Republicans have become embarrassing to watch. And it doesn't feel right to make fun of crazy people. Better, perhaps, to focus on the real policy debates, which are all among Democrats. But here's the thing: the G.O.P. looked as crazy 10 or 15 years ago as it does now. That didn't stop Republicans from taking control of both Congress and the White House. And they could return to power if the Democrats stumble. So it behooves us to look closely at the state of what is, after all, one of our nation's two great political parties.
I have this recurring delusion that the time existed in our history when we as a people were actually able to discuss matters of public policy without resorting to name-calling, bomb-throwing, or other types of assorted lunacy. The beauty of self-delusion, of course, is that by it's very nature it can be absolutely true. Or not. In this case, it's absolutely not true. All you have to do is look at the lunacy unleashed at virtually any of Wednesday's "Tea Parties" to see what happening when cluelessness, ignorance, fear, and reaction are given free reign.
It would be difficult for me to understate the degree to which Republicans seem to have divorced themselves from anything resembling objective reality. To say that the Republican Party is unraveling would be something of an understatement...not that I'm particularly upset by it. Frankly, I'm rather enjoying seeing the GOP flail away impotently. It does my soul good to see such a mean-spirited, self-interested cabal recognize (and not deal particularly well with) and adapt to being competely irrelevant. They do less harm this way.
It's not that I believe that Republicans have nothing of value to add, of course. In this democracy, reasoned and rational voices should be valued and appreciated. I don't expect everyone to think like I do...if only for no other reason than I've occasionally been proved wrong. Being exposed to divergent viewpoints ensure that we remain vibrant and intellectually engaged in the world around. Unfortunately, far too many on the Right have chose do travel the path of ignorance, reaction, and fear...so much so that it's rendered them seemingly incapable of rational thought. A political party built on the soft sand of pandering to people like this cannot survive. Without ideas and principles...and thoughtful solutions to offer...the GOP is guaranteeing that it will wither on the vine.
I'm not here to tell you (as some will) that we are now in the midst of a permanent Democratic majority. There's an arrogance inherent in that point of view that bodes well for no one on the Left. Still, despite what the bloviators on CNBC, Fox Noise Channel and Right-wing Hate Radio will tell you, this is NOT a Conservative nation. Reality sure ain't pretty for those who for the past eight years saw the mountaintop as their absolute birthright. Hey, y'all had your chance for the past eight years...and look what it got us. Your man screwed the pooch...and all of us with it. NOW you think that three months of Barack Obama has put us on the expressway to Socialism? Where was this righteous indignation over the past eight years- when your man lied his way into an immoral war? When he authorized the use of torture? When he trashed our economy through greed, avarice, and sheer ignorance? When he turned this great country into an international pariah?
Like a lot of folks on the Left, I'm willing to listen to what Republicans have to offer. Ideas- legitimate, thoughtful ideas- are a good thing. The problem is that thus far they've had exactly NOTHING to offer. Tax cuts aren't the magic bullet. Eliminating the capital gains and estate taxes will generally benefit only the wealthiest of Americans. And I suppose you have better ideas than the Obama Administration when it comes to fixing the economy?
Go ahead...I'm listening....
No, really...I'll wait....
It's OK...I'm in no hurry....
And yet all I here is the sound of one hand clapping, which these days really ought to be the GOP anthem.
