DEAR EDITOR:
We can all agree that honesty is a good quality for human beings to have. We might further agree that honesty would be a particularly refreshing quality to find in our politicians. So just imagine what it would be like if Republicans were somehow magically infected with an honesty virus.
Then you would hear them say, “We know that we’ll never get the majority of people in many parts of the U.S. to vote for our candidates based on the worthiness of our policies. So our only realistic path to victory is to ensure that as few people vote as possible.
DEAR EDITOR:
Earlier in his term, when Donald Trump was accused of misdeeds committed while in office, Republicans said (relying on a dubious Justice Department decision from nearly 50 years ago), “He can’t be charged with anything while he’s still the president.”
But now, when he’s accused of misdeeds committed Jan. 6 while still in office, Republicans say “Trump can’t be convicted after his impeachment he’s not the president any more.”
Nice work if you can get it, eh? (And Republicans would say exactly the same thing if it were a Democratic president in this situation.)
Maybe a little story problem will help clarify things. You’re hauled into court on charges of spouse abuse. When you take the stand, you present the following defense: “Well, that happened when we were married. Now that we’re divorced, you don’t have the right to charge me with anything.”