Regarding your fourth question,

"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." - Thomas Paine in First Principles of Government (1795)

I copied that down in the early 90s when someone posted it on line. Seems that the right wing had decided they want America to be less American, and are actively trying to eliminate tolerance and the willingness to compromise. In a democracy, those things persist only so long as people want them more than they want power.

Generosity, as opposed to selfishness. It's not valued much these days...anywhere.