We’ve all heard the rhetoric on TV. Government doesn’t work, government should be small and efficient, cut the spending, lower the taxes, power to the people etc.
The Republicans, and their Tea Party friends are constantly reminding us that the government is bad and wrong. We should hack away at the red tape, bureaucracy and waste, and create a streamlined and efficient government that spends as little as possible, lets people take personal responsibility for themselves, and allows companies to operate freely in a capitalist market place where market forces and consumer democracy will keep everyone honest and fair.
It’s a wonderful vision (at least to some), much like the way they reminisce about the ‘good old days’ of the 1950s, where good honest hard working men would go to the factory, do an honest days work, and earn enough to support his housewife, car, two kids, dog, and home.
The problem with the small government vision, just like the idyllic and mythical ‘good old days’ is that it is a complete lie and fabrication, invented to invoke an emotion and to gain votes among the gullible and ill-informed.
Other than in soundbite and words, Republicans have demonstrated quite clearly that they do not actually support any of the above concepts of small government and low taxes. During the last Republican administration, government agencies expanded at a rate never seen before in this country. Hundreds and hundreds of agencies monitoring this, or policing that, each trying desperately to justify their existence and demand greater and greater budgets to support their ‘important’ roles.
Since the Republican Congress came to power this year, we have had to hear over and over how this country is ‘broke’ and how we must make sweeping cuts to teacher pay, unions, special interests, charities, Planned Parenthood, and anything they can find relating to ‘Obamacare.’ But really most of the cuts are little more than an attack on anything even remotely liberal or in place to help the vulnerable in society such as the poor, sick, disabled, children and the elderly.
Republicans also scoff when they are reminded that our current financial crisis began as a result of dismantling rules and regulations designed to keep companies from doing whatever they feel like. They also get mad when you remind them that part of our budget issues are related to starting two long running wars in the Middle East that were never really paid for with appropriate tax increases.
But beyond the lies about why we need to destroy important social programs that benefit our society, there is the incredibly irritating argument about personal liberty and general societal liberty that quite simply moves into disillusion territory. Republicans have made it quite clear that although they talk about people having freedom, this does not extend to a woman having an abortion. There have been some scary assaults against a woman’s right to choose in the past few weeks, including some Republicans suggesting that killing an abortion doctor shouldn’t really be considered murder, and that a woman who had a miscarriage should have an invasive government sponsored investigation just to determine if she should be jailed for murdering a ‘baby.’ Don’t you just love the concept of taking a grieving woman who just had a miscarriage, and force them to undergo high stakes government scrutiny where if she gets unlucky she might end up in jail? Remember too the Republican initiative that said it was okay for a woman to die if saving her might cause an abortion.
Then of course we have the issue of gay rights. Republicans can’t stand the idea of gay people having rights, and resist any movement towards accepting gay marriage, or giving gay people equal rights. So how exactly does this correlate with a small and non-interfering government? Surely if we are talking about freedom and a lack of government control, we don’t need the government preaching morality, quoting the Bible, and telling people who love each other that they are not allowed to get married.
In many countries online gambling is now a perfectly normal and legal activity, that generates significant tax revenue. But Republicans passed draconian anti-gambling laws in 2006 which were never debated and were attached to unrelated anti-terror bills. Thanks to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, banks are now required to closely monitor people’s private bank accounts, so they can notify the government if something that looks related to online gambling takes place, and deny financial transactions with legitimate, legal, foreign businesses. Does this sound like freedom to you?
I’m sure the issue of pot has been debated to death, and it’s pretty clear that Republicans believe in the war on drugs, which costs us billions of dollars. Is this a hallmark of small government when we have to tell citizens then can’t grow a pot plant and smoke the leaves, threatening them with jail if they fail to comply? I mean really, why in the spirit of small government and less interference do we care?
One could really fill a book with all the things Republicans want to ban, control, tightly regulate, or impose their moral or Christian values upon. And really I have no problem with any of it. If Republicans want to run on a platform of creating their own Christian version of Saudi Arabia here in the good old U.S. of A. then that’s fine. But be honest about it. Stop telling us that you want to cut government spending while you are spending billions to allow the richest 2% of people in society pay less tax. Stop telling us about personal liberty while taking it away from us. Stop with the lies, and tell us for real what you want to do.
Of course, this is never going to happen. While there are some misguided souls out there who would support such things, many of the Republican base would run for the hills if they were really aware of what they were supporting.
Ultimately you have to hand it to Republicans. Proven to be a party that only cares about increasing the gap between rich and poor, in favor of the millionaires, they still manage to own certain issues like gun control, war, religion, reproductive rights, and gay rights, all of which they use shamelessly to encourage ordinary Americans to consistently vote against their own self interest. Where else in the world do you see someone living in absolute poverty in a rented trailer, without proper access to health care, good nutrition, and education, consistently voting for a party that helped put him into grinding poverty in the first place, that has no stated intention of helping him in the future? I guess if you have to give Republicans credit for doing something amazing, that would be it.
I’m so tired of idiot conservatives saying our country was founded with the intention of being a christian oriented government. If so why is seperation of church and state in the constitution? Don’t even try to argue its not, (congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion) its pretty clear to those actually understand english. Thomas Jefferson even wrote a letter on the topic to a baptist church, and he is perfectly clear about seperation of church and state in said letter. I will admit I am not religious but I am perfectly fine with people believing whatever religion they wish because that is your right. The reason seperation exists is that the second your religious view interfere with government is the same second that people who don’t hold your beliefs have their rights infringed upon. ” I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man” Thomas Jefferson
While they may claim “Christian values” they are anything but the values of Jesus. Take a quick read through Matthew 25:31-46 which is all about caring for others.
They have recreated God in their image. In the words of Anne Lamott, “You can safely assume you have created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates the same people you do.”
There you have it. Republicans don’t want small government, they want government that doesn’t help the unwashed masses, a government for the corporation and by the corporations. Unfortunately, Obama and many Dems are aiding and abetting these Republican goals.
And personal freedom? They want the freedom to control others, period, including gays, women, liberals, “subversives” and anyone who disagrees with their agenda. Many Repubilcans (Jon Kyl, Cantor, Bachmann, et all) would support a fascist state if they could be in charge. That’s on difference between corporate Republican and Democrats. Corporate Democrats like the status quo, Republican want more control.
Peace,
Tex Shelters
The country is broke? Don’t be stupid, this country is swimming in cash, it’s just been hoarded by the ultra rich with the help of their Republican buddies. If the rich were paying their fare share, if Bush hadn’t started 2 wars while at the same time giving tax breaks, our budget would still be balanced.
Then again, you’d know this if you researched anything you talked about in your post instead of just parroting Fox News talking points. Glen Beck and Limbaugh will make you stupid AND misinformed.
Then why are you clinging on michael moore’s words?? I guess the housing crisis had nothing to do with the position we’re in now. We were ok, not great, but ok while fighting two wars. The housing market tanked and all hell broke loose…. uh, remember???
I agree the republicans lost there way, but doesn’t change the fact we are BROKE. You liberals all want to pretend we’re not. We are. That’s called a simple fact we all DO have to face. The problem with spending other people’s money is you eventually run out of it huh?
The mortgage crisis was caused because of the Democrats pushing Social Justice. It started with Jimmy Carter and the Affordable Housing act trying to get everyone into a home and then when the republicans tried to regulate it in 2002-2004 the Democrats shot them down. So that part was a lie.
Ok, so because you have freedom you should be able to commit the crime, yes CRIME of abortion because of inconvenience and irresponsibility you will kill another human being. This isn’t just against Christian values, this is against common human decency.
However, since you want to attack Christians you would do good to understand our founding fathers believed it necessary to honor God and have Him as a part of our new Country. Freedom doesn’t mean freedom to do things that hurt other people. Most Christians are just standing up for what’s right. You liberals don’t stand for anything and that’s why you fall for everything. You don’t even have any grounding of what’s right or wrong. On a given day it probably depends on the mood you’re in or the drugs you’re on.
“I agree the republicans lost there way, but doesn’t change the fact we are BROKE. You liberals all want to pretend we’re not. We are. That’s called a simple fact we all DO have to face. The problem with spending other people’s money is you eventually run out of it huh?”
- If there is any pretending around here it is on the part of the Republicans who are using the ‘broke’ argument as an excuse to slash funding to any and all programs that do not directly benefit the rich elite.
We are in our current predicament because we entered two massive and expensive wars, and didn’t fund them with a tax increase, we effectively just borrowed the money. And when I say we, I am talking about Bush and his cronies.
If he were being honest, he would have said, “I am taking this country to war, taxes will go up to pay for it.”
So that all led us to this point, and Republicans still go to battle for the rich elite who earn in the top 2% of all Americans, fighting for massive tax breaks that COST us money. If we stopped giving rich people and massive oil companies such ridiculous tax breaks, we’d have the money we need to invest in infrastructure, and ensuring children are cared for medically and educated.
So it isn’t about being broke, it’s about not raising enough tax revenue, because of some misguided ‘Reaganomics’ they call ‘trickle down.’
“The mortgage crisis was caused because of the Democrats pushing Social Justice. It started with Jimmy Carter and the Affordable Housing act trying to get everyone into a home and then when the republicans tried to regulate it in 2002-2004 the Democrats shot them down. So that part was a lie.”
- I’ve seen that argument banded around but it doesn’t really stand up. Most economists don’t agree with that blame, and the fact is the crisis happened towards the end of eight years of George Bush. If they had really wanted to regulate Wall Street more or make it harder for people to obtain mortgages, they had ample time to do so.
Most Republicans roll their eyes when liberals talk about how our financial crisis is still related to the last administration. But you want to blame Jimmy Carter for something that happened in 2008, after Bush had been in office for almost a decade? Seriously? Reaching a little I feel.
“Ok, so because you have freedom you should be able to commit the crime, yes CRIME of abortion because of inconvenience and irresponsibility you will kill another human being. This isn’t just against Christian values, this is against common human decency.”
- If only the abortion issue were that simple. First off, under the law an abortion is NOT a crime. You’d just like for it to be. Then you talk about killing a human being, yet that is not intellectually honest when we are talking about a tiny cluster of cells or a six week old fetus.
Furthermore we are talking about forcing a woman to endure the physical and emotional pain of child birth, against her will. Sorry, but the government does not need to be doing that. What happened to the small government and less interference policy?
Finally, Republicans need to understand that changing the law does not stop a behavior from happening, it just drives the behavior underground and hurts people. Remember Prohibition? Ever heard of someone smoking weed, even though it is illegal? If you outlaw abortion tomorrow, the rich would go to Canada or some other free country, and the poor would have a back street abortion, risking the mother’s health. Then you add the label ‘murder’ you start getting the reality of women going to jail for years for having an abortion. On top of the reality that we already jail more people than any other country, you want to add women who had an abortion, or women who miscarry to the jail system too? Who’s going to pay for that little scheme?
“However, since you want to attack Christians you would do good to understand our founding fathers believed it necessary to honor God and have Him as a part of our new Country.”
- I couldn’t care less what you think some old dude that’s been dead for a couple of hundred years thought about America back then. The founding fathers were not all seeing demi-gods, they had a vision for America back when it was a tiny colony and that’s it. They could not possibly have imagined where we are today as a society, so I reject the logic of arguing what they would have wanted.
They are dead, and we need to make decisions now based on our current understanding of our place in the world today, not two hundred years ago when we owned slaves, killed native Americans, and wouldn’t let women vote.
All that said my understanding is that the founding fathers wanted religious freedom, and a separation of church and state. NOT the government mandating the religious values on its citizens.
“Most Christians are just standing up for what’s right.”
- If that’s really what they are doing, why are they voting Republican? Democrats may want to keep abortions legal, but Republicans pursue policies that ensure children do not have access to health care. Republicans pursue policies that allow people to become obscenely rich and not contribute their fair share back to society; something Jesus taught was fundamentally evil. Republicans reject policies that ensure the poorest and most vulnerable in our society are cared for.
If Jesus were around today, do you really think he’d be a Republican?
“You liberals don’t stand for anything and that’s why you fall for everything. You don’t even have any grounding of what’s right or wrong. On a given day it probably depends on the mood you’re in or the drugs you’re on.”
- That’s just pointless rhetoric that has no meaning here. Liberals value people, and believe that the poor and vulnerable should be protected. Liberals believe that instead of having troops in over 150 countries, we should take care of people back home in our own country. Liberals believe that cutting education and health care for poor people is evil. Liberals have a lot of core values, and it is pretty stupid to claim otherwise.
Let’s also be clear, Democrats are not liberals. Democrats would be judged by most nations around the world to be center-right in their leanings. America doesn’t actually have a truly liberal party.
Finally, your assertion that liberals are just a bunch of flip flopping unsure drug addicts is as stupid as saying that all Republicans are as moronic as Sarah Palin. There are plenty of intelligent Republicans out there, many of whom disagree with the lunatic fringe who seem to currently be steering the party.
Are you guys REALLY Christian????? See Matthew 25/31-46. How much clearer could your Jesus be???
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.”
They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?”
He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
The Repugs want to give even MORE tax cuts to the wealthy aristocrats in the form of elimination of the Death Tax ! The Koch Brothers, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, Bill Gates are getting richer and richer as the Repugs kill off the poor people. The poor people need to STORM THE BASTILLE !
I have an idea let’s go back to the 50s when the wealthy paid a tax rate of near 90%, then we can have all the blessings the American dram promised. Oh yeah I forgot the wealthy pay no taxes now, so they won’t want to go back to the 50s.
That 90% tax rate you love for the rich was offset by countless write-offs and deductions that reduced the EFFECTIVE TAX BASE to around 20-30%. That’s when they really got rich. But a lot of them reinvested in their companies and grew them, creating jobs along the way. The effective tax base for the rich is now 50-70% because write-offs and deductions have been reduced drastically. Is it any wonder they are so reluctant to spend what little profits they receive. With skyrocketing overhead and less working capitol, they are forced to expand their operations overseas, which only exasperates the problem. Lowering taxes and corporate burdens and providing incentives for American growth are no-brainer methods of turning this around. It’s not a republican OR democrat thing, it’s the progressives in BOTH parties. Americans need to wise up and look past the veil of candidates parties and vote for the individuals who want to do the right things for America, not their party. If they say one thing and then do another once in office, then they will be a one-term politician. (see Obama)
You said: …a woman who had a miscarriage should have an invasive government sponsored investigation just to determine if she should be jailed for murdering a ‘baby.’ Don’t you just love the concept of taking a grieving woman who just had a miscarriage, and force them to undergo high stakes government scrutiny where if she gets unlucky she might end up in jail? Remember too the Republican initiative that said it was okay for a woman to die if saving her might cause an abortion.”
Could you give a link to this? Important stuff that has not been publicly acknowledged locally.
Your overall comment, while valid and accurate, is nothing we haven;t heard a hundred times before. WTF are you going to DO about it, people? Continue sitting on your hands and whining? Do like Wisconsin, take some real action. Demonstrate, scream, go to Republican offices with a large wooden beam, some tar and feathers, and run these fascist assholes out of town, and out of public life forever. There was enough corruption in government BEFORE the corporations and Rupert Murdock’s Foxes ran the show…
If you don’t stop them NOW, in ten years or less there will be real blood in the streets.The middle class against the U.S. Army. Welcome to Iraq West…
you say the republicans, but you mean the people, if you have someone the uses abortion as a birth control then strict by-laws need to be enforced.
This is another Republican / Crazy Right myth, just like the Welfare Queen myth.
There are not hoards of slutty women going around having unprotected sex, who then hop on down to the abortion clinic whenever they get pregnant.
For the most part choosing an abortion is a gut wrenching decision agonized over for a while and entered into reluctantly.
Just as a thought though, imagine we lived in a country that had excellent resources for young single mothers, child care, education programs, free health care, and so on. Imagine how many abortions you could prevent by treating these people as we should be.