Read on Twitter
A popular but incorrect theory that's out there is Republican politicians are supporting Trump's coup because of "fear". While it's pleasant to imagine that they are cowards instead of traitors, however, it's simply not the case.
It's plausible that some of the silent ones are afraid, sure. Laying low is the classic coward behavior. But for the 106 House Republicans and 17 GOP AGs that signed amicus briefs, that explanation doesn't fly. Fear doesn't cause action. They're motivated by will to power.
If you're afraid of Trump, you just try to avoid catching his attention. These assholes stuck their necks out. That is something you do because you want to, not because you feel you have to. https://www.salon.com/2020/12/11/republicans-want-more-than-a-coup-trumps-loyalty-test-exposes-their-hatred-for-democracy/
Getting the "it doesn't matter why, just that they're doing it" argument. I appreciate the high-mindedness, but the reality of politics is why matters as much, if not more, than how and what. This is basic human psychology.
I'd go a step further and point out that it's not wrong, in fact, for humans to be focused on the motivation of actions, instead of simply declaring it doesn't matter. Motivation shapes our response, by necessity.
Taking it out of the realm of politics, consider this example: You're standing next to a friend and suddenly their arm pops up and hits you in the face. It could be that they meant to punch you. Or it could be that they didn't see you there and were trying to slap mosquito.
Do you say, "It doesn't matter why they did it! I will never be friends with them again!" Or do you find out why, and tailor your response to the answer. 99.5% of people would do the latter — and they would be right to do so. That is why "why" matters.
Back to the matter: Why Republicans are supporting a coup matters to a lot of people. If it's out of fear, many people (whether you think they should or not) will decide that the problem is Trump is a bully, and when he's gone, those politicians will stop attacking democracy.
If it's out of malice, however, we can safely predict that these politicians will feel empowered to continue to attack democracy. It may very well change the way people respond, and the urgency they feel to get the Republicans out of office.
Perhaps people "should" be better. Well, sure. If people always reacted the way they "should", politics wouldn't be necessary, nor communication. But being a writer, I am more interested in what *does* affect people, not what *should*. So I focus on the "why" not just the "what".
Plus, the single best way to predict future behavior is to know why people do what they do. And I predict that because Republicans are motivated by authoritarianism, not fear, they will continue to undermine democracy after Trump is gone.
Ah, my numbers needed updating. The fact that more are joining suggests that will to power, not fear, is the driving factor. Indeed, they were afraid before *to* sign it, but now that more Republicans are, they're feeling less afraid. https://twitter.com/AndrewSolender/status/1337470383205855234
