Democracy at a crossroads

Last Monday FBI Director James Comey told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that his agency was “investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts,” and the nation gasped. An Oval Office connection to last summer’s cyberattacks has raised the fear that Donald Trump may be a Russified Manchurian Candidate—or at least beholden enough to Vladimir Putin as to make no difference.

Of course, the President might be innocent as well, and it is a weighty thing to accuse the commander-in-chief of treason. The charge is so serious that the Senate should pause on any further confirmation votes or movement of major reform legislation pending the results of Director Comey’s investigation.

It’s fair — in this one instance — to note that Mitt Romney was right in that Russia increasingly stands as America’s main Geopolitical threat. Interference in the last election proved that fact. If the FBI uncovers evidence that Putin’s FSF—the modern successor to the KGB-conspired with the GOP leadership, the integrity of the governance of the Republic will forever be questioned at home and abroad

To Republican Senators and Democrats alike should stop everything but the basic functions of government until we know the truth!

This action should in no way be interpreted as an indictment of Judge Neil Gorsuch — or likewise, the subcabinet appointments. What it is, is to acknowledge that the democracy is at a crossroads and that the President of the United States must be cleaner than Caesar’s wife, without stain or blemish to the notion of foreign influence. He could appoint Supreme Court justices or cabinet members desired by Hillary Clinton, and still the Congress should obstruct.

Realistically, Senate Republicans, thrilled by the performance of Gorsuch, will not heed this plea. Red State Democrats fear that filibustering the Coloradan Justice-designate-from-central-casting will convince Mitch McConnell to act as Harry Reid did (for the lower court appointments), and invalidate permanently the requirement that it takes 60 members to call a vote on a nominee.

Democrats face the same danger in opposing any of a myriad of GOP legislative priorities. That’s our point. The filibuster may soon die regardless.

That’s probably the reason Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer called for a filibuster on Gorsuch Thursday regardless of the long-term consequences.

Red State Democrats and patriotic Republicans must stand on principle. Refuse action until the Russian links are properly investigated. Nation ahead of party.

This article originally published in the March 27, 2017 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.