There are many dividing lines in our politics, but at its very center is the divide between the shamed and the shameless.  Some political actors (Democrats) are constantly reacting to shame, or the fear of it, while others (Republicans) are incapable of experiencing it.  This creates an asymmetrical warfare in which one side can do and say whatever it wants to achieve victory, while the other side can’t.  In such a dynamic, the outcome of every battle is preordained.

While the leading practitioners of shamelessness in our age are Donald Trump and his sidekick, Rudy Giuliani, they have plenty of company throughout the Republican Party at both the state and federal level.  These are blatantly dishonest, nakedly opportunistic political figures with a pronounced inability to experience shame.  As there are no consequences for this shamelessness, these politicians practice populism by issuing fact-indifferent, emotion-based appeals to their constituents while focusing with impunity on consolidating their political power and enriching themselves.  Laws are broken, rules are ignored, norms are trampled.  Anything seems possible for those who are willing to say or do anything.

This shamelessness is the reason Donald Trump was elected, and is on display daily in the White House.  It’s the reason that Neil Gorsuch is on the Supreme Court and Merrick Garland is not.  And it can be seen throughout the country in Republican efforts to deny and suppress the vote.  We’re a nation of minority rule because of it (and because of our deeply flawed constitution).

Republicans — in recognition of their minority status — practice a raw politics of power and wealth accumulation without the burden of shame.  Democrats, who would prefer to lose than be criticized or shamed, offer no meaningful resistance.  And, once again, they’re bringing a Biden to a gun fight.