Would the slide into amorality of the Republican Party have happened regardless of Trump ?
56-60, M
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SW-User
I would think so. Historically, when there are periods of economic uncertainty, political groups lean towards fascism as a way to provide order, or at least the illusion of order. Within the Republican Party (and it's not every Republican, but certainly different ideological factions) there is this militant need for stability.
Disregarding marginalized groups, ignoring environmental concerns, being callous to the needs of the downtrodden, etc. is all done to preserve this ideal. Republicans have traditionally had a narrow worldview, but when facing pressure for results, the worldview tends to become narrower.
Disregarding marginalized groups, ignoring environmental concerns, being callous to the needs of the downtrodden, etc. is all done to preserve this ideal. Republicans have traditionally had a narrow worldview, but when facing pressure for results, the worldview tends to become narrower.
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luckranger71 · 51-55, M
@SW-User Not true. Someone has their finger on the pulse of partisan hackery 😎
SW-User
@luckranger71 If there's anything that's definitively false, it's labeling me a partisan
luckranger71 · 51-55, M
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
Both parties were always full of hypocrisy, with both generally only paying lip service to the ideals that they pretend to champion.
But Trump did bring something in the open. For decades, Republican voters moaned about religion and family values. To the point where it was almost a stranglehold on modern politics, and the sort of candidates each party fielded. A squeaky clean image, nuclear family, solid religious affiliation (until JFK, Catholics didn't even pass the bar), etc - all those were considered a critical part of what makes someone electable, and even the Dems followed suit, to appeal to moderate Republicans.
In a way, Trump made people more honest. Turns out Republicans don't care about family values or religion, as long as someone talks enough shit about the immigrants. Righteousness was really just a facade all along.
[quote]Across the political spectrum, Americans today are less likely to believe personal transgressions prevent public officials from performing their duties well. Seven in ten (70%) Republicans and more than six in ten Democrats (61%) and independents (63%) say public officials can behave ethically in their professional roles even if they acted immorally in their personal life. Notably, in 2011 only 36% of Republicans agreed, compared to nearly half of Democrats (49%) and independents (46%).
No group has shifted their position more dramatically than white evangelical Protestants. More than seven in ten (72%) white evangelical Protestants say an elected official can behave ethically even if they have committed transgressions in their personal life—a 42-point jump from 2011, when only 30 % of white evangelical Protestants said the same.[/quote]
But Trump did bring something in the open. For decades, Republican voters moaned about religion and family values. To the point where it was almost a stranglehold on modern politics, and the sort of candidates each party fielded. A squeaky clean image, nuclear family, solid religious affiliation (until JFK, Catholics didn't even pass the bar), etc - all those were considered a critical part of what makes someone electable, and even the Dems followed suit, to appeal to moderate Republicans.
In a way, Trump made people more honest. Turns out Republicans don't care about family values or religion, as long as someone talks enough shit about the immigrants. Righteousness was really just a facade all along.
[quote]Across the political spectrum, Americans today are less likely to believe personal transgressions prevent public officials from performing their duties well. Seven in ten (70%) Republicans and more than six in ten Democrats (61%) and independents (63%) say public officials can behave ethically in their professional roles even if they acted immorally in their personal life. Notably, in 2011 only 36% of Republicans agreed, compared to nearly half of Democrats (49%) and independents (46%).
No group has shifted their position more dramatically than white evangelical Protestants. More than seven in ten (72%) white evangelical Protestants say an elected official can behave ethically even if they have committed transgressions in their personal life—a 42-point jump from 2011, when only 30 % of white evangelical Protestants said the same.[/quote]
Xuan12 · 31-35, M
Possibly. The frustration of repeated policy failures by the GOP would eventually push them to take more and more desperate measures. Sadly, even now that frustration looms, with 2 failed attempts to repeal the ACA shows that they haven't been able to write new policy. Add to that an unpopular tax bill on the horizon, and the dismantling of Net Neutrality, the GOP's agenda is looking more and more hostile to common citizens.
Graylight · 51-55, F
Oh, they were already headed down the slope on their own. To comprise the most ineffective, obstructionist house in modern political times requires a serious lack or vision, sense of duty and simple decency. The day it became more important to win a game than fulfill their obligation to act in the best interest of their constituents, the party headed downhill.
Trump is simply the two-ton elephant they chained to the party.
Trump is simply the two-ton elephant they chained to the party.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
Yes.
He was a product of so much else that has developed in American Conservatism over recent years. Fox News, The Teach Party, talk radio etc. Also, the racial undertones which were always there. Trump just made it more explicit.
Obama had a good line when he said that Trump never builds anything, he just puts his name on it.
He was a product of so much else that has developed in American Conservatism over recent years. Fox News, The Teach Party, talk radio etc. Also, the racial undertones which were always there. Trump just made it more explicit.
Obama had a good line when he said that Trump never builds anything, he just puts his name on it.
penguinswon · M
I think so. It's been going that way since Reagan. Check out the documentary "Boogie Man". It tells the story of Lee Atwater, the father of bare knuckle Republican election propaganda. He's the guy who fabricated the apocryphal "Welfare Queen."
Watch Ava Duvernay's documentary 13. Slavery never went away. They just created the 13th amendment to enslave Black people permanently. I know the Dems own some of that, but the GOP are the racist party.
Watch Ava Duvernay's documentary 13. Slavery never went away. They just created the 13th amendment to enslave Black people permanently. I know the Dems own some of that, but the GOP are the racist party.
luckranger71 · 51-55, M
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
@Xuan12 Was that when he was a democrat? He used to be a democrat you know.
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
@hippyjoe1955 Yes, we all remember the Dixiecrat era. And DAE remember that Lincoln was a Republican? Shocking...
But let's face it, it's the early 21st century. KKK and white nationalists of all stripe vote Republican in lockstep, and that's been the case for quite some time.
But let's face it, it's the early 21st century. KKK and white nationalists of all stripe vote Republican in lockstep, and that's been the case for quite some time.
Sicarium · 46-50, M
*catches up on all the Democrats and leftists in media and Hollywood caught up in their own scandals*
Umm...
Umm...
Sicarium · 46-50, M
@QuixoticSoul Because they're bigtime Dem donors. And, sorry, I don't do double standards.
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
@Sicarium That's not a double standard bwahaha, just straight hypocrisy.
And who gives a shit about those donors? Frankly, Hollywood folks (many of whom aren't all that liberal), are small potatoes. I think people don't understand where the money is in this country and who has it.
Big time donors, for both Democrats and Republicans aren't entertainers. They are businessmen, and are far wealthier. There is a reason why Obama repeatedly visited Atherton and not Beverly HIlls.
And who gives a shit about those donors? Frankly, Hollywood folks (many of whom aren't all that liberal), are small potatoes. I think people don't understand where the money is in this country and who has it.
Big time donors, for both Democrats and Republicans aren't entertainers. They are businessmen, and are far wealthier. There is a reason why Obama repeatedly visited Atherton and not Beverly HIlls.
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bijouxbroussard · F
