Repugs have figured out something very disturbing....there are no consequences for "bad actors".

[Ferrets are Cool]

Definition of Bad Actor: "A bad actor is a person or entity that acts in a dishonest, harmful, or illegal way. Bad actors may act unethically, break rules, or cause trouble. They often exploit vulnerabilities, deceive others, or disregard regulations."

They have learned that they can break the law, ignore the constitution and make up rules as they go along that fit whatever outcome they wish to achieve.

Democrats in power need to understand this and work towards a means to thwart it. Unfortunately, the system of "justice" in the current state of America does not lend itself to fixing this problem.

We are now living in a scary new world. One where laws and jurisdiction ONLY apply to Democrats. Honestly, I don't know how it can be changed.

[Self Esteem]

1. In a two-party state where the country is so evenly divided, this is the unfortunate reality.

We're essentially a 45/45/10 nation.

45% will vote Republican no matter what.
45% will vote Democratic no matter what.

Elections are decided by that middle 10%. Unfortunately, we're talking a very persuadable population.

Because the margins are so narrow, candidates who are extreme like Trump will still have a really fucking good chance at winning.

And all it takes is just enough to nudge that 10% and then they actually win.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. And they worst part is that this 10% isn't politically knowledgeable and doesn't care to be.

They are happy living with their collective heads in the sand.

[Self Esteem]

3. Yup. They're the ones who believe prices will magically come down on January 21st.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. and half don't vote.

[calimary]

20. This!!!

[Evolve Dammit]

22. I will never understand that. It is one thing we have had (the vote) and now that is in serious jeopardy. nt

[newdeal2]

4. Thwart it or embrace it?

I say the latter for the time being. Not for nefarious reasons but we cannot abide by the old rules anymore.

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. Maybe I wasn't clear. Thwart the bad actors.

[GoreWon2000]

6. They watched W get away with stealing the 2000 election

saw that there were no consequences for that and have been behaving badly ever since.

[yliza]

11. Not just Bush Jr.

also Regan, in particular, getting away with Iran-Contra. Then Bush senior pardoned all the minions like Ollie North etc. Nixon got his pardon but at least he was forced to resign, so not as bad, but him too.

[GoreWon2000]

14. 2000 election theft created tRump

by creating the roadmap for stealing a Presidential election and for creating the bad economic conditions that shafted the white, male working class.

[VBNMW]

16. 2000

Also exposed the opposition party has being toothless bystanders to crimes for the sake of unity with the criminals. Usually referred to as accessories after the fact.

[yliza]

18. True dat

I’m just saying that the decades of criming without accountability set up the conditions that allowed what happened in 2000.

[LisaM]

19. Don't forget Citizens United.

The propaganda factor is huge. My partner and I argue about this. He thinks it's easy for people to educate themselves on propaganda and resist it. I don't agree with him.

[calimary]

21. You're right here.

Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2025, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

FAR too many people either don’t care, don’t follow the news, or have some weird idea(s) about Democrats that reflect an agenda or ulterior motives and not reality.

[yellow dahlia]

27. You're right.

Sorry Lia's partner.

[GoreWon2000]

30. The throwing out of we the people's votes in 2000

by the Rehnquist 5 stopping the legal Florida vote count which disenfranchised voters in Florida as well as nationally is the pivotal event that put our country on this horrendous path from which I don't think it will ever recover. The other events that you list pale in comparison to the broad daylight killing of American democracy.. We the people did not vote for this disastrous path our country is now on.

[Rigpa108]

29. And start wars based on lies

Unfortunately the Dems fell right in line for that one, so they weren't about stir the pot.

[rurallib]

7. You are so right - Trump commits heinous crimes and gets rewarded for it

And if anyone in his party strays from the party line then they pay. But there is no penalty for doing real bad shit to the country.

[Botany]

8. The 14th Amendment section 3 lays it out in plain English that Trump should have never been allowed to run

Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

[Ferrets are Cool]

24. This x 1000

[Nasruddin]

9. The beatings will continue

It's likely that many of these low-lifes will continue to misbehave.
This is unfortunate for all of us, but eventually the people who were fooled will start demanding some accountability.

Well that's the dream anyway. The laws of nature sure don't apply to Trump himself.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

12. What happens if the left...

starts interpreting the Second Amendment the same way the right has?

[Evolve Dammit]

13. They have "co-opted" the rule of law and basic civility. Fuck 'em. Rallys, dash cams and concealed carry works both ways

Time to stand our ground too. And help each other and those that can't help themselves.

[choie]

15. How do Democrats NOT understand this?

If they do understand and continue their feckless, impotent response to this threat, they are a waste of space.

[SheltieLover]

17. Yup. Bullies must be met with very swift and powerful consequences, or else you end up with this...

[Jit423]

23. There are very real consequences. They only affect the innocent negatively but consequence for bad actors is greater

power and control and wealth. What we really want is ACCOUNTABILITY and RETRIBUTION. It has been my experience to learn that people will only take so much abuse and then they will fight back. I really do not know how much more people are willing to take. Perhaps when the right people feel the sting of this Trump administration they will take quiet but serious action.

[Ferrets are Cool]

25. I don't know. There are too many complacent people in America.

Until things get really hard on the "majority", no actions will be taken unless by a few outliers.

[Dee0909]

26. Sad but true

Very true. Now why doesn't the Democrats seem to understand it!

[keep_left]

28. Great minds think alike--several DUers have said this recently.

https://democraticunderground.com/100219887701#post14

...there are no longer any consequences for crime. And here I'm not talking about the acts of minor street thugs, I'm speaking of our highest leadership and authority figures. No matter what they are caught doing, the consequences for their actions seldom if ever arrive. The case of Nixon is an important one, but at least Nixon was eventually forced to resign. Later bad actors, like the "October Surprise", Iraqgate, and Iran-Contra conspirators (pretty much all the same people), were never disciplined for what were enormous crimes...

And so the crimes continue, which isn't too surprising since no one ever gets punished.