I agree that he only thinks of himself, but that of course is the SOURCE of his self-righteousness. Self-righteousness sort of by definition rejects any truth but what one thinks is one's own. I do think he deeply believes that he is a persecuted victim. He resonates with the Evangelical Right because that fervent belief and constantly v…
I agree that he only thinks of himself, but that of course is the SOURCE of his self-righteousness. Self-righteousness sort of by definition rejects any truth but what one thinks is one's own. I do think he deeply believes that he is a persecuted victim. He resonates with the Evangelical Right because that fervent belief and constantly voiced cries of it align him as a Christian martyr facing the lions of anything to the left of, say, Liz Cheney or Romney.
I do think his life shows a history of overt racism when it means "protecting" one's wealth, but it was subdued for the most part prior to the elevator ride. His evil genius was to recognize the power of it, when let out, and the power his APPROVAL of that letting go created--the power that gave him amongst those ready to spurt it all out. It is irrelevant now whether he actually is as racist as his pronouncements--they are a tool, and that's all that's needed for him to wield it.
I agree that he only thinks of himself, but that of course is the SOURCE of his self-righteousness. Self-righteousness sort of by definition rejects any truth but what one thinks is one's own. I do think he deeply believes that he is a persecuted victim. He resonates with the Evangelical Right because that fervent belief and constantly voiced cries of it align him as a Christian martyr facing the lions of anything to the left of, say, Liz Cheney or Romney.
I do think his life shows a history of overt racism when it means "protecting" one's wealth, but it was subdued for the most part prior to the elevator ride. His evil genius was to recognize the power of it, when let out, and the power his APPROVAL of that letting go created--the power that gave him amongst those ready to spurt it all out. It is irrelevant now whether he actually is as racist as his pronouncements--they are a tool, and that's all that's needed for him to wield it.