‘In the Name of God, Go!’ — Cromwell’s Dismissal of the Rump Parliament Applies to GOP Senators like Flake, McCain

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In 1653 the Lord General Oliver Cromwell entered the parliamentary chamber of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland and detailed to Members how they were no longer needed.

His graphic, yet succinct explanation could just as easily apply to the Republican Party Senators who insist they have no truck with President Donald J. Trump or his ‘Make America Great Again’ agenda.

Cromwell — a controversial figure to say the least who was soon after to become Lord Protector — explained how vice and greed had infected the legislative chamber, and how the nation would be better off without said Members of Parliament.

As Sen. Flake “resigns” with his toe-curling, lofty, dilettante speech, but insists on carrying on his tenure for another 13 months, he might consider Cromwell’s own speech — a masterclass — which demanded “In the name of God,” the ‘Rump Parliament’ as it was known, must “go!”…

It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice.

Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government. Ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money. Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess?

Ye have no more religion than my horse. Gold is your God. Which of you have not bartered your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?

Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place, and turned the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation. You were deputed here by the people to get grievances redressed, are yourselves become the greatest grievance.

Your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse this Augean stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings in this House; and which by God’s help, and the strength he has given me, I am now come to do.I command ye therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place.

Go, get you out! Make haste! Ye venal slaves be gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.

In the name of God, go!”

Indeed.

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