UnCivil Warriors

 

I have some serious questions.  They are not simple ones.  I will start with a basic question: at what point do we acknowledge that we are on the verge of a Civil War? At what point do we realize that our government is falling apart and that we have some very uncomfortable decisions to make? At what point do we do something that is ethical, but perhaps not the best legal decision? And will that decision lead to armed conflict?

I think that Majorie Taylor Greene presents us with that test case. If the Senate won't deal with Donald Trump and his Impeachment, will the House address the chaos surrounding the language and conduct of Majorie Taylor Greene? 

Who is Representative Majorie Taylor Greene, and why is everyone talking about her? Ms. Taylor Greene has been discussed in many forums including, late night talk shows, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal  It seems like the media cannot stop talking about the Georgia Republican who represents a district outside of Atlanta. She has been portrayed as a political disrupter, and a new darling of the radical right. Since winning her Republican primary, Congresswoman Taylor Greene's tweets and statements have called attention to her positions on a variety of topics. Critics have suggested that she is a threat to the Republicans as well as the nation. Why? Largely because she strongly feels that the 2020 election was stolen, and due to her very public posts providing candid views against elected officials, especially Democrats.  The representative is associated with a variety of conspiracy theories, is a staunch gun advocate, known believer of QAnon, and a fierce Trump supporter. 

It seems quite ironic that such views placed her on key committees as an incoming representative.  The Republican leadership assigned her to the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Budget Committee. And it does not seem that she has particular skills or knowledge in these fields. Nor does it not seem like Ms. Taylor Greene is one who favors the equal treatment of all Americans. Ms. Taylor Greene has stated that several school shootings, especially those in Connecticut (Newtown) and Florida (Parkland) were staged.  Additionally, she has made similar negative statements about other mass shootings and has not offer empathy for the victims. In tweets and in public, she has made anti-Semitic (Jews are responsible for California's forest fires solely to make money) and Islamic statements (Muslims invading Congress), and once hired a consultant who labeled the NAACP, the "Black KKK, only more violent and dangerous." Representative Taylor Greene has never denied her statements nor apologized for possibly offending anyone. 

Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Congressional leader, has been pressured by large numbers of Democrats and some in his own ranks to remove Ms. Taylor Greene from her assignments. Some Democrats, arguing that she is representative of the mood of confrontation that exists from the attack on the Capitol, want her expelled from Congress. 

Here is where it gets tricky. If we rely on the law, the answers are clear. Impeachments have happened after politicians have left their positions. But yet, we are debating the Constitutionality of having a trial for President Trump. Why? Because we are afraid of MAGA and pro-Trump white supremacists. Suddenly, fearing violence, we are contesting laws and suggesting that they need greater interpretation.

What about the Congresswoman? Members of Congress have been stripped of their committees and even their seniority. They have been censured and forced to resign. But, is it fair in this case, to strip Congresswoman Taylor Greene of her assignments? Is there just cause to expel Congresswoman Taylor Greene for suggesting and stating that the Speaker needed to be killed - as well as other shocking statements made before she took her oath of office?  Should she be forced not to bring her firearms to Congress? Should she be forced to recant or apologize?  

Last year, the Republicans faced a similar choice. Steve King, an 18 year congressman from Iowa, built the later parts of his career making racist statements and appealing to white supremacist movements. He thrived for a while under the "protection" of President Trump, but the pressure on the party to address his behavior became indefensible. Congressman King was removed from his committees and lost in the 2020 primaries. Ms. Taylor Greene commentary resembles that of Mr. King's, but her's is more inflammatory. On every level, Congresswoman Taylor Greene crosses the imaginary red line. 

The Republican Party is evolving. Steve King was thought to be an exception, but a year later the facts suggest otherwise. Ms. Taylor Greene is not alone in her thinking. There are others in congress who share her socio-political views. And Lauren Boebert from Colorado is another QAnon supporter recently elected to the House. 

At least twelve QAnon believers ran for national office in 2020. Two women, Boebert and Taylor Greene won. Although we are on the cusp of a revolution, the rules of our democracy suggest that things should proceed as normal.  Ms. Taylor Greene should be allowed to keep her seat but can be stripped of her assignments. Yet, my gut screams that this is no ordinary time. We would be best served by making her, and others like her, leave Congress (to save the us from an increasing insanity). Why? Because conspiracy theorists can be the light that sparks the flame. As Mitch McConnell stated last night, people who support this level of conspiracy are not living in reality. 

I concur with Senator McConnell that the growth of QAnon supporters will be a cancer upon our society and threaten our democracy. Invisible forces, led by invisible bodies have the power to topple fragile governments. Our democracy is extremely fragile, and the current political discourse often resembles that of the era before the Civil War. 

The dark side of American history is often ignored. The darkness of the 1850s and 1960s have a great deal in common with the 2020s. There were conspiracy theories, violence and a good deal of factionalism. One difference is the participation of women. Ms. Taylor Greene is a wealthy woman who blends the views of the Antebellum plantation wife with the imagery of the 21st century liberated woman. For many, this is an appealing profile. She is rich, Southern, Christian, and white.  Her attitudes state that this is a white nation and she is ready to defend it. The congresswoman has no problem posing with her rifle with other gun owners (in the classic militia and neo-Confederacy pose). 

For those not in her circles, Congresswoman Taylor Greene represents a clear and present danger. She is a threat to immigrants, non-whites, and non-Christians. Her image of America is not the statistical profile of the nation. Her election points to racial and economic segregation, voter suppression, and Gerrymandered election districts. It calls attention to the need for everyone to vote. But she was duly elected. And in Georgia, as in every other part of the nation, the will of the voters should not be ignored. Georgians voted to send Ms. Taylor Greene to Congress. Their votes should be honored. As repugnant as she is, Congresswoman Taylor Greene should be allowed to keep her seat. 

Elections have consequences.