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It Takes A Special Kind Of Republican To Speak Out Against Trump
A lesson on courage from Margaret Chase Smith
Don’t steal a glance at your news feed. You’ll likely find another in a string of never-ending alerts about a court challenge to the election, a contrived hearing, or some scheme for state legislatures to overturn the election.
In almost every discussion about the subject, the question always arises: why do so many Republicans bury their heads and pretend it’s nothing unusual? On the local level, a scant few buck the pressure and show the courage to speak the truth and fight the misinformation.
Most don’t. You can’t blame some of them, especially when they fear Trump loyalists will bomb their homes.
To anyone who studies history or human behavior, the lack of fortitude isn’t surprising. Few people possess the mettle to stand by their principles when it matters most. What motivates most people most of the time, is self-interest.
To act counter to one’s self-interest requires a sense of altruism, courage, and moral character. More importantly, it requires an understanding that playing the long game will do more to advance your brand rather than thinking about immediate costs and benefits.
