Democracy

The most serious abuses of power that the "Founders and Framers" could imagine were to receive a title (which always had a monetary and political value), or for there to be even a hint that money was exchanged for influence.

It's not even about, "winning," with Trump and his followers now; it's about cheating and getting away with it.

Erdogan has been working for several years, and through several very involved constitutional steps, to develop an, "Executive Presidency." That is exactly what Trump is after.

If the Justice Department and the F.B.I. escape their duty and allow the President to exist completely above the law, and with unlimited power, then they are no longer law enforcers; and since they act directly on the President's authority, they are reduced to a criminal syndicate.

"It's not like people think," the boxer knows, "it ain't about knocking guys through the ropes, or fighting dirty. It's about getting hit; taking a hard hit that jars your senses a little, and standing back up again. It's about throwing a punch he'd never expect when you don't have the strength to raise your arm. It's about you maybe getting hit three times for every one that you land, but making him pay."

The Republican Party has been funneling money from foreign anti-Democratic regimes and "investors" into the nation's political processes for decades. The money is, and has been, used to buy "absolute power" domestically for the Republican Party; and influence and control in American politics for enemies of democracy.

This wasn't the straw that broke the camel's back, it was a two ton girder of betrayal and abuse of power that squashed the camel flat. The American people, were so outraged that Trump's continued freedom to destroy our democracy unfettered and the status quo that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tried to sustain to avoid impeachment, were no longer acceptable.

I took formal civics instruction in 7th Grade and as a Junior in High School in preparation for a graduation requirement: the Citizens' Civic Exam. Nearly everyone in the country did in the early 60's. These tests became common...

This issue isn't just about whether anyone can prosecute criminal behavior by a President while in office, it's about Trump using the Office of the President to help himself politically in what may constitute dereliction of duty and treason.

The lesson from 2016 should be, nominate someone who is inspiring to voters and brings with them too little baggage to be buried under. The media types who are Republicans and lean to the center/right or right, are more preoccupied with filling the Dem nomination slot with someone reflecting their more conservative, establishment sensibilities. That is very different from picking the candidate most likely to beat Trump and best bring change to the country.