Rep. Justin Amash (nominally an “R”) has jumped on board the Dems’ impeachment train. It shouldn’t surprise anyone. The guy is eccentric. He’s an example of the occasional wild consciences that populate the Republican caucus. Herding felines comes to mind when discussing the task of party leaders. It probably had a role in driving Ryan into retirement. They are in striking contrast to the Bolshevik-style discipline of the Dems. They are the party of government and government power. They come together with iron discipline when power is at stake. Not so with the wild hares in the Republican Party.
Amash’s flaming libertarianism, approaching neo-anarchism, has led him to scorch law enforcement and national security. He’s with the Dems on emasculating ICE. The guy had run-ins with his fellow Republicans over trade, national defense, immigration, entitlements, the budget, etc. The guy is really a party of one. (see here)
Here’s what he said about Speaker Paul Ryan: “Right now, in terms of process, we have the worst House speaker in the history of Congress”. No, this wasn’t Nancy Pelosi at a press conference.
He’s symptomatic of an all-too-common political phenomena: the politico with a combination of inflated ego, the corrupting influence of power, and heightened irascibility. He’s hard to get along with. He’s the loud, opinionated uncle at Thanksgiving dinner who can’t find anyone to sit next to him. But don’t expect him to get the message.
RogerG