The Kenyanesian Usurpation encompasses MANY scandals, but it was all avoidable if the Constitution had been upheld.
BOTH parties colluded to violate the Constitution.
I tend to agree—although I guess I'm not 100% on my conviction that there was literal collusion by both parties. One of the parties—the GOP, of course—may have just been too cowardly to act, or too unsure, or convinced that it would have been futile to oppose.
In any event, that crime can't be prosecuted until a lot of other ones are exposed and prosecuted first. It might very well be that an incremental process could actually take us to that point, but some (such as the President, even)—in order to spare the nation something like a civil war, perhaps—may decide to go ahead and let the issue die, as far as getting a formal conviction. Either way, it will ultimately be a cautionary tale.
I think we're headed for major unrest, as one group of people—who have their hearts and minds invested in a worldview which is simply not compatible with objective reality—come to that realization, and refuse to accept the consequences of their delusions.
In contrast, if these criminals aren't held accountable—because of the cost that would be incurred as far as unrest, as "inconvenient truths" are exposed in all their ugliness—then the sh-t is really going to hit the fan—because it must, if we're going to preserve the Republic and uphold the Constitution.
Only one of these two mutually incompatible versions of reality will survive this period of American history, and the losing side will not go quietly. I think I see the trend, and I'm encouraged by it, but I'm not 100% convinced that Justice will prevail. And if it doesn't, the America we once knew will have ceased to exist.
As for those of you who seek anything resembling instant gratification, prepare to be disappointed. You'd better fasten your seatbelts, because this is going to be the longest, most excruciatingly painful political process in our entire history. The only question that remains is how costly it will be. I fear that for Justice to prevail, the cost in Blood and Treasure will be exceedingly high.
I close with these words from Thomas Paine in The American Crisis—an apropos label for these times:
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
>> It might very well be that an incremental process could actually take us to that point, but some (such as the President, even)—in order to spare the nation something like a civil war, perhaps—may decide to go ahead and let the issue die, as far as getting a formal conviction.
If this were merely politics and “dirty tricks” I would be content to let the issue die. If this were merely an issue of personal revenge (Trump vs. Hillary or something similar) I would be willing to let the issue die.
But IMO this goes far beyond either of those situations. We are looking at corruption that makes “banana republics” look like paragons of law and order.
When the system is so fundamentally broken that there are laws for “the little people” but essentially no laws to restrain “the elite”, I see limited options for the future:
1. It will be addressed and fixed properly through the legal system, with the guilty parties held accountable. This means serious jail time. This could involve riots and bloodshed by those disconnected from reality. We have seen this on a small scale at events like Ferguson, Rodney King, Trump inauguration, Charlottesville, and similar. I do not expect this to be widespread because in many of these cases the rioters were either paid or incited or both. Also to consider, if the true perps are arrested and prosecuted, that could either reduce the rioting since their funds and connections (hopefully) would be cut off, or it could make them worse since the perps now have nothing left to lose.
2. The people will have become sheep and take whatever the government dishes out. (The mode we’ve been in for a long time, primarily because “the elite” have been successful at hiding the truth, and spinning whenever a glimmer of it leaked out.)
3. There will be a bloody revolution to overthrow a corrupt government and take back the country or establish a new country.
Obviously, I’d prefer #1. I think #2 is least likely. Why? Because it’s a simmering pot that is every day closer to boiling over, because normals are far more aware despite the propaganda they are fed daily. If it comes down to #3, the normals will win. They are the ones with the weapons and the will. Those who are corrupt fall into two categories: the people who are waited on hand and foot and can’t do anything for themselves and their constituents, the takers, who are lazy and won’t do anything for themselves.
Our best weapon: Truth.
>> I think we’re headed for major unrest, as one group of people—who have their hearts and minds invested in a worldview which is simply not compatible with objective reality—come to that realization, and refuse to accept the consequences of their delusions.
one more point...
I’m convinced there is dirt on both sides of the aisle. If Trump administration prosecutes ALL guilty parties, including those on the right, that might *MIGHT* temper some of the reaction. It makes it much harder for them to portray it as a political witch hunt. He needs to prosecute “allies” as well as “enemies”. Guilt is guilt and knows no political boundaries.
/// and yet another point ...
>> In contrast, if these criminals aren’t held accountable—because of the cost that would be incurred as far as unrest
The cost of NOT holding them accountable is ultimately far greater.