Calling For Unity Is Not Enough

So, Trump has been impeached again. With some Republican support this time, but not much.   

10 Representatives voted to impeach, leaving close to 200 Republicans opposing.   Some preferring “censure,” whatever the hell that means.  

Yelling “bad dog” after it peed on the rug?   

Republicans claim that Democrats pursuing impeachment now is “divisive.”  

We need “unity!”  We need to “come together” and “heal.”   

Maybe I’m naïve, but I wouldn’t think that standing up for the rule of law and defending the nation from violent right-wing insurgents would be particularly divisive, would you?   

Where’s the pro and con in that?

You’d think that standing up for shared values would and should inspire all the unity you need.   

But it doesn’t with today’s Republicans.   Their cry for healing and unity is another ruse.   

The only thing they can get behind is political power in Republican hands.   And they are willing to destroy the country.  Blow it up bit by bit.   They’ll rule over the rubble.    Fine with them.      

So yes, as long as these Republicans exist, everything short of capitulating to their demand for a pass on accountability is going to be divisive.   

But turning a blind eye to Republican / Trump traitorous lawlessness is a guarantee that all of it will happen again.   

And again.

And again…until these Republicans prevail and there is truly nothing left but rubble.

So, the rest of us must go into the post-Trump era with eyes wide open.   There will be division.   As sure as the sun rises in the east.  Get over it.   

Because unity requires shared values (rule of law and equality under the law for instance), and a dialogue partner who is acting in good faith.   And the majority of Republicans do not share those values.  

Hell, an increasing number of Republicans don’t even share the same reality.  They live in their own reality.   From alternative facts, climate hoaxes and Q conspiracies…

The majority of today’s Republicans are not in the least interested in any notion of “common good.”  They are bad faith actors.

And Democrats need to double-down on their convictions and act on their values, call our higher angels to the table, which must include leaving the door open for good faith partners to join them.   

And there will be some.  Thank God for that.  There is the Lincoln Project Republicans.   Mitt Romney. Michael Steele.  Steve Schmidt.  Even Liz Chaney (who saw that coming?  Not me.) 

I’ll take the rays of hope where I find them.

They should be welcomed and heard respectfully.   They have important contributions to make.    

But thinking there is a way around divisiveness with Republicans today is a destructive illusion.   Give it up now.  And for God’s sake, let’s get to work.