Let's be honest. You and I are also self-interested. I don't know anyone that isn't. I'm sure you have been guilty of hypocrisy before. I know I have. We are very good as humans at moralizing our choices and opinions.

Yes, and so are the other side. Neither side broadly demonstrate while in power the values of rejecting the abuse of power. People of all stripes want to enforce their world view on others that do not hold the same one. They dress it up in slogans but my years of watching and listening to people in the US has taught me this.