If you build your political party on the basis of ignorance, you become a fringe party.
If you build your political party on the basis of incompetence, corruption and grossly mismanaging the nation's affairs, you become a fringe party.
The GOP is now a fringe party.
They won't tell you that in public. But even they know it. The demographics, and the math, have made it so. (And oh, that along with creating the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, destroying the American brand around the world, and launching the stupidest war in US history. That didn't help much for recruiting either.)
So kill it. Give the entrails to Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee. Let them run their 30%, then 20%, then 10%, then 0%. Let them have their dwindling and insignificant minority in the Congress, and let them lead the few remaining ignorant states.
Political parties by the hundreds have come and gone in the US over the years. What's to say the GOP won't be just another one - a Whig, a Know-Nothing, a Reform.
But America needs a strong opposition party to the Democrats. After Bush/Cheney/McCain/Palin/FoxNews, it surely won't be the GOP.
So what will the new be? How long will it take? Who will lead? And what will they represent?
Serious question. Serious post.
My guess? The party will be called The New GOP, and it will be led by the pro-business, limited-tax, limited government, pro-separation-of-church-and-state, pro-environment Ron Paul libertarian wing of the now-dead Republican party. And it will form as soon as 2012.
McCain Strategist Warns GOP Risks Becoming 'Religious Party' - Steve Schmidt urges Republicans to begin voicing more support for civil unions and gay rights.
John McCain's top adviser from the presidential campaign urged fellow Republicans on Friday to warm up to gay rights and warned that the GOP risks becoming the "religious party" with its opposition to same-sex marriage.
Steve Schmidt, in his first political appearance since the election, spoke at the Washington, D.C., convention for the Log Cabin Republicans -- a grassroots group for gay and lesbian Republicans.
He urged Republicans, in the near-term, to endorse civil unions and stop using the Bible as rationale for gay-marriage opposition.
"If you put public policy issues to a religious test, you risk becoming a religious party," he said. "And in a free country a political party cannot be viable in the long-term if it is seen as a sectarian party."
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37 comments:
Here is another "reasonable" voice on what is to come in America in the next 10 years or so...great article full of lots of predictions, some of which I think is going to come true about our lifestyles:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992073614326997.html
Republicans can start winning again if they become pro-gay marriage and end the war on drugs. Then they'll become the freedom party.
Both parties have built coalitions and have both had successes and failures. The GOP lost in 2006 and 2008 because it lost the fiscal conservatives and libertarians. It lost the centrists. All that remained were brainwashed faux news Bush apologists and religious nutjobs.
The dem coalition is fragile as well. The different constituencies of the dems often have conflicting goals. First you have the unions. Many of their goals conflict with the environmentalist wackos. Then you have the marxists and socialists. You also have the blue dog democrats that used to be republican or independents until bush. The dems also have jews and catholics, but their social values conflict with that of the party. The dems are also in conflict with Jews with regards to policies about Israel.
Bottom line is that neither party does a good job of representing their party members or the american people, nor have either done a good job of running things for at least 40 years.
It would be nice to have a secular, states' rights conservative movement that leaves personal issues like abortion, drugs, and marriage up to the states.
On a national level, this could win votes on both sides of the issues.
Taking one side on the marriage issue probably wouldn't make them win. Even liberal California voted it down.
The purpose of Government is to protect the individual rights that were stated in the original American Constitution . We need a govermnet sponsered police force to protect the rights of citizens .
We need a government funded Military to protect our borders ,and other Government agencies for the sole purpose of protecting individual rights . We need a Judicial system to protect the rights of citizens and punish
criminals . We also need a Government sponsered regulation agency for business to protect the rights of many .
There are times in which Government funding is needed for the good of many ,such as in the case of a highway that is needed .
When it gets to the point were very specific self-interest groups get a hold of the government and push projects that should be privately funded rather than a government obligation ,than Government has exceeded its proper role .
With greater population ,the law enforcement and regulations needs increase with a growing population .
Pushing socialism on a Country that has always practiced a free-market system (in spite of a need for laws and regulations of that system ) isnot the role of the elected Politicians .
Sure government has a role sometimes in declaring funding for some acts as having a social good for the majority ,but those acts should not just be the whims of a special inerest group like the Banks or parties seeking financial gain from Government .
Sometimes government is the only entity that has enough money to say build a damn ,and the public good is clear if it benefits the majority ,or people of all groups.
So, It becomes very clear when Government exceeds it role and
simply caters to a special interest group,
The reason you have such bickering between the parties is because politicians no longer fight over what is good for the mnajority in America, but they fight over which special interest groups ideas should prevail.
When political parties become puppets for the special interest groups ,instead of serving the function of being the defenders of the Constitution and the good for
America as a whole ,than government has become corrupt .
You have to always watch out for a power system or any possible political system taking over the Governmnt ,just like the Miltary could take over the government and abandon the three branch check aand balance system of Federal Government and the Constitution .
A strong Country was built on the original Constitution ,in spite of some growing pains along the way .
To just give up the Founding principals in favor of a experiment in Socialism or any other structure is not warranted .
7:30 anon (please get a handle folks - just sign your post with something) - good thought, but the problem with that is this little thing called the US Constitution.
Equal protection is equal protection, so you can't discriminate against blacks in one state because they hate blacks, and jews in one state because they hate jews. And you can't give rights to gays in one state and then say they're not covered under the constitution in another state. It'll never hold up in the Supreme Court, if that court is doing its constitutional job.
That said, I think the New GOP simply announces it's out of the morality and religion business, and simply runs on competent government. Make the trains run on time. Get out of peoples' lives as much as possible. Cut spending. Get rid of the IRS and the federal income tax. Withdraw the troops and cut the military industrial complex down to size. Balance the budget.
And leave Sarah Palin and the remnants of the Old GOP to fight the religious wars of the last century.
Keith,
comparing race & religion to orientation is apples to oranges. per wiki, CA's 2008 case put them on the same standard, but don't know of other states doing this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_re_Marriage_Cases#cite_note-12
parties mean nothing. nothing at all. they are all the same.
because
until we as a nation print and/or coin our own money as stated in the founding documents of this country, we shall always be slaves and so will our leaders, bought and paid for cheaply and traitors to a man.....such is the life we lead now. the trappings of this lie called the fire economy are now disappearing and we are starting to see that the king is wearing no clothes. such discussions of politcal parties are moot, until we make the necessary changes mentioned above. these changes will require a war. a war here in this country, a real civil war, between those who love liberty and those who love the yoke that is around their necks, because it is the only life they have ever known. the choice is simple and the choices are few. but mark my words. gone are the days of flying under the radar. soon the state will get in your face. you will be asked the question. how do you stand? what is the answer for you? what is your answer keith?
Any thoughts on why FOX destroys the other cable news networks in the ratings?
CABLE NEWS RACE
NITE OF THURS., APRIL 16, 2009
FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,897,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 3,138,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 2,639,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,233,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 1,979,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 1,866,000
CNN COOPER 1,277,000
CNN KING 1,260,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 1,229,000
CNNHN GRACE 1,172,000
MSNBC MADDOW 1,052,000
McCain would have won if he chose Ron Paul as VP and ran against Bush.
Instead he chose Palin and was telling us that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong".
So much for his "top advisor".
GOD DAMN YOU GEORGE BUSH!!!!!
You prevented John McCain from the presidency twice, and we would be SO much better off if he was in from 00 to 08.
I'm convinced that had he been president, that around the time Bush was saying "Denny Hassert is a good man" McCain would have instead been scalping a few congressional republicans.
"..."the fundamentals of the economy are strong"..."Deficits don't matter."GOD DAMN YOU GEORGE BUSH!!!!!
You prevented John McCain from the presidency twice, and we would be SO much better off if he was in from 00 to 08..."Let's not forget HOW LOW he stooped: push-polling South Carolina "Would you be less likely to vote for McCain if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?
Investorinpa, yeah isn't Peg the best. I make a point of reading her every article.
gay marriage consistently loses by 70-80% whenever it is a stand-alone issue - this has happened in at least 5 - 6 states...
if mccain's top advisor can't do a basic nose count on an issue like this, it's no wonder he lost big time...
Too Funny.
http://patrick.net/housing/contrib/irony.html
Arnold Arnold Arnold!
first we need to get the constitution changed..... minor detail.
of course, BO never had to produce a birth certificate, why should the governator.
Maybe on the defensive, but not dead.
i have seen the whole marriage thing mentioned several times.
That should be a non issue. government should not be issuing marriage licenses. marriage is a religious term they should be called a "relationship contract". it is a legal document, nothing more. get government out of religion.
December 2008
I am a gay gun owning, republican voting, strong military supporting male. I do Not want to get married. I am happy not to have the government involved in my bedroom. I do not want to pay higher taxes for social programs I will not use. I should not pay school tax as I have no children and never attended public schools. Democrats want to tax me more for other peoples problems. I want them to leave me alone from solving their problems. I want to be free of the people behind the government who have ideas and programs for me. I do not want their socialism. I want my freedom, my individualism.
Keith do you remember the election of 2000, when Ohio went for Bush when it could have gone either way, and despite the high unemployment there?
Do you remember the high turnout it had - possibly related to the gay marriage item on the ballot? Do you remember a lot of people came to the conclusion that if it were not for that gay marriage initiative, Gore would have won?
How can you possibly think the guy you are quoting is not a fool in telling the GOP to advocate gay marriage? That proposition has only about 30% public support.
I see you have already backed off endorsing that's guy's views by saying that the GOP should just lay off moral issues. Nice flexibility there.
Without the religious right the GOP is dead in the water. The demographics favor the Democrats. The Electoral College looks good for the democrats. However, Obama could have a tough reelection if we have a poor economic recovery and inflationary problems. Pakistan may become an issue. Extreme deficit spending may become problematic, although we may be able to kick that can down the road. I believe the religious right will retreat to the state level, as evidenced by the Texas governor's remarks recently. Creationism in public schools, gay marriage, church/state separation will be fought state by state and in the courts. Life goes on. Some realtors still get 6% commission, and Mozillo is probably having more fun than you are Keith.
investorinpa said...
Here is another "reasonable" voice on what is to come in America in the next 10 years or so...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992073614326997.html
I hope that is what happens. I could live just fine with this description of the future.
Sounds like Grandma pkk's world.
Well, there is religion and then there is religion.
Imagine Mother Nature as God, global warming as hell, Al Gore as the pope, and carbon offset purchases as plenary indulgences.Environmentalism, the New ReligionThere is a new world religion emerging. Enter left-wingers. Get ready for the air you breath to be taxed. I used to joke about this, not so much anymore.
I believe we should be more kind to the earth, but come on. Don't think the PTB don't have a spiffy new alternative religion to replace the old tired ones. One that comes with the same yoke around the neck, only worse.
Global Warming as Religion and not ScienceEnvironmentalism: Religion for the Godless
More good *truthful* information:
http://geraldcelentechannel.blogspot.com/
"Any thoughts on why FOX destroys the other cable news networks in the ratings?"
Aggressive accounting?
These ratings are as 'cooked' as Rupert Murdock's corporate earnings reports.
BTW - What percentage of FUX's advertising revenue is derived from the MIC?
This guy had an interesting post about the same thing.
http://tinyurl.com/dm9lcw
I got on the "Rebuild the Party" web page, but even there the bible-bangers are convinced that 2006,2008 were just flukes; "Jesus was just testing us" so to speak.
No, a new third party, made up of fiscal conservatives who don't give a damn about what two consenting adults do in their bedroom, is the only way to go.
> Don't think the PTB don't have a spiffy new alternative religion to replace the old tired ones.
Just keeping your scorecard at 100% agreement is the new religion. Disagreement is not tolerated.
I agree w/ Stuck. A fiscally conservative party that is "libertarian" on social issues will take 1/3 of the vote. The christian wackos can vote repub, the holier than thou libs can vote demo.
As for fox ratings: The 1/3 who always vote repub are a militant crowd and stick to the message. Others are usually READING something instead of staring at the idiot box.
It is said that in right wing country, being consistant is more important than being right. Witness the "Jesus was just testing us" mentality.
These people won't even bend enough to save the world from left wing kook-fest domination.
I have an uncle who flew a Chinook in Vietnam, and was in fact shot down. He got real lucky and only broke his leg.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Chinook.ch-47d.d-101.rnethaf.arp.jpg
But he told me years later that he was shot down on takeoff from a babble zone and the type of (smallarms fire induced) failure the aircraft sustained caused the blades of one of the rotors to come down and chop the fuselage apart. He was certainly in a far greater than 50-50 chance of dying situation. Again he got lucky.
This mindless adherance to consistancy will now be the republican parties unhinged rotor blades.
> These ratings are as 'cooked' as Rupert Murdock's corporate earnings reports.
Nope, sorry. Deal with it.
Yup, this guy got it right.
> Leftwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on intolerance, bigotry, hatred of particular religious and hatred of free speech), and those that are mainly anti-capitalist, rejecting self reliance in favor of state or local authority, or submission to government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as promotion of uncontrolled immigration.
Regarding the post on environmentalism as a religion, like the word "gay" has been high-jacked by a movement, so has the word "green"
As of late, we are just beginning to be bombarded with it on the television. We would all be wise to educate ourselves on the use of language (for propaganda) in politics.
The Orwellian Language of Big Government
For the gay-marriage issue you need to look at the demographics. The young people support gay marriage (or if you prefer ending discrimination in the marriage code). If you are looking at winning the next generation you have to recognize the way the world is moving and adapt.
Even more to the point, the anti-gay message has failed to win Republicans elections. If they switched to being pro-gay or even better gay-neutral they wouldn't lose any of the anti-gay people they had before but they would pick up fiscal conservatives who are put off by anti-gay/religious rhetoric.
Obama done a great job not letting the people who were with him anyway, torpedo his campaigns. The Republicans need to stop preaching to the choir and reach out to the center.
Do you remember the high turnout it had - possibly related to the gay marriage item on the ballot? Do you remember a lot of people came to the conclusion that if it were not for that gay marriage initiative, Gore would have won?
How can you possibly think the guy you are quoting is not a fool in telling the GOP to advocate gay marriage? That proposition has only about 30% public support.Inaccurate.
It has 30% support amongst the fucked borrower boomers and their older parents.
With the kids being expected to pay off the bills -- Gen X and younger -- it has well over 50% support.
It's a lot like other earlier civil rights efforts, like Jim Crow. Lots of Bible thumpers like Jerry Falwell made themselves a name by blasting Martin Luther King as a communist and raged against equal treatment for black Americans until boom, it happened.
The funny thing about Republican conservatives is how they rant and rage and scream against paying taxes, bailouts, etc... yet they're so willing to hand their own bills and retirement and spousal social security bills to gay people like me.
Either you're "self sufficient" or you're not. Either you believe in the Constitution -- including the 14th amendment -- or you don't. It's that simple.
the anti-gay message has failed to win Republicans electionsYep.
A bunch of people who don't know me are willing to scream about how much they hate me and how they must control my life.
But when I start applying that same logic in their own lives, suddenly they're on about "privacy" and "freedom."
Hey -- you don't want me telling you not to cheat on your wife, to pay your child support, to get a job to pay your family's bills? Then stop trying to legislate my life and demand that I pay for your fat ass out of my taxes because I'm queer and you're "moral" because you blasted a load of jizz inside a woman's vagina.
Thanks!
All they have to do is become Anti-Socialist.
Still, the triple pentangles still point toward hell.
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