The culture of Republican victimhood

By Michael J.W. Stickings

They like to think they're the party of responsibility, the party that believes in pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps, the party that opposes government handouts, the party that rewards initiative and entrepreneurship, but Republicans play the role of the persecuted victim awfully well, so well in fact that victimhood seems to be their default mode. And -- guess what? -- it's starting up all over again now that they're in the minority in Congress. As if it's not enough to have the country's elites against them -- the elites of New York, Washington, and Hollywood -- now they have the Democrats to contend with. Again.

Justin Rood: "Republicans aren't yet an official minority in the House, but they're already beginning a campaign to portray themselves as victims of a heartless Democratic majority." Three Republican Congressman are even pushing -- I kid you not -- a so-called "Minority Bill of Rights".

Imaginary victimhood. It's the Republican way.

And we'll be hearing a lot more about it over the next couple of years.

(For more, see Steve and Shakes.)