Republican Tribalism

[libertango]

T.E. Lawrence: So long as the Arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people, a silly people - greedy, barbarous, and cruel, as you are. -- Robert Bolt, Lawrence of Arabia

I've spoken before about what I see as one of the Republican's biggest problems in this election. When a Democrat objects to something, it’s because they think something is actually objectionable. When a Republican objects to something, it’s because it’s “not Republican,” and they’re seeking the most momentary of gotchas.

But this comment thread got me to thinking (scroll down to comments 35 and on). Notice how in the space of 6 messages one poster takes “one-sided partisan hacks” from something to complain about to something to praise.

I think the whole "not Republican" aspect is the key here. Republicans have started acting tribally -- an action taken by a member of the tribe is OK under all circumstances. Actions taken by people who aren't in the tribe -- even when they're the same actions -- are beyond the pale.

It's why minor little things like facts, morals, ethics, consistency, laws, the constitution, behaving in a way one would call "American"... They just don't matter to Republicans any more. Because from their point of view, they always are being consistent -- either you're in the tribe or you aren't.

"It's OK If You're A Republican" (abbreviated IOKIYAR) -- it's gone from being a wry comment on the standard Republican hypocrisy to actually being the ethos of the tribe, as far as one can tell.

I've been calling this the "Republican Sincerity Gap." Mostly because I'm old enough to remember some of the "gaps" of the sixties and seventies.

But I suspect it's littler than that, and sillier than that. Greedy, barbarous, and cruel.

Comments

[farmgirl1146.livejournal.com]

YES, you are absolutely correct. I was going to comment more, but you said it better.

Signed,
Not a Republican.