I've thought a lot about Lindsey Graham as well as some other well-known Republicans who have undergone what appear to be drastic behavior changes since Trump and Trumpism entered the national scene.
Most of us who aren’t part of the MAGA cult have also seen changes in relatives and ex friends that we have found utterly appalling.
I've thought a lot about Lindsey Graham as well as some other well-known Republicans who have undergone what appear to be drastic behavior changes since Trump and Trumpism entered the national scene.
Most of us who aren’t part of the MAGA cult have also seen changes in relatives and ex friends that we have found utterly appalling.
But this doesn’t mean that the behavior changes aren't to a great degree, surface changes.
Adults rarely change who they are at their core. Changing external circumstances simply reveal more about that core.
What makes someone like Lindsey freely choose to sacrifice his integrity to selfish self-interest was always there, waiting to show itself.
Likewise, what makes Liz Cheney act honorably while Elise Stefanik does not was always there - an intrinsic part of their characters.
Of course, this is far from being a new or profound insight.
By coincidence over this past weekend, I happened to see the Arthur Miller play, “The Crucible” about the Salem witch trials in which the behavior and actions of the characters illustrates this same truth.
I've thought a lot about Lindsey Graham as well as some other well-known Republicans who have undergone what appear to be drastic behavior changes since Trump and Trumpism entered the national scene.
Most of us who aren’t part of the MAGA cult have also seen changes in relatives and ex friends that we have found utterly appalling.
But this doesn’t mean that the behavior changes aren't to a great degree, surface changes.
Adults rarely change who they are at their core. Changing external circumstances simply reveal more about that core.
What makes someone like Lindsey freely choose to sacrifice his integrity to selfish self-interest was always there, waiting to show itself.
Likewise, what makes Liz Cheney act honorably while Elise Stefanik does not was always there - an intrinsic part of their characters.
Of course, this is far from being a new or profound insight.
By coincidence over this past weekend, I happened to see the Arthur Miller play, “The Crucible” about the Salem witch trials in which the behavior and actions of the characters illustrates this same truth.