voters voted for Trump. You have always worked hard on that, so good on you - you can make a difference.
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Post by joew on Jan 30, 2020 19:07:50 GMT -5
He done it. They all know he done it. They all know it was wrong. They are trying to evade all that and avoid having to admit it. Letting John Bolton testify would make it much harder for them to do so.
When I was old enough to register to vote, I registered as a Republican, and I've never changed that registration. If so few Republican senators vote to call witnesses that none are called, I'll be at our town hall on Monday to change my registration to American Solidarity or, if that isn't available, independent. If they do call witnesses, I'll see if any GOP senators will convict Trump on the basis of the testimony, and decide what it means for me and the party.
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Post by doctork on Jan 31, 2020 0:36:02 GMT -5
Unfortunately, you are probably in a very small minority Joe. As a former Republican myself, with some friends who are still Republicans, some of who even support Trump on the current economic success of his administration, I just cannot comprehend how anyone can think he still did nothing wrong. Or even fit for office at all - I think he crossed the line before he even took office, with all the private inurement (emoluments now that he is President) not to mention all the things he has done since then.
In general, in medical school a student may complete the academic requirements successfully, but if they are lacking in moral character, they are not to be graduated and awarded the MD degree. Similarly, in residency and practice, immoral and unethical behavior will bring you up to stringent review by the state medical board, and if you do not have you license immediately and permanently pulled, you would be under strict supervision with regular reports to the board verifying your compliance with any restrictions.
I think many professions are similar. Yet the President's claim that he may do anything he wants, without any punishment, seems true.
Excess power concentrated in the Executive Branch has been building at least since the Reagan administration. Now that it has tipped so far, I am not sure it is recoverable. And since absolute power corrupts absolutely, I do not know if election of a Democrat will make a difference.
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Post by slb2 on Jan 31, 2020 2:51:56 GMT -5
Very true words, DocK.
The legislating by executive order is bogus. The House and Senate are the proper places to legislate. :/
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Post by joew on Feb 3, 2020 22:14:10 GMT -5
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Dopey Member
