Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

malaise

(269,004 posts)
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 06:15 AM Dec 2018

Washington Post Op-Ed by 44 former Senators

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-are-former-senators-the-senate-has-long-stood-in-defense-of-democracy--and-must-again/2018/12/10/3adfbdea-fca1-11e8-ad40-cdfd0e0dd65a_story.html?utm_term=.0fc7e4d1f17f




Dear Senate colleagues,

As former members of the U.S. Senate, Democrats and Republicans, it is our shared view that we are entering a dangerous period, and we feel an obligation to speak up about serious challenges to the rule of law, the Constitution, our governing institutions and our national security.

We are on the eve of the conclusion of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation and the House’s commencement of investigations of the president and his administration. The likely convergence of these two events will occur at a time when simmering regional conflicts and global power confrontations continue to threaten our security, economy and geopolitical stability.

It is a time, like other critical junctures in our history, when our nation must engage at every level with strategic precision and the hand of both the president and the Senate.


We are at an inflection point in which the foundational principles of our democracy and our national security interests are at stake, and the rule of law and the ability of our institutions to function freely and independently must be upheld.

During our service in the Senate, at times we were allies and at other times opponents, but never enemies. We all took an oath swearing allegiance to the Constitution. Whatever united or divided us, we did not veer from our unwavering and shared commitment to placing our country, democracy and national interest above all else.

At other critical moments in our history, when constitutional crises have threatened our foundations, it has been the Senate that has stood in defense of our democracy. Today is once again such a time.

---------------
It's over Don the Con
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Washington Post Op-Ed by 44 former Senators (Original Post) malaise Dec 2018 OP
And how many of those are lobbyists now? eom LittleGirl Dec 2018 #1
An excellent question Sherman A1 Dec 2018 #2
It'll be interesting to see how McTurtle responds to it KelleyKramer Dec 2018 #3
He will not respond and is as compromised as Trump. gordianot Dec 2018 #4
I get that, but he is still going to be forced to respond publicly KelleyKramer Dec 2018 #8
Not to worry Trump supporters, watoos Dec 2018 #5
When capitalism destroys democracy Farmer-Rick Dec 2018 #6
Stunning to see how, since last Friday, the "I" word calimary Dec 2018 #7
Well we've been raising it for two years malaise Dec 2018 #10
About time, 'eh? They SHOULD be catching up to us! calimary Dec 2018 #11
One more reminder matt819 Dec 2018 #9

KelleyKramer

(8,969 posts)
3. It'll be interesting to see how McTurtle responds to it
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 07:13 AM
Dec 2018

This is going to put some real pressure on. The Senate is a very 'clubby' group, much more so than the House


gordianot

(15,238 posts)
4. He will not respond and is as compromised as Trump.
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 08:15 AM
Dec 2018

Foreign and dark laundered money spends as well as domestic money from Wall Street and small donors.

KelleyKramer

(8,969 posts)
8. I get that, but he is still going to be forced to respond publicly
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 09:02 AM
Dec 2018


Mitch is in on the Russia treason up to his third chin, I agree with you there

The Senate is a clubby group, and he can't just wave off 44 senators

He will never do the right thing.. I just want to see him squirm

 

watoos

(7,142 posts)
5. Not to worry Trump supporters,
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 08:26 AM
Dec 2018

CNN just came out with a ridiculous poll claiming that only 50% of Americans feel that the Mueller investigation will implicate Trump in "wrongdoing." They even used the word wrongdoing instead of crimes or treason. It's like, Trump did something wrong like when I pulled the girls pigtails sitting in front of me in 1st grade.

Isn't propaganda grand? This is why Democrats have a hard time pushing any agenda, they have to fight against the M$M.

You know what the right wing narrative was last night on all of cable news? Pay attention people. It was that Democrats have to wait to even bring up the idea of impeachment, it may be politically damaging to them. Are you frigging serious? I will say that I did see a clip of Auntie Maxine truth telling and pushing for impeachment, but that was it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying impeach on day 1, we should wait for more Russian collusion to be revealed by Mueller but yes dammit we need to keep pushing the narrative that Trump deserves to be impeached, it shouldn't even be a question if, only when. Our president is a threat to our nation's national security and that is one of the narratives that should be out there.

Farmer-Rick

(10,175 posts)
6. When capitalism destroys democracy
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 08:54 AM
Dec 2018

Those in power call it everything but what it is. A constitutional crisis, an infiltration of politics by a hostile foreign power, too much influence of money in politics, bribery.....call it what you want.

Carl Marx predicted Trump and the failure of government.

calimary

(81,272 posts)
7. Stunning to see how, since last Friday, the "I" word
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 09:00 AM
Dec 2018

has been openly spoken - all over the place. It’s definitely A Thing now. Realistically. That’s a rather remarkable change.

calimary

(81,272 posts)
11. About time, 'eh? They SHOULD be catching up to us!
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 04:02 PM
Dec 2018

I’m glad to see it. I’m glad to see the “I-word” coming up again and again. Two years ago, nobody dared. Now it’s commonplace! The subject is coming up, on-camera and in print, frequently! No longer shied away from except by us “kooks” on “the far left.” Now EVERYBODY’s bringing it up! It’s something actually realistic to talk about. It’s become normalized.

That, in and of itself, is a victory.

And if they’re saying it, what that usually means is - A LOT MORE people are thinking it.

matt819

(10,749 posts)
9. One more reminder
Tue Dec 11, 2018, 09:34 AM
Dec 2018

Someone pointed out in another thread that of these 44 former senators, only 9 were republicans. That pretty much tells me everything I need to know. Also, how many former senators chose not to include their names on this letter?

So, an interesting, and maybe even welcome, gesture, but I would suggest it needs some more context.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Washington Post Op-Ed by...