While we continue to battle over Obama's accomplishments or disappointments, depending on your view, the Republicans have been mining comedy gold. So, I ask that for the time being we just realize that some of us view this administration as the half full glass, others view it as half empty. Let's just leave it at that, because we have more important things to do; like putting a permanent end to The Republican Party. This week we got to see The Republican Party in all its paranoid, unhinged, psychotic glory. Let's start with the craziness that has received the most attention on Daily Kos.
This week Lindsay Graham actually suggested repealing the 14th Amendment. Considering that The Republican Party considers the passage of the 14th Amendment to be one of their greatest accomplishments, you would think that party leaders would have strongly rejected this ludicrous suggestion. You'd be wrong. Instead, he was joined in this wingnuttery by John Kyl, Chuck Grassley, and Duncan Hunter, as well as having Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and 2008 Presidential candidate John McCain, call for hearings along these lines. This should be pure gold for the Democrats moving towards the 2010 Election.
The next bit of craziness comes courtesy of Sharron Angle (big surprise). She actually accused President Obama and congressional Democrats of violating the 1st Commandment by making government God.
"And these programs that you mentioned -- that Obama has going with Reid and Pelosi pushing them forward -- are all entitlement programs built to make government our God," Angle said in an April interview with TruNews Christian Radio. "And that's really what's happening in this country is a violation of the First Commandment. We have become a country entrenched in idolatry, and that idolatry is the dependency upon our government. We're supposed to depend upon God for our protection and our provision and for our daily bread, not for our government."
You really have to wonder why someone like this wants to serve in government. What exactly does she think the role of government is, and why does she want to be a part of it? I also must say as a Jew, I am sick and tired of Christians like Sharron Angle constantly throwing our 10 Commandments in people's faces. As far as I and many other Jews are concerned, the 10 Commandments were given to us, and those who worship Christ and observe the Sabbath on Sunday are violating 2 of the 10 Commandments.
The third bit of craziness from The Republicans this week comes from Colorado Gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes:
"At first, I thought, 'Gosh, public transportation, what's wrong with that, and what's wrong with people parking their cars and riding their bikes? And what's wrong with incentives for green cars?' But if you do your homework and research, you realize ICLEI is part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty," Maes said.
You can shake your heads all you want, that quote is not going to magically change into something sane. "Rein in American cities" towards what end Mr. Maes? In the eyes of Republicans bicycle riding is now a subversive activity? Unbelievable. I think this guy saw too many episodes of 'The Prisoner' where the bicycle was the symbol for The Village.
You really have to wonder how much crazier The Republicans can get. If The Democrats can't turn this craziness into electoral victories there is something really wrong with The Democratic leadership. This is especially true now that Mitch McConnell has given The Democrats a huge advantage by stupidly announcing that The Republicans won't be revealing their agenda until late September. Are you listening Democratic leaders? That means by early September you need to define The Republicans on our terms. In other words make it clear that The Republicans, who have failed to legislate honestly over the last 2 years have nothing to offer but a return to Bush era policies of tax cuts for the wealthy and less regulation for business, and of course continue to try to divide the nation along racial lines. Let them spend the rest of the electoral season playing defense against the truth.
I figure next week some Republican will suggest revoking Hawaii's stateship. You know, just in case he was really born there.