This is what we’re up against. This is why we have to expect a long struggle.
You might think the stories, the photos, the videos, of children being stolen from their parents would cause universal revulsion, would melt all but the most hardened hearts, would change minds — but no.
Donald Trump’s Republican enablers in Congress and in the rank-and-file GOP have read these stories, seen these photos, and watched these videos, but they remain unmoved. He can literally do whatever he wants, as far as they’re concerned.
A new Daily Beast poll shows more Republicans approve of taking immigrant children from their parents than disapprove of this immoral practice.
The poll of roughly 1,000 adults aged 18 and over, and conducted June 14-15, asked respondents if they agreed with the following statement: “It is appropriate to separate undocumented immigrant parents from their children when they cross the border in order to discourage others from crossing the border illegally.”
Of those surveyed, 27 percent of the overall respondents agreed with it, while 56% disagreed with the statement. Yet, Republicans leaned slightly more in favor, with 46% agreeing with the statement and 32 percent disagreeing. Meanwhile, 14 percent of Democrats surveyed supported it and only 29% of Independents were in favor.
Notice that the question explicitly asks if people approve of this policy as a way to frighten others. That is, is it OK to mistreat some people in order to terrorize other people? Nearly half of Republicans think terrorism is fine as long as (a) we are doing it and (b) it happens to dark people.
If the last election showed us how low this country can go, acceptance of stealing children shows us what Republicans really are.