In an effort to reassess its current pariah state the Republicans are trying to decide whether to expand or purify ("G.O.P. Debate: A Broader Party or a Purer One?" New York Times, 4/29/09).
The very argument suggests that, like all the methods and policies they have espoused for years, the GOP is officially clueless. To evolve is essential; to embrace its "Conservative" roots requires real introspection and humility, activities which seem not to be in the current version of Conservatism's vocabulary (except when deriding some liberal navel-gazer). They are capable, it seems, of neither.
The once mighty machine is now reduced to the kind of niche appeal which mom-and-pop barber shops and cable reality house flipping shows depend on for their shoestring survival. Even when standing among the ashes of the catastrophe wrought from their ruinous policies the seemingly brain-dead dead-enders still entertain whittling the party down even further to its raging essence, eventually morphing into a diamond hard kernel of a licensed private militia á la Blackwater: conservatism for hire, have automatic weapon will travel.
The voices calling for such resistance to inevitable and necessary change are living, throbbing examples of that part of the human psyche normally reserved for hopefully fleeting times of desperation and fear. But when it is on display 24 hours a day via the antics of such nutty right wingers as Michelle Bachmann, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Sarah Palin, et al. as well as the enablers, lablers and inciters of sedition at Fox News it becomes clear that it is unsound, insane and a danger to the GOP's survival and perhaps even to the national well-being.
The shame, the true shame is that the Republicans have exposed the frailty behind their bluster, the inability to take the pulse of a world in which they want to wield influence. I am not advocating for one party rule nor a purely Liberal take on everything, despite the obvious lefty, cranky sentiments which flow from my brain like so much sap. The previous HuffPost rant I posted was all about the middle being the ideal place from which to govern this society, a society whose strength is defined by the diversity of opinions and lifestyles. There is ample room for real Conservatism, one which bespeaks "limited government, individual responsibility and economic freedom" (a concept more abstract that Conservatives would like to admit), real dialogue, real compromise and not just the indiscriminate obstruction or bone-headed obstinacy which seems to come from the GOP spokespersons who are not alarmed about what they've done to the country, merely irate that they lost power.
As evidenced by the current state of things, that kind of strategy may land them without a voice, without a purpose and without a niche from which to hawk their wares. There's always Chapter 11...
Yup. There is a difference between limited government and shrinking government. A government smaller in size can be more intrusive and oppressive to its citizens than a large one. Also, wouldn't there be logic in having a government of 300 million people sufficient enough to ensure that individual responsibility and economic freedom are inclusive ideals; not ideals bastardized for exclusion excepting a power elite?
wow - you walked a fine line there between gongorism and just kick-ass prose, and you were successful.
The Republican Party of the 20th century was never a good fit for a ruling majority. They whined and were just as paranoid when they had the whole magillah - the White House and Congress. They only know how to act like the opposition. That's because the core of their philosophy is that Government is Bad. Therefore they don't believe in governing. That's just exactly the right philosophy for being the Permanent Minority.
First they are going to have to deal with the fact that the GOP has been the Party in Opposition ever since FDR changed this country so much. The entire raison d'etre of the 20th century GOP has been: Repeal FDR and they did and look what happened.
They threaten and whine every when they are in power - they are not suited as a party to be in power.
Enter JebBush stage right.
SMH
Currently the Repubs self-identifying members are at a low. The party no longer has any identifiable principles, other than "No". One would think that for the sake of self-preservation, secular businesspersons would build a pro-corporate party, or the Christian extremists would align with a Christian-themed party, or the Neo-cons would conspire together with a international cabal of some sort.
Until something like that happens, Republicanism will remain dormant, in remission, like cancer, waiting to return when the people have forgotten what these various factions are capable of doing.
So if you hear of a conservative friend collecting money for a new alternative party, for God's sake, give him money. It will give them some integrity and will truly help get rid of the GOP.
Like a dying, once powerful star in it's death throws, they're shedding their outer shells of moderates and independents. Their existence is being threatened, as their once dependable fuel of conservative principles, gives way to an ever denser and unstable core.
As they reject the need to exert the positive pressure of reasonableness, and continue to give in to the gravitational collapse tugging relentlessly from their core supporters, they are doomed to become a political black hole. A dark place from which nothing, especially the light of reason, can escape.
(After Obama's second term)
Limbaugh types are in it only for the money and fame and are destroying our esteemed loyal opposition who we wish to have challenge us with ideas and worthy contrarian voices.
Please, we should all call for the return of the Fairness Doctrine for the benefit of Republicans and conservatives. I am so disheartened seeing Republicans bow to kiss the ring of Limbaugh when they should be tar and feathering this greaseball and running him out of town on a rail. Sadly, there is a rats nest of them. Hannity, Beck, Savage, Malkin, Ingraham, O'Reilly eating the GOP nibble by sickening nibble.
Please return the Fairness Doctrine to give the GOP a fair chance at survival and revival. We need them.
Mitch McConnell has a permanent deer in the headlights face planted above his suit, looking thoroughly stunned, still dizzy and wobbling. Little talking point phrases circle his brain and a few spout from his mouth...and he wonders that those words haven't taken the palace back.
Calling in what they term their big hitters, Newt, Cheney, Limbaugh and what do they have, more of those little talking point phrases from w-a-y back...then they act exasperated that those words didn't register either.
Now they may choose to "purify" the party? Oh shoot, its that witch doctor's job to cast off their demons? Will Sarah let him out of his contract?
We always need sources of humor in a depression, the GOP is obliging daily.