GOP has a DEI problem
After President Biden stepped down from seeking reelection, we have seen the Democratic party rally around the new presumptive nominee VP Kamala Harris more cohesively than anyone expected and more quickly than what even media had hoped. Of course, the Trump campaign is caught off guard and it clearly appears that they were not ready for this shift.
As expected, the Republicans have started their ugly attack on Kamala Harris using her gender and race. The latest one being to call her a “DEI” hire — yeah, the same person who has several years of prosecutorial experience, the same person who won an election to become California’s AG, and then their senator — yeah, they are calling her a DEI hire.
But do Republicans realize that they may have their own DEI problem to tackle internally? No, not Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
I’m talking about DEi: Dogs, Elephants, and Iguanas — our new guiding principles in political discourse.
DEI: Dogs, Elephants, and Iguanas
Dogs: Loyalty and Barking Loudly
Dogs represent loyalty, a trait Republicans of 2024 swear they have for their constituents until you realize they’ve peed on your lawn of promises. In fact, their only loyalty is to their owner — Donald Trump. In the GOP dog park, everyone’s marking their territory, ensuring their base knows they’re the beta to Trump, the alpha. Our modern-day Republican leaders embody this canine spirit by barking loudly on social media and on TV, hoping their followers will fetch them some likes and retweets. They’re loyal to their..oops..Trump’s cause, and his cause alone. Even a bigger and a juicier bone won’t distract them.
Elephants: Memory and Stomping Around
Elephants, ironically the symbol of GOP, are revered for their memory. They never forget — unless it’s a scandal involving one of their own. Then it’s all, “What vote?” or “I don’t recall that meeting with the Russian ambassador.” They stomp around the political landscape, crushing any opposition with their weighty rhetoric and selective memory. They will try to take credit for bills that are benefitting their constituents even if they vocally voted against them.
Iguanas: Adaptability and Cold-Bloodedness
Iguanas, those cool, calm reptiles, symbolize adaptability and the ability to blend into any environment. Republicans have taken a page from the iguana playbook, changing colors based on the latest Trump rambling. If he says windmills cause cancer, Republicans will go after EPA. If Trump says he prefers getting electrocuted rather than being fed to sharks, Republicans will go after EV incentives. Their cold-blooded approach to policy means they can switch positions and keep lying without breaking a sweat, always staying one step ahead of accountability.
Still not convinced?
How about this DEI problem that GOP has?
DEI: Distraction, Evasion, and Incoherence
Distraction: The Art of the Red Herring
Republicans have mastered the art of distraction better than a magician with a shiny object. When the heat is on, they redirect our attention faster than you can say, “Look over there!” Whether it’s a tweetstorm about irrelevant issues or a sudden fascination with a Trump scandal, the goal is to keep the public’s focus away from the real issues. You ask them a question and be prepared for a whataboutery vomitting. It’s like they have perfected the art of verbal diarrhea in 8 years.
Evasion: Dodging Responsibility with or without Grace
Evasion is a politician’s best friend. Especially a Republican’s in 2024. When cornered, they dodge questions with the skill of a matador facing a charging bull. This involves elaborate dance moves around accountability, vague answers, and a never-ending blame game.
Incoherence: Embracing the Confusion
Incoherence is where politicians truly shine. Sure, constant spotlight tend to highlight incoherence more unfairly at times. But GOP politicians have a particular knack for it because most of them are playing a role of being a loyal Trump soldier. So often they have to remind themselves that they have to break their own integrity while answering questions, thus leading to incoherence. They craft speeches that sound profound but are as clear as mud, ensuring no one really understands their position. This verbal camouflage allows them to claim they said anything and everything, depending on who’s asking.
Still not convinced?
I have another one for you.
DEI: Drama, Exaggeration, and Insincerity
Drama: Theatrical Politics
Politics is nothing if not dramatic. Our leaders have embraced the role of actors, turning every debate into a soap opera. Whether it’s fiery speeches or staged walkouts, drama keeps their audience hooked and distracted from the mundane reality of policy-making. But Republicans in 2024 have a particular affinity towards theatre. Anything and everything involves grandstanding. And they have a few divas too to help with this cause.
Exaggeration: The Hyperbole Highway
Exaggeration is the lifeblood of Republican rhetoric. When reality (what is reality even in the Trump era?) doesn’t suffice, they inflate facts and figures, and make up facts, to grandiose proportions. The bigger the claim, the better — accuracy be damned. Fact checking is so 20th century in their world.
Insincerity: The Hollow Promise Parade
Insincerity is the secret sauce that keeps Republicans flexible. By making promises with fingers crossed behind their backs, they can adapt to any change in public opinion without batting an eye. It’s all about saying what Trump wants to hear, regardless of the truth.
I am not done yet.
I have one more.
DEI: Dollars, Egos, and Incompetence
Dollars: The Currency of Influence
In politics, money talks louder than a filibuster. Dollars represent the currency of influence, as politicians rely on deep-pocketed donors to fund their campaigns and agendas. Policies and decisions often come with a price tag, ensuring that whoever pays the piper calls the tune. But Republicans, who are seen the friendly party of the rich people (this is not a secret and it’s been openly acknowledged by the GOP leaders themselves), will do anything in the name of dollars.
Egos: The Quest for Immortality
Egos in politics are as inflated as campaign promises. Politicians crave the limelight and the sense of importance that comes with it. They build monuments, name bills after themselves, and generally ensure their legacy is louder than their achievements. But Republicans in 2024 have taken this too far. It’s not so much about their own ego — It’s all about the ego of one man and one man only — Donald Trump.
Incompetence: The Art of Failing Upwards
Incompetence is often rewarded in GOP. Despite repeated failures, Republicans of the current era manage to climb the ranks, proving that you don’t need to be capable to be in charge. Not naming any names. But take any house committee chair as an example. Mismanagement, lack of knowledge, gaffes, and blunders are mere stepping stones on the path to higher office.
And finally what about this DEI problem? Don’t you agree GOP has this too?
DEI: Demagoguery, Excuses, and Illusions
Demagoguery: The Power of Pandering
Demagoguery is the art of appealing to emotions, fears, and prejudices rather than rational arguments. When Trump arrived in the scene in 2015, we had a winner. A demagogue like the country has never seen before. Respectful Republican leaders fell one by one at his feet as Trump continues to employ his masterful demagoguery tactic to rally his base, promising the moon while stoking fears about the opposition. It’s all about inciting hatred and anger, regardless of the facts. And GOP in 2024 is THE PARTY of demagoguery.
Excuses: The Blame Game
When things go wrong, Republicans are quick to play the blame game. They never take responsibility and they don’t have the word accountability in their dictionary. Excuses (sometimes they don’t even bother with excuses)are their best defense, allowing them to dodge accountability and shift responsibility onto others. Every failure is met with a well-rehearsed alibi, ensuring they never take the fall.
Illusions: Smoke and Mirrors
Illusions are crafted to give the appearance of progress and competence. Politicians create grandiose plans and make sweeping statements that sound impressive but lack substance. The goal is to maintain a façade of control while doing little to address real issues. And in the Trump era, Republicans have truly taken the art of illusion to David Copperfield level.
So, let’s admit that DEI is a problem. I mean, all of the DEI listed above.
And GOP has loads of such DEI problems.
The next time they try to call Kamala Harris a DEI hire, I am going to show them that they have their own DEI problems to deal with first.
