This is what I wrote last night so that I could quit thinking about it & go to sleep. It's a bit too succinct perhaps, but it's maybe a slightly fuller explanation of my problems with the modern GOP:
When asked a few months ago about his actions in the Michael Flynn case, Attornery General Bill Barr observed that "history is written by the winners." This wasn't an idle academic observation but rather a justification for what he had done. In his mind, "winning"--attaining or holding power--made the actions correct. At the base of his actions were no core beliefs, no rock-solid ideals, no moral compass--simply the belief that "winning" would make it all right. And that, in a nutshell, is the hollow moral relativism of the modern GOP.
This country's democracy has from its start depended on commonly held beliefs and ideals--those self-evident truths and inalienable rights that the founders went on about. While these ideals have largely become more inclusive with the passing of time (and on occasion have been bent or broken), they haven't radically changed. But when "winning," when gaining and controlling power becomes the ultimate "good" of a political party, that party is no longer governed by the ideals that have held this country together for nearly two and a half centuries; their "morals" and "beliefs," such as they are, become malleable and even disposable--the means justify the end, as long as that end involves "winning."
On a personal note: Years ago, as a college freshman, I took a similar, if far more abstract, tack on moral relativism in a philosophy class. A lively discussion ensued, and as I left the class that day the professor(a WWII vet) admonished me: "Be careful. That way lies fascism." I was a bit taken aback by this, and it was quite a while before I really started to understand what he meant. Unfortunately, as I watch the doings of Trump and Barr and company, it is now clearer to me than ever.
When asked a few months ago about his actions in the Michael Flynn case, Attornery General Bill Barr observed that "history is written by the winners." This wasn't an idle academic observation but rather a justification for what he had done. In his mind, "winning"--attaining or holding power--made the actions correct. At the base of his actions were no core beliefs, no rock-solid ideals, no moral compass--simply the belief that "winning" would make it all right. And that, in a nutshell, is the hollow moral relativism of the modern GOP.
This country's democracy has from its start depended on commonly held beliefs and ideals--those self-evident truths and inalienable rights that the founders went on about. While these ideals have largely become more inclusive with the passing of time (and on occasion have been bent or broken), they haven't radically changed. But when "winning," when gaining and controlling power becomes the ultimate "good" of a political party, that party is no longer governed by the ideals that have held this country together for nearly two and a half centuries; their "morals" and "beliefs," such as they are, become malleable and even disposable--the means justify the end, as long as that end involves "winning."
On a personal note: Years ago, as a college freshman, I took a similar, if far more abstract, tack on moral relativism in a philosophy class. A lively discussion ensued, and as I left the class that day the professor(a WWII vet) admonished me: "Be careful. That way lies fascism." I was a bit taken aback by this, and it was quite a while before I really started to understand what he meant. Unfortunately, as I watch the doings of Trump and Barr and company, it is now clearer to me than ever.