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Words & Phrases We Can Do Without (I am concerned) -- Jennifer Rubin
https://contrarian.substack.com/p/words-and-phrases-we-can-do-without-f5cI am concerned about Republicans. I am concerned they think voicing concern about Donald Trump’s radical, unconstitutional moves and his wildly unfit nominees is the sum total of their job description. Perhaps most of all, I am concerned that legacy and billionaire media takes MAGA protestations of concern seriously.
“I'm very concerned about the impact on the state of Maine, on everything from our national parks to biomedical research,” mused Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in February in the wake of unilateral cuts the Musk-Trump presidency announced. She might have been more concerned that, earlier that month, she gave her support to the horrendously unqualified, Putin apologist Tulsi Gabbard, despite additional “concerns” about Gabbard’s record. She was “concerned” again in March when Donald Trump tried to slash funding for her state’s universities. In April, she told reporters:
When it comes to concern, no one beats Susan Collins.
Nevertheless, “concern” is everywhere on the MAGA side these days. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor, was “concerned” about RFK’s quackery and anti-vax blather, before he voted to confirm him. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) raised “concerns” over tariffs, and just last week expressed “concerns” about Ed Martin’s nomination for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. (He has not done anything about tariffs; we will wait to see if he capitulates, as he did with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s nomination.)
. . . (A litany of republicon concerns follows)
When Republicans use the word, we should imagine a thought bubble, which states the truth: “I’m concerned someone is going to ask that I do something about Trump’s dangerous, dictatorial moves but all I want to do is hide from scrutiny, be a big kahuna at the country club, do nothing for my constituents, and keep my job for life.”
“I'm very concerned about the impact on the state of Maine, on everything from our national parks to biomedical research,” mused Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in February in the wake of unilateral cuts the Musk-Trump presidency announced. She might have been more concerned that, earlier that month, she gave her support to the horrendously unqualified, Putin apologist Tulsi Gabbard, despite additional “concerns” about Gabbard’s record. She was “concerned” again in March when Donald Trump tried to slash funding for her state’s universities. In April, she told reporters:
“I’m concerned about the instruction to the House Committee for $880 billion, it’s the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House, which has jurisdiction over Medicaid, because I don’t see how you can get to that amount without cutting Medicaid benefits.”
When it comes to concern, no one beats Susan Collins.
Nevertheless, “concern” is everywhere on the MAGA side these days. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor, was “concerned” about RFK’s quackery and anti-vax blather, before he voted to confirm him. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) raised “concerns” over tariffs, and just last week expressed “concerns” about Ed Martin’s nomination for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. (He has not done anything about tariffs; we will wait to see if he capitulates, as he did with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s nomination.)
. . . (A litany of republicon concerns follows)
When Republicans use the word, we should imagine a thought bubble, which states the truth: “I’m concerned someone is going to ask that I do something about Trump’s dangerous, dictatorial moves but all I want to do is hide from scrutiny, be a big kahuna at the country club, do nothing for my constituents, and keep my job for life.”
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