Stuart Stevens is one of the “Never Trump” Republicans who established Lincoln Square Media. In a recent Substack newsletter, he traced the decline of the GOP into its current cult form, and described what he called “the great betrayal”–the squandering and shaming of the legacy left by former Republican defenders of freedom and liberty. Stevens bemoaned what he sees as MAGA’s dishonoring of the sacrifices made by the “greatest generation”–the soldiers who fought and died to defeat fascism in the second World War, of whom his father was one.
What struck me about this particular diatribe, however, wasn’t the understandable despair by a former partisan over the party’s abandonment of long-held principles. It was the following message, aimed directly at the spineless Republicans currently “serving” in the U.S. House and Senate.
As I read these four brief paragraphs, I became absolutely convinced that they hold a message that thousands of us should reproduce and send to the cowardly Republican Senators and Representatives who are refusing to do their jobs.
We should never lose sight that Republicans can end the evil that is creeping over America at any time. No one is asking them to take a beach or charge a machine gun. No one is forcing them to support a president who Russia helped elect and now is delivering for Russia in ways that not even the most vodka-drenched FSB colonel dared hope. They can do what Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, Adam Kinzinger, and a handful of others have done. They stood up for what they knew was right, and lo and behold, they still walk the earth. They are not superhuman or Gods, just decent human beings. You could be the same.
Winston Churchill said of the Battle of Britain pilots, “Never was so much owed to so few.” To these cowardly Republicans, we can only say, “Never was so few to blame for so much.” The murdered innocents in Ukraine are your legacy. An America that votes in the U.N. with Russia and North Korea is your legacy. You go to bed and wake up, hoping that shame is an endangered species headed to extinction.
But you know you have failed the moral test of our time. You know the face you see in the mirror is a coward. You will be remembered without respect. You have allowed evil to sit at America’s table and feast on what is good and right about our country.
May God have mercy upon your souls. History will have none.
Read those paragraphs again. They distill the contempt so many of us feel for the political posturing and excuses that are offered by elected officials who are too timid to protect even their own legal and governing perquisites. Stevens isn’t taking aim at the Red State “true believers”–the racists, the White Christian Nationalists, the conspiracy theory buffoons. He isn’t expecting thoughtful and considered action from the Marjorie Taylor Green/Jim Banks contingent, aka the “crazies.” He is describing the many Republicans who actually know that we have three branches of government, and that the Constitution has vested specific governmental powers to each of them.
He is reminding them that they have the legal and constitutional authority to stop the madness and destruction. All they have to do is use the powers that are constitutionally theirs. Congress could revoke the insane tariffs tomorrow. Congress could refuse to allow the Russian asset in the Oval Office to shame us, and continue to support Ukraine. Congress could begin investigations of the multiple corruptions that this lawless President doesn’t even try to hide (his solicitation of bribes via “sales” of his meme coins, to take just one example.)
I don’t know whether Senator Jim Banks is a MAGA ideologue or simply corrupt in the Trump mold, but Indiana Senator Todd Young obviously understands how fraught America’s situation is. His discomfort with Trumpism, however, routinely dissipates when it’s time to cast a ballot–his vote to confirm the disastrous Pete Hegseth is only the most recent example.
Last week, some 300 Hoosiers rallied outside Young’s Indianapolis office. My sister participated. She has back problems and used a walker; the sign on that walker echoed Stuart Stevens’ message. It said “My spine isn’t perfect–but I have one.”
America could emerge from its precipitous national decline almost immediately-if Republicans in Congress regrew their spines. And it wouldn’t take all of them– a principled handful would be sufficient to put the brakes on Trump’s coup.
Stevens is right: God may or may not have mercy upon their souls, but history–and the rest of us– most definitely will not.
Wow, I hope Sharon Miller doesn’t read this! She will really be upset with Stuart Stevens! Not enough happy ear or eye wash.
If you are a fan of history, and you read these words by Mr Stevens, you will see that it sounds exactly like the descriptions of Nazism. That’s the trouble with people who can’t comprehend the urgency of what’s going on today. On Tuesday, the great orange otter laid the groundwork for enacting the insurrection clause. IE martial law.
That means, suspension of the courts IE habeas corpus. It also means that he could if he so chooses, to disband or suspend Congress. All court cases will be done by military tribunals. He’s already signed paperwork to allow him the right to deport American citizens somewhere else! So which American citizens are going to be deported? In Germany they did that, and it was in concentration camps in other countries. Wow, aren’t we doing that with El Salvador right now? How much more blatant can all of this be, until somebody is making up some little ditty about not saying anything until it is too late.
When you think about it, he used this lunacy to draw out those that he wants silenced. You will start noticing a change in his mental stature concerning his fellow citizens. He even publicly admitted he is above the law. Actual words! But I suppose this is all too negative for some, too much of a bitter pill to swallow, or a bridge too far, they can always revert to self-delusion, or, wallow and willful ignorance as the house burns down around you!
We will see how far this goes, but like I’ve said over the past decade or so, this is going to get really bad. All of this stuff that’s being done is illegal, but then again, the only illegality are those with their heads buried in the sand.
During the second world war, when my uncles went into some of those concentration camps, those folks that lived around those camps, were forcibly yanked from there holes in the ground! They were made to clean up those camps and bury the bodies. They whined and complained and cried, and claimed that they didn’t know what was going on. Willfully deluded, willfully ignorant, but it did no good! I’m sure they were traumatized having to see all of that that they chose to turn a blind eye to, but it’s going to take more than a couple letters to Congress. There might not be a Congress to write letters of disdain to. The orange otter understands perfectly, he is losing his audience. And if you don’t want to let the curtain come down on your play, You silence the critics!
You’ve got the hangers on, floating around in the orange otters orbit, hoping to gain a level of power and authority that they should never even have come close to. How long will the military tolerate someone forcing changes in the rule of law? We’re going to find out very shortly! This will not turn out well! How is that for negativity!
John Sorg. I can’t imagine why you think I would disagree with what Stuart Stevens wrote. In fact, it is pretty similar to the messages I have been texting, phoning and emailing to Senator Young for the last 5 or 6 years.
Actually, longer than that. Ever since the first impeachment trial!
I never could understand the connection between the GOP and the military. But then again, I am definitely confused about the DNC’s support of the military, more specifically, endless war. Don’t we have an anti-war contingent in this country? I know the lame media is pro-war, but aren’t American citizens tired of endless wars?
All these freedom and liberty lovers tend to be pro-military, which is puzzling since that means we are stripping other people of their freedom and liberty. If it’s happening to someone else, it’s okay—mind-boggling denial.
Of course, John is right about martial law. The billionaires backing Trump knew there would be repercussions from the masses, and the peasants would turn to the “opposing party” for assistance. Bondi gave her stern speech about the harsh penalties for those vandalizing Tesla dealers, and then the lame media stopped covering the vandalism…see, the speech worked!!! LOL
It’s evident that Musk has pumped up Trump and his administration on X, so every time I access X, their posts are first with tens of thousands of reposts. Musk has ruined his platform like he’s ruined his EV car brand. By the way, Tesla’s board is searching for a chief executive to replace Musk. I knew that was coming, and I’m surprised they didn’t file a lawsuit against Elon for violating his fiduciary responsibility.
However, the most significant danger to Musk and Thiel is losing billions in federal contracts if a new administration gets elected and cuts them loose. I would say the same thing about those companies behind Project 2025—Heritage Foundation—Koch, etc.; however, so far, the DNC is as spineless as its red counterparts.
I would be preaching who is behind this coup and who is dismantling our federal government. In case Hoosiers are questioning Braun and our state legislators’ roles, have they stated with intent who is responsible for the $2 billion revenue shortfall? I read a rather intelligent writer claim it was self-inflicted from their property tax cuts—it was not! It was a result of Trump’s tariffs. The lame Indiana news needs to tell Hoosiers bluntly that the loss of revenue will result in higher local taxes. Count on it!
The consequences will suck so in order not to face negative consequences, Dear Leader must extend his rule to protect the billionaire oligarchs – the donor class.
And for those who think the DNC represents “we the people,” you will learn that hard lesson soon enough if you haven’t already that they do not. I mean, do you think only the Republican donors will get $4 trillion in tax cuts? 😉
I do write our Congressional Delegation from North Carolina, all Republicans, when I have something specific, something immediate, something that involves people into action. I do not engage elected representatives in a partisan rant. I respect the words of Stuart Stevens, but the statement does not meet my litmus test to write elected officials beyond sharing with like minded friends.
One on the way to Todd Young.
The precipitous decline of the GOP into the sewer of fascism began, I believe, with the Republican-appointed SCOTUS ruling that money was speech and that corporations were people: Citizens United v. FEC. It took a while for the super rich and corporate slugs to realize that they could get away with legalized bribery. Now it’s here in full force.
We may never recover our democracy after this horror show runs its course. Martial law than also bans elections will create the next civil war. I hope I die before that comes to pass, but I’m pretty healthy now and it gives me great pain to see what the MAGA morons are doing.
Republicans, though, have ALWAYS been connected to the rich and corporations/banks and now, lacking any spine or moral compass, show exactly what Karl Marx warned the world about when capitalism is unregulated by the rule of law.
So, to all those slothful registered voters who stayed home on 11/5/24, it must be clear to you by now that your sloth, prejudice and contemptible disrespect for those who fought AGAINST fascism has allowed our democracy and its Constitution to be trampled by the corporate-funded sewer rats. You must be so proud of your choice.
I do not believe that there is any argument or rant that can get one of the MAGA representatives to do the right thing. They have each killed with hatred, greed and lust whatever spark of decency they may have had inside of themselves. When the masses of people in this country come to realize this they will finally rise up. What comes of that only god knows.
Todd, I, too, hate war.
But what I hate even more is slavery, and sometimes, some people, in some places, are faced with having to choose between only those two alternatives.
You and I have been very fortunate to live where a strong military maintains the freedom alternative.
Ah, yes, the invertebrate GOP in Congress, which I have been railing against, along with the other reason for our dystopian governance, the thankless non-voters in the 2024 presidential election who decided to stay home. Millions and millions of them, deciding that it wasn’t important enough to exercise their inalienable right to participate in choosing who will lead our country. Disgraceful, and quickly followed by those who are smart enough to know better, spineless versions of men and women who don’t have the courage to join Democrats in putting an end to this destructive charade.
The Honorable (Senators Tillis/Budd … Congressman Edwards): Thank you for your response to my previous concerns. The sudden multiple Executive Orders of The President has caused disruption and uncertainty on a number of fronts that directly impact citizens of North Carolina. Today I write you regarding personal impact from the President’s global offense with counter insurgent tariffs. Shopping for clothes this week for our grand daughter, the retailer gave us a receipt that included a line item: “Tariff Surcharge” and the amount was over $5. I support retailers transparent disclosure of the impact on American consumers by the Trump Tariffs. However, as the tariffs take further hold, the emerging impact yet to hit American consumers in the pocket will introduce the New Grinch and his cohort come Christmas.
My Senators and my Representative would gladly tear down the Constitution and anoint Orange Jesus (OJ) to be the new Emperor of these MAGA States. If I sent this to them, I would only get a response thanking me for my concern and support. One is evil and would go further than OJ. One is too stupid to see he’s being used. The third is too new to the job, but she’s a DeSantis pick, so that doesn’t speak well of her intellect. I will send it to her. I’ll let you know what I get back.
Thank you, Sheila. One of your best. Just hope the “right” people are reading it and thinking carefully about it. The world needs them as Trump’s plans have only to do with him and his desire to run the world and have the people fall on their knees at his bidding.
“America could emerge from its precipitous national decline almost immediately-if Republicans in Congress regrew their spines.”
I stand by my comments a few days ago that Republicans have reached this precipitous, chaotic, destructive level of redesigning America to their specifications because their actions are protected by the Constitution the same as Americans who want to save America. There is no way force them to uphold their Oaths of Office once they are duly elected and take their seat in Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court. There is no requirement of truth in our freedom of speech, there is no requirement that the press call out the liars, there is no requirement to protect us from religious laws passed by elected lawmakers. The 2nd Amendment, as written, can be freely interpreted to arm teenagers with assault weapons and the law against assault weapons owned by the public was issued temporarily.
The Founding Fathers erred in believing Americans would be smart enough and loyal enough to the Constitution and Amendments they provided to elect rational, thinking people to the highest positions in our government. Trump now believes he qualifies to replace the Pope; maybe if he claimed his qualification to replace Napoleon people would recognize his blatant insanity. The Americans who support democracy, Rule of Law and upholding the Constitution have been too supportive of NOT infringing on the rights of others to stop what has become life in America today. Fear and paranoia are now normal conditions and we are victims of our own support of the Constitution for others but as Barney Fife so often said; what is needed is that we become “I’m no longer Mr. (and Ms.) Nice Guy.”
Sharon,
The “results” of all your messaging to the “pols” don’t send you a message?
Flooding Republican representatives and senators with this message is really important. Mitch Mcconnell has nothing to lose – he still has some clout. Grassley, too. Even if we do not live in Nebraska, Iowa, KY or Louisiana – those representatives still have to understand the “whole” of the country not just their states if they want to be leaders. Not a John Kennedy fan but he appears to be cracking a little – Todd Young could be a leader like he learned at the Naval Academy – he has the chops from his degrees in economics and his military service – He is throwing away his future by NOT standing up to Trump. I call his office/write and try to get the young associates answering the phone to understand what their future is like if Young does not stand up. There is NO agenda in the Trump organization except destruction – where is he planning to “build” America? to create wealth? crypto? sovereign wealth? Or is he too busy in the shadows behind Eric making deals for building hotels in the Middle East? What Executive Order builds anything to make the economy or morale of the country great. Call and write and demonstrate – nonstop pressure. Very disappointed in Sen Young – nothing to be disappointed in Banks because he is irredeemable. I repuke you Sen. Banks – oh did I mean rebuke? Bad spellcheck??
all true to Mr Stevens,but lets point to how,and when.
since the inception of the heritage found theres been a constant behind the stage propaganda move. 1978 on. the joke was they wrote the tax laws since reagan and the right just crossed the Ts (in aspen)and dotted the eyes. the move of the last 40 years of elections,have garnered only lawyers and corp hacks who demand their style of change.they are not republicans. throw in some think tanks and POX news like propaganda,walla. you get this “republican” wall street take over. they use to profess the amendmants of a balanced budget. law and order. now we can call em liars.
flat out,the republican party was taken over by money and greed. the religious right is used to pander to economic/lifelong slavery via the bible. wall streets rise is silent,becaused they show town the others who pander to them,while we miss the focus on whos doin what. the republican party died with neut. when republicans who kicked this style of party to the curb 10 years ago, now embrace it like a gin and tonic. its all greed. its all a take over of the majority by con and lack of any straight up in your face how it will kill your forgotten democracy. these billion aires are laughing at us. they paid the piper and now the majority,the working class will become mere slaves to their greed..recently l10% of euros who Xd kicked it to the curb. we should do the same. these tech wipes need a kiss off..want democracy?,stop supporting its demise.
Stevens nails it!
Better to call and read it than email. Email does nothing.
I would include the do-nothing Dems on that list too.
Lester. Are you the same guy who complained about all the negativity on this platform? And I don’t really expect for my lone voice to have much impact..Numbers count. Which elected officials have you messaged today?
The Republican congressmen/women who are relatively silent about the issues facing the American public today are all hoping that, when it comes time for re-election, Donald Trump will support them. What they are not giving credence to is the fact that, should he support them, the American public who believe in the Constitution, will destroy their desires to remain in office and replace them with people who represent Americans, not oligarchs.
They do not just have constitutional authority to stand up to tyranny. Their oaths of office imply that they have freely chosen to bear the duty of doing so. Their children must be so proud!