popper wrote:It's a quandary alright. But how can you observe/think it's a Republican only quandary. This is the human condition and has been throughout history. We are, both D and R, universally flawed and ignorant. Surely you can admit that.
This is the standard playbook for those trying to dodge responsibility. “Everybody does it”.
No this is a unique moment in American history. Not everybody foments rebellion on Jan 6. Pardons those who attacked capitol police. Re writes the maps mid term when polls show they are losing. Negates the constitution by reappropriating funds designated for programs voted on by the representatives of the people, diverting them instead to a private army that violates due process, illegal search and seizure laws etc. Not everybody directs the National Guard into states against the will of the governors of those states. Not everyone steals government documents and hides them in their bathroom then lies about it and directs employees to move them to dodge the search warrant. Not everyone suppresses the files that reveals their friendship with billionaire pedophiles. Not everyone has 30+ felonies hanging over their heads.
There are uncountable violations of our Constitution, law and the common values under which this country was founded. We have a president who’d rather be king and not subject to checks and balances. And the only way he can dodge consequences of his violations is to retain power. So he doubles down on those violations. Those who are following his directives understand they are contravening the rule of law, not just publicly but to your whistleblower point: especially behind the scenes, so they can either make a squeak about it and become an enemy of the president. Or. They can double down on his attempt to seize power to prevent that pendulum from swinging back. Like ‘too late to have a conscience now’. Knowing it’s wrong.
The rest is just moral cowardice and grasping for every ‘yeah but’ excuse to avoid self reflection or personal responsibility. Frankly it’s shameful. Like makes me ashamed on behalf of those who lack it. The fact that we as a country have let them get away with it.
You don’t let little kids behave this way. Yes I pushed her down the stairs but but but that other boy is bad too because he took an extra juice box.
No. Wrong is wrong. No matter that you allow it out of fear of personal consequences. Or that you can finger point to lesser offenses elsewhere. Or that you imagine somebody else might do it so you might as well do it yourself. Do unto others as you fear they might do unto you.
Understand in the grand scheme of things we all are ultimately seen weighed and measured. It’s a closed system. You can ask people to bear the consequences of your actions or inactions but eventually when you filter out of this existence and are recycled into the soup of cosmic stuff you will be able to look at the sum total of your life and realize that you stole happiness from the more deserving or more needful because you were selfish, scared, and small in your heart. You missed the chance to make the world better. Allowed more hurt to happen. And for what. Well he did it too. Or at least I’m not as bad as. No. That’s not what matters.
