When I was young (late teens), I was a Republican. We had progressive Republicans in MD, and I liked them. But then came "Tricky Dick" Nixon and Agnew and I was pretty much pushed out of the Republican Party. I saw a difference in the way the 2 parties thought. I thought tactically like Republicans (like playing chess) and still do. I'm a rogue Democrat. So I understand the way they think.
Now I think more about others than I do for my own gain, so I vote Democratic. But I've never forgotten how Republicans think (and it hasn't changed:
1. Look out for yourself.
2. Think short term (next election)
3. Think long term (judges)
4. When in doubt, see #1.
Trump is the logical outcome of decades of #1-4. What my (sort of) fellow Democrats do NOT understand is that Trump will do ANYTHING to hold power, gain power, and crush the enemy. Democrats (the poor saps) keep trying to "meet halfway" on issues. That never works. That never works because the Republicans either win or lose; there is no "halfway, compromise, or "getting along". They have the mindset of Atilla The Hun.
Supporting the Democratic party agenda is a "desire to help others at your own expense and thinking of the future". Supporting the Republican party agenda is "I want MINE and I want it now; damn the future and the horse it will ride in on"!
The basic motto of the Democratic party is 'The Desiderata'. Moat of you know it, but if not, it can be searched for easily.
The basic motto of the Republican party is best expressed by Mordred in "Camelot". Which is not so easily found, so I will quote the lyrics:
The Seven Deadly Virtues:
"The seven deadly virtues, those ghastly little traps
Oh no, my liege, they were not meant for me
Those seven deadly virtues were made for other chaps
Who love a life of failure and ennui
Take courage-now there's a sport
An invitation to the state of rigor mort
And purity-a noble yen
And very restful every now and then
I find humility means to be hurt
It's not the earth the meek inherit, it's the dirt
Honesty is fatal, it should be taboo
Diligence-a fate I would hate
If charity means giving, I give it to you
And fidelity is only for your mate
You'll never find a virtue unstatusing my quo or making my Beelzebubble burst
Let others take the high road, I will take the low
I cannot wait to rush in where angels fear to go
With all those seven deadly virtues, free and happy little me has not... been... cursed!"
Every Republican will agree (privately) and act aghast (publicly). Well, that's the tactic.
Trump will sacrifice any and all supporters at the least threat to himself. Everyone who ever worked for him, now matter how closely and for how many years, is "who? Some minor critter in my world".
Wait til the investigations close in on his family. Wanna bet it will be "Ivanka who?". Oh, just some kid of that previous broad!"
There is nothing Trump won't do to keep his imagined greatness persona intact. EOL
