This is the first in a series that examines the faults and failings of Republican Party as is attempts to destroy Democracy as we currently know it by abandoning their Constitutional oaths and swearing fealty to the very person bent on causing its destruction.
Republicans are a party that thrives on always being in crisis mode. And when no crisis is apparent, they will create one. Even when a crisis is resolved, they find a way to start a new one. It appears they don’t understand that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.
Despite losing the White House, they followed the same playbook for the midterms. It cost them control of the Senate and now they have a slim majority in the House which requires them to cater to the lunatic fringe of the party. And what a collection of crazies it is. You have Lauren GED Boebert trying to challenge a law professor, George Santos releasing a video in ethics over the proposed censure of Adam Schiff for investigating Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene banging the gavel and demanding members show some decorum as the committee she was temporarily chairing ran amok.
In so many instances, Republicans have either caused or manufactured crisis after crisis in order to appeal to their base. Despite most having very little factual evidence to support them, they continue, rolling out the next fabrication after the previous one fizzles out, or the public moves on.
No matter the issue, they will create controversies where none existed before. Often, the result is getting egg on their faces, but this doesn’t stop them from making up a new set of baseless accusations.
They never seem to learn.
Dereliction of Duty
When the Founding Fathers adopted the Constitution, it was with a system of checks and balances so that no one branch of government would be more powerful than any other. So long as each branch upheld its constitutional duty, there would be no danger of blatant abuse of power.
Yet, Republicans have abandoned their constitutional obligations in favor of showing fealty to one person over the oath they took when they assumed their duties. Despite numerous opportunities to hold Donald Trump accountable, they chose to deny, defend and deflect instead of doing what they were elected to do.
Had Republicans done their duty and removed Trump from office following the “perfect phone call” where he attempted to extort the Ukrainian leader into providing him with dirt on his then potential 2020 opponent, Joe Biden, it would indeed have been an unprecedented move. No US president has been removed from office in such a manner, although Richard Nixon would almost definitely have been the first had he not resigned.
Instead, they gave him a pass. Although they agreed that Trump had committed offenses worthy of his removal, they determined that the voters should decide his ultimate fate. Wishy-washy Susan Collins even remarked that she thought that Trump had “learned his lesson” and would behave throughout the remainder of his term.
Boy, was she wrong!
Instead of feeling chastised, Trump felt emboldened. He used terms like completely exonerated and totally innocent to describe his first impeachment results.By not holding him accountable, it opened the door for him to commit even more unprecedented moves. It led to the horrific events of January 6th and even more alleged illegal activities.
Like the Biblical pharaoh of Egypt who refused the will of Moses, Republicans in Congress continued to allow Trump to run roughshod over presidential norms.
Speaking of the Good Book, some Republicans are going as far as suggesting we abandon the Constitution and adopt the Bible as the set of guiding principles that govern our nation. They want you to ignore the fact that faith-based governments, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan and the mullahs in Iran, are highly authoritarian and extremely intolerant of those who don’t adopt their beliefs.
This approach has been used to outlaw a woman’s right to choose and threatens to transform education as we currently know it. This is all despite the fact they took an oath on that very Bible to defend the Constitution.
Republicans used the controversial decision to overturn Roe v Wade to enact more restrictive abortion legislation. Many states instituted a 6-week ban, which is often before many women realize they are pregnant. Some even refused to include exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
This will certainly be a hot button issue in the upcoming elections, but it’s one of Republicans own making.
Next up in this series about how the GOP has caused its many crises: "Sex Sells"