A Matter of Integrity

Every one of us should be thankful not to be in the position of most Congressional Republicans, whose lives are one continuous lie.

Why not tell the truth?  What’s the worst that can happen?  Even if you’re in Mississippi or Oklahoma or Wyoming, or some other state that still loves Trump, hold a press conference and deliver some version of the following:

I’ve come here today to do something that I should have done at least five years ago, and that is to tell the truth. If it means the end of my career in politics, I’d rather have that than to live with the lie that Donald Trump is man of honor and an effective servant to the American people.  The precise opposite is the case, and the stream of facts that demonstrate this are now turning into a mighty river.  

In particular, the election wasn’t rigged or stolen.  In fact, Trump did everything he could to steal it from Biden, from pressuring electioneers in several different states to “find” votes, to demanding that Pence not certify the election, to making it hard for you, the people, to understand that no fewer than 60 courts of law, including the highest court in the land found no evidence of significant voter fraud.

At this point, one of two things is about to happen.  My Republican colleagues may stand up as I just did, tell the truth, and put our party–and our country–back on a path of honor and integrity.  What is probably more likely, however, is that I will be the only person to make this statement, the lie will persist, Trump will remain the de facto leader of the GOP, and I’ll lose my seat.  Obviously, I’m very much hopeful that the former will ensue, but I’m perfectly prepared for the latter.