I can't think of a more paradigmatic example of motivated reasoning that the right deciding that the glib phrase "republic not a democracy" justifies wildly disproportionate political representation for rural white people.

I'm pretty sure if RW media figures told their audiences that their unfair political advantages were justified because argle bargle, you'd have legions of RW posters on here shouting "argle bargle!" with *total conviction*. No irony, no self-awareness -- they'd really believe it!

Conversely, if the fucked-up, arbitrary design features of US government started *disadvantaging* conservatives, the republic-not-a-democracy stuff would fly out the window instantly, replaced by passionate defenses of democracy. And, again, with *total conviction*.

What libs never get, as they chase these arguments around, rebutting them one at a time (again & again), is that for the tribalists on the right, group advantage is primary & justification secondary. You're never going to dislodge what's primary by refuting what's secondary!