Conservatives sacrifice core American values for one man

In 1995 I worked as a press secretary for Democrat Linda Powers’ congressional campaign, a failed bid for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. At that time, conservatism was alive and well.

Powers, a Democrat and progressive liberal from Crested Butte, didn’t stand a chance against Republican Scott McInnis, a highly competent and professional lawyer who called Glenwood Springs home.

McInnis ably served the 3rd Congressional District for a decade. The now-notorious Republican Linda Boebert holds that seat today.

In comparison to Boebert? McInnis was a fantastic representative who deftly managed unique differences between places like Aspen and Rifle, Durango and Montrose and Grand Junction and Pueblo.

But conservatism today is not the same as it was. Not even 10 years ago. If I were to use one word to describe conservativism today it would be irrational.

Jon Stewart eloquently makes this point clear. Watch this clip. I’m reminded how much I missed him.

Conservatives insist they are steadfast in their support for law and order except when it comes to one man. The loyalty and fealty they demonstrate towards Donald Trump is truly breathtaking.

Stewart points out these same conservatives who so loudly declare Trump’s re-election bid was stolen, can’t say the same in court. And for good reason. It’s all made up.

Until now, the American people could rely on the courts to get to the bottom of things. The rule of law is fundamental to the functioning of democracy. And, as Stewart points out, it has worked.

The courts exist to verify and prove the details of allegations and determine whether they are unfounded or not. And the courts have indeed gotten to the bottom of much of the rot the Trump administration and Donald Trump himself inflicted on the United States.

Now, news a Trump-appointed federal judge is allowing arguments as to the veracity of a federal prosecutor’s authority is troubling.

Trump is charged separately for each of 32 documents under the Espionage Act. The other eight charges against him include making false statements and engaging in a conspiracy to obstruct justice.

These charges are no joke.

But here, Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed federal judge has invited third parties, unrelated to the case, to argue prosecutor Jack Smith’s appointment as special counsel is invalid. This CNN article points out similar challenges have not seen the light of day. See link: https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/04/politics/cannon-trump-special-counsel-hearing

And yet.

“Cannon?is planning on holding a sprawling hearing on?Trump’s request to declare Jack Smith’s appointment as special counsel invalid,?signaling she could be more willing than any other trial judge to veto the special prosecutor’s authority.”

Not only is this laughable, it is shocking in its audacity AND it's on the federal bench, no less.

Turning a case of this gravity into a news circus is news indeed. It shows us that our courts might be permanently damaged. Now, judicial weaknesses that have always existed under the surface, sit in plain site and allow for easy comparisons to judiciaries controlled by autocracies world-wide.

Not a good look.

Colorado Springs is a city full of conservatives, many of them uneducated and ill-equipped to discern fact from fiction. They demonstrate on a daily basis their willingness to radicalize themselves and sacrifice one of their most basic tenets: the rule of law.

Don't believe me? See the lead photo!

The level of ignorance demonstrated in the face of factual evidence that their presidential candidate of choice, Donald Trump, a convicted felon facing additional criminal charges in multiple jurisdictions, is in deep shit? Is astonishing.

What conservative today won’t die on this hill, I wonder?

I worry that the state of our Democracy and the institutions so ingeniously designed by our Founding Fathers will be forever damaged.

What I don’t worry about is the plight of conservative supporters of Donald Trump.

One look at the crowds at his rallies and you quickly realize it's a generational thing. Donald Trump and many of his supporters will be long gone by the time a true reckoning for the damage he caused our Republic rears its ugly head.

That's one thing I'm certain of.