It simply isn't fair to say that the Republican Party has betrayed its principles.

[Caliman73]

11. Well said.

They have not betrayed their "principles". They are following conservatism to its logical end state.

Conservatives are the ideological decedents of Royalists, or people who supported the monarchy and aristocracy. Now, they do not necessarily support the idea of kings and nobility, but they believe that there is a hierarchical nature to society and that the "best" people should be in charge. In the past, the best were the monarchs, lines of nobility that amassed power and wealth. With the fall of monarchy, they moved on to a different criteria in selecting "the best" which lay along racial and economic lines. White and wealthy and Christian was "best". The best are beyond the standards needed to rule the "common" and less than people. This is why they seem to lie, cheat, and steal without remorse, while claiming to be for "law and order" as you said.


It's not unfair. It is inaccurate to say that Republicans betrayed their principles. They are following them.