An Inside Job

Bullies are all alike. It’s hard to stand up to a bully. They pick on the defenseless people; legal, illegal immigrants; old, sick, and poor. They relish chaos in their lives, demanding loyalty but never giving it.

Passive-aggressive behavior is preferred by our American Bully. You know, nice until the faceless tweet-storm barrage, bleeding from the back, and “you’re fired” are breaking news.

Some retaliatory techniques work like wax-on, wax-off karate or eliciting your large friends for a beat-down. Mainly it’s a collective inside, gut-wrenching decision to face the evil head-on.

But wait. Lo and behold, the Republicans in Congress are finding their collective courage to stun the bully.

Passing Russian sanctions for election hacking, counteracting the Bully’s edicts to “let Obamacare fail,” and rejecting Bully-care is a noble start.

Speaking of noble, isn’t the Grand Old Party (GOP) known for its tradition, integrity, civic virtue, statesmanship? Remember Lincoln?

These values are not evident in today’s political world. But there is hope. Try as we might, ethical behavior cannot be legislated. It is an inside job.

Republicans can turn this cesspool of a presidency on its ear by counteracting or preempting the Bully’s behavior, taking strong actions, remembering who they are and who they serve.

I am sure this is not what is meant by the Bully pulpit.