Whats the Matter With Republicans?

[applegrove]

Paul Krugman at the NY Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/opinion/whats-the-matter-with-republicans.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fpaul-krugman&action=click&contentCollection=opinion&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection&_r=0

"SNIP.................


The G.O.P., by contrast, is one branch of a monolithic structure, movement conservatism, with a rigid ideology — tax cuts for the rich above all else. Other branches of the structure include a captive media that parrots the party line every step of the way. Compare the coverage of recent political developments on Fox News with almost everywhere else; we’re talking North Korea levels of alternative reality.

And this monolithic structure — lavishly supported by a small number of very, very wealthy families — rewards, indeed insists on, absolute fealty. Furthermore, the structure has been in place for a long time: It has been 36 years since Reagan was elected, 22 years since the Gingrich takeover of Congress. What this means is that nearly all Republicans in today’s Congress are apparatchiks, political creatures with no higher principle beyond party loyalty.

The fact that the G.O.P. is a party of apparatchiks was one crucial factor in last year’s election. Why did Marine Le Pen, often portrayed as the French equivalent of Trump, lose by a huge margin? Because France’s conservatives were only willing to go so far; they simply would not support a candidate whose motives and qualifications they distrusted. Republicans, however, went all in behind Trump, knowing full well that he was totally unqualified, strongly suspecting that he was corrupt and even speculating that he might be in Russian pay, simply because there was an “R” after his name on the ballot.

And even now, with the Trump/Flynn/Comey story getting worse by the hour, there has been no significant breaking of ranks. If you’re waiting to find the modern version of Howard Baker, the Republican senator who asked “What did the president know, and when did he know it?” you’re wasting your time. Men like that left the G.O.P. a long time ago.


.................SNIP"

[DFW]

1. Principle has no place where money and power rule jointly

And the Republican Party is a place where money and power are the ONLY things that matter.
Do not look for principle. It is not recognized, wanted or present.

[manicraven]

2. Yep, not even the "never Trumpers" speak up about the clown in the White House.

Months ago I read that they despise him and would impeach, but that seems like fake news now as they all got in line behind tRump like sheep.

[guillaumeb]

3. People like Howard Baker WERE DRIVEN from the GOP.

The GOP is not really a Party as the US knows parties. It is a movement directed by the 1%.

[luvallpeeps]

4. Besides the obvious?

They are greedy and scared.