Republicans, our nation is at risk while you remain silent

We are usually a positive forward-thinking people, particularly as it relates to appreciating our democratic traditions, but at this moment we have serious cause to doubt “the resiliency and inherent strength of our democracy.”

Have you ever wondered, “how could they?” How could the Italians and Germans fall prey to Mussolini and Hitler? Their governments were failing. The public was scared and angry, fertile ground for demagoguery. But it is not just what happened in Italy and Germany, as if their societies were uniquely at fault, and a thing of the past. It could happen here in these United States, now.

For a variety of reasons our federal government tragically has failed to fulfill basic responsibilities, and demonstrate that our system works. The failures of our government, and frustration of so many of our citizens, have put our nation at risk.

When asking a new member of the Senate a few years back, how he liked his job, he said, “I love it. I can kill anything!” He took my breath away. He was right of course. One senator can stop dead in its tracks any legislation that comes to the floor of the Senate, unless 60 votes say otherwise. The fact he was right, bothered me. The fact that he loved it, haunts me.

Democrats kill Republican bills, Republicans kill Democratic bills, and little gets done. There are a number of politicians from both parties who think that is just fine. They don’t want the other side to win and turn the country left or right, even if nothing gets done.

So now we have a lot of unaddressed problems, with the government spending reckless amounts inefficiently, and a society that is glued to so-called reality TV, absorbed in social media, with an affection for the rich and famous. If a celebrity like the “Rock” ran for president, he would fill a stadium every time, provided he entertained them with absurdity.

The result: the anarchists do their thing; the politicians fail to respond thoughtfully and decisively; legitimate problems and grievance are ignored; decent but unhappy threatened people fall prey to their worst instincts; and the door opens to the likes of those who practice demagoguery on a grand scale.

President Trump has gladly filled that void, and Republicans in particular have allowed him to. Responsible office holders, in the party I have been part of for 57 years, are nowhere to be seen. They are deadly silent, as if avoiding the “risk” of losing office, is more important than saving our country, and making government work again. Silent, as if it will all magically disappear.

Today it is nearly impossible to name even one Republican congressman or senator that has stood up to Donald Trump, and said “STOP IT! Your lies, your hate filled speeches, have no place here.”

Few in Italy and Germany spoke out when Mussolini and Hitler rose to power. Few in authority and power spoke out when they had the opportunity, as if it would all sort itself out, eventually. They foolishly paid the price. In fact, we all paid the price.

Some argue we are not as fragile as it seems. That the history of our country’s political upheavals since the beginning, which we somehow have survived, attests to the “resiliency and inherent strength of our democracy.” But like Italy and Germany, we do not have the luxury to assume all will always be well.

It may be too late, but there has to be some point when Republican leaders finally confront President Trump, if for no other reason than for their own survival. They need to speak out now, not after the election, not after an election Donald Trump suggests he will not honor, unless of course he wins. Oh, the shame of it!

President Trump needs to be repudiated and soundly defeated. And our political leaders need to once again find ways to work together, find common ground, get our governmental institutions working again, and assure the likes of a Donald Trump do not ever reappear.

Christopher Shays, a Republican elected office holder for 34 years, was a state representative from 1974-1987, and a member of Congress from Connecticut from 1987-2009.