The power of public outrage. “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.”

I'm old enough to remember it.

I was living in Washington DC in 1974 when it happened. And, since then I've rarely heard it reported or talked about. But, have often recalled it as a comforting reminder that our democracy actually works.

Proof that he American people have real power! Most just don't seem to realize or remember to use it!

Here's a scene from the 1976 movie Network. Although not about the Nixon era, it conveys some of the mood in 1974. In this scene, practically everyone watching a television program sticks their heads out of a window and screams at the same time. “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.” It's also a good example of crowd psychology at work.

In 1974, public outrage literally shook the foundations of the institutions in the city at a magnitude that was off the “Richter Scale.” The enormous power of collective public outrage, once unleashed, can not be called back anymore than a tidal wave can be stopped.

It rattled those in power at the time. Although it was reported by the media as it happened, it is very difficult to find the specifics about it now. It's as if they are not allowed to talk about it. I don't think the controlled “corporate news” wants to remind the average American that they hold enough power to end a Presidency.

The daily drip, drip, drip of one outrageous news story after another. Daily resignations and firings. Lies in multiple layers, lies to cover a previous lie which restates a previous lie. Like a giant layer cake made of shit that we are arrogantly expected to eat and like. One too many lies from an administration which obviously has something big to hide and is desperately trying to hold onto power at any cost. Lie after lie from the President and those lying in his name add up to one outrageous affront to our intelligence.

In 1974 the collective insults had suddenly reached a critical mass. Today, outrage is again boiling under the surface, waiting for that one final piece of the puzzle to trigger a mass reaction. I predict that collectively Americans will again raise their voices and say “enough is enough.”

At some point I believe that crowd psychology takes over. The conditions have to be just right and then something triggers a mass reaction which causes the crowd to act in unison as if it were one single outraged person. They say crowd psychology is what drives stock market panics and stampedes in sports stadiums.

On July 27, 29, and 30, 1974, the Judiciary Committee approved three articles of impeachment against Nixon, for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress, and reported those articles to the House of Representatives. Two other articles of impeachment were debated but not approved. Before the House could vote on the impeachment resolutions the “Smoking Gun Tape” was revealed, which made clear Nixon's complicity in the cover-up. This was the trigger that set off a storm of pubic outrage.

After the “smoking gun”evidence was uncovered, the whole country slammed their fists upon the national table at the same time in a collective act of anger and outrage. It created a deafening shock wave heard clearly by every member of Congress.

Well before the internet, the 1974 methods of communication where pushed to the breaking point.
The volume of phone calls broke records, overwhelming phone lines and switchboards. Mountains of telegrams and mail flooded Washington DC. Congress heard the people's message loud and clear, and the message was: “This man can no longer serve as President.” There comes a point in time where enough is simply enough!

The speed with which it all happened was breathtaking. A congress controlled by Republicans suddenly flipped against their Republican president after the people spoke with one voice.

Republican leaders quickly met and polled the members. They immediately set up a meeting in the Oval office with President Nixon on August 6, 1974. They conveyed a simple message. Resign or you will be the first President of the United States to be removed from office after a trial in the senate. Nixon resigned and left the White House on August 9th.

Today, for history to repeat itself, a mere 10% of Republicans would need to vote against their Republican President.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology