Washington Post Opinions
Chuck Schumer: What I’m listening for in Trump’s State of the Union
By Chuck Schumer, Jan. 29, 2018
What is it, that Trump is admitting to his abuses and negligences of power and is resigning in shame? Ha, if only. That he will tell outright lies about the state of the union and base his proscriptions upon them, leading to the conclusion that for the good of the country, Senate Democrats should block everything? Even if in turn Republicans end the filibuster, that at least Democrats refuse to be complicit? That Trump will exhibit anew most or all of the “14 signs of fascism,” and that Americans must stop the racist, sexist, homophobic, poor people-hating, warmongering, planet-destroying, all-consuming Republican drive for tyrannical power? That appeasement is surrender to, or worse, enabling the rise of fascism, especially now that national politics mostly reduces to a “win” or a “loss” for Trump? That, no matter what he says, and no matter the unlikelihood of impeachment happening, the right thing to advocate is for the House to open impeachment hearings and start to reclaim justice and democracy?
No, it’s for this:
Democrats want to work with President Trump to rebuild America’s infrastructure.
Oh.
Sen. Schumer, what is your diagnosis is the dynamics that brought us to the existentially dire situation we’re in?
The reason is that hard-right special interests, which have dictated much of the policy in the Trump administration, have the president in a vise.
I see. It’s not that Trump himself is a lifelong crook, bigot, and bullshitter, nor that he has exhibited these traits in full view of the public, nor that the rest of the Republicans are right there with him. It’s that at heart he’s open to doing the right thing, and it’s just hard for him to.
So where does that leave Democrats?
So Democrats will watch the State of the Union hoping that President Trump will change course
Somewhere, Godot might be smiling. Can’t say for sure; never can seem to be able to get a hold of the guy. But while we wait, fascism is here to see us.