From a sociological perspective what has happened in GOP in Texas is interesting. It appears there was a big movement to the right. ( I'm taking a somewhat neutral stance on these issues but I do have my own personal beliefs which creates a type of bias and that is always toward the rational center where logic, values, and compromise come together. The acceptance of that bias in science also makes me a little more logical. Its those who do not accept their bias that lead to false understandings and interpretations. Not that anything I say is correct. )
There appears to be many beliefs that relate from abortion rights, prayer in school and homosexuality. These are not issues I need to go into because they are personal beliefs and any legislative actions ( or no actions) are discussed through our current political process (Its also not the point of why I writing.).
Where I find concerns are three things that appear to be moving outside of our processes 1.) booing of Republicans working on compromise (possibly meaning less future ability to compromise), 2.) intimidation of lawmakers by Proud Boys (I think this would violate some laws. One can't just claim themselves to representatives of the GOP and use threats of violence against other members. It gets back to our ability to hold extremist type behaviors accountable. I have no idea what actually happened but if true that is a significant signal that violence will be a future tool to politically control others.) 3.) reversal of laws that protect voting (hinting at a level of white supremacy and a return to pre-slavery perceptions of values. Maybe not...but let us see what other things come out over the next year to see if it leans in that direction or another direction.). 4.) Legitimacy of voting (If we go through the process and it doesn't verify the votes then the rest appears to be political manipulation that focuses on the illegitimacy of the voting system itself. That is fundamental to democracy; at least our current form of it.)
Some of the behaviors likely raise red flags in terms of national, racial, religious based justifications for extremism (We have to wait to see what happens in other states and locations.). If these articles are correct it would appear there is a larger acceptance of hard uncompromising value systems. Rigidity in thinking has become popular. That will make it difficult to rationalize with the movement. It starts a break in society (Perhaps something like 25% of staunch followers that are not willing to work with others and perhaps willing to overstep to force others to accept their way.).
There also appears to be two different GOP's forming. MAGA and what I would call "Old Guard" Republicans. It would seem that MAGA has moved far enough right to possibly be seen as a new party. At present they also appear to be overshadowing the larger "Old Guard" GOP due to lack of coordination and willingness of members to voice their opinions (I think that will change soon as it appears that some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump and the MAGA movement. RINO seems to be loosing its value as roles are reversed. i.e. pot calling the kettle black. One could make an alternative argument that MAGA has used the Republican name to gain membership but has turned far enough right to no longer represent the larger Republican base. It makes an assumption, which can be wrong, that the larger base hasn't moved further right but is more silent. That is not an argument for or against movements but one of simple observation based on terms used a few years ago and terms used now. It almost seems as though there is an acceptance that Trump is a fad that after the "ride the wave" hype he will be a liability for candidates. Its not there yet but there just seems to be a sense of it.).
This is where it gets pretty dangerous for the GOP's future. They run the risk of permanently changing the fundamental nature of the party through a nationalist movement and then being dissipated completely in the aftermath (i.e. taking on current movement beliefs that won't have long term appeal. Some movements do change once they are in power so that is something that we will just have to see what happens. It may be a non issue after the election or it may be a national thorn in our foot.). Rising nationalism only works for so long and there are so many people opposed to it (Think of the Democrat half of society and a portion of the existing GOP that are not happy with MAGA. The full percentages remain to be seen. I suspect one can pull them together from polls and publishing. A quick rise to power is possible but also chaos and a quick decline.) that it will not be the sweeping up of an entire nation (Like we have seen in Nazi Germany). It will create major shifts and splits of which some could lead to group violence (i.e. the potential threat to Congress during the Capital Riots and the use of Proud Boys to threaten lawmakers at their own party function. It should make us think a little.).
Time will tell what happens and of course those who like history and political analysis will wait and see. I only seek to understand and have not veered from my political perspective (I'm a light right "Old Guard" Republican loyal to the Constitution and 1.) Freedom of Speech and 2.) Freedom of Worship (Any religion). Thus I view things from that perspective with the acceptance of a slight bias. The rest is just observation and a little logic. It could be wrong, it could be right, and it could be something else. That is the nature of history and analysis.)
You may want to read this article. Texas GOP goes full MAGA at 2022 convention
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