The desire for power is the toxic disease of democracy. When politicians compete for the ability to rule, rather than the ability to serve, we can see legitimate government decaying before our eyes. It is clear that President Donald Trump is an example of this degradation of our democracy.

James Comey, Rex Tillerson, and Marie Yovanovitch are among the casualties. On a scale of 0-10, each of these public servants are a “10” for character. Whether you agree with their supposed politics or not, you would have to give them high scores for integrity and commitment to the U.S. Constitution.

The recent disclosure of the President’s contempt for Yovanovitch in a recorded conversation shows his eagerness to  squelch dissent in his administration. He has not ordered any assassinations that we know of, but his attitude toward questioning by his advisors seems no more tolerant than Vladimir Putin’s.  Below is the recorded conversation where the President gives the “Get rid of her” command.

https://news.yahoo.com/recording-shows-trump-called-firing-195229891.html

It took a year, but the command was eventually fulfilled, and the Ambassador to the Ukraine was recalled. Her colleagues, William Taylor and Alexander Vindman spoke in her defense, but the opinion that counted, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was absent.  Pompeo was Rex Tillerson’s replacement. He was willing to sacrifice principle for loyalty, and that’s what has made him a durable Trump appointee.  The power at the top of the structure prevails, when people of integrity are driven out.

That is how good people are purged, democracy is undermined, and absolute power is generated. You can’t be impeached for firing people of good character, but it does motivate people to search for grounds.

Republicans are correct when they say that Democrats have been looking for grounds for impeachment. From the dismissal of James Comey going forward Donald Trump has demanded loyalty to him personally more than allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. He has amassed power by dismissing the “disloyal” and promoting the unprincipled.  So many unimpeachable purges and defamations of citizens of good character add up to the search for one impeachable offense. That does not mean the impeachment is a conspiracy; it is the culmination of ruthless deeds of absolute power.