" Amoral leaders have a way of revealing the character of those around them.But more often, proximity to an amoral leader reveals something depressing. It starts with your sitting silent while he lies, both in public and private, making you complicit by your silence. From the private circle of assent, it moves to public displays of personal fealty at places like cabinet meetings. While the entire world is watching, you do what everyone else around the table does. His outrageous conduct convinces you that you simply must stay, to preserve and protect the people and institutions and values you hold dear....this will be your contribution, your personal sacrifice for America.Of course, to stay, you must be seen as on his team, so you make further compromises. You use his language, praise his leadership, tout his commitment to values.
And then you are lost. He has eaten your soul.
At www.nytimes.com
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