Ever since really getting into politics this past March, I've studied the delicate ballet that is our Political Theatre. In those five-or-so months, I've somehow been able to easily feel out the Republican Party. Don't tell anyone, because I think this is supposed to be a secret: They are, all of them, phony.
Sure, there are a few true lawmakers within their ranks, but the majority of them are the quintessential definition of the two-faced politician. They constantly use underhanded tactics, like the "Support the idea, but hate the execution, even though it's right" ploy, the "CONscientious Objection (Because it's got no Kickbacks)" maneuver, and the ever-so-frequent "Less Pages, More Debt" dosido. Oh, and did I mention the "I've got a better way, but I'll tell you after I get reelected" shuffle?
Here are a few of my favorites.
When the ARRA was passed by both houses, the GOP immediately called it a failure, despite it not even being in effect or having been signed into law.
Countless GOP "lawmakers" have used false logic, fuzzy math, and downright lies to further their case for a bill to be defeated. They've called a bill "Job-killing" and "a massive tax on the American People" when it neither kills jobs nor raises the taxes of 95% of Americans. They've called a Health Insurance bill that actually gives their insurance company paymasters MORE customers a Socialized Medicine scheme just because the bill puts patients before profits. They've railed against bill after bill that is paid for and might reduce the deficit overall just because it raises taxes on a few industries. All this, despite the fact that they ran up the debt and deficit of the country through two unnecessary "wars" that were akin to a "who's got the bigger wang" competition, a tax cut scheme that benefitted the über-rich more than the middle-class (with a built-in permanence guarantee, might I add), and a prescription drug coverage plan that was unfunded and covered less than before, all of which ballooned the debt to 13 trillion and turned a budget surplus of $300+ billion into a 1.3 Trillion deficit.
When an Islamic community center and mosque were planned to be built witin two blocks away from the WTC site, the Conservative movement drummed up a phony outrage. This coming from the same movement that earlier in the 20th century objected to synagogues being built on American soil, which is now alright.
I'm sorry to say this*, but the GOP of the 21st century does not have the best interests of the whole of the American Public at heart. Only what's in the best interests for their rich buddies and themselves. (*I'm not sorry.)
Here are a few tips for the GOP to reform itself:
When any GOP lawmaker makes a statement that is easily disproven as false, they must forfeit their Congressional pay for the entire year, which will be held in trust by the US Treasury to be used to pay down the debt. The second offense has them forfeit their salary for the remainder of their term (two years for Reps, six years for Senators) Third offense will have their pay rescinded indefinitely. If any offense is made when the Party is in the majority, said Party loses a random seat which will then be up for grabs that November.
Actually work for ALL those who elected you, not just your backers.
QUIT! Disband the party, ban all former members and start from scratch.
Of course, I doubt they'll listen to me. After all, I'm the twentysomething son of a middle class family. You know, a traitor.