In the novel American Psycho, there’s a disturbing scene — so disturbing, in fact, that it’s not included in the film adaptation. While visiting the zoo, Patrick Bateman approaches and stabs a child who had wandered off from his family. Knowing that his act need not prove fatal and that prompt medical attention could save the victim, he poses as a doctor and orders the crowd to give him and the child space. Bateman wastes vital time feigning attempts to save the child and preventing anyone who could (and who actually wanted to) help from being able to do so.
It occurred to me today: the GOP is Patrick Bateman. The party’s deliberate policy choices repeatedly and predictably result in the slaughter of children. But when anyone advocates action that would prevent further tragedy, GOP politicians call them off, wielding feigned sanctimony and disingenuous pleas to respect the memory of the victims to ensure no one intervenes to prevent the murder of yet more American children.
Oh, and: spoiler alert.