The astounding hypocrisy and cynicism of the GOP

Rank-and-file Republicans no longer care about principles. They only care about winning.

The GOP does not abide by its own standards.
(Image credit: Ikon Images / Alamy Stock Photo)

Viewed in isolation, the fact that Republicans in the House of Representatives first decided to gut, and then not to gut, the Office of Congressional Ethics isn't the biggest scandal or embarrassment in the world. American government managed to function reasonably well up until the ethics office took its current form in 2009 — and though reversing course on curbing it was an embarrassment for the GOP, it will be forgotten before Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

Still, this Beltway kerfuffle is important precisely because it didn't happen in isolation. It's part of a long-term trend, now accelerating rapidly, away from attachment to the rule of law among elected members of the GOP.

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Damon Linker

Damon Linker is a senior correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also a former contributing editor at The New Republic and the author of The Theocons and The Religious Test.