That's been one of the rallying cries of the so-called "Tea Party" movement which while claiming to be a grass roots uprising of angry voters is, in actuality, the banding together of the worst fringe elements of the far right of the Republican Party. When you have someone like Richard Mellon Scaife who is one of the richest and radical right promoters pouring millions into this little engine that could, you know its a scam. And while the true believers refuse to acknowledge it, the entire "movement" has been co-opted by former Texas congressman Dick Armey and his band of con men and hucksters eager to make a killing on this latest crop of suckers and dupes.
As it grew from a cute sixty second item on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox Spews into that self-same media-created shibboleth which it has become, the leaders of the group and Republican bigwigs have been desperately trying to hide and/or deny the ugly racist, gun-toting, militia loving side of it. But one does not have to search very hard to find the various videos and photos of the vile and violent anti-Obama signs, the spewed epithets at congressional leaders, and the presence of armed individuals at their various gatherings and rallies. For a while the bigwigs have been able to keep them out of sight and present themselves as the real alternative to the entrenched politicians in government. They have been desperate to show their power and influence by winning a mainstream political victory. And with Rand Paul's garnering the Republican nomination in Kentucky, they thought they had finally hit the jackpot. It has proven to be short-lived success.
I'm wondering who it was inside Paul's campaign who suggested that it would be a good idea for him to appear on the Rachel Maddow show? Was he or she ignorant of Maddow's political leanings or fearless approach to questioning her guests? Or was he or she just cocky enough to think that the wunderkind Paul would roll over Maddow with ease? No matter. For in the end it has proven to be one of the worst decisions in American history, second only to George Armstrong Custer's confrontation at the Little Bighorn.
What is quickly turning into a political disaster of epic proportions, is a godsend for the Democrats. Social Security has always been deemed the "third rail" of political discourse to be avoided at all costs. But an even deadlier form of political death awaits those who dare to touch the hot wire of civil rights. One might have initially assumed that when Paul stepped off that cliff the other night that it was just the kind of mistake that a political novice such as Paul would make. But as we have learned in the last two days, Paul's views on the Civil Rights Act have been stated for years. And his questioning of the constitutionality of the Americans With Disabilities Act is icing on the cake for the Dems.
Which brings us back to the title of this piece. What exactly is the country that these people want back?. From what we have seen and heard over the last few months, it is an America where the Constitution takes second place to the Bible. A country where whites are those whom God has chosen to rule. A country where blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Muslims, Jews, gays, liberals, pro-choicers, and even women will be tolerated as long as they know their place and follow the rules....And don't try to be uppity or claim equality with their betters.
That's not my country. Is it yours?