The political divide in the United States has sunk to new lows, as a group of activists in Maine have organized an effort to bribe Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) into voting against confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The effort is being led by two organizations, Maine People’s Alliance and Mainers for Accountable Leadership (there’s a misnomer if ever I heard one!), as well as activist Ady Barkan. Their campaign is organized around a Crowdpac platform, where they have raised over $1 million in pledges, vowing to donate that money to Collins’ Democratic opponent in the 2020 election. But, the donations will only be collected if Collins votes for Kavanaugh. If she votes against Kavanaugh, the organizers pledge to cancel the donations, so the money is never collected. The campaign has told the 37,000 donors who have pledged money, “Senator Collins votes NO on Kavanaugh and you will not be charged, and no money will go to fund her future opponent. Senator Collins votes YES on Kavanaugh and your pledge will go to her opponent’s campaign, once that opponent is identified. … Your card will only be charged if Collins votes for Kavanaugh’s confirmation.” The campaign calls on Sen. Collins to “be a hero,” threatening that if she fails to “stand up for the people of Maine and for Americans across the country, every dollar donated to this campaign will go to your eventual Democratic opponent in 2020. We will get you out of office.”

Sen. Collins’ has condemned the campaign as an attempt to bribe her into voting against Kavanaugh’s confirmation. It is a federal crime to bribe government officials. Some commentators have speculated that the effort may have a backlash effect. Sen. Collins voted to confirm Kavanaugh to the U. S. Court of Appeals in 2006 when he was nominated by George W. Bush and has indicated that she will vote to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, as well.  Her staff insists that she will not be persuaded in her decision by these kinds of tactics.

Frankly, if this isn’t an attempt to bribe a U. S. Senator, than there is no such thing as bribery, and we may as well call open season on bribery and extortion of all government officials.

In related news, Sen. Collins’ office reports having received numerous vulgar, threatening phone calls and letters demanding that she vote against Kavanaugh’s confirmation. One caller said, “If you care at all about women’s choice, vote ‘no’ on Kavanaugh. Don’t be a dumb bitch. F**k you, also. ” Another caller said he hoped that the 25-year-old female staffer with whom he spoke would be raped and impregnated. Well, you can never accuse pro-abortion supporters of lacking class!

Sen. Collins, along with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, are considered possible swing voters on the Kavanaugh nomination. Both are Republicans who are pro-abortion, which is why they’re designated “moderates” by the press. Yes, in the Orwellian lexicon of our media, support for the killing of children in the womb is considered the “moderate” position. As such, Democrats and pro-abortion activists are hoping to turn them against voting for Kavanaugh. The Republicans hold a slim 51-49 advantage in the Senate, and only a simple majority is required to confirm Kavanaugh, thanks to the Democrats changing the rules when they held the Senate during the Obama years. So, if only two Republicans vote against Kavanaugh, his nomination is sunk. So far, even the Democrats acknowledge that Kavanaugh’s confirmation is virtually certain. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate majority leader, has promised to bring Kavanaugh’s confirmation up for a vote before the end of September. The new Supreme Court session begins October 1st.

Regardless of where you stand on Kavanaugh’s nomination, this is not a good development for a healthy civil discourse or political process. Yes, politicians have been subjected to bribes since the birth of politics. But, it was formerly understood as something one did under the table, behind closed doors, because it was not only regarded as criminal, but unseemly and destructive to civil order. Now, apparently, the left is so girded by the support of the Democratic party and a leftist press, that they clearly believe that they can bribe and extort politicians openly and with impunity. The ends absolutely justify the means, if the ends are the political and social goals of the left. “No holds barred!” they cry, “And we dare you to try to stop us!”

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.