General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt simply isn't fair to say that the Republican Party has betrayed its principles.
For the last 4 years the Republican Party has adopted and been faithful to one single guiding principle
The Führerprinzip or the Fuhrer Principle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BChrerprinzip
The Führerprinzip (German: [ˈfyːʀɐpʀɪnˌtsiːp] (About this soundlisten); German for 'leader principle') prescribed the fundamental basis of political authority in the governmental structures of the Third Reich. This principle can be most succinctly understood to mean that "the Führer's word is above all written law" and that governmental policies, decisions, and offices ought to work toward the realization of this end.[1] In actual political usage, it refers mainly to the practice of dictatorship within the ranks of a political party itself, and as such, it has become an earmark of political fascism.
Alliepoo
(2,208 posts)Ferrets are Cool
(21,102 posts)unblock
(52,113 posts)Mostly loyalty and bigotry and sexism.
Among their principles is that running about lying about their principles is totally cool, especially when talking about principles they believe should apply only to democrats, minorities, etc. like fiscal responsibility and law & order.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)Ferrets are Cool
(21,102 posts)I suppose my point is that they do not have what we consider "principles" that are in the common interest of Americans.
Caliman73
(11,722 posts)They have not betrayed their "principles". They are following conservatism to its logical end state.
Conservatives are the ideological decedents of Royalists, or people who supported the monarchy and aristocracy. Now, they do not necessarily support the idea of kings and nobility, but they believe that there is a hierarchical nature to society and that the "best" people should be in charge. In the past, the best were the monarchs, lines of nobility that amassed power and wealth. With the fall of monarchy, they moved on to a different criteria in selecting "the best" which lay along racial and economic lines. White and wealthy and Christian was "best". The best are beyond the standards needed to rule the "common" and less than people. This is why they seem to lie, cheat, and steal without remorse, while claiming to be for "law and order" as you said.
It's not unfair. It is inaccurate to say that Republicans betrayed their principles. They are following them.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)If he could get the armed forces to swear loyalty to him alone, he would do it, I am convinced.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-military-oaths
Following Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933, the military oath changed again, although soldiers were required to swear loyalty to their people and country (Volk und Vaterland), rather to individual leaders. All this changed with the death of German President Paul von Hindenburg on August 2, 1934. At this time, Adolf Hitler began to solidify his control over Germany. That same day, all military personnel in Germany swore a new oath of allegiance. The oath was no longer one of allegiance to the Constitution or its institutions, but one of binding loyalty to Hitler himself:
I swear by God this holy oath, that I will render to Adolf Hitler, Führer of the German Reich and People, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, unconditional obedience, and that I am ready, as a brave soldier, to risk my life at any time for this oath.
From this point forward, all existing units and all new military recruits would swear the so-called Führer Oath. The oath became law in July 1935. Civilian officials would swear a similar oath.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,391 posts)is that they've probably already at least asked
steve2470
(37,457 posts)I hope they all said some version of FUCK YOU Mr. President! to him.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,391 posts)but I feel like, in the end, they would never side with him like that.