Politicians and Their Shifting Loyalties

Broken Promises and Bad Faith

Sen. Lisa Murkowski's recent speech about the government shutdown highlighted a troubling trend in politics: broken promises and bad faith.

• Many politicians, including the president, say one thing to get what they want but do another when it's convenient.
• This kind of behavior erodes trust and makes it hard for people to believe in the political process.

Murkowski's situation is especially frustrating because she's one of the few senators who still tries to do the right thing.

• Despite facing threats and pressure, she stands by her principles.
• But even she must be surprised and disappointed when the president lies, as if it's something new.

Sen. Dan Sullivan's Alarming Approach to Policy

Meanwhile, Sen. Dan Sullivan's approach to policy is downright alarming.

• He seems to have no qualms about suggesting extrajudicial killings, arguing that it's necessary to protect Americans.
• But his logic is flawed. He wants to kill people before they commit a crime to prevent future crimes.
• This kind of thinking is not only morally questionable but also legally dubious.

Sullivan's willingness to bend over backward for the president is concerning.

• As a senator and a former military officer, his duty is to uphold the Constitution, not to blindly follow a leader.
• His actions suggest a lack of integrity and a willingness to compromise his values for political gain.

A Slippery Slope in American Politics

The broader question is whether this kind of behavior is becoming the norm in American politics.

• Are we accepting poor reasoning and dehumanizing rhetoric as acceptable?
• It's a slippery slope that could lead to a society where might makes right and empathy is a weakness.