# Who, if any, are the grown-ups still active in positions of power/responsibility in the federal government?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-if-any-are-the-grown-ups-still-active-in-positions-of-power-responsibility-in-the-federal-government/1028575>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Created:** [March 19, 2026, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-if-any-are-the-grown-ups-still-active-in-positions-of-power-responsibility-in-the-federal-government/1028575 "2026-03-19T14:07:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 48

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**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-if-any-are-the-grown-ups-still-active-in-positions-of-power-responsibility-in-the-federal-government/1028575/48 "2026-03-20T12:11:44Z")

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> [@Loach](#):
>
> > [@solost](#):
> >
> > I tend to think that soulless self promotion _ **is** _ a form of cowardice.
> 
> Like I said, the results are the same so it doesn’t matter much. I think he’s acting out of ambition. I don’t equate moral bankruptcy with cowardice.

I agree with you about the results being the same. Is Rubio and those like him acting out of fear of endangering their political career over doing what’s right, or coldly calculating how they can advance their own ambitions despite the consequences to others? Whether the motivation is cowardice or evil, both are choosing self-interest to the detriment of others.

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