43% Of Republicans Say They Could Support A Military Overthrow Of The U.S. Government

[UCmeNdc]

Republicans (43%) are more than twice as likely as Democrats (20%) to say that they could conceive of a situation in which they would support a military coup in the United States. Independents tend to say that they could not (38%) rather than could (29%) imagine supporting a coup.

The proportion of the country that would support a military takeover increases when people are asked whether they would hypothetically support the military stepping in to take control from a civilian government which is beginning to violate the constitution. 43% of Americans would support the military stepping in while 29% would be opposed. ( Source)

While the idea of the military trying to take over our government may seem like nothing more than a holiday blockbuster action movie plot starring Channing Tatum, this poll shows that there are people out there that would support that idea, and they tend to be Republicans.

Why? Because the Republican base which tends to be older, white and Christian sees itself as being threatened thanks to America's changing racial and political landscape.

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/09/43-republicans-say-they-could-support

[KamaAina]

1. 43% of Republicans are traitors

There. I shortened it for you.

[ladjf]

2. They are also dumb as hell. nt

[yeoman6987]

5. I am more concerned with the 20 percent democratic supporters

What are they thinking? I could care less what the Repugs think.

[stevenleser]

17. I'm hoping they are thinking of odd possibilities like, the government committing genocide or

something like that. I don't know. It's pretty crazy stuff.

[Xithras]

3. "Beginning to violate the constitution" is an odd litmus test

The Constitution is a LONG document that contains a LOT of different things. If Congress and the President passed a law ending freedom of the press, or stripping hispanics of the right to vote, or suspending the second amendment, or permitting summary executions of "terrorists", I'd prefer to let the courts handle it. That's no justification for a military coup.

But what if a government dug into something a bit more fundamental? What if Congress abolished the Supreme Court and handed absolute power to the Presidency? What if Congress declared America a "Christian Nation", ordered that all laws be realigned to the Bible, and ordered the arrest and deportation of non-Christians and atheists? What if Congress declared that we no longer get to vote, and made moves to end our democratic system entirely?

Do I want the military to ever commit a coup in the United States? No. Can I think up some theoretical scenarios where we might WANT to the military to intervene against the government on behalf of the people? Sure, most of us probably could if we thought about it long enough.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

4. 43% seems a little low to me, but

Still fits with my working supposition that just under half of the general public are mouth breathing, knuckle dragging Neanderthals, who have no business whatever being allowed outdoors unsupervised. Strict supervision.

[Maedhros]

6. But the military is in charge of our government NOW...[n/t]

[TexasProgresive]

7. let all the non-violent drug offenders from prison

to make room for these traitors. The worst of them can take a trip across the Florida Straits to Guantanamo.

[Abouttime]

10. You've got a point

And someday I fear it may come to that. Our side needs to form a massive strong coalition to permanently render the goopers and teahadists minority status. Once that is accomplished we can work on eliminating the worst actors, the gun nuts, climate change deniers and right wing xtian wackos. These types if left to their own devices will someday try to overthrow our government. I have no problem parking these folks in some kind of 'protective custody' to keep them from harming themselves or society. I know it sounds harsh but why should some inner city kid rot in prison for a minor drug offense while right wing nuts run loose threatening society?

[jwirr]

8. The 43% R vote reflects their hatred for President

Obama. On the other side the 20% of Democrats probably is looking at a totally owned corporate government.

Not surprising at all.

[Chitown Kev]

9. I mean

what types of the violations to the Constitution are we talking about here?

[Jamaal510]

11. There was a time

when I'd be surprised by how high this number is among R's, but not anymore. Not after the past 7 years. If they're not the ones calling shots in D.C., then they pout and rage against whatever makes this country successful.

[JI7]

12. doesn't the military have a large number of minorities

[Sam_Fields]

13. To change their minds you just need to tell them the military will take their guns

[stevenleser]

15. There is no 2nd amendment or Bill of Rights in a military dictatorship, so you have hit upon

something there.

[gatorboy]

14. Republicans already run a majority of the government.

I guess they feel guilty?

[Baitball Blogger]

16. Which should surprise no one who lives in communities with a high concentration of retired military

officers.