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To the GOP: Beware the Power of the Dark Side [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-04-20
We see a pattern emerging throughout the US and especially in Washington of frightened legislators, college presidents, law firms, civil servants, and scientific researchers.
The power of the dark side is that of the threat of harm. It is the power of the Mafia that lives by intimidation. A mafia has an army of enforcers ready to shake down, humiliate, wound, or imprison those they need to keep in line.
The President has his MAGA army who violently attacked Washington’s seat of power and were given a reprieve by their Don. The message being sent here is that nothing will happen to the President’s supporters if they act as vigilantes and challenge the power of the police or of the state. They are protected.
When a powerful legislator like Senator Murkowski states clearly that “We are all Afraid”, she is talking about the result of direct and indirect threats by the President, his administration, and his supporters.
Legislators seek office to accumulate power and prestige, and normally would jealously guard such power. But these GOP legislators gambled that having their candidate win the election would increase their power. They were wrong.
They are cowed, each with a ring in his or her nose being lead around and told what they can say and do by a President who systematically amasses power for himself while taking it away from anyone who challenges him.
With very few exceptions, GOP legislators are now figureheads who have become mere mascots for the GOP sports team and for their voters. They walk around waving their arms and dancing in foam animal costumes rallying the MAGA team while pretending to rule a nation that now listens to only one man.
How ironic that those who sought to rule now are ruled, timid and afraid to speak or make decisions. We see the more self-assured, long serving GOP legislators such as Chuck Grassley attending town halls claiming they are powerless to effect any change that disagrees with the President. At least he is being honest for once.
The less confident ones are avoiding town halls altogether as voter anger spills over and they finally begin to realize the President and his wealthy friends have little interest in improving the lives of everyday people. Legislators do not want their fear and weakness to be on display. So, they hide.
The representative of the dark side is the strong man leader and a dictatorial regime where all bow to him. That is the Orwellian flavor of freedom that the timid GOP leaders support.
The President has become their version of the Star Wars Emperor Palpatine as they assist him whether by action or inaction in plotting the subversion and overthrow of Democracy.
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