We're at a very dangerous crossroads in our country. Ignorance has become 'acceptable' - even desirable for wide segments of Americans. Now it seems that civility and class are going the same way. What the FUCK is wrong with some people? The past week was a shitstorm of well-documented and heinous acts of incivility and disregard for other human life. There's a GIANT segment of people who simply will not tolerate opposing views. Ironically - these are the same people who love to throw around terms like 'socialist' and 'fascism' to describe their opponents. Now that they didn't get their way - the world biggest hissy-fit ensued last week. But I expected that. What I did not expect was how blatantly Republican leadership defended, harbored - even encouraged in some cases - these acts of incivility. You fuckers preach moral values and American patriotism - but apparently that's just lip service. I expected more out of the GOP leadership to condemn these kinds of actions, but all we got last week was a weak-ass statement from the John Boehner that could have been better if it looked at all like he meant it. It didn't. Worse was the statement from Eric Cantor, accusing the Democrats of 'fanning the flames.' Well, Eric - YOU'RE not doing anything about your crazy-ass constituents, in fact you're playing it down! All they're doing is showing the country what psychopaths your party has created. You've created a monster of ignorance and intolerance, marginalizing the intelligent and moderates in your party.
Disgracing and humiliating homeless people - that's cool with the Republican party. Don't bring it up (even though its a viral video. Sounds like a nice Tea Party!) or your 'fanning flames.'
Spitting on black congressmen and calling them N____s on their way into congress? Guess that's okay too! Says Eric Cantor, 'jeez, whiners - wah wah. I had a bullet randomly fired at my office window and it barely broke the glass. Didn't even make it through my blinds. I wasn't even there at the time. You don't see me whining!" Eric - Fuck off. You didn't get spit on at point blank range and called a nigger on the way to your job as a US Representative. You are a pampered white privileged douche who's never dealt with that before. Don't talk like you have ANY idea what that's like. Don't scold other congressmen for pointing out the shitty things the people your party represent are doing.
What's happening is the DECENT Americans who have a functioning brain understand that this trend of incivility is wholly UNACCEPTABLE. Republican leaders need to own up and condemn these kind of attitudes and bigotry. And not the, "uhh hey guys, don't do that, mmkay?" BS that we saw this week.
But these people are the voting base so that'll never happen.
-end of rant-
3 comments:
Well, Caboose, I share your concerns, although my prose isn't nearly so . . .ah, lively. I try to assuage my fears by taking the long view. The "paranoid style in American politics" (the title of Richard Hofstadter's great book) has been with us from the beginning. It seems to flare and recede like a fever from a chronic disease. Of course, the flares seem greatest when change and uncertainty come to the forefront: the Red Scare after WWI, McCarthyism after WWII, the John Birch Society with the election of the Catholic Kennedy in the 60's and civil rights, and a lot of craziness during Clinton's time in office, despite his distinctly middle-of-the-road politics. Now, with a Black president who has a Muslim sounding name, and economic turmoil: lots of unease and paranoia, fanned by one full-time television network dedicated to right-wing politics (need I name names?). Yes, the crazies will be coming out like roaches after dark in a dirty old apartment. Your recognition of this problem, and willingness to speak out, when joined by others, will, we hope, help quell the problem. I must say, too, that I'm deeply disappointed in the Republican leadership. Principled opposition seems to have become a thing of the past. How sad.
http://offenburger.com/lspaper.asp?link=20100324
Chuck has some great points here in his article, "My Republican party is sick...." Yes, there is lots of yelling and name calling-have to stay calm when that starts happening-and look to who is keeping calm and making sense. There is lots of work on healthcare, recovery in this recession, and future economic growth before we are done, and I want people who are smart, well-spoken and ethical to lead the way... Steve, why don't you run? :) I'd vote for you.
http://www.nytimes.com//2010/03/27/opinion/27blow.html
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