avatarJohn Worthington

Summary

The article critically examines the post-truth politics within the Republican Party, highlighting the inconsistencies and falsehoods perpetuated by figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kevin McCarthy.

Abstract

The piece titled "Can Anyone in the GOP Tell the Truth?" delves into the post-truth syndrome prevalent in the current political climate, particularly within the Republican Party. It scrutinizes the behavior of Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has denied her own statements despite video evidence, and Kevin McCarthy, whose actions appear to be driven by ambition rather than principle. The article suggests that these figures, along with others in the GOP, have resorted to fabrications and baseless accusations to further their political agendas, rather than engaging in substantive representation. It also touches on the broader implications of such behavior, questioning the integrity of the political process and the ability of these individuals to hold positions of significant responsibility.

Opinions

  • The author asserts that Marjorie Taylor Greene has demonstrated a lack of integrity by denying her own statements and actions, despite clear video evidence, and by attempting to justify her behavior with flimsy excuses.
  • Kevin McCarthy is portrayed as an opportunist who has shifted his stance to align with Donald Trump's interests, possibly to further his own ambition of becoming third in the line of presidential succession.
  • The article implies that the post-truth approach adopted by some GOP members is a strategy to destroy political opposition through unfounded accusations rather than engaging in honest debate or policy discussion.
  • There is a clear skepticism about the motivations behind the actions of Greene and McCarthy, suggesting that their primary goal is political power rather than serving the interests of their constituents or upholding the Constitution.
  • The author expresses concern over the potential consequences of a post-truth political environment, where facts are disregarded in favor of narrative-driven politics, and the impact this could have on the democratic process and public trust.
  • The piece also contrasts the behavior of McCarthy and Greene with that of Mitch McConnell, who is described as a pragmatic politician focused on the party's interests rather than being subservient to any individual, including Donald Trump.
  • The author concludes that the post-truth contingent within the GOP lacks substance and genuine representation, relying instead on undermining the opposition and fabricating stories to maintain political power.

Can Anyone in the GOP Tell the Truth?

The Post-Truth Syndrome in Today’s Political Climate

Illustration by BSIENKART (used with permission from artist)

George Orwell said, “The further a society drifts from the truth the more it will hate those that speak it.” I don’t know if the whole society has drifted that far from the truth, but there certainly is an element of the Republican Party who twist events to fit their particular convenience to support the story that they’d prefer everyone to believe. In the past few days we’ve all been subjected to wall-to-wall coverage of two stars of the post-truth GOP.

First, Marge had an unexpected attack of early Alzheimer’s and just couldn’t remember if she had said and done the things she had said and done³. Even with videos of her saying and doing the very things she couldn’t remember, she tried to claim that those clips had been taken out of context. I’ll agree that context does affect what we can consider to be the actual truth, but come on, Marge. That cute southern belle crap doesn’t belong in congress. Marge treated the court like she was the most sought after dance partner at the party. She batted her eyes and stated over and over again, “Whay, I jes’ don remember any of those awful things you’re saying about poor little ole meee.”

I can’t really be too hard on Marge because she was encouraged to be a badass little ole her. She thought she was so big and bad shooting that oversized rifle and all. That was cute. But it is not representative of the people of Georgia. The good old boys have been having fun watching that little ole girly act all tough and you can’t blame them. But in a court of law she was exposed as the silly little girl she is. You see, when you make derogatory statements about someone you have to have substance to back up your words.

There was Marge on video saying, “”Without the widespread voter fraud, out-of-state voters, mail-in ballots from dead people, and ‘discovery’ of hidden ballots, we all know that President Trump wins our state in a landslide²” Now I’m a fair-minded guy, but I still have not heard of anything at all that even smells like fraud in that election. I’ve heard a lot of things that smell, but not of fraud in the vote or the count. There just is not any proof. But for Marge she couldn’t even acknowledge that people who put a great deal of energy into interrupting congress in the midst of a constitutionally mandated act, would or could possibly be enemies of the constitution. Why? Because if that’s true, then it would apply to Margery herself.

Marge is simply a case of an immature person acting too big for their britches. That’s not the case for our friend Kevin, aka The Wannabe Nancy Pelosi. Kevin would love to be the third in the line of succession. The problem for Kevin it seems, is that he just is not a heavyweight contender. He’s not even a middleweight contender. We can hear on the tapes with Kevin and Liz, that Kevin is clearly considering asking The XLV to abdicate the throne¹. Yet less than a month later, there was Kevin making the pilgrimage to the holy temple of Mar Lago. What in the world changed in Kevin’s mind in those few days? On the recorded call Kevin clearly wanted Liz’s thoughts and support, but a very short time later he stripped Liz of her power in congress. Does that indicate that Kevin is really just a lap dog for his lord and master, the Great Orange Pumpkin?

We can’t say the same about Kevin’s counterpart over in the senate. Moscow Mitch is no one’s boy. Oh, he’d vote for the queen of England for president if she were a republican, but for Mitch, the party is his lord and master. He’s said that Donny was just outright out of line and that the courts have the obligation to remind Donny that he is not above the law⁴. But Kevin seems to be kissing up to the Pumpkin. In so doing, Kevin is embracing the post-truth element of the Republican Party. I can not see how that will not backfire.

Here’s the problem and the questions that come with the problem. First, who subscribes to post-truth ideology? Are they not immature people like Marge? Like the Cawthorn kid? If those kinds of folks will lie to their constituents, why wouldn’t they lie to Kevin? I wouldn’t trust someone in my business that I know lies, would you? Trust in business is based on consistently representing facts not speculation. It’s hard to imagine Kevin representing facts at all, much less consistently. The second problem is what does the post-truth contingency represent? Well, nothing. To represent something there has to be something of substance to represent. There just isn’t anything of substance which can be represented in a post-truth world.

In lieu of actual representation, the post-truthers have to rely on destroying the opposition. To destroy the opposition a post-truther must make up accusations. “Lock her up”. “Judge, you’re really a pedophile.” “Joe stole the election”. “Joe is senile.” “The Vice President is not doing anything.” The list is long and boring, but you get the idea. Is this the platform that the likes of Kevin and Marge are running on?

We see Kevin adhering exactly to this playbook. He has vilified Liz⁶. But to what end? It hasn’t gone all that well so far. Liz has been relentless in proving Mr. Trump was involved in the events of January 6th and implicating his co-conspirators in plots⁷ such as setting up fake electors and having them sign forged paperwork. The motivation for such behavior is what’s most difficult to understand. What did anyone hope to gain by putting on this elaborate show?

It might have started with the abortion issue, but it has evolved into more than that. It has come around to a nearly fascist way of thinking. Kevin is in a pickle, no doubt. He wants to be third in line, but he thinks he has to kiss up to the Orange Man in order to achieve that. Is that because Kevin doesn’t have a mind of his own? Is it because Kevin is a rudderless ship at sea being moved about by the tides of the day?

I think it’s fair to say that overall the American people have grown weary of the stress and the drama. I don’t mind if Kevin is Donny’s boy, but I don’t want him in line for the presidency. I don’t mind if Marge is cute as a button with her big old gun, but I don’t want her to weigh in on anything of substance because she has none herself. And I don’t mind if the Orange Pumpkin is a fascist. But I don’t want a fascist to be president either.

So to all the post-truth folks, if you don’t verify the truth, how can you know the context of what that truth actually is? Case in point: if the election was stolen, produce some actual proof, not algorithms or imaginary vote switching by a vote counting machine. Actual proof. I don’t care how you feel about it either. I want facts. If you don’t have facts you don’t have anything at all. But then you’ve obviously moved on past truth. Does that mean that I should ignore a building on fire? I don’t think so. I think when it comes down to reality you’ll be as pro-truth as anyone else. Truth is how we know to trust someone or not.

References

1. Audio clip shows Kevin McCarthy planned to ask Trump to resign after Jan. 6 attack I GMA. (2022, April 22). YouTube. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://youtu.be/_zrd6xOqlcc

2. Funke, D. (2021, February 2). What Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has said about election fraud, QAnon and other conspiracy theories. PolitiFact. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/feb/02/what-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-has-said-about-ele/

3. Kaczynski, A., & Steck, E. (2022, April 25). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s comments in since-deleted videos contradict testimony on close ties to Capitol rioter. CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/25/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-testimony-ties-anthony-aguero/index.html

4. Martin, J. (2022, April 22). McCarthy Says He Would Urge for Trump Resignation After Jan 6 in Recording. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/us/politics/trump-mitch-mcconnell-kevin-mccarthy.html

6. Rogers, A. (2021, May 12). Liz Cheney loses House Republican leadership post over feud with Trump. CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/politics/liz-cheney-gop-conference-vote/index.html

7. WSJ: (Cheney) “The Jan. 6 Committee Won’t Be Intimidated” | Congresswoman Liz Cheney. (2022, February 10). Liz Cheney. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://cheney.house.gov/2022/02/10/wsj-cheney-the-jan-6-committee-wont-be-intimidated/

Politics
Post Truth
GOP
Leadership
Facts
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