The state of the Republican Party in 2009 is a disgrace. Radio shock-jock and defacto party leader Rush Limbaugh openly calls for President Obama to fail. Former Ohio Secretary of State and would-be RNC Chairman Ken Blackman echos Limbaugh’s battle-cry, saying that if Obama succeeds in saving our economy and creating millions of new jobs, then it makes it harder for Republicans to re-take the White House in 2012. Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas is on record stating that his party should become an "insurgency" against Obama’s policies, likening their strategy to that of the Taliban (his words, not mine). And in making their stand against the stimulus package in the House of Representatives, Republicans actually said this was their way of finding their "identity" (again, their words, not mine).
What an outrage. In this time of terrifying economic peril, the Republicans are more interested in playing the same old tired, obsolete political games than in working together to save us all from oblivion. It just goes to show, once again, that they are Republicans first, Americans second. For true patriots there should come a time when you put the interests of your country before those of your political party, but not the Republicans. They are first and foremost, "Party Members". In dire times such as we face in 2009, this is treason. It’s like rooting for the Japanese at Pearl Harbor to gain political points. By holding our country hostage to their crass political gamesmanship, Republicans are showing themselves to be un-American and un-patriotic.
They need to take a cue from actor and American icon John Wayne, after his candidate Richard Nixon lost the 1960 election to John F. Kennedy. "The Duke" hit it right on the head when he said: "I didn't vote for him, but he's my president, and I hope he does a good job." Now THAT’S a true patriot.
I guess President Obama’s learning that in dealing with 2009's Republicans, bipartisanship only goes so far. You can extend the olive branch, only to have it chopped off by an axe, just so many times. If Republicans are going to be the "Taliban", if they want war, then so be it. Obama’s got to do what’s right for ALL of America.