If you read or listen to many of the pundits and leaders of the current version of Republicans, the common assumption is that anything anyone does is for advantage, in all cases. The idea that someone might do something because it’s the ‘right’ thing is derided as naive.
Work to accomodate refugees = Trying to expand Democratic voters rather than being, you know, humane.
Work to alleviate poverty = buying votes rather than being, you know, humane.
Work to improve education = manipulating children to make them Democrats rather than building a stronger country
Work to protect the environment = virtue signalling (eyeroll) to buy votes from ‘leftists’ rather than trying to keep civilization alive
Go to church = campaigning rather than being faithful or whatever
No action is seen as having a purpose in itself - everything is part of the ‘game’.
There is a corollary to the many, many stunted men who interpret and deride any man who says anything like ‘men shouldn’t abuse women?’ as a ploy to make oneself attractive to women. Rather than because we so obviously need to not abuse women. Not everything is a mating strategy, and not everything is a cynical ploy to gain power.
