Or:
The third presidential election since I turned eighteen, and it's both the most fun and scariest yet. In 2000 I enjoyed the hopeful atmosphere, but was then disenfranchised. 2004 was very boring and even more depressing than 2000. This year, however, has given us a show like no other. We are seeing the true nature of politics: the falsehood of the spectacle, those who suck it up, and the misfortune of the people who actually think and care and despair over the laughable state of affairs. I've had wine tonight, so I might rhyme more than usual.
You may have deduced from the title of this post that I intend to throw some mud around. You are right. But I really should begin by saying that I am only aiming at the small percentage of extremist Republicans who actually fit the description below. I try not to make sweeping, generalizing statements unless for hyperbolic effect (which this is not). So, if you find yourself offended, just remember that I am being very specific—only one in dozens of Republicans fit this bill. Unfortunately, the man and woman at the head of their party do qualify. Those people make me mad. Let's get started!
Sarah Palin: fun to look at, cute accent, but a self-absorbed, fascist liar. She has talked about banning books that do not promote her beliefs. Palin said that she thinks humans have not had a hand in climate change. She worshiped for two decades in a pentecostal church that preaches that Alaska should and will be a refuge during the Rapture™. (Here is a clip of her speaking at that church. Here and here are compilations of news reports on Palin and her "faith" and life in general. Parts of the videos are very biased, so just pay attention to the reported facts). She wants the actions of the nation to be "righteous," and believes God has a plan for her specifically to be a leader in America. The Iraq War, according to her, is part of "God's plan." America can only succeed if Jesus is in the hearts of Americans. She asked her church to pray that the pipeline be built because God must have a hand in the success of business. Drill, drill, drill. You've probably also heard about all the pork and earmarks during her very short reign in Alaska, and "Troopergate," and other bullshit.
Now, it doesn't matter to me that she speaks in tongues, or drinks potions, or whatever. Everyone can worship as they please, thank God. I become concerned if she were to allow her religion and her god to dictate her policy. She has not done this yet, but her radical religious beliefs and public displays of those beliefs are scary.
After watching Palin's big, conservative-pleasing speech, I found my head empty save for a bit of anger and anxiety. She gave no true plans to correct the problems of America. She did, however, prove to me that she is a master of claptrap. And lying. Sarah Palin lied about the bridge and her support of it. Would you like to see very long lists of other things she lied about, with citations and links to prove them? OK: Factchecking Palin, Palin v. Reality, and Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention. All politicians lie, but I think McCain and Palin are testing new heights.
Palin was chosen to make McCain more accessible, to turn the election from a matter of "what" to a question of "who." Who do you like better: the white news team or the black community organizers? So, it doesn't matter about her inexperience and many other flaws—she fits a mold compatible with the lowest common denominator American conservative. Unfortunately, a lot of people vote for the person they like, not what they can do. McCain and Palin have talked little about the war or the past eight years of desolation caused by their party. Did you listen to their big speeches at the Republican National Convention? I don't think I heard the word "Bush," and very, very little was mentioned of the war in Iraq. They have since spoken about the need to win the war, but in smaller, more private settings where the atmosphere is far more conservative. They wanted to steer clear of these issues on the national stage and instead emphasize a vague, undefined notion of "change" in "Washington." The unvetted Sarah Palin may be a much more cunning choice than we thought a few days ago when it was announced. She is a distraction from the things that really matter. As today's polls have shown, the bump after the RNC is significant and may not so easily shrink back down. Many Republicans like the pretty creationist mommy. After the past two elections, I don't think I trust American voters to save our government.
Do not vote for someone because he or she is like you. That's how we got Bush. Do we really want a president or vice president who is similar to the average American? God, no. We need someone more capable and intelligent.
We need to think about the last eight years. My generation may as well be called Generation Wait, for we have been waiting and waiting and waiting for our voices to be heard and our country to shake its debilitating fever. It is long overdue. We were robbed in 2000. We are tired of stupidity. If you were happy with what went on during the past eight years, go ahead and vote for McCain and Palin.
Vote for McCain/Palin if you:
- like trickle-down economics, which do not work
- favor the union of church and state
- want the Goddamn Bush War to continue
- believe in giving up freedoms when afraid
- think the economy is fundamentally sound, and trust fiscal conservatives
- either disbelieve in or are indifferent to global warming
- wish Bush could run again
- hope torture continues
- do not support the arts
- agree that killing someone is an appropriate punishment to be carried out by our government
- laugh at the idea of financially aiding victims of the cycles of poverty, which in turn aids the general welfare of the nation and humanity
- are not a Christian, nor a supporter of democracy
I will explain the last two in a moment.
At this point I think I should point out that by writing these things about a few Republicans who offend me, I am not avoiding similar problems with or complains about Democrats (such as Joe Biden's stupid comment about FDR, Obama not being specific enough about his plans, etc.). I'm popping open my vents to release the steam brought up by the continued craziness of Republican leaders. I could write a diatribe about similar extremist Democrats, but they have yet to offend me as much as the Republicans in question. I don't think Obama is as big a liar or control freak as McCain or Palin. I wish we had different candidates.
McCain said this one time:
I want our troops home too, but I want our troops to return home with honor and in victory. We cannot react to past mistakes by embracing calls to begin troop withdrawals or to revive our previous failed strategy of a partial troop pullback that will be an even greater mistake, a mistake of colossal historical proportions, which will seriously weaken American security.
Presidential candidates argue for the course of cutting our losses and withdrawing in the vain hope it will improve American security. I cannot join them in such wishful and dangerous thinking. I believe that their approach would make the world a more dangerous place and weaken American security. For many years I warned about the erosion of security in Iraq and called for a different strategy that would give us the best chance to succeed. Because our troops were spread too thin, I urged a larger ground force in Iraq to implement a new counterinsurgency campaign like the one now underway in Iraq. Today, we have new commanders in Iraq, and they are following a new course we should have been following from the beginning, which makes the most effective use of our strength and doesn't strengthen the tactics of our enemy. This new battle plan is succeeding in places where our previous tactics failed. Although the outcome remains uncertain, General Petraeus deserves adequate time to salvage from the wreckage of our past mistakes a measure of stability for Iraq and the Middle East, and a more secure future for the American people. Premature troop withdrawals or redeployment would not advance peace. It would strengthen al Qaeda and boost recruitment in their ranks, empower Iran and other hostile powers, unleash a full-scale civil war in Iraq that could quite possibly provoke genocide there, and destabilize the entire region as neighboring powers aid of their favored factions. The consequences would threaten us for years, and I am certain would eventually draw us into a wider and more difficult conflict. Our defeat in Iraq would be catastrophic, not just for Iraq, but for us. I believe that as long as we have a chance to succeed we must try to succeed.
We us our us we we our we ususus. Scary for us. This was the sort of thinking that was used to dupe America into the war in the first place. Remember Colin Powell pointing to pictures of trucks and "bunkers"? "Here is why we are scared." Every decision must be made with the United States of America as first priority. Country First, as John McCain says. In actuality, the world will not become a better home for us until we realize that we must put humanity first, not country. Sure, McCain sometimes says the whole purpose of the war was to "liberate" some brown people, and I'm sure there are millions of Republicans who supported the war for that noble idea, but isn't that what Bush said five years ago? Americans aren't happy about how that project has progressed. A lot of Americans now believe there were other reasons for moving into Iraq and spending billions. Who knows? What we do know is that Red Meat Republicans put God's Country first, forever, no matter what. Why? Because this is America, the best slice of planet Earth! What else is there to consider?
Incidentally, McCain would also like to create a new Amendment that would make it illegal to burn an American flag. Confused much about democracy, John?
When will "we" and "us" mean humanity and not America?
The type of Republicans in question apparently live on a diet of red meat. They indulge in fear, cling to their crutches, and promote the alpha male syndrome as model American philosophy. It seems they cannot separate their very personal beliefs from their policy, which goes against the very fundamental beliefs of Christian dogma and the core principles of democracy. If both a Christian and patriot, I would not vote for McCain or Palin, as they advocate deviant ideals. In contrast with both democracy and Christianity, Red Meat Republicans strive for closer links between church and state. Forcing Biblical morals into laws goes directly against democracy, and isn't a basic principle of Christianity choice? It is obvious many have donned a false fashion of Christianity, and seek converts to their lifestyle in any way possible, regardless of what the Bible may say on the subject. Those are the people who weep with passion for the display of the Ten Commandments but do not fight for or even praise the Beatitudes.
One day Jesus said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.—Gospel of St. Matthew 5: 3-10
Baron d'Holbach said that perhaps the Beatitudes were popular among Christians when they were a small and struggling sect, but were abandoned once the group rose to power. Kurt Vonnegut said, “Can you imagine ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ on the wall in the Oval Office?” Of course not. They torture people.
The people in the GOP we see running for president and vice president, and those most zealous at the RNC are the brand of politicos who might be found saying, with thumbs pointed toward their chests, "I look after one person: this guy." They seem to not care about the weak and poor. They seem to value their money more than humanity. If they didn't, they would be more willing to use taxes to support other humans who truly cannot escape poverty in all its forms and all its cycles. Is socialism more evil than fascism in their eyes? Sinclair Lewis said, “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”
Observing the ardent conservatives pulls me into a paradox: I hate what they stand for but am so damned happy they are able to stand for it. They are right that America is wonderful, because we can believe and promote anything we want. Fortunately for the myriad disputing factions, we have things like the Constitution. Praise Allah.
The Republican National Convention was nauseating much like a trip to Auschwitz in the spring of 1945 must have been. It was jarring, insulting to the human spirit, and uncanny in every negative way the word might be used. It will one day serve as a vestige to an antiquated lifestyle and exploitative, greedy political blueprint. Religion for Red Meat Republicans is a hobby or, worse, a tool. For example, they need God to guide the war and suck up oil in Alaska and around our shores. Conversely, they don't say much about God when a hurricane kills children and smashes thousands of houses. That's why they dislike people such as Pat Robertson—he doesn't know how to best use God as a sort of Swiss Army knife. Red Meat Republicans know what's best for you, even if you don't, and want to make sure you have no choice in the matter: it will be in the rules of our society.
McCain and Palin and their people want to make your moral decisions for you. What does that imply? They think you are stupid. Or evil. Or both. It doesn't matter if you're conservative and agree with the decisions Red Meat Republicans might make: to do that is illegal and goes directly against the principles and documents on which this republic was founded.
These are the sorts of people who want to pass House Resolution 888, the purpose of which is described as
Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as `American Religious History Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.
Now, that doesn't sound too bad, right? Well, the resolution is full of lies. Here's a video, too, which agrees with my beliefs on this topic.
In August of 1789, James Madison, who wrote the glorious first amendment, expressed during a debate about the wording of the amendment that he "apprehended the meaning of the words [of the establishment clause and the free exercise clause of the first amendment] to be, that Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any manner contrary to their conscience." (James Madison, “Writings”, p 467) Jefferson felt the same way, and was an ardent supporter of that separation:
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.
Thank the Lord for these genius Deists. Despite what conservative Christians argue today, the founding fathers were not hardcore Christians creating a Christian nation. In fact, Madison said this:
Experience witnesseth that ecclesiastical establishments, instead of maintaining the purity and efficacy of religion, have had a contrary operation. During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution. [James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance, addressed to the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1785]
And this:
An alliance or coalition between Government and religion cannot be too carefully guarded against. Every new and successful example therefore of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance...religion and government will exist in greater purity, without (rather) than with the aid of government. [James Madison in a letter to Livingston, 1822, from Leonard W. Levy- The Establishment Clause, Religion and the First Amendment, p. 124]
Jefferson sometimes looks like a Deist, and is sometimes seen leaning toward Unitarianism. Either way.
A leader's religious beliefs shouldn't matter, unless, again, he or she is so careless as to let it guide his or her leadership. Have we forgotten what makes a great leader, a great president or vice president?
There is a group on Facebook that advocates Sarah Palin as a wonderful leader. The description for the group:
Wow, Sarah Palin has bigger balls than the entire Democratic Party combined. There would be no question whether or not i would vote for her, for president or vice-president. This women is by far the most qualified politician i have ever seen in my life
I of course thought it was a joke and laughed. Then I looked around and, no, it is real. People really feel that way about a person they just met. And after a few witty, rousing speeches, they are willing to vote her into the highest office in our country. Does that scare you as much as it does me?
Why would the Republican party support Sarah Palin, who does not have enough experience of any kind to run a nation? Why would they believe McCain to be a "maverick"? Why would they chant and cheer at Rudy Giuliani's divisive, insulting RNC speech, which was devoid of true substance. For example, he led the room of Republicans in a giggle-fit over the term "community organizer." Then he mocked Obama for voting "present" 130 times because, as Rudy said, with hands raised and clawed, "It was too tough!" Hoo-ha!
In A Man Without A Country Vonnegut wrote:
But I myself feel that our country, for whose Constitution I fought in a just war, might as well have been invaded by Martians and body snatchers. Sometimes I wish it had been. What has happened, though, is that it has been taken over by means of the sleaziest, low-comedy, Keystone Cops-style coup d'etat imaginable.
George W. Bush has gathered around him upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography, plus not-so-closeted white supremacists, aka Christians, and plus, most frighteningly, psychopathic personalities, or PPs, the medical term for smart, personable people who have no consciences.
To say somebody is a PP is to make a perfectly respectable medical diagnosis, like saying he or she has appendicitis or athlete's foot. The classic medical text on PPs is The Mask of Sanity by Dr. Hervey Cleckley, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Medical College of Georgia, and published in 1941. Read it!
Some people are born deaf, some are born blind or whatever, and this book is about congenitally defective human beings of a sort that is making this whole country and many other parts of the planet go completely haywire nowadays. These were people born without consciences, and suddenly they are taking charge of everything.
PPs are presentable, they know full well the suffering their actions may cause others, but they do not care. They cannot care because they are nuts. They have a screw loose!
And what syndrome better describes so many executives at Enron and WorldCom and on and on, who have enriched themselves while ruining their employees and investors and country and who still feel as pure as the driven snow, no matter what anybody may say to or about them? And they are waging a war that is making billionaires out of millionaires, and trillionaires out of billionaires, and they own television, and they bankroll George Bush, and not because he's against gay marriage.
So many of these heartless PPs now hold big jobs in our federal government, as though they were leaders instead of sick.
They might have felt that taking our country into an endless war was simply something decisive to do. What has allowed so many PPs to rise so high in corporations, and now in government, is that they are so decisive. They are going to do something every fuckin' day and they are not afraid. Unlike normal people, they are never filled with doubts, for the simple reason that they cannot care what happens next. Simply can't. Do this! Do that! Mobilize the reserves! Privatize the public schools! Attack Iraq! Cut health care! Tap everybody's telephone! Cut taxes on the rich! Build a trillion-dollar missile shield! Fuck habeas corpus and the Sierra Club and In These Times, and kiss my ass!
So when I say that the answer to my questions above is that Red Meat Republicans are delusional, I do not mean to be insulting. It is the only answer that makes sense.
Again, I ask, is there a reset button? Everyone in Wyoming, quick! Jump up and down!
Comment Preview
Posted by: