Loyal to the Corps

"...the citizen who thinks he sees that the commonwealth's political clothes are worn out, and yet holds his peace and does not agitate for a new suit, is disloyal; he is a traitor." ----Mark Twain

As the eight years of failed Republican-lead policy threatens to crest at epic heights, swamping its ripped-off citizenry with crushing debt and decimating much of the sociopolitical landscape, the dastardly architects of the No Dollar Left Behind Ponzi scheme will be -- like cheesy vaudevillians -- tipping their hats, tapping their canes and saying "We killed 'em, didn't we?"

And all this courtesy of millions of supporters, shills and enablers who held unwavering loyalty above all else, loyalty to a leadership that promised them wealth and power but instead rewarded them with bankruptcy and defeat; a leadership which would cannibalize their young in an instant.

It's not just Bushie and Cheney and Wolfie and Rummy and Scooter all those other cutesy-poo monikered flimflammers, it's their legion of constitution-eroding mini-me's parading around as patriotic guardians of Democracy, one fist shaking in the faces of all who would oppose them, the other fist clenching soon-to-be valueless dead president post-it notes.

They are loyal and true and dangerous as hell and their unswerving fealty has made them so. Even when presented with an undisputed list of administration blunders, blindsides and blasphemies, the xenophobic legion of lost souls registers its snickering disdain, refusing to believe that their Grand Old Papa is anything but dedicated to the proposition that all rich white guys are created better than anyone else.

And instead of being characteristically boastful of their accomplishments and touting the party's leadership, they distance themselves, invoke the name of hemi-semi-demi-god Ronnie and lay the blame on everyone else: the smoldering ecology, the international hostility, the divided nation.

They outsource their cake and eat it, too.

They will rage and roar and gnash their teeth but, like all bullies possessed of a cowardly core, will never own up to their deeds. They are as foul tempered as any species which requires self-immolation as a pledge of allegiance; the amount of bile spewed is commensurate with the suffocating knowledge of their own sins of complicity.

So, while under no illusions about power, about how it works for the dithering and malleable Democrats as well as Republicans, there should at least be a shared awareness among the electorate of the perils this nation faces these days, the ones that already existed and the ones we have created. The irony is, with acknowledgment and humility comes forgiveness. That's a concept the "folks" who remain "steadfast" and "robust" in their support for the eight years of Bushwacking were probably never taught by them that raised them.

Pity. A nobler cause could use such loyalty.

Comments

[4U2consider]

Who wants forgiven? Maybe some who have yet to admit to mistakes. But there have been plenty who have deliberately caused or knowingly allowed damage to our country--suffered as a coincidental byproduct of their missions to procure personal power, glory or money.

When P.T. Barnum said there"s a sucker born every minute, do you suppose his next sentence was "Isn"t that a shame?" Or was it "Line "em up, I wanna fleece "em all." I hope there are few people in that last category but those who have knowingly fleeced us scorn us too much to value our forgiveness. From them, there will be no acknowledgment and damn well no humility. Whatever may appear to be their causes, they are loyal only to themselves.

[kellygrrrl]

Thank You, Steven.

Brilliant, as always.

I cannot tell you how much I look forward to your posts. I send them to kids and my husband every time. Thanks.

[susaw]

Steven

BRAVO! Nothing more needs to be added. Please keep it up; you are relentless.

[DemandTruth]

I always love reading you, Steven! Short, sweet, to the point. Raunchily eloquent post as usual!

[ericsongs]

Dear Mr. Steven Weber,

After reading 6 or 7 of your posts over the past several months, I have decided that I could no longer avoid being a "joiner"!
For one of the very few times in my life, I feel compelled to express my modest expression of congratulations and appreciation, specifically to you for your intense labors within this forum. Just knowing that there are indeed a few sane people left to express progressive ideas and values, rather than the near-constant pandering-regressive dogma assaulting us from all sides and at every hour of the day, gives us an intelligent foundation to rest upon.
Along with multitudes others, I too have "been mothered, fathered, aunt and uncled, Roy Halee'd and Art Garfunkel'd. [and] just discovered somebody's tapped my phone." (do I have to mention Paul Simon's name here?).
"Thank You" for devoting a portion of your life to help the rest of us truly see!

Your newest friend,
ericsongs

[Dansden]

Sir Steven.
Perhaps your very BEST commentary to date!

You were quite generous and gracious to those whom you referred to as 'supporters, shills and enablers who held unwavering loyalty' rather than the true characterization of bigoted buffoons, self-righteous tyrants and delusional traitors to the U.S. Constitution,
but I'll defer to your more eloquent elucidation of America's experience under this Bush crime cabal and its self-righteous regime of violence and prevarication upon the American Treasury and economy, the American public land and wildlife national treasures, the American equitable sense of justice and care for all citizens and the American military they have demoralized and diminished in these last 8 years.

[DaNang65]

Mr. Weber: Please change the tille of your otherwise fine piece. I see no referent in the text for the use of the word corps, or worse, as capitalzed. Those of us who are Always Faithful to a genuine Corps will be appreciative.

[BobbyJoe]

Yeah, we're mired in a military quagmire overseas, gas prices are insane, people are losing their houses, we've globally lost our credibility, Wall Street is a terrifying roler coaster ride, etc., etc. etc.... but at least we elected a president we could "have a beer with" and 'Teh gays" still can't get married. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord and where do I sign up for President McCain? GOP! GOP! Four more years! Four more years!