Those of us living in the light of reason hope Mueller will pull it off. I don't share your confidence but I respect it. But can we really say that executive malfeasance (or chicanery prior to getting elected) has ever successfully ensnared the ring leaders? Nixon was pardoned, and not even charged with his worst crimes, which occurred on the eve of the election. His secretary of state went on to win the Nobel Prize, making a mockery of the award. Iran-Contra garnered no major prosecutions. But perhaps this time could be different? It would be a stroke for justice to see Jared K. go to jail. What concerns me however is the degree to which those on the right who don't care about Trump are watching this whole investigation with glee, because it is a useful distraction while they do their worst. They are all too happy to be taking apart the regulatory function of the government and dismantling social services while this plays out. They are probably reasonably certain Trump will go down one way or another and happy to ride the gravy train in the meantime. The mandate they have to do this is based upon an astonishingly small percentage of the American electorate, underscoring the degree to which a small portion of very wealthy people are controlling the direction of the country right now. It has ever been thus, but not anywhere near this degree.[/quote]
You make good points. Here are my reactions to many of them.
1) Nixon was pardoned, but, lets remember that he did resign (and also that accepting a pardon means admitting guilt). While I believe Trump deserves extensive prison time, what is helpful with regard to him is that he is removed from office. Prison time for Trump, again while deserved, mostly will serve as a deterrent to other future despot wannabes...that's valuable, but if he were removed from office and then didn't serve jail time, as far as punishing The Orange One, I could accept that. Would be a shame though if he serves no jail time just for the future despot wannabes out there.
2) Good point about the Iran-Contra stuff. There were 12 people indicted. Reagan skated due to his "plausible deniability". I don't think Trump can do that here.
3) Jared K. will likely go to jail.
4) I'm not on board with most of the Republican agenda either, but normal policy disagreements are fine and even good for America. I have long said I want a strong Republican Party, because no party should have complete power forever. Democrats are going to have an upswing for a little while, and then the Republicans will center themselves and come back, and it will continue going back and forth for a long time yet.
5) I know your comment about "not anywhere near this degree" was not aimed at Trump and his illegal activities, but it applies there also. Nixon and Bill Clinton are choir boys compared to Donald Trump.
Donald Trump is so screwed.
The big three are - Obstruction of justice, money laundering, and collusion (conspiracy) with Russia. He will be found guilty of all of those things. Seems ridiculous to know that and yet not be sure that he will serve time in prison. Obstruction of Justice is typically punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Felony convictions for money laundering (each count) range from 3 years to 12.5 years in prison. Each count of conspiracy to "defraud the United States" which is what this will be, carries a sentence up to 5 years in prison.
Mueller is coming.
The clown is done.