The Case of Al Franken by Jane Mayer

[JT45242]

50. Difference between Dems and Repubs

This is, perhaps, the best and saddest example of the difference between Dems and Repubs.

We devour our own over even the appearance of impropriety. (Or an opportunity for a different Democrat to make a name by destroying someone higher in the pecking order).

Repubs on the other hand -- may say "Never Trump" but will vote for him anyway. They won't jump to a third party candidate, which is really a vote for the other power party. A friend of mine asked on how Facebook how other Christians could possibly support Trump -- when he is the antithesis of everything they stand for.

"For what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (But this would fit not only for Christians and Jew, but also for any who believe in God: Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, First Nation). Trump is the opposite of justice, kindness, and humility.

One of her friends wrote: I struggle with this. But he gave us judges who are pro-life so I have to support him.

This is sad...but the reality. Rank and file Republicans will never devour their own UNLESS they commit the heresy of saying they are not pro-life. (You and I know they are only pro-fetus, because they do not care one iota about the child once it is born, but I digress).

The truly powerful Republicans, those with money and power, absolutely LOVE Trump, in addition to a trillion dollar tax give away, they have been given literally hundreds of millions of dollars in relief of regulations that might protect drinking water, air, dependence on oil, switching to Carbon neutral or Carbon friendly policies. That is all mony that fat cat donors know would never come from a Democrat. So, they will wring their hands about the overt racism and support their own economic interests. They would never devour a Republican unless he committed the heresy of saying that taxes on the rich and businesses must go up to actually address budget issues (ala HW Bush).

Finally, the last group... the racist Republicans who once hid in the shadows but are now out in the light of day thanks to Trump. They will always vote Republican because Democrats gave people they need to think are below them the Civil Rights act, the voting rights act, and affirmative action. They will never turn from the Republican party unless some republican committed the heresy of saying that people of color are as worthwhile as whites (which ironically is what drove this group to the Republicans in th efirst place when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act). There is no Republican who will be willing to do that as long as the Electoral college over-represents states that contain a lot of these people.

Whether you think that Dems destroyed Franken's career out of righteous indignation, the zeitgeist of that phase of the Metoo movement, or for political gain, it really does not matter. The thing to know is that Democrats destroyed one of the best and most prepared Senators who would have eaten alive lying, criminal scum like Kavanaugh, Barr, and the rest in hearings. The Repubs did not have to deal with his insightful dissection of their flaws. Rest assured, when another Repub high or rising official has a similar accusation, they will not devour their own --- unless they commit the only acts worthy of destruction: supporting the heresies of not being pro-life, not being help the rich with lower taxes, or saying that people of color are equal to whites. Then it is not about doing the right thing, it is about keeping the support of the three groups Repubs need to win : pro-life, wealthy and powerful, and Bubbas.