The major goal of this week's impeachment trial 'is not to convict Trump of inciting insurrection'

[Poiuyt]

by Robert Reich

The crux of the problem is Americans now occupy two separate worlds – a fact-based pro-democracy world and a Trump-based authoritarian one.

Trump spent the last four years seducing voters into his world, turning the GOP from a political party into a grotesque projection of his pathological narcissism.

Regardless of whether he is convicted, America must now deal with the monstrous predicament he left behind: One of the nation's two major political parties has abandoned reality and democracy.

What to do? Four things.

[to summarize]

1. Prevent Trump from running for president in 2024. The mere possibility energizes his followers. Use the 14th amendment.

2. Give Republicans and independents every incentive to abandon the Trump cult. Jobs programs, etc.

3. Disempower the giant media empires that amplified Trump's lies for four years – Facebook, Twitter, and Rupert Murdoch's Fox News and its imitators.

4. Safeguard the democratic form of government. This requires barring corporations and the very wealthy from buying off politicians, ending so-called "dark money" political groups that don't disclose their donors, defending the right to vote, and ensuring more citizens are heard, not fewer.

-snip-

The major goal is not to convict Trump of inciting insurrection. It is to move a vast swath of America back into a fact-based pro-democracy society and away from the Trump-based authoritarian one.

https://www.rawstory.com/impeachment-trial/

[fierywoman]

1. Un-do Citizens United.

[musclecar6]

2. I agree

All good ideas to stop that despicable national disgrace.

[Maru Kitteh]

3. One can dream. We need a national deprogramming.

The Quidiot inmates are running the asylum.

[Hoyt]

4. I'd bet money that not one remaining trump supporter will change their

opinion during the trial.

The goals are admirable, but that trial ain’t going to make a difference.

I do agree with House impeaching the POS so that he could be quickly removed if necessary. The trial needs to proceed at this point, but it’s not going to accomplish anything and trump won’t be punished.

[Progressive Jones]

9. The GOP won't convict. I'm looking for bombshells, possibly, as a consolation prize.

I wonder what will come out in this trial. Somebody could get hurt. Hopefully on the GOP side.

[Hoyt]

11. That would be nice. But if someone finds that bombshell, they could just as easily

report it to media.

There is no choice at this point but to go after him aggressively next week. I’m just not going to get upset if it’s a dud. But we’ll hope.

[Laelth]

5. Hear! Hear!

I would especially like to hear more about new jobs programs.



-Laelth

[essaynnc]

6. Just a question.....

Let's assume we democrats wise up and realize what we have to do.

So we axe the filibuster, and pass decent, reasonable legislation to stop all 4 of these atrocities. Some years from now, hopefully many, many years from. now, when the repubs take over a part or all of the levers of political power, what keeps them from just reversing all the good that we've done??? I guess it'll be a while before they'd win the house AND the senate AND the presidency.

Comments?

Forgive me for being so defeatist, not in a great mood tonight...

[Poiuyt]

7. I've kind of assumed that Trumpism is a fad

There will always be racism, but I think the desire for an authoritarian fascist will fade away. Let's hope the next time Republicans are in total control, they are just regular conservatives.

[Progressive Jones]

10. Nothing can stop them, but I think that after time,

people will realize the good that's been done. Then it has to remain.

[Blue Owl]

8. K&R for exposure

[Baclava]

12. Ummm, yes it is, convict him! Then a war crimes trial in the Hague! Arrest, Nuremberg trial, jail!

[Poiuyt]

13. I wonder if we could rebuild Spandau Prison?

He could be the only prisoner there, like Rudolf Hess.