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The week's question
In December 2024, in the thread "Re: BRK: Why Not XOM?", BreckHutHigh asked the members: "What about the long road trips with kids?" This week it is put to everyone again. The button below opens the small thread re-asking it - read what others have said so far, then give your own answer as an ordinary reply.
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Author: ges 🐝 HONORARY
SHREWD
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Number: of 84359 
Subject: Re: We Don't Care About Protecting Bill Clinton
Date: 12/20/25 8:51 AM
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They deny and cover-up the misdeeds of someone with an "R" after their name, no matter how heinous.

It is all part of the right wing authoritarian mindset.

They are always right...in their rigid little minds.

See how this fits the MAGA crowd:

In psychological research, the right-wing authoritarian (RWA) mindset is defined by a specific cluster of social attitudes and personality traits rather than just political affiliation. First conceptualized by Theodor Adorno and later refined by Bob Altemeyer, this mindset is characterized by a strong preference for social order, tradition, and established authority. 
The RWA mindset is built upon three primary pillars: 

1. Authoritarian Submission
Individuals with this mindset exhibit high levels of obedience to authorities they perceive as established and legitimate. 
• Trust in Leaders: They often accept the words of their chosen leaders as absolute truth and may dismiss evidence of dishonesty or incompetence as inconsequential or false.
• Moral Duty: Respecting and following authority is viewed as a critical moral virtue that everyone should uphold.
• Conditional Loyalty: Their submissiveness is highly selective; they may be extremely rebellious toward authority figures they deem illegitimate. 

2. Authoritarian Aggression
This refers to a predisposition toward hostility or punitive actions against those targeted by established authorities. 
• Sanctioned Hostility: Aggression is typically directed at "deviants," out-groups, or anyone perceived to threaten social cohesion.
• Preference for Punishment: They often favor harsher punishments, such as the death penalty or strict mandatory sentencing, for those who violate social norms.
• Fear as a Driver: This aggression is frequently fueled by a "dangerous worldview" where the world is seen as a threatening place requiring strong control to maintain safety. 

3. Conventionalism
A rigid adherence to the social norms and traditional values endorsed by the person's in-group. 
• Aversion to Difference: They often feel discomfort or irritation toward cultural diversity and unconventional lifestyles.
• Moral Imperative: Conforming to group norms is seen not just as a preference but as a moral requirement for all members of society. 

Cognitive and Personality Characteristics
Beyond these three pillars, research identifies several cognitive patterns common to the RWA mindset: 
• Black-and-White Thinking: A tendency to see issues in simplistic, absolute terms (right vs. wrong, friend vs. foe) with little tolerance for nuance or ambiguity.
• Dogmatism: Stubbornly holding onto beliefs even when presented with contradictory evidence.
• Compartmentalized Thinking: The ability to hold contradictory beliefs simultaneously without recognizing the inconsistency.
• Low Openness to Experience: A psychological trait linked to a preference for familiarity over new ideas and structured environments over complex ones.
• Sensitivity to Disgust: Research suggests a higher sensitivity to physical and moral disgust, which can influence attitudes toward "unconventional" groups or behaviors. 
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This community has written 84,309 posts about US Policy. The article-length ones it recommended most:
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