Tag Archives: Republican Party

My Problem with The Tea Party

First of all, I haven’t written forever.  It isn’t that I don’t WANT to write, it’s just I’m being pulled in fifty different directions.  Sadly (for me), I have 12 unfinished articles that I’ve started since my last brilliantly written article, which will never see the light of day.  This one was the closest I had to being finished.  I wanted to post something.  So here goes.

For fun I’m going to include three misnomers: 1- “Affordable Care Act”…It isn’t. 2- “Obamacare”…He doesn’t.  And 3- “My Problem with The Tea Party”…I don’t.

“But Danny,” you whine “why the title?”  Apparently I have some ‘splainin to do. The state in which I reside has a dominate religion.  IT DRIVES ME CRAZY, absolutely bat nuts, when I hear someone complain about “the church” when in reality they are complaining about an individual/individuals within the church.  To me it is just fundamentally wrong to lump a whole group of people into a category that should be reserved for a few.  Does that make sense?  So, with our mutual understanding and 100% realization of my rank hypocrisy, I’ll plow forward.

Don't Look Back

As you may or may not be aware there is a midterm election coming up in about 8 weeks.  There is a lot up for grabs this election.  Congress’ approval is at an all time low, but shockingly, incumbents traditionally win.  We “The People” hate the group, but like the individuals within the group.

Currently, Mitch McConnell is fighting to keep his seat as a Republican Senator for Kentucky.  Now, I’m not advocating for or against him.  I just know many Tea Party-esque people have accused him of being a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only.)  Again, I don’t follow his voting record that closely.  I know he isn’t a screaming liberal but apparently he isn’t a staunch conservative either.  What I do know about McConnell is that as the Senate Minority Leader, under what had to be intense political pressure, he was able to keep his party in line and not have one affirmative vote from the Republican Party for Obamacare.  Under his leadership the Democratic Party owns the Affordable Care Act – again, it isn’t “Affordable,” it isn’t “Care,” it’s just an act.

If the voters in Kentucky, decide it is time for McConnell to retire, I don’t have a problem with that.  My problem is with the “I would rather stay home and let the democrats win than vote for someone who only agrees with me 80% of the time” people.  Those people kill me, and are idiots.

Even I, your humble narrator, have been accused of not being a “true conservative” because I failed the litmus test of not seeing the wisdom in the legalization of marijuana (spoiler alert: there is no wisdom in the legalization of drugs).

Demonizing your ideological opponents is a lot of fun, if you’re brave enough to do it, and has been the modus operandi since the beginning of time.  Pointing out the dumbassery of the Democratic Party is something I’ve been accused of doing (I’m talking about the Party here – not individuals – so my “butt hurt” liberal friends, please take it down an octave.)   Every Presidential election the Democrats start with around 246 out of the 270 electoral votes needed to win.  The Democrats barely have to show up and BOOM 246 electoral votes.  The Republicans have to work for everything else. To me it is almost funny the Democrats demonize Republicans at all.  I understand why they do…but still.  The sad truth is that the Republican Party needs new members, it needs converts.  The Democratic Party doesn’t.

Freedom

That’s why when, a month or so ago, Sarah Palin, whom I normally kinda dig, was banging the “Impeachment drum” I rolled my eyes.  America is NEVER going to impeach Obama.  Yes, he is grossly incompetent, arguably the Worst President EVER.   That isn’t an impeachable offense.  He may be guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors.   Even if, America still isn’t going to do it.  All banging that drum, or drums like it, does is give Democrats ammunition to fire toward the Low Information/Yahoo News reading voters.

I think the sainted Ronald Regan nailed it when, in March of 1975, he said:

“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers…

“I am impatient with those Republicans who after the last election rushed into print saying, “We must broaden the base of our party” – when what they meant was to fuzz up and blur even more the differences between ourselves and our opponents.

“Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?

“Let our banner proclaim our belief in a free market as the greatest provider for the people.

“Let us explore ways to ward off socialism, not by increasing government’s coercive power, but by increasing participation by the people in the ownership of our industrial machine.

“It is time to reassert our principles and raise them to full view.”

The problem is the Republicans don’t have the balls to do it. Well…that’s not entirely fair.  They talk about limited central government, but they lack either the confidence or the ability to explain its benefits.  They have bought into the Democrats’ core, condescending belief, that the world is just too darn complicated for you and me, the ordinary folks, to make our way through without bureaucratic instruction and hand holding.

Capitalism

Because the concepts and benefits of a limited government don’t fit on a bumper sticker we are left with a system that is going to implode.  It’s not a question of “if,” it will implode, it’s a question of “when.”  Everyone with half a brain stem knows it.  But still, Republicans are too scared, or maybe too content, to advocate the dramatic change that could save us.  Instead we are too busy cannibalizing ourselves.  I’m not advocating the status quo.  I want change.  I think we, as a party, should have a robust debate, but then the primaries are over, be involved.  VOTE.  Even if you have to plug your nose to do it.   Then we need to hold our elected leaders feet to the fire to ensure they do the right thing.

“Divide and conquer” maybe an effective strategy in war, but doesn’t work in a representative democracy.

 

LIFEZILLA: It’s the website our forefathers would have subscribed too.  That is if our foremothers would have let them.

 

Big Gov

Offended

No Strategy Yet

Immi(de)gration

Immi(de)gration

Okay, from the start I want you to know this one may be a little harder to follow.  I’m not known for being extra bright, and I’m kind of a scatter brain.  You know what, just, just stick with me until the end.

To understand my thought process on this I need to give you a history lesson.  For the seven people who read my articles this may be a review.

War hero Andrew Jackson formed the Democratic Party with three main planks.  The first plank was to continue taking the land from the American Indians.  These people had three options: Go west, become farmers, or be killed.  The second plank was the continuation and expansion of slavery.  The third plank would now be called an “expansionary monetary policy.”  This policy allowed white settlers to borrow money to buy “newly acquired” Indian land and with the work of slaves raise profitable crops for market: tobacco, cotton, etc.  The policies of cheap land and cheap labor made Jackson very popular in the South.  As President he destroyed the National Bank and started a “spoils system.”

In many history books Jackson’s victory is presented as a triumph for democracy over elitism. And to be honest, if you overlook the very real issues of slavery and genocide, there is some truth to this view.

The Whig party was started in direct opposition to everything Jackson and the Democrats stood for.  The Republican Party emerged from the Whigs when the Whigs went “Pro-choice” on slavery.

Lincoln

For more information on this part of history go see the movie Lincoln (which totally should have won the Academy Award for best picture. I thought Argo was a good movie.  Lincoln was way better).

Republicans then started fighting for civil rights, despite intense Democratic opposition.  (See Civil Rights acts of 1866, 1871, 1875, 1957, 1960)  The Democrats started the KKK, they opposed military desegregation, and were generally all-around jackasses.  (Fun fact: Andrew Jackson’s opponents started calling him “Andrew Jackass.” He embraced this in his campaigning, making the jackass his symbol. Later the donkey came to represent the Democratic Party.)  Most people will tell you the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the only Civil Rights Act EVER.  It’s true if you consider it is the only one the Democrats supported.

Normally, right about now, I would have a cute little phrase or humorous one-liner that I would add.  For the past twenty minutes I’ve been trying to think of a clever way to weave “a reptile dysfunction” into the article, but can’t…sooooooo just laugh, okay?

Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy changed the face of the Democratic Party when he made a two minute phone call to the wife of imprisoned Dr. Martin Luther King.

I think Kennedy was sincere in his desire for Civil Rights.  Judging by his record as a Senator, his running mate Lyndon B. Johnson, was not.  (Ronald Kessler, “Inside The White House” quotes a USAF crewman on Air Force One, Robert N. MacMillan, who heard LBJ justifying his wanting the 1964 civil rights bill by saying, “I’ll have them ni@@ers voting Democratic for two hundred years.”)

I don’t mean to totally get off the subject here.  I think Dr. King was a great man.  His “I have a dream” speech and his letter from Birmingham jail are extraordinary.  That being said, I believe Thurgood Marshall did waaaaaaaaay more for Civil Rights than Dr. King.  He won case after case in front of the Supreme Court.

In 1965 Teddy Kennedy took a much needed break from drowning women in his car to change America’s immigration policy from one that was similar to every other country in the world “What benefit can you provide for our country?” to “Do you have a pulse, and what can we do for you?”

Now for those of you who think I’m drawing a link between racism and immigration, I wanna put your mind at ease.  That is exactly what I’m doing.

Racism is ugly in any form.  The “in your face” kind makes the news, but I think the subtle kind is the worst.  Making laws and policies that stifle creativity and human ingenuity is wrong.  Saying things like, “there-there (person of color), you don’t have to learn English.  It’s really hard.  You just sit right here and let the state take care of you” just isn’t right.  It’s soft bigotry of low expectations.

Isn’t it better to hope for every individual to reach their full potential? Can you do that while knowingly transferring the burden of your support onto society?  I’ll give you a hint, ya can’t.  I don’t know how they did it, but somehow the Democratic Party put the “rad” in degrading.

Before you get your panties in a wad, I’m not saying all Democrats are racist.  There are some, just like there are in any large group.  I’m also not saying many Democrats aren’t sincerely caring.  They are.  I’m just saying many of the policies implemented by the Democratic Party, though well intentioned, are misguided.  Taking care of someone by giving them “free stuff” is economic slavery.  Freedom is economic opportunity.

What the hell

I disagree with Marco Rubio’s amnesty idea.  All that will do is flood the market with a bunch of low-skilled workers.  This will enable employers to pay minimum wage for years.  It will stifle people’s growth more.

Does something need to be done about immigration?  Absolutely.  I especially think the “Dreamers” group is something we should discuss.  But nothing should be done until we put a fence up.  Stop the flow.  Then discuss.

The Republican Party began as the anti-slavery party.  They believed that “All men are created equal” (and it took the deaths of nearly 600,000 primarily white men to prove it). Today’s Republican Party stands for: Limited Government, Life, Personal Responsibility and a Strong National Defense.  We believe people aren’t property; they are not wards of the state.  In my little brain, I believe today’s Democratic Party stands for: Getting as many people dependent on the Government so we can keep winning elections, and the right for women to have unprotected sex with men they don’t necessarily care for, without consequences.

But still, “today’s Republicans” are painted as racist and uncaring.  Even with stalwart men and women like Tim Scott, Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Marco Rubio, Mia Love, Allen West, Dr. Alveda King and Bobby Jindal on the fronts lines.

Un-be-freakin-lievable.

 

LIFEZILLA:  I hate being Bi-polar.  It’s awesome.

Ignorance is a choice

Condoleezza Rice

Buck Up Weary Camper!!

Buck Up Weary Camper!!

 So Tuesday night I turned off the TV at roughly “what’s the point o’clock.”  I was shocked and saddened that the country had chosen “Free Stuff” over Freedom.  In my little brain I was thinking that the only difference between parasites and liberals is that parasites understand that killing their host wouldn’t be good for them.  My last thought before falling asleep was, “Maybe the Mayans were right.”

But when I woke up I felt better.  Even though I had to endure a day of being mocked and ridiculed for posting my predictions (you can see now why I’m not a huge gambler when I go to Las Vegas).

I thought Mitt ran a good campaign. In retrospect he could have, and should have, done a little more.  But that is water under the bridge.  The question is, what do we do now?  Do we act like a bunch of pansies and sit in the corner, sucking our thumbs, or do we “gird up your loins, fresh courage take”?  (If you ask my wife my loins are ALWAYS girded.)

The road ahead is going to suck.  Money guru Steve Forbes is predicting a recession.  We have “Taxmageddon” coming the first of the year.  It will effect everyone.  The Huffington Post (hardly a right-leaning organization) has a good article on it.  Read more of about it here.  Seriously…go read it.

I’m betting if Romney had pointed out more often that President Obama has raise taxes more than any President in history, the media would have had to explain it.

I’m sure many in the GOP are freaking out.  I don’t think going to the left is the answer though.  We need to do a better job at explaining the principles.

Steve Forbes said:

“Where the Republican Party goes, is not abandoning its principles of freedom, but making sure that we articulate those principles,” he said.

“When Romney came under attack for Bain he was not very good in sending the essence of free-enterprise and freedom, and the idea that markets succeed by serving the needs and wants of other people. He never made the moral case. We have to have candidates that do.

“We have a very good bench in the party — a lot of good, young up-and-coming people so this is not the time to try to be mini-Democrats. This is the time to go to basic principles and figure out how to get these principles across to people and the policies that derive from those principles across to people — all different groups in America, and that is the way we have to go.

“Reagan did it. We have to do it again.”

In other words.  Buck up weary camper!!!  The fight has just begun.

 

LIFEZILLA:  I used to think I was trapped inside a woman’s body…then I was born.