Stumble It!
Oct 26 2008
Fear Of A Blue Planet
With an historic election looming, and all signs pointing to broad victories for the Democratic Party in the House and Senate, as well as the White House, the GOP has decided to turn up the fear knob from “OMFG The Black Guy’s Winning” to “Armageddon”.
The RNC is running ads for people like Liddy Dole in North Carolina warning of a “blank check” for the Democrats should they gain a majority in the Senate. Saxby Chambliss is on the ropes in Georgia, Mitch “Sleeping Queen” McConnell- on his knees in darkened rooms for a different reason than usual-is praying for his political career as well. While the Republicans are busy crying socialism, terrorism, communism, blackism, brownism, gayism, and why-don’-you-love-me-godism, America is slowly turning blue. Do I honestly think there will be a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate? Two weeks ago I would’ve said no, but it just may happen. That depends on a few things-all of which are related to each other.
Thing 1) Numbers. I know a lot of people don’t like numbers; certainly Republican pollsters don’t like them. They’re scary, and they help you tell your story. Given a strong enough voter turnout, Democrats could easily hold the majority n the Senate.
Thing 2) Brains. Ah, brains. The second-most decision making organ in the body, the idea center, zombie food. Brains are why I feel we’ll see a reverse Bradley Effect. The heart or the loins will be overruled by the brain when people go into the voting booth and see that Scarlet (R) next to someone’s name, and they will think, “Self, are you happy with the job Republicans have been doing? Why, no, self, I’m not.” Exercising your brain leads to a process long-feared by the GOP: thinking.
Thing 3) Progress. You know, moving forward, instead of allowing the cane of antiquity to jerk you offstage and into the 19th Century. There is a reason you only hear the term “progressive” applied to Democrats. Historically, the GOP’s idea of progress has been limited to the number of countries we can bomb for their natural resources; their politics of regression have no place in modern society, and until they learn to evolve with the rest of us, it could be a long time indeed before you see them back in power in Washington.
Thing 4) Dog Food. What, you may ask, does dog food have to do with America turning blue? Well, think about dog food for a moment. Dog food is packaged, shipped, bought and brought to your home, where it is consumed by your precious little pup. After that begins a transformational journey from tummy to someone’s lawn. For years, the American people have been chosen to pick up after the collective dog that is the party of George W. Bush. The majority of the members, and supporters, of that party see nothing wrong with leaving a steaming pile for someone else to deal with-regardless of all that talk about “self-sufficiency”. We, the people, are refusing to pick up after their mess.
“Real America” is waning. The out of touch, and out of step policies are anathema to the progress of this nation, and this nation is finally ready to move forward. If it takes sweeping victory in all facets of Washington to usher in that progress, then let it be done. Until we no longer live in fear of a Blue Planet, we certainly can’t have a green one.
@Birdie - Having both is important, especially in today’s world of politics. McCain was noted for reaching across the aisle, and even he voted with his party 90% of the time. If you don’t have congress as well as the presidency, nothing is going to get done.
I do not understand the “logic” concerning the possibility of the Democratic Party controlling both congress and the executive branch. There seems to be either 1) some implicit bias that would maintain it is okay for the Republican Party to hold such advantage but not the Democtatic Party, or 2) we simply do not know our own history… then there is the very real possibility of more options I fail to see. ~k
Hmmm well (not sure if your comment was at me or three) it’s not so much I see all republicans as bad and all dems as good… I guess it’s a bit of a lesser of two evils with me right now. Where the republicans lost me though is with the issue of being fiscally conservative.
I love the idea of being fiscally conservative, but for whatever reason the new breed of conservatism has thrown that idea out of the window. This leaves me with not a lot to agree with republicans on (save gun rights and a handful of other smaller issues), and even less faith in the maverick John McCain as he isn’t going to change this pattern. While I’m not crazy about the dems plans, they do seem more responsible than the republican solution.
All in all, I want the libertarians to get their shit together so that I don’t feel compelled to go to the lesser of two evils.
And btw birdie - “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” - Lord Acton
One of the truest quotes I’ve ever heard.
I think that having one party control all is the way to get things moving again, away from the stalemate. No wasting time on creating policies that pander to this party or that, just the good of America and her people. Once things are more settled, then the Repubs should make a stand to regain some power. Constant absolute power isn’t good in the longterm, but I think in the short-term it can be for the greater good - esp in the hands of people who won’t use it to make war!
Interesting how many of you are all about government spending and keeping them out of your life. However, you are supporting Obama, who has proclaimed the constitution is a negative rights document(saying what the govt. can’t do) He supports a document that proclaims what government should be doing (for the people I assume)…That is a conflict with any small government beliefs.