2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Hillary Clinton: Regulate Wall Street and the Terrorists Win [View all]DirkGently
(12,151 posts)... there is an odd misunderstanding about what kind of opinions are trustworthy or in good faith. Republicans, in particular, seem to think that arguing from a selfish pecuniary interest is fine and upstanding, but arguing from principle is suspect.
Example: Obama, I think, appointed someone to a health-related position in the federal government. Republicans screamed that there was a "conflict of interest" because the person was associated with anti-smoking groups.
Meanwhile, the oil company veterans appointed to the EPA are always fine of course.
The idea seems to be that coming from a position of interest in the common good or general principle is suspect and sinister, while shilling for whoever is paying you is exactly the way things are supposed to work.