2.5 Loyalty tests
It’s a puzzle…
Why have Republicans been so fiercely opposed to masks and vaccines when that means some number of their base will catch COVID and die?
Why do they support actions that would reduce the number of people who vote for them?
Why would they sacrifice members of their own tribe?
From the tribal point of view this is not a puzzle at all…
It’s a loyalty test.
When the Republican leaders argue against protections, they’re issuing a challenge to their followers…
Just how loyal are you? Are you willing to risk your life and the lives of your children to stand with our tribe?
Wearing a bright red MAGA ball cap is a sign of loyalty, but an easy one. It doesn’t cost you more than a few bucks. And there’s no risk involved.
But refusing vaccines, this is risky.
Except it’s only risky for individuals not for the Party, the tribe. Because not enough members of the base are dying that those losses would change voting results in any significant way.
So it’s a perfect test. If 50% of the base were dying from COVID, Republican leaders would be promoting vaccines like crazy.
And isn’t interesting that there are Republican leaders getting the vaccine for themselves and their families? I guess they’re thinking that since they’re the accepted leaders of the party, their loyalty is beyond question so they don’t need to prove anything to anybody.
