I think a lot of comments are missing the obvious. The right spent so much time and energy convincing everybody that everybody else was corrupt that their base and the ingrained whataboutism mindset makes it okay. And on the left we’re afraid to follow their lead and do what they did, openly accuse and do the performative endless investigations that the right engaged in for so long. Instead, the left stands by and allows it to happen because they know they don’t have the votes to do anything substantial. Even with the mountains of evidence of corruption, the left knows the right will fall in line and never impeach or hold anyone accountable.
Its because he isn’t held accountable
As corrosive as the corruption is the impunity with which the corruption is committed. Impunity – the expectation of unaccountability – is not only a stance. It is a tactic. It breeds cynicism, and popular cynicism is a necessary ingredient of autocracy and kleptocracy.
The autocrat does not just flout the law; he renders it so fungible that as social or moral framework, it becomes meaningless. There is no use trying to stay on the right side of the law when you don’t know from day to day which side is right.
The autocrat does not just defy the popular will; he dismisses it. Trump’s impunity once rested on confidence of his unconditional adoration: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters,” he crowed during the first campaign. Ten years later, as his policies repel voters from his party, he is discovering that he needs neither party nor votes nor love to exercise power, and power is more gratifying, and remunerative, than any of these.
I guess I’m happy some media is talking about this. When they no longer can stop you, then exercise corruption openly to show everyone the opposition’s helplessness, or to counterintuitively kindle anger against that opposition which appears feckless and powerless.
It’s the reason Putin poisons people in ways obviously traceable to Russia.
It also directly contributes to hypernormalization, since the autocrat will then deny - with obvious lies - the truth of that corruption, which further exhausts the populace who eventually gets tired of trying to keep track of what is true and what is a lie, thereby handing more power to the autocrat to shape reality.
Trump, of course, is speedrunning every step of this.
Make no mistake, though, he desperately does seek adoration. Part of being a narcissist.
He could rape kids on national tv while doing coke and shooting immigrants, AT LEAST 40% of americans would support him.
He’s confident he will be able to successfully coup the government and become president for life.
Unfortunately, the Dems are so limp dicked about it that he might be right.
We need to rise up and take this fucker down.
Removed by mod
I remember when trolls used to try— there was an art to it. This is just sad.
How them boots taste? Fuckin inbred
It’s too late for you buddy, your ass is already corrupted and it has spread to your brain. Assbrain, although not usually fatal, makes you appear dumb as fuck to all around you.
Thoughts and prayers…
His best corruption was in his previous administration and it was never addressed:
He routed military personnel out of their way in order to funnel money into his failing golf property in Scotland.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/06/air-force-trump-scottish-retreat-1484337
https://abcnews.com/Politics/pentagon-spent-184000-trump-turnberry-resort-scotland/story?id=65701897
