This vulgar man has squandered our decency

[Zorro]

“Character is the only secure foundation of the state.”
— President Calvin Coolidge, addressing the National Republican Club in New York, 1924.

“It was all bullshit.”
— President Trump, addressing Republicans in the White House and a national television audience on Thursday after his acquittal.

From the birth of the Republic — indeed, from the birth of Athenian democracy — it has been an article of faith that self-governance cannot survive without leaders of character.

“Not much probity is needed for maintaining or sustaining a monarchical government or a despotic government,” wrote the Baron de Montesquieu, whose philosophy inspired the Framers. “But in a popular state, one more recourse is necessary, which is virtue.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/07/this-vulgar-man-has-squandered-our-decency/

[Baked Potato]

1. Squandered our decency, yes... and also squandered our precious time.

But, our decency will rebound tenfold. Trump, in order to sell his wares, has spent his entire life trying to convince good, decent folks that they are really just like him. He loves company in his ship of disgust.

Good post. Decency. This is how we beat him back into the sludge bucket he came from.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. If we (collectively!) had any decency he'd never have gotten close to the WH

Too many of us took the 'mature' approach of doing nothing and assuming some sort of karma would swoop in and save us.

The enemy has been working away at this -- within our borders -- since Reagan/Bush fucked over the hostages in Iran.

[Karadeniz]

3. Thank you...I always appreciate good quotes!❤