Maybe the GOP are purposely being cruel and authoritarian to get

the vote-out-of-fear base to stick with them or grow. Like in bad times women are attracted to 'bad boys' to have children with. There is a breaking point at which time people feel so insecure they hand over their thinking, feeling and moral compass to those more powerful than them to be protected (from social programs apparently). Maybe the slate of sabotage-department heads and cruelty will inspire fealty in what they hope are independents too. The GOP likely has psychological intel on where the tipping point is. They don't have enough supporters now according to my calculations. There has to be some reason why they think they can get away with it all.