It’s rude and obnoxious, and I’d say being rude and obnoxious at that level is morally wrong. Displaying a swastika where Jews might see it is wrong, as is displaying the Confederate flag where black people might see it. Not that I think it should be outlawed, of course, but I do think it’s more than just in poor taste.
Every little bit counts. It would be a pretty significant thing, symbolically, if the Republican party leaders actively tried to separate themselves from flag-wavers.
The swastika and the Confederate flag aren’t exactly equivalent, though.
I’ll give you “thoughtless” and “in poor taste”, but to be morally wrong, surely there must be the intent to offend or harm? And that certainly isn’t the case with everyone who flies the Confederate flag.
It would be significant, absolutely…and in this particular political climate, potentially fatal to the leaders’ careers. Once the GOP stabilizes a bit, it’d be a better time for such a stand.
Why not? American Slavery and the Holocaust were two of the most brutal, violent, and oppressive events/institutions in human history. I’d say the symbols for each are pretty close to equivalent… even if those who fly them may not realize (or care) what that symbol means to others.
You say this like it’s a bad thing 
Maybe it’s relative. The flag was ubiquitous in the 70s. Now, relatively speaking, you hardly see it. I’m in Georgia and I can go for days without seeing one. It’s certainly not hanging from every porch and plastered to every bumper as some of our Northern cousins seem to imagine.
I don’t see it as much as I used to, but I know of two houses within a couple of miles of mine that have Confederate flags flying on poles in the front yard. (Town of approx. 100,000 in Alabama.)
Put it this way: it’s uncommon enough that it’s a bit jarring to see one these days.
Back in the 70s they were everywhere.
C’mon, you know why. The Confederate flag has also symbolized the South and rebellion, for decades. As far as I know, no one flies the swastika for any reason other than being a neo-Nazi.
It is, you’d be replacing the sort of politician who has an issue with the Confederate flag and is willing to take a stand, with one that has no problem with it or isn’t willing to take a stand. That’s a net loss.
And in the '80s, who batted an eye at them Duke boys?
A travel narrative for my area said,
Here’s another example from the 70s of how commonplace and non-controversial the flag was: G.I. Combat #176 (1975), featuring the Haunted Tank (haunted by Confederate cavalry officer and spirit guide J.E.B. Stuart).
