how do congressional Republicans justify to themselves their total abdication of responsibility

The vulgar side of Robert Reich. “Office Hours: WTF do they tell themselves?”

As Trump siphons away their power, how do congressional Republicans justify to themselves their total abdication of responsibility?

Trump’s decision to strike Iran without congressional authorization has renewed debate over Congress’s constitutional role in the use of American forces.

At almost every turn, Trump is usurping powers that the Constitution reserves to Congress — not just the power to go to war but also the power to set tariffs, the power to appropriate and spend public funds, and the power to create and oversee the many independent agencies that exist to serve the public good.

Yet Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, won’t defend their constitutional prerogatives. America is becoming a dictatorship because there are not even 4 Republican senators out of 53, nor 3 Republican representatives out of 220, with enough courage and integrity to stand up for Congress’s constitutional responsibilities.

I’ve been asking myself what Republican senators and representatives tell themselves about why they hold public office. When they look at themselves in the mirror in the morning to adjust their lapel pins, how do they justify their complete and total abdication of responsibility?

I can imagine a few self-justifications:

1. They agree with Trump that America needs a “strongman” dictator, and our democratic institutions are too slow or outmoded to meet the needs of the nation.

2. They don’t know or understand the Constitution. They aren’t aware that Trump is usurping Congress’s power.

3. They’re afraid they’ll lose their job if they vote against Trump and feel they can do at least a bit of good for their constituents and the nation by remaining in Congress.

4. They don’t want to lose their job because they like the honor and prestige, and they expect to become a high-paid corporate lobbyist when they retire from Congress.

Hence today’s Office Hours discussion question: What do you think Republican senators and representatives tell themselves about why they hold public office?