Yesterday, a rare showing of political courage manifested in Texas as its house chamber voted overwhelmingly to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, an almost perfect representation of the stereotype of the “corrupt politician,” is alleged to have committed multiple violations, including charges of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction; the chamber united behind the resolution to impeach, voting 121 to 38 in favor of impeachment, all democrats and 60 of the 85 republicans voted in favor the resolution. This vote shows that Paxton’s corrupt actions were big enough to unify both parties in a rare showing amongst staggering polarization and tribalism. But of course, the hard right, under the behest of President Trump, who called the investigation a “witch-hunt” in usual character for a man whose statements follow the same beat that the contents can be classified into a bingo, one that would fill up quickly, rallied in support of the Attorney General. Imagine that, even in that show of near-unanimous support for the impeachment of a public servant who neither served the public nor upheld his oath, one with more than 20 counts over his head and all this just because of the cries of a petulant child who’s reasoning is down to the level of preschoolers. Of course, this is within character, and nothing more can be expected of the former president.
Nevertheless, this step forward is a blow to extremism that has infested our politics and divided our country. That bridge of wills so sorely lacking within our politics and people constructed itself and issued a stunning rebuke of both extremism and corruption. This light in what is a pitch-black tunnel represents a show of courage lacking within the Republican Party to stand against its far-right faction. Cowardice has and is ruling the Republican party, from its speaker caving to the whims of the far right in exchange for the sick need for power, failure to remove a world-class liar within its ranks whose lies are so comical that his name is even in doubt just because he represents an additional vote in a slim majority, presidential candidates moving to the right to appease a small percentage of republican primary voters with full knowledge those actions will be ingested like cyanide with suburban voters; cowardice rules the day in the party.
Though the situation looks bleak for the National Republican Party, they should take note of the actions in Texas and find within themselves the courage that great institution once had. From Margaret Chase Smith refuting the lying demagogue Joseph McCarthy, Howard Baker leading the charge for the impeachment of a president of his party after evidence malfeasance took place, President George W Bush determined not to let the terrorists control the American way of life after 911; the courage is there bright as daylight. The echoes of the past that resonate strongly now built the Republican Party; its leaders mustn’t look far within to find the strength to liberate itself. The history is there, and those lasting examples of courage can be used as a beacon to chart a new course into the future and bring unity to itself and the country.
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