ASS U ME.
We've all heard the saying: "Assume makes an ASS out of U and ME". But, we still make assumptions. And, they still make asses of us---or worse.
We assumed that a mentally ill person would never be elected POTUS, and so there are no requirements that the chief executive of the US ever be examined or required to prove his or her mental health. If you are an airman assigned to a US missile silo, you must be psychologically evaluated, I believe, every 3 months. POTUS? Not so much.
We assumed that no POTUS would ever disregard long-standing practice and DOJ protocol and claim the right to pardon as his personal unfettered right---to use for any purpose, including his own legal defense. And, so, there is no requirement that people actually apply for a pardon or be vetted by DOJ or admit their guilt.
We assumed that no POTUS would ever be so transparently craven as to lie again and again and again to the American public, and so "mere" lying by a POTUS is not a crime.
We assumed that Congress, no matter which party was in power, would protect us from a traitorous psychopath in the White House. But, we failed to contemplate the possibility of a Congress so corrupt and shameless that it would make covering their own asses their sole concern, country be damned.
The list of assumptions we made---all reasonable until Trump---is longer than it is convenient or comfortable to record. We will find out sooner rather than later whether the ass our assumptions created is Trump or the American public.
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honesty, fairness, openness, rationality and lawfulness would always ultimately prevail. Those beliefs have been shaken.
Now, even basic justice hangs in the balance.......
We also believed the term "public servant" had deep meaning and was highly honorable. Trump has dishonored the thousands of public employees for which that belief is still valid.