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talkpoliticsFirst off, in terms of political affiliation, I generally consider myself a confused and/or indifferent member of the "silent majority" on most occasions - thanks for asking. In some respects I tend to sympathize with the more progressive ideas (particularly on social and environmental issues), in others I lean more towards the conservative side (finance and spending, and crime). But regardless of these complicated preferences, there is one thing for sure: I do believe a democracy is only viable when there's quality competition between ideas, with quality participants on all sides involved. And right now, even a distant observer like myself is able to see that in the US, there isn't one. There's a problem with the conservative side of the competition, and it's been there for quite a while.
Somewhere between Gipper's "Morning in America" and Sarah Palin's nomination speech (and Rush Limbaugh's frequent outbursts somewhere in between), Republicans simply lost it. I can't pin down the exact moment - was it the "Willie Horton" ad, or maybe the whole Clinton impeachment brouhaha? Or maybe there wasn't a specific moment or event, just a slow, gradual process? I don't know. But whatever and however happened, the fact is, from a distant observer's point of view, the Republican party looks no longer capable of coming up with and/or electing politicians with the qualifications and worldview necessary to function in the 21st century. Sad but true. Just a brief look at the panel of crazies and lightweights on the recent debate stages should give us a clear indication of that.
So... can Republicanism be saved? Is there a set of demographic, intellectual and political conditions that would help drive the crazies from the GOP? Could Obama's departure from the political scene ease the racialist undertones that currently underline much of today's Republican rhetoric? Or the problem is way deeper than that?
As someone who cares about the most vibrant democracy in the world remaining as vibrant as we've gotten used to seeing it, I do want to see both sides involved in the political process being in touch with reality, and pursuing adequate agendas that are in line with the true needs of their constituents. Since that is currently not the case with one of them, I had to ask this.
Unfortunately, I must admit I'm not overly optimistic. At least not for the time being. Sure, there probably are green shoots who might help change the overall picture. But if there are, they must have remained largely unnoticed. So, care to point me to them?
Somewhere between Gipper's "Morning in America" and Sarah Palin's nomination speech (and Rush Limbaugh's frequent outbursts somewhere in between), Republicans simply lost it. I can't pin down the exact moment - was it the "Willie Horton" ad, or maybe the whole Clinton impeachment brouhaha? Or maybe there wasn't a specific moment or event, just a slow, gradual process? I don't know. But whatever and however happened, the fact is, from a distant observer's point of view, the Republican party looks no longer capable of coming up with and/or electing politicians with the qualifications and worldview necessary to function in the 21st century. Sad but true. Just a brief look at the panel of crazies and lightweights on the recent debate stages should give us a clear indication of that.
So... can Republicanism be saved? Is there a set of demographic, intellectual and political conditions that would help drive the crazies from the GOP? Could Obama's departure from the political scene ease the racialist undertones that currently underline much of today's Republican rhetoric? Or the problem is way deeper than that?
As someone who cares about the most vibrant democracy in the world remaining as vibrant as we've gotten used to seeing it, I do want to see both sides involved in the political process being in touch with reality, and pursuing adequate agendas that are in line with the true needs of their constituents. Since that is currently not the case with one of them, I had to ask this.
Unfortunately, I must admit I'm not overly optimistic. At least not for the time being. Sure, there probably are green shoots who might help change the overall picture. But if there are, they must have remained largely unnoticed. So, care to point me to them?
