I’ve been listening to Rush lately. I’m a Democrat, and I’ve been travelling for my job. I’m at a loss to understand the GOP base.
Take the demographics. The Hispanic population is growing. The base is losing when it takes a hard line on immigration. There isn’t any getting around it. Younger voters – at there are a lot of them – have no reason to turn to the Republican party. Another election cycle or two, and they’re gone for good.
Take global warming. Why is there even a fight over it? Do you people actually oppose conservation? Why can’t you offer something constructive?
Abortion: Obama will have several Supreme Court picks, and the bench will remain evenly divided on the question for another generation. Another generation will grow up with legal abortion. You lost this battle.
Take small government. Reagan promised it, Bush I promised it, and Bush II promised it. Government grew under these presidents, just as it did under Clinton (except Clinton squeezed out a momentary surplus). Why should anyone think the ideal of small government can be acheived? What happens is that services get cut for the poor, and the deficit goes up.
Taxes. You guys won on the estate tax: I don’t think we’ll be seeing it again. Reagan did permanently change the debate on taxes, and we will not see, for a long time, the marginal rates of Carter and before. A victory. But where can you go with it? We are bleeding money under Republican and Democratic administrations. We can’t cut taxes anymore. As much as you believe Obama’s spending is irresponsible, cutting taxes is at least as irresponsible.
I appreciate the passion of Rush and his supporters. But you can’t win. Most especially, you can’t win on ALL issues. You can’t be taking a hard line on everything. It doesn’t work. It never DID work for you. You didn’t get your small government, you didn’t get your ban on abortion. You got – for thirty years, a bunch of empty suits making promises to the base, and delivering for their big donors.
And, here you are, shocked, absolutely shocked, that your leaders are hypocrites. Are you seriously praying for a political system and a political movement that will acheive the aims of the grassroots or follows principle? That’s never happened, in all of world history. It isn’t going to happen now.
At least the “moderates” are understanding that you need to take stock, and consider new ways forward. I’m sorry you are all in such pain. I wish you all the best, but one day, you’re going to have to accept reality.
IMHO, btw.
