I am writing this as I am trying to comprehend all that has come about in the impeachment actions to date. Even though the Democrats contend the phone call is a clear path to impeachment, the devil is in the details and there are many, many details.
I have opposed Donald Trump since the day he came down the escalator at Trump Tower announcing his candidacy to the cheers of hundreds. On that day, he ranted about Mexican immigrants being criminals and rapists, beginning his ongoing ego-driven, obsessive actions in an attempt to build a wall.
But his irrational behavior wasn’t the cause for my opposition to him. It was the fact that he hired out-of-work Broadway actors to cheer for him that day. He was a fraud.
But his irrational behavior wasn’t the cause for my opposition to him. It was the fact that he hired out-of-work Broadway actors to cheer for him that day. He was a fraud.
Over the time of the campaign, the many things he did as a businessman, especially stiffing tradespeople such as carpenters and electricians, offended me. The fact that he hired illegal immigrants at his resorts, made me think of him as a Hypocrite.
Yet there were enough people who supported him to elect him. I am sure that many of those votes were anti-Hillary compared to pro-Donald. But the emergence of so many Trump supporters, mostly angry white men, has created a climate of artificial division that has led to mob mentality and school shootings.
But I don’t understand the blind support of everything Trump. I think the words of one of my Facebook friends is probably the key to all this. He said he is disgusted with Trump’s personal faults. But he supports the executive actions he has taken.
I am sure that many of those votes were anti-Hillary compared to pro-Donald. But the emergence of so many Trump supporters, mostly angry white men, has created a climate of artificial division that has led to mob mentality and school shootings.
It is my belief that the real reason Trump decided to run was because of the way he was treated as the butt of jokes from President Obama and others as he had to quietly sit and take it at the White House Correspondents Dinner. He was humiliated, and I think the reason he has revoked so many Obama programs is because of this. And, of course, his “fake news” attacks on the press.
A major issue to me is Trump’s mental health. He is indeed right when he states he is under constant attack by the media and Democrats. But most of the attacks are the result of Trump’s own words and actions. He has always been a magnet for controversy decades before his presidency.
But what concerns me most is that Trump is especially sensitive to criticism. If people like you or I were subjected to these constant acts, we would become very defensive. But it could also lead to an incredible breakdown – and I believe that Trump’s recent actions and words have left us to inquire if he is a danger to himself or others? He has an ongoing history of diverting an existing problem by creating newer problems. In this case, it’s getting involved with the problems in Saudi Arabia. And that, clearly, makes him a danger to others.
There are many other issues I have with the president, but they are too many to list here and not really related to the issues of impeachment. But this is what I think, subject to change:
I have to consider if what the Democrats are doing is because of what is right, or a partisan power play. It is no doubt something of both.
- Many of Trump’s actions, especially using his properties for uses being paid for by the people of this country through their tax dollars, has created an ongoing series of constitutional issues. But the focus on the conversation with a foreign leader and the issues discussed are certainly cause for possible impeachment. But compared to his other actions, this is comparatively weak. But it is still a strong case which is more easy to follow.
- The Republican side is partisan almost in its entirity. It would take 20 GOP senators to change their minds for a removal from office to be possible. But it hasn’t ever happened. The Senate acquitted Andrew Johnson by a single, courageous vote and Bill Clinton was acquitted in a Republican-controlled Senate because there was no supermajority. Nixon, facing certain impeachment by the House, and conviction by the Senate, chose to resign. There is even a question about if McConnell would permit it to go to trial.
- I have to consider if what the Democrats are doing is because of what is right, or a partisan power play. It is no doubt something of both.
- There is a matter of timing. It would be the center of the Presidential election. And the people would become the real jury at the ballot box. If this were to happen, the political divisiveness would probably continue for another four years. This must be resolved before the Republican national convention. And that convention will be chaotic, especially since so many states have called off GOP primary elections.
So how could Trump resolve this?
Trump could choose to not stand for re-election “for the good of the country” much as Lyndon Johnson did. It would keep him in office until his term expires.
He could resign from office and have Pence pardon him for all crimes, as what happened with Ford and Nixon. The biggest problem with this is a number of state investigations could get him indicted for state crimes. He can be held for account by several crimes relating to his businesses and the women he bedded and bribed. If nothing else it would make his tax returns public.
He could instruct his cabinet to remove him from office as being mentally unfit. This could result in Trump being unable to assist in his own defense at state trials.
He could also resign and “retire” to one of his resorts in a nation that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.
Another issue is how much influence his family has on him. It is pretty certain that his wife does not want to be first lady. And there is the legal liability his daughter and son-in-law have.
The bottom line is still up to Trump and McConnell, and there is no way of knowing how they plan to deal with this mess of their own making.
As I said on a recent Facebook Post:
Hopefully, the impeachment process will not become a political circus.
Who am I kidding?
🤡 Way too many clowns! 🤡
