I think hypocrisy and inconsistency are unpleasant first cousins. Unfortunately, I must admit to yielding to their power myself. As a simple example, I swear at drivers who fail to employ a turn signal but occasionally I show a similar lack. So I guess I’m an inconsistent hypocrite, especially as I dare to write about its negativity.
But however I may act, or any of us, we fall far short of the outrageous limits reached by politicians who are masters of both hypocrisy and inconsistency. Really no surprise about that, but I nevertheless can’t get over the level they have achieved in the past few years. Without seeming to experience the slightest embarrassment.
What could illustrate it more than near presidential term ending nominations to the Supreme Court?
Near the end of Obama’s second term he nominated Merrick Garland.
The Republicans decried filling the spot and said it was only right to wait until after the election.
The Democrats said it was only right that the sitting president make a nomination and it should be given an up or down vote.
During the last months of Trump’s presidency, he nominated Amy Coney Barrett.
The Democrats decried filling the spot and said it was only right to wait until after the election.
The Republicans said it was only right that the sitting president make a nomination and it should be given an up or down vote.
Hypocrisy! Inconsistency! Equally on both the Republicans and the Democrats. And said with straight faces. How can they do that? Do they admit to themselves, in the safety and privacy of their homes, that they are eschewing any attempt at morality? Can they even understand that if a position is right in one set of circumstances it should remain right in another similar one, even if it goes against one’s desired goals?
It’s not difficult to find other examples in the political arena.
Each party deplores the radical element of the opposite one while excusing its own extreme fringe.
Republicans blasted investigations into Russian influence in the 2016 election while Democrats were apoplectic about attempts to look into actions by Hunter Biden in the Ukraine
President Biden makes a stupid remark and Republicans hint at senility and are oblivious to the disgusting remarks of former President Trump which he supplied on an almost daily basis.
Republicans accuse President Biden of lying, but not a word is mentioned about the record number of falsehoods uttered by Trump.
Republicans spin replies during interviews and accuse the Democrats of doing just that. Democrats spin replies during interviews and accuse the Republicans of doing just that.
Josh Hawley says Biden lost the election and should resign, indicating recognition he has a legitimate position from which to resign.
To me, who believes in logic, it gets tiring. Isn’t it time we demand more of our politicians, not reward them for their ability to lie effectively and to twist their views based on political expediency? Shouldn’t we demand they be consistent in aiming for the high road independent of party affiliation? What are the odds?
Fat chance!
After all, most politicians of all stripes seem to lack the basic decency to admit the truth. If they did, would they be better servers of the people? Or would they be voted out of office?
But however I may act, or any of us, we fall far short of the outrageous limits reached by politicians who are masters of both hypocrisy and inconsistency. Really no surprise about that, but I nevertheless can’t get over the level they have achieved in the past few years. Without seeming to experience the slightest embarrassment.
What could illustrate it more than near presidential term ending nominations to the Supreme Court?
Near the end of Obama’s second term he nominated Merrick Garland.
The Republicans decried filling the spot and said it was only right to wait until after the election.
The Democrats said it was only right that the sitting president make a nomination and it should be given an up or down vote.
During the last months of Trump’s presidency, he nominated Amy Coney Barrett.
The Democrats decried filling the spot and said it was only right to wait until after the election.
The Republicans said it was only right that the sitting president make a nomination and it should be given an up or down vote.
Hypocrisy! Inconsistency! Equally on both the Republicans and the Democrats. And said with straight faces. How can they do that? Do they admit to themselves, in the safety and privacy of their homes, that they are eschewing any attempt at morality? Can they even understand that if a position is right in one set of circumstances it should remain right in another similar one, even if it goes against one’s desired goals?
It’s not difficult to find other examples in the political arena.
Each party deplores the radical element of the opposite one while excusing its own extreme fringe.
Republicans blasted investigations into Russian influence in the 2016 election while Democrats were apoplectic about attempts to look into actions by Hunter Biden in the Ukraine
President Biden makes a stupid remark and Republicans hint at senility and are oblivious to the disgusting remarks of former President Trump which he supplied on an almost daily basis.
Republicans accuse President Biden of lying, but not a word is mentioned about the record number of falsehoods uttered by Trump.
Republicans spin replies during interviews and accuse the Democrats of doing just that. Democrats spin replies during interviews and accuse the Republicans of doing just that.
Josh Hawley says Biden lost the election and should resign, indicating recognition he has a legitimate position from which to resign.
To me, who believes in logic, it gets tiring. Isn’t it time we demand more of our politicians, not reward them for their ability to lie effectively and to twist their views based on political expediency? Shouldn’t we demand they be consistent in aiming for the high road independent of party affiliation? What are the odds?
Fat chance!
After all, most politicians of all stripes seem to lack the basic decency to admit the truth. If they did, would they be better servers of the people? Or would they be voted out of office?
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