{"id":5328,"date":"2020-01-23T13:09:23","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T17:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=5328"},"modified":"2020-01-23T13:11:03","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T17:11:03","slug":"most-americans-are-quite-unhappy-with-the-impeachment-charade-and-that-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=5328","title":{"rendered":"Most Americans are quite unhappy with the impeachment charade and that matters."},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Everyday Americans are distressed by the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. If they care at all<\/h1>\n<p><!--more-->Dennis Wagner<br \/>\nUSA TODAY<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"USATODAY-Embed Player\" src=\"https:\/\/uw-media.usatoday.com\/embed\/video\/4403412002?placement=snow-embed\" width=\"540\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While politicians and pundits natter about<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/22\/trump-impeachment-trial-highlights-democrats-opening-arguments\/4546380002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">\u00a0President Donald Trump&#8217;s impeachment trial<\/a>, everyday Americans mostly seem to have a sideways view of the historic mess, using a lot of words that begin with \u201cdis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Disappointment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Disinterest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Disgust.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Dismay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">From a California taco truck known as Kiko&#8217;s Place\u00a0to the Cocoa Cinnamon coffee shop in North Carolina, grassroots perspectives reflect all political stripes\u00a0\u2014 but with a singular sense of disdain for what&#8217;s going on in the nation\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI really think it\u2019s just sad,\u201d said James McAllister, a 34-year-old doctor from Washington state, enjoying a\u00a0morning beverage\u00a0at Meshuggah Shack, a neighborhood hangout in San Diego. \u201cI\u2019m so disappointed in how<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/elections\/hiddencommonground\/2019\/12\/05\/hidden-common-ground-americans-divided-politics-seek-civility\/4282301002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">\u00a0hyper-partisan politics<\/a>\u00a0have become, in general, and I have to say I blame the Republicans more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI don\u2019t even like the whole party system anymore,&#8221; agreed Roni Peterson, sipping coffee at the Lodge Tavern on Chicago\u2019s Near North Side. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/opinion\/2019\/12\/04\/modern-day-civil-war-in-united-states-how-americanism-can-save-us-column\/4309670002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">like a civil war<\/a>\u00a0and it shouldn\u2019t be. The whole idea of a democracy is to have different opinions and work together, not fight. Now it\u2019s like backwards magnets, and it\u2019s getting worse.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI don\u2019t like that people are looking for reasons to get rid of our president,\u201d said Michael Mendoza, a gas company worker awaiting tacos in San Diego\u2019s Mission Valley. \u201cIt\u2019s mainly the media. &#8230;\u00a0Trump can be outright rude, but that\u2019s who we voted on as president. We all knew that coming into it.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/22\/USAT\/fe5f4dbf-1b99-4ae8-9bf0-25f9419c86a8-James_McAllister.jpg?width=660&amp;height=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/22\/USAT\/fe5f4dbf-1b99-4ae8-9bf0-25f9419c86a8-James_McAllister.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=990&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"James McAllister talks about the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.\" data-g-r=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"James McAllister talks about the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.\" data-c-credit=\"Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While the opinions diverge, regular Americans exude a sense that they are mere spectators to a political game, rather than players. And many of those spectators are not watching closely\u00a0\u2014\u00a0if at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Morgan Evans, a freshman studying economics at the University of San Diego, said she shunned politics and watched &#8220;Umbrella Academy&#8221; on Netflix rather than keep up with the impeachment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI\u2019m not that well informed,\u201d Evans said, explaining that politics can lead to arguments \u2014 especially in a family where the parents are \u201c<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/education\/2020\/01\/17\/college-republicans-crnc-trump-republican-party-gop-turning-point-usa\/4476649002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">very Republican<\/a>\u201d and the daughter leans left on social issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">So, when something like the impeachment comes up, Evans said, \u201cI kind of leave the room. My mom watches on the computer and I\u2019m like, \u2018OK, I\u2019m out &#8230;\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Apathy or burnout? Partisan politics cloud Donald Trump impeachment trial<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In Chicago, dozens of restaurants and bars throughout the downtown Loop and River North neighborhoods had TV channels turned to football and soccer highlights, but only one was detected<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/22\/trump-senate-impeachment-trial-tuesday-mcconnell-rules-set\/4539724002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">\u00a0showing the Senate trial<\/a>. Several bartenders said they weren\u2019t allowed to tune in channels broadcasting the proceedings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing that more bars aren\u2019t showing it because it is an historic event,\u201d said Eirik Anderson, wearing a gray Tulane sweatshirt at Elephant &amp; Castle pub, which was showing ESPN and NBCSN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Between glasses of Pinot Grigio and root beer, Anderson said he tracks headlines on his phone throughout the day and watches highlight reels at night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s burnout or apathy but, nowadays, people have less of an attention span. It gets kind of drawn out,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople have gotten numb to it. I think there\u2019s also a foregone conclusion that the Republican Senate is not going to convict, so that might contribute to the apathy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">A few blocks away, China Doll Wings was showing the trial on its only TV screen. Customers getting takeout occasionally glanced at the screen. The one patron sitting at the cluster of tables appeared to be taking a nap.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el\" aria-label=\"Video - Impeachment trial questions: Why a trial if the votes won't convict?\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_vp_w\" data-g-r=\"vp_tp\" data-c-vt=\"teal\" data-t-pl=\"teal-storyinline\" aria-live=\"polite\"><button class=\"gnt_em_vp_a gnt_em_vp__tp_a\" data-g-r=\"vp_tg\" data-c-vpattrs=\"{&quot;muted&quot;:false,&quot;bContent&quot;:false,&quot;vidNum&quot;:2}\" data-c-vpdata=\"{&quot;adsEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;awsPath&quot;:&quot;news\/politics&quot;,&quot;byline&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;canonicalURL&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;contentSourceCode&quot;:&quot;USAT&quot;,&quot;createDate&quot;:&quot;2020-01-23T00:17:50.266Z&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;USA TODAY&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:70000,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;Impeachment trial questions answered: Why have a trial if the votes won't convict?&quot;,&quot;hlsURL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hlsmedia.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/video-renditions\/b792c1e2-0408-4c03-8d10-716969387fce\/2e74f7da-98df-4af5-8c23-03435f34e5fa\/1080p_30fps,720p_30fps,480p_30fps,master.m3u8&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;4548437002&quot;,&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/a110a674-1af7-4fe0-a512-976b45ffcf6f-VPC_IMPEACHMENT_QUESTION_4_DESK_THUMB.jpg&quot;,&quot;opto&quot;:true},&quot;initialPublishDate&quot;:&quot;2020-01-23T00:25:54.397Z&quot;,&quot;keywords&quot;:&quot;Trump Impeachment Inquiry,Impeachment,Video Syndication - USAT,Video Syndication - Voice Platforms&quot;,&quot;mp4URL&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/downloadmedia.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/video-renditions\/b792c1e2-0408-4c03-8d10-716969387fce\/2e74f7da-98df-4af5-8c23-03435f34e5fa\/1080p_30fps.mp4&quot;,&quot;origin&quot;:&quot;USA TODAY&quot;,&quot;pageURL&quot;:{&quot;long&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/videos\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/23\/impeachment-trial-questions-why-trial-if-votes-wont-convict\/4548437002\/&quot;},&quot;promoBrief&quot;:&quot;USA TODAY Washington correspondent Christal Hayes answers the internet on why have a trial if the votes won't convict.&quot;,&quot;publishDate&quot;:&quot;2020-01-23T00:25:54.397Z&quot;,&quot;series&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;ssts&quot;:{&quot;leafName&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;path&quot;:&quot;news\/politics&quot;,&quot;section&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;storysubject&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;subsection&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;subtopic&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;taxonomyEntityDisplayName&quot;:&quot;Politics&quot;,&quot;topic&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;4d69dee0-aa6d-48bf-b18e-41ee719b1e1f&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Trump Impeachment Inquiry&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;95ae4695-de3e-4b7c-b016-ada9852d4f42&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Impeachment&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6f55135f-3b5e-490d-8a52-a3b8e1f11ee7&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Video Syndication - USAT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;107d90c4-fbfe-413e-a46b-e4ef423d77e1&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Video Syndication - Voice Platforms&quot;}],&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Impeachment trial questions: Why a trial if the votes won't convict?&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;\/videos\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/23\/impeachment-trial-questions-why-trial-if-votes-wont-convict\/4548437002\/&quot;}\" aria-label=\"Play video\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_vp_img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/a110a674-1af7-4fe0-a512-976b45ffcf6f-VPC_IMPEACHMENT_QUESTION_4_DESK_THUMB.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/a110a674-1af7-4fe0-a512-976b45ffcf6f-VPC_IMPEACHMENT_QUESTION_4_DESK_THUMB.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"\" data-g-r=\"vp_po\" \/><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_vb gnt_em_vb__te\" aria-label=\"USA TODAY Washington correspondent Christal Hayes answers the internet on why have a trial if the votes won't convict.\" data-c-credit=\"USA TODAY\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In San Francisco\u2019s financial district, Matt Miller, a traveling notary, munched on salad at The Plant Caf\u00e9 Organic as he listened to the case against the president.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While Democrats offered \u201ca pretty convincing argument,\u2019\u2019 Miller sees a \u201czero percent\u201d chance that\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/21\/impeachment-trump-trial-could-render-verdict-senate-key-players\/4494083002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">Trump will be found guilty<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cThe Republicans are going to play the partisan card and\u00a0(Chief) Justice (John) Roberts is going to follow their lead,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s the unfortunate part about this. I think the end result of this is that our\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/opinion\/2020\/01\/03\/trump-impeachment-senate-trial-test-american-democracy-column\/2795121001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">system of checks and balances<\/a>\u00a0is destroyed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">He added,\u00a0\u201cWhen any one party has all the power, then corruption will always follow. I\u2019m a big fan of divided government because I think it\u2019s the most fair.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In Durham, North Carolina, at the Cocoa Cinnamon, Rebecca Bossen, a 42-year-old theater artist, said she needs to disengage sometimes from the constant coverage.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/9ac44479-a40c-4436-8095-916cee093840-AP_Trump_Impeachment_4.JPG?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/9ac44479-a40c-4436-8095-916cee093840-AP_Trump_Impeachment_4.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"In this image from video, House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) ORG XMIT: DCJE259\" data-g-r=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"In this image from video, House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) ORG XMIT: DCJE259\" data-c-credit=\"AP\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI feel like there is a clear and deliberate effort to\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/21\/senate-impeachment-trial-trump-rules-witnesses\/4493149002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">prevent witnesses from speaking<\/a>,\u201d she said. \u201cTo prevent truth from being placed before the American people. I don\u2019t have fatigue over the whole process, I just wish it were an effective process that would do the job that impeachment was meant to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">At a Mexican restaurant in San Diego\u2019s Pacific Beach, the television featured video of waves and surfers \u2014\u00a0an ambiance matching dozens of surfboards lining the walls and ceiling. Outside, the sky was mostly clear and the temperature 60 degrees, though you\u2019d swear it was warmer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Inside, Michael Jenner, a retired ceramic tile setter who favors the bean and cheese burrito, said he\u2019ll likely catch up on\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2020\/01\/22\/senate-trial-hear-house-democrats-argue-case-against-trump\/4534581002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n\/a\">impeachment developments<\/a>\u00a0later by listening to NPR.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/ae4301f9-c19d-4323-afad-b639e36c411f-Meagan_McKenna.jpg?width=660&amp;height=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/23\/USAT\/ae4301f9-c19d-4323-afad-b639e36c411f-Meagan_McKenna.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=990&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Meagan McKenna talks with USA TODAY about the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.\" data-g-r=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Meagan McKenna talks with USA TODAY about the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.\" data-c-credit=\"Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI think he (Trump) was trying to push Ukraine around and use his power on them to get his way, like he\u2019s always done all his life,\u201d said Jenner, 74.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">At Pioneer Park in San Diego, Meagan McKenna, 40, laughed as her daughter and another toddler exchange a kiss beneath the slide. \u201cNow that\u2019s how our politics should be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">McKenna admitted to barely keeping up with impeachment news, catching just enough TV snippets to confirm her sentiments about Trump.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cWhat\u2019s that quote? \u2018If you hire a clown, you get a circus.\u2019 And that\u2019s what\u2019s happened,\u201d she said. \u201cI mean, he\u2019s inciting a war (with Iran) now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">McKenna said the United States once stood for integrity, but that ended with the beginning of the Trump administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cIf he gets impeached,\u201d she added, \u201cthere is feeling of vindication for the American people because: a) We made a mistake, and b) We can recover.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Donald Trump presidency\u00a0could usher in &#8216;very, very dark times&#8217; for US politics<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">At eateries, libraries, parks and other venues, some people waved off interview requests, saying, \u201cI don\u2019t follow politics.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But others were eager to voice their opinions. Kayla Sadler, 32, of North Carolina, said work keeps her from constantly watching what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI was optimistic and very excited about it with the start of it,\u201d she said. \u201cAs it\u2019s kind of gone through, I find myself turning off the radio in the middle of it just because I feel like it\u2019s not going in any sort of direction that\u2019s going to be bipartisan at all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Here are some other observations from around the nation:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"gnt_ar_b_ul\">\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_b_ul_li\">Jay DeLange, having brunch with his father in San Francisco after watching impeachment news: \u201cHe (Trump) should be impeached and, after he\u2019s out of office, face trial in New York for all his financial crimes, and go to jail\u2026 At least the (impeachment) process was allowed to happen. My standards are so low, that feels relatively good.\u2019\u2019<\/li>\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_b_ul_li\">Jose Gonzalez, 27, a law student finishing lunch at the University of San Diego: Gonzalez\u00a0said he hasn\u2019t watched any of the impeachment coverage because he believes Republicans in the Senate will acquit Trump. \u201cIt seems they\u2019ll do what it takes to protect the president,\u201d he said, because doing so will also protect their political futures.<\/li>\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_b_ul_li\">Nanci Gunning, a management consultant having lunch with two other women at Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco: \u201cPeople in my circle are disgusted, but they\u2019re still talking about it. People are working and it\u2019s not like we can follow every detail\u00a0but, yes, we\u2019re watching.\u2019\u2019<\/li>\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_b_ul_li\">Austin Bolduc, 31, a bartender at Baja Beach Caf\u00e9 in Pacific Beach (San Diego), pouring champagne into plastic glasses: \u201cI try to avoid it (politics) as much as possible, because it becomes an argument.\u201d Bolduc added that, in the end, Trump will\u00a0benefit from the spectacle: \u201cI think he\u2019s going to use it as a rallying cry in the next election.\u201d<\/li>\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_b_ul_li\">Martin Mendoza, owner of Louie\u2019s Barbershop in the Castro, a predominantly gay district of San Francisco: \u201cMy personal opinion? I hope our democracy recovers and goes back to the way it used to be. Some of my customers who are into it agree. They say, \u2018Our nation is really strong.&#8217; Hopefully, we can get through this clean.\u2019\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In the end, McAllister, the Tacoma physician, said Trump\u2019s fate is not as important as the decline of U.S. politics to a point \u201cwhere lying is now OK.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">If we go down that route,&#8221; he added. &#8220;we\u2019re not far from a very, very dark times.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Contributing: Jordan Culver, Grace Hauck, Jorge Ortiz and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>__<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/nation\/2020\/01\/23\/donald-trump-impeachment-trial-everyday-americans\/4548329002\/\">https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/nation\/2020\/01\/23\/donald-trump-impeachment-trial-everyday-americans\/4548329002\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyday Americans are distressed by the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. If they care at all<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5328"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5328\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}