Questioning the Legitimacy of the US Presidency
I find it strange that we’re having this discussion, but allow me to play devil’s advocate, as I usually do, to help put this in perspective.
I have never considered the US President to be an office I personally respect. I had no idea, growing up, who Reagan or Jimmy Carter were. When I became a bit more conscious of the world in my teens and twenties, I thought George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton were walking jokes. Bush was a cartoon and Clinton was a sax playing womanizer, and by the end of his term, a liar, and an accused rapist.
When Bush Jr. came into office, I really didn’t think much of it, except when he led the US into war. At that moment, it was the first president I ever despised. Whether it was the CIA that recommended he invade Iraq, or his choice personally, I felt it was a very glaring lack of character. Obviously, no man I would ever respect.
When Obama ran for office, I hoped he would win, even though I didn’t vote for him. I fell for all his hype, though I’m glad I never personally contributed to his bloodshed. He was never “My President” in the sense that, although he held the office, his wars (and his murdering of innocent civilians, including children) never had MY interests at heart, they were not my doing, and not representative of me in any way.
I found it curious that when Hillary Clinton was running, she made such a big deal about “accepting the results of the election.” I shrugged it off, figuring she would win. So when Trump won, I was just as surprised as anyone.
Not happy, because we all knew going into this it would be Rapist vs Rapist, Pedophile Sympathizer vs Pedophile Sympathizer and Loudmouth Narcissist vs. War-Mongering Sociopath.
They had their chance to elect Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein and unite a country and they said no. So that was that. Electing Trump was safer than electing a Socialist. Whatfuckingever.
But now I’m hearing a lot of talk about declaring martial law and not recognizing the legitimacy of the US Presidency. Stopping traffic and rioting. Etc.
Me personally, I do not respect any president as my leader or my moral or legal authority. I would only do so if I voted for someone who I felt I could trust.
I recognize the position that he has, and I “Give Caesar’s Things to Caesar” when I can, although I’m certainly not making Martin Shkreli money.
But I would not support a war on his order. I would not shun a country or an entire race, based on their assertions. I would not do anything except pay taxes and follow the local laws of the area in which I live.
I would not believe a single word they said, whether president or not. I would not call him my Leader because any “Leader” of mine must prove himself morally superior to me.
Trump, Obama, Hillary, Sanders, I consider none of these people “morally superior” to me in any respect. I do not respect them as my leader. I find them all to be morally repugnant human beings.
Now the question is, would I advocate violence against the government or some kind of insurrection that displaces their powers?
Absolutely not. I would never do that to Obama even if I disagreed with his policies. I would never encourage violence against another person, even if I disagreed with them politically.
I do not have to support any person as president, just to concede that they have been democratically elected to do a job everyone in the country apparently agreed should be decided via Democratic process.
It’s none of my business, the way I figure it.
But on the subject of insurrection and declaring a presidency illegitimate, I believe this was the whole point of the Civil War. The right of states (made up of individuals) to secede from the centralized Union. It was also the point of the Revolutionary War.
Do people have the right to declare independence or reject leadership?
Yes, an ethical right but not a legal right. If you succeed in an illegal war, then obviously you make the seditious act legal. If you fail, you accept the consequences of that criminal act.
I think Lincoln made it painfully clear, through many, many deaths (civilians included) that no one has the legal right to separate from the government and not expect violent retribution for it.
I will not be any part of insurrection to overthrow the Democratic process. I will not tell others to risk their lives by questioning the legitimacy of an election or declaring martial law. I will not have blood on my hands.
I can peacefully protest by drawing attention to illegal activity, immoral actions, stupid government decisions and opening people’s minds and hearts.
And yes, I see no obligation to be a sheep and hide the truth or bury my head in the sand when it comes to supporting “My Candidate” or “My Party”. I expose everyone’s hypocrisy equally. I am obligated to support no one unless they earn my respect.
yousharknotpass
turnnoffyourmind
vaporwave
janainaart
snowghoul
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