This is a problem that has been building for years, at least as far back as Karl Rove using GWB to expand the Presidency. We can't blame Donald, he is just the manifestation of the people's failure to remain diligent against government abuse.
Deeply rooted in the American identity is a discomfort with the potential of power to be wielded in ways that offend the dignity of the individual (otherwise known as freedom). Our founders recognized that a government must be powerful enough to be effective at promoting a strong and prosperous nation, but that those powers must be checked because the same power that allows government to accomplish its mission can just as easily be used to the personal profit of officials, or to the detriment of the people in general.
While partisan politics has never been a sugar and spice affair, for most of our history elected officials have largely sought to govern on a premise of what an American government should do. They often disagreed and there were frequently bad apples among the bunch, but in most instances our government has managed to preserve a general philosophy of containing the wielding of power to what should be exercised. Likely, the greatest containing force was the willingness of the people to inflict a backlash.
But we've lost touch with those principles. In the 21st century, power itself is its own justification. Our government increasingly exercises power because it can, and the fact that it can wield a power is seen as giving it the right to wield power upon any whim of the person or people holding that capacity. The perception of a limited government of checks and balances has changed in the American mind. In earlier times it seems that checks and balances were seen as just one method of preventing a government from abusing power. Now they are the determinative factor where many people rest their heads. As if their existence is enough to validate that an exercise of power is not abusive or not corrupt. To listen to some people talk, they seem to think that the Framers wanted governmental power to be abused.
But the very concept of abusing power entails a use of power you can use, but you should not have used in the way that you did. Just because you have the power to do something does not mean that you have the right to do it. There is no principle underlying the definition of Americana more than this fact. The constructing of rules in one or another form is not an invitation to leverage the construction into a nullification of the principles that provide a foundation for our approach to government. No governmental body, nor any officer, is so empowered that they are permitted to wield their office to any means whatsoever. If they do so, then they are in breach our highest law. The constitution does not grant any officer immunity to abuse power as long as it stays within a given scope.
The President may have the power to grant or remove security clearances. But that does not give him the right to do so in retaliation for a citizen exercising free speech. The President may have the power to fire the Special Counsel, but that does not mean he has the right to do so. We must once again embrace this distinction between government have the power to do something and having a right to do so. If fail to do so, we will finally be surrendering to George III.
Stormy, you are being gaslighted, lol...……..and to think you are the one usually doing the gaslighting, but I digress.
NOBODY in Washington likes Brennan. In fact, they despise the man, did you know that?
And so you ask--------> besides the fact it is against Trump, why would all these swamp rats be crying in their expensive drinks, lol.
Want me to tell you? You sure? Are you ready?------------------------------------------------------->
MONEY, that is why, lol.
You see, everyone with a close to top security clearance is worth a lot of cash/deneiro/moola/pesos when they leave their government position. Why? Because it costs between 50 and 100,000 bucks for the investigation to get that clearance, nd it usually takes between 8 to 12 months to get it. Doubt me, check it out, do some homework, and quit letting these people gaslight you!
And so, company's who create contracts with the feds and need CLEARED people, pay them BIG BUCKS to come on board. Oh yes they do! (DONTCHA) And guess what those POOR people are seeing now-) Their gravy trains going poof, if security clearances start being pulled, and the company's having to dig into their pockets to get them recertified.
And who/whom would those people be Mz Rainstorm-) Why it would be all those nice people who ABUSED their place in government, IF it was proven that they had anything to do/knew about/or were involved in covering anything up, or even NOT BLOWING THE WHISTLE, as good Federal employees should, who took an oath; I remind you, to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION!
And what administration is having the light of truth being shown upon it? Well, the Trump administration for sure, but who/whom else? Why that would be, THE OBAMA administration-)
So what you are actually hearing, is the SCREAMING of the swamp, cause they want their free cookies, lol. John Brennan is just the focal point, a bad victim, but they are doing the best they can to turn him into something as pure as the wind driven snow, lol.
But never fear, very soon they will have new victims to hang their hats on, Strolck, Paige, Clapper, and of course Comey. They will appear more sympathetic than Brennan at 1st, but trust me, not for long-)