A hurricane of conservative hypocrisy
We also regularly assert that government is better when it prevents problems than when it focuses primarily on cleaning up after the fact. But when environmentalists suggest that development can be carried out in more sustainable ways or that climate change is worth dealing with, they are mocked as “anti-business” or “crisis-mongers.” Then a crisis comes, and we wonder why the politicians were so shortsighted.
.. As for the Arpaio pardon, it is seen as technically legal because presidential authority in this area is almost unlimited. But it may be the most dangerous act of Trump’s presidency. The occupant of the White House has claimed the power to permit government agents to violate the constitutional rights of Americans and to override the courts if he doesn’t like what they’re doing. This is the largest single step toward autocracy Trump has taken.
.. What we hear all the time is that conservatives are for “small government” and liberals are for “big government.” But this is very misleading shorthand... But liberals (often joined by libertarians) are among the first to stand up against government violations of the civil rights of individuals. Many conservatives — most certainly including Trump — use the “law and order” battle cry to accuse liberals concerned about civil liberties of being “soft on crime.” (In the case of the Arpaio pardon, Trump seems to be for his version of “order” but indifferent to the “law” part.).. Which is more threatening to our liberties: higher taxes to pay for new benefits, or an expansive view of police powers and presidential prerogatives?.. why should parts of the country that will almost never experience hurricanes help the hurricane-prone areas? After all, people don’t have to live in places subject to hurricanes... Disaster relief is premised on an old-fashioned “there but for the grace of God go I” solidarity.. Texas conservatives who voted against assistance for the victims of Superstorm Sandy in New York and New Jersey but are now asking for federal help on behalf of their folks. They broke this basic rule of solidarity in the name of an ideology that, when the chips are down, they don’t really believe in.