Why the Rs are complicit - my theory

[cilla4progress]

And I'm certain I'm not the only one...

There is indisputable evidence that Russia funded many of their campaigns in 2016, and that they knew about it.

[TwilightZone]

1. It's not even that complicated.

Trump's approval rating among their constituents is still very high and they think supporting him is the only way to keep their jobs.

In the end, it's all about self-preservation, power, and money. The Russians wouldn't even have to be involved. In fact, 40% of the public wouldn't care even if they were. That 40% are their constituents.

[Beartracks]

19. Trump's base thinks Trump is responsible for their jobs? Gee...

... when Barack Obama was President, all they ever said was that Obama could not be credited for the booming economy during his term because he just the President.

Which is it, Republicans?

=========

[TwilightZone]

23. No, the GOP Senators think Trump is responsible for their jobs.

And they're probably right. They're terrified that they'll get primaried, which is why only the ones who've already left or are retiring speak out against the guy.

[Brother Buzz]

2. More than just merely funding campaigns.

Can you say, "компрома́т"?

[DanieRains]

17. My Money Is On Kompromat For Some And Imbecile Supporters For The Other Half

Republicans love Trump because he is so good at causing pain to "others" not like them.

Evil scum.

[not_the_one]

25. as I suggested a while ago, Putin would have given EVERY republican politician

who visited his country an opportunity to live out their wildest fantasies. (And there have been a LOT of them.) And he would have taped it.

JUST LIKE THE PEE TAPE! (As an aside, can you imagine the germophobe NOT flushing for 10 voidings? What's a little pee party? No, Wait, DON'T try to imagine that.. I apologize for even suggesting it.. DAMN ME ALL TO HELL.. )

Why do you think Leningrad Lindsey flipped so quickly and enthusiastically? His American prostitutes aren't nearly as, er, uh, adventurous...? But those Ruskies.. WOW! After all Some People Are Saying... (and that is NOT a dis of sex workers. If it weren't for sex workers, some of us would never have sex... bless their hearts. No. Seriously. BLESS THEIR HEARTS! )

So the Pootster has donated money to all their campaigns AND got them on tape doing all sorts of dirty deeds.

VERY SIMILAR to the game plan as used on the (unflushed) turd.

SEX AND MONEY works every time.

And since the republican party has eagerly and willfully traded the American Constitution for continued power at all costs, these traitorous actions need to be their final necklacing. Let. Them. Burn.

[SonofDonald]

3. When we get control of our Country

This all needs to be out in the light, investigate, indict and show the world these bastards tried to end our Democracy for money.

They will do ANYTHING to continue screwing us over because they've been caught.

No lie is too big now, they are in it till the bitter end.

We need bigger jails.

[KPN]

16. I agree. We will never have our democracy secured until

we root this cancerous treason out. That’s exactly what it is in my opinion. Those who say we can’t charge treason because there is not an actively declared war involved are whistling past the graveyard. Russia sought and is seeking through covert means to destroy our democracy as well as democracies throughout Europe. Taking this as anything less than an act of war is ludicrous.

[SonofDonald]

26. You are correct, this isn't make believe. nt

[KY_EnviroGuy]

4. Rs were complicit long before Russia became their pals.

For as long as I can recall, if you're an R and not singing off the party page, your future life will be destroyed.

That's how Republican roll and it's why we call them dittoheads..........

[JTOL]

7. "Dotardians"

Just like their leader

[wnylib]

13. Many R's have been about the money for as long

as I csn remember, too. But they were not always so lock step on unity as in recent decades. There uaed to be liberal, moderate, and consevative R"s.

That began to change with St. Ronnie and the merger of the fundies (aka evangelicals) with RW politics -- Jerry Falwell, Tammy Baker and her husband, etc.

Bush Jr. pandered to the fundies, too and clamped down on dissension. The Tea Party movement starting in 2010 was the cleansing of the party of all moderates (libersl R's were long gone by then). Now the R's consist only of very RW and fascist leaning RW. All with the fundie blessing of "God on our side" self-righteousness.

[enough]

5. He is giving them everything they have wanted for decades.

You name it: huge tax cuts, protect oil and gas industry, right wing judges, deregulation, pillage of public lands, promote racism and misogyny, etc etc etc. Why wouldn’t they love him and support him faithfully?

[H2O Man]

6. Recommended.

Absolutely. One could consider only the open secret regarding the sharp increase in NRA donations. But of course there is more. Several republicans get contributions, among them Devin Nunes. Were he an honest man, he could tell some stories exposing himself and others. But, were he an honest man, he wouldn't being taking foreign cash.

[Leith]

8. Russian money funneled through the NRA

It's no wonder they get on their knees and worship the gun lobby and pretend that russky bribe money doesn't exist. It's because they benefit from it.

[erronis]

11. Lots of conduits besides the NRA. Citizens United essentially put the US government on eBay.

[crickets]

24. +1

[Botany]

9. Russia was active in all 50 states not only in:

funneling money to Trump and GOP candidates
massive disinformation and propaganda programs
hacking voter d-bases
working to find weaknesses in our voting machines and central tabulators

[bluecoat_fan]

10. Yes, but they are very tribalistic cult too

So even if they didn't directly take ruski cash, they will defend their cult at all costs. Add to that their cult leader has no problem with lying, cheating on spouses, not paying bills(AKA taxes), and lack other good morality trates in general, their cult will do anything their he asks of them. If he said there is a spaceship behind a comet ready to take them to the chosen land, they would all put on their purple gowns and make a toast with the special koolaid.

This is not the Republican Party of 4 years ago, it is now 100% a cult.

[Enoki33]

12. At the rate the GOP is going it may not be too long before they could

be in danger of being labeled a criminal enterprise. They have already passed the traitor milepost in their blind support of despotism.

[alfredo]

14. Many got funded by the NRA using the 20 million from Russia.

I guess it is safe to assume that if a lawmaker got money from the NRA, it is dirty Russian money

[UniteFightBack]

15. I bet Lev and Igor know something about that. nt

[wnylib]

18. I agree with DU posters who say that R's are'

happy with Trump because they get everything they want from him. Agree thst they were wealth hoarders and racists before Trump.

But Russians provided the funds, tech tools, coercive tactics (kompromat), and inside dirt from intel operations to metasticize this cancer on the nation. Trump provides the con imagery to.sell their programs to the public.

So if we have definite proof of.Russian funding of campaigns for R's in Congress, we MUST collect documentation of it, get our ducks lined up, and USE the evidence.

[Joinfortmill]

20. Yup

Next, we need them exposed.

[getagrip_already]

21. Don't overthink it...

While all of these theories may be correct, the simple answer is because they see it in their best personal interest.

They support and protect him because they want to, not because they have to. They are shocked, shocked, he is corrupt and breaking every law he encounters. Not. They applaud it. It makes them happy.

[Thunderbeast]

22. We need a rigorous debate on policy ideas

That is why a "loyal opposition" is a critical pillar of our democracy.

The legitimate debate of legitimate poilicy ideas that represent American values is now an intramural excercise within the Democratic Party. The GOP has ceded it's right to legitimate debate on US policy as a result of it's corruption and complicity with foreign dictators.

THIS TIME we can not forgive the crimes and sing Kumbaya. We can not "turn the page" and hope that these criminals and traitors transform themselves into Dwight Eisenhower. They won't.

They are racist self-dealing demagogues who have ZERO INTEREST in the common good. Dragging pardoned war criminals out to raise campaign cash is just another example of how far they will go to impress their ignorant base as to how "tough" they are.

When they lose power, we must empty the ICE camps. This will leave much room for Republicans serving in the executive, congress, and the institutions that supported them. Their crimes call for criminal action an prison.

The "fairness doctrine" should be reinstated, putting FOX NEWS out of business, and Hannity in a bread line.

The Republican Party must be consigned to the ash heap of history along with the Whigs. The center must move to somewhere between AOC and Joe Biden.

The base may go nuts...but it is not our job to make them happy in their delusions.