I have been thinking long and hard about this the past couple of days and while I think it's admirable of President Obama to strive for bipartisanship, I just don't think it's possible. And I don't think i want it - at all. I can think of only a very few exceptions... oddly enough, those exceptions include Schwarzenegger - how weird is that?
There was a time WAY back in the 50's when Eisenhower was President that there really wasn't much difference between a Republican and a Democrat. They aligned pretty close together. Republicans all the way up to Nixon/Ford led as moderates or even progressives. Think of all of Nixon's environmental achievements. But today... the story is so much different. The Republican party has been taken over by a movement that won't tolerate moderation or straying from the party line even if it is in the best interest of the country. They are controlled by a very small elite minority that are holding us all captive to their personal interests and greed. I don't want to reach across the aisle to that.
I'm so glad that Judd Gregg has withdrawn. I didn't realize how much it was bothering me until it was done, but to put a man who wanted to abolish the Commerce Department in charge of the Commerce Department... isn't that the same old neo-con crap we have been living with for what seems like forever now?
I'm more than willing to include those few that are not rabid neo-con movement conservatives. The only problem is that there are hardly any of those left. Just today a heard a goon foaming at the mouth to target the three Senators that voted for the stimulus bill. He was yelling so hard he was almost spitting. I would love to see those few seated at the table. I have said as much many times.
BUT! I'm not willing to bend to a neo-con agenda in order to get them there. I"m not willing to sacrifice what needs to be done in order to get them on board. The times are too critical in all realms right now... economic, climate, etc. We can't sabotage ourselves in order to gain their approval. They are, after all, in the minority for a reason. They have screwed us all for the last 8 years, and not a single one of the lesser culprits has stepped up and demonstrated an ounce of remorse of regret for it.
I certainly don't want to cut the conversation short where it needs to be had, but I've had it with the Republican agenda. Time to move the country forward.
I say let the little brats filibuster if they want to. I wonder how their constituents would judge the then. Show them for the hateful and horrible obstructionists they are. Maybe then, we could finally break this movement and start getting some decent moderate Republicans back into office. (Hang in there Olympia Snow - don't let them push you out!)
Oh... and get those damn jackasses like Sean Hannity, Bill O'Rielly and Rush Limbaugh off the air! Fair and Balance my ass. Let's try for some truthful and accurate for a change. Oh and how about some real news for a while instead of hot-air commentary and reciting party lines. I want to see as many Democratic representatives on the air as Republican first of all - and not simply Dems through a Republican filter. Republicans are now the minority so it's time they shut the fuck up! It's time for the to crawl back under their rocks.
I saw a report, was it yesterday? It said that from January 25 to February 8, actual economists (you know, those guys that might know something about the economy) only made up 5% of the guest appearances on news shows to address the economic crisis. (Found it... here it is) What the hell is all that about? For anyone that is spoon fed their news from Rupert Murdoch would think that the Republicans are still in control of all three branches and the fundamentals of our economy are strong.
And we don't need the "Fairness Doctrine" back... another Orwellian meme. We need to bust up the media monopoly to allow for independent and democratic voices to be heard. That would take care of it. Let independent outlets thrive again and the Republicans will lose their screechy voice.
OK... rant over (for now). I need to go get busy anyway. Just had to get that off my chest. Bye, bye Repubs. I'll shed a small tear for you.
Edited to insert link.