CONTROL...NOT IMPEACHMENT

Misanthropic Boomer

On January 3, 2019 the 116^th Congress shall meet for the very first time. Due to the results of the 2018 mid-term elections there will be a changing of the guard in the House of Representatives: the Democrats will hold sway in the House after taking forty seats away from their adversaries from across the aisle. The Senate will remain in Republican control, under the leadership of Mitch McConnell. The Republicans seem more determined than ever to hunker down and protect the President, while, as everyone is aware, the Democrats will be out for blood. They have been beaten up pretty badly in the House since the 2010 mid-terms when the Republicans gained control of the House and were determined to prevent President Obama from having a successful second term. Democrats lost control of the Senate when Mitch McConnell became Majority leader in 2015 following Democrats losses in the 2014 mid-terms. This promises to be very interesting political Kabuki Theater over the next two years. However, perhaps that element should be left to smaller minds with fewer parameters controlling their moral code.

As the Trump Presidency seems to flounder, and the likelihood of more and harsher criminal activities being uncovered by Robert Mueller and his team seem inevitable, there is an abundance of impeachment talk going around. Perhaps the loudest voice of those calling for Trump’s impeachment is Tom Steyer. Billionaire philanthropist Steyer, former Hedge Fund manager and founder of Farallon Capital has spent millions of dollars over the last two years on media ads advocating impeachment. There are also many House and Senate Democrats calling for blood. House member Al Green laid out Articles of Impeachment and was joined by nearly sixty of his fellow Congress Persons in seeking to impeach the President. This is not a good idea for many reasons, the most important of which is that if Articles of Impeachment are drawn up and tendered to the Congress nothing will be accomplished for the next two years (including a successful impeachment) and the Democrats will then lose the House, and probably the Senate In 2020. Everyone calling for impeachment needs to take a deep breath and examine both their own motives and their chances for success.

First, the Democrat’s motives are simple, they are offended…their feelings are hurt…because of how they have been treated by President Trump. They, like Tom Steyer may claim it is because of his actions in office, or his collusion with the Russians, and his blatant obstruction of justice. That is just a poor excuse that impeachment will do nothing to change. The nation would be better served if Steyer would put his money to use helping the homeless, immigrants, and the poor: and if Democrats legislatively repair some of the damage done by the inept inhabitant of the Oval Office.

The way to beat Donald Trump is not to impeach him, but to control him. If the Democrats foolishly waste their time on impeachment, they will inevitably fail. They may successfully get the Articles of Impeachment through the House, but they will then hit a wall. Once the Articles of Impeachment pass the House they will be turned over to the Republican controlled Senate who will hold the trial; presided over by the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Roberts, also a Republican. And, while there is no doubt that Chief Justice Roberts will preside over the proceedings fairly and honestly, there is also no doubt as to the outcome. Trump and his cronies will be successful in fending off the Democrats attack. The ultimate result, the Democrats look bad and Trump will be more determined than ever to crush them.  Nothing accomplished for the next two years. The people will blame the Democrats.

If the Democrats really want to thwart Donald J. Trump there is a much easier and more effective way. First they must continue the House Hearings; not with an eye to indict, but with the goal of exposing transparently Trump’s transgressions against the American people. Air his dirty laundry. Put his inadequacies on display. Support the Muller investigation at every turn, but do not pass judgment…let the American electorate do that. Second get something done.

Nothing of major import has been accomplished by the Trump Administration. The Democrats must get things done. They must stop their own internecine rivalries and bickering. Those neophyte Representatives who would replace, or neutralize Nancy Pelosi must swallow their pride (their time will come) and recognize Ms. Pelosi’s abilities and use her to get helpful legislation passed. The kinds of legislative actions taken are most critical to their success as they will still have to deal with the Senate and the President. Immigration reform, and that old bugaboo Healthcare would be the two issues to start with: Infrastructure would be third if there is enough time. The proposed legislation must be palatable to both sides of the Aisle or nothing will get done. A good way to begin would be to have public hearings on Healthcare and Immigration. Ask the people what they want; don’t tell the people what they need. The hearings should be brief, televised, and open to members of the electorate in order to first find out what is required and to second gain the support of the voters.

If the Democrats follow the outline above they won’t need to think about impeachment because they will be in a position to control the Administration and the President’s bad behavior. If Trump is controlled and the voting public is given legislation that helps and doesn’t hurt, Trump will not run for re-election…he may even decide to quit.