Hypocrisy Runs Rampant

I am so sick of it.

So, Joe Biden took home some classified documents. When I heard this, my first thought was, “Oh, for chrissakes Joe, really?” Apparently, this happened when he was vice president, so, he was old enough to know better, as my Pops would say. Then it comes out that Mike Pence had some documents, too. It begs the question, why are classified documents allowed to be taken out of a secure area and not returned? I feel like Biden and Pence will be okay politically if they avoid the perception of covering up. Just get everything out, do what is right and let the chips fall. This needs to be scrutinized and brought to a fair and just conclusion, no matter who is involved.

Having said that . . .

Of course, there are those who will equate what Biden and Pence did, with the cascade of documents filched by 45. (You know to whom I am referring. Do not make me type his name.) Only an idiot believes in the equivalence of these situations. Biden’s lawyers self-reported the documents and turned them over to the National Archives, and according to news reports, they are cooperating and searching for more. It appears that Pence is taking care of his mishandling of documents in a similar way.

Contrast this with what the worst president in American history did. (Yes, the guy before Biden. Good guess.) He packed up hundreds of classified documents and shipped them down to Florida. He had no legal claim to these papers and was unwilling to give them back. So, law enforcement and the courts had to get involved. He stupidly brought the raid of his home on himself.

For all the MAGAs out there, yes, thinking is hard, but let’s try a little thought experiment, shall we? Pick any one of the dozens of scandals from 45’s tenure as candidate and president. Recall how you felt about it and how you expressed support for your guy. Now, with everything else staying the same, substitute Biden or Obama for 45. Did your head just explode? Which scandalous situation did you choose? Was it his incompetent mismanaging of a deadly global pandemic? The fake university and charities? Attempting to blackmail the Ukrainians into investigating his political opponent? Siccing his fevered cult members on the US Capitol?

Actually, it doesn’t matter which scandal you chose. And, it doesn’t even have to be a scandal. Substitute Biden or Obama into anything 45 has done. How would you react? Would you support them then? If your answer is “Yes”, if you still defend the behavior and think nothing wrong was done, well, I admire your consistency and lack of hypocrisy. You are still really ridiculously misguided, but at least you are not a hypocrite about it.

But, let’s be honest here, all right? Wouldn’t most MAGAs be absolutely horrified if Biden or Obama did the things that what’s-his-name did, and still does? Wouldn’t there be rioting in the streets?

What in the hell happened to you people? What happened to all those family values and respect for the rule of law conservatives used to talk about? What happened to the oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States? How can it be that a staunch conservative such as Liz Cheney is unwelcome in today’s Republican Party? Would conservative icons such as Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan be unwelcome, too? What is it about that bloated, orange-faced, Putin-loving, democracy-hating, narcissistic prick that causes you to follow him blindly and uncritically?

Potential charges of hypocrisy used to be a deterrent to spouting off about this or that. People in glass houses and all. Unfortunately, there is no shame in being exposed as a liar and a hypocrite anymore. It is different now. Political parties are more important than ever, and what is good for the country be damned. In a perfect world, bad behavior or bad policy would be called out regardless of party affiliation. To be fair, the voices of reason are out there. Problem is, fewer people are listening.

Hypocrisy will be running rampant as another news story we’ll be hearing a lot about the next two years plays out - the fake concern over the federal debt ceiling and the deficit. It is all so predictable - whenever the Republicans get control of at least one chamber of Congress, and there is a Democrat in the White House, the Republicans get in a tizzy about debt and deficits. They worry that the debt is out of control and if cuts are not made, it will lead to the ruination of this great land. Heck, I’m not an economist, maybe they are right.

Funny thing, though. When an R is president, deficit spending goes on as usual, the debt gets bigger and bigger, yet there is nary a peep then. If deficit spending and the overall debt are so profoundly detrimental to the American economy, shouldn’t the deficit hawks be working to save this country from the scourge of debt and deficits no matter who is in charge? They could not be putting politics in front of the welfare of the U S of A, could they?

I am so desperately sick of all the hypocrisy. I cannot be the only one.

Look, all I am proposing is consistency. Judge each situation on its own merits and act accordingly. It should not matter who the people are or which political party is involved. If there is a gray area between contrasting positions then consider both sides and seek the common ground. Then make a decision and live with it. Is that too much to ask?