OpEd:
It’s Time To End The GOP
September 14, 2009 by Kyle BradyTags: America, Call To Action, Democrats, Independents, Obama, Politics, Rationality, Republicans
As required by the FTC, a Full Disclosure is available - this piece adheres to the Code of Ethics
The recent months, and the last week more specifically, have proven a sad, depressing truth about the state of modern American politics: the Republican Party, which has existed in one form or another since 1854, needs to be either forcibly abolished or mobilized against. The actions of the party’s leaders, Congressmen, and majority of its members are disgusting, un-American, and no longer have a place in American politics.
Ever since Barack Obama seemed to have a legitimate chance at becoming President, the conspiracy theorists, white supremacists, party manipulators, and overall crazies have attempted to enrage the GOP masses for their own benefit, and have obviously succeeded in doing so – much to the chagrin of rational citizens nationwide. The nonsensical, highly partisan rhetoric increased as the recent summer months dragged on, but before the peak of healthcare irrationality, there was hope that the Republican Party may become irrelevant by its own actions.
The sad truth, however, is that the results have been quite the opposite: by catering to the irrational and racist nature of many of those who so strongly favor the status quo, the party has become invigorated by its own vitriol and not only detracted from the rational majority (note: not necessarily Democrats), but also seen the mobilization of its own members for what they imagine to be battles of ideology over the future of the country. While their intentions, logic, and claims are highly misguided at best, the results are undeniable – FOX “News” can be thanked for this.
With the aiding and abetting of most mainstream news outlets, the protests and manufactured outrage of self-proclaimed “teabaggers” appear to have more support than in reality, and those citizens who are weak-minded have begun to question their own political and ideological stances. This has resulted in more gains for a group of people who cannot clearly define what, exactly, they are upset about, what their goals are, or even define the terms they use so willingly to describe the President. Some efforts are being made by popular media – such as ABC News, Keith Olbermann, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report - to quell such willful exaggerations, but only so much can be done when Republican Congressmen choose to shout verifiably false accusations at Barack Obama, while educational institutions decide the President’s speeches are too “controversial” or “indoctrinating” to be shown to the very children for whom the speech is being made.
This is why, after 155 years, the Republican Party must be forced to go not-so-gently into the good night; while this is a large proposition, it is one that must be undertaken for the future stability of America. It is not an issue of Democrats vs. Republicans, liberals vs. conservatives, or even North vs. South, but instead one of intelligence and rationality being valued over baseless theories and irrational behavior. If a political campaign and seven months in the Office of the President has resulted in such national division and violent behavior, largely due to the presence of an intelligent black man proposing a return to common sense, what does the future of the country hold if the GOP’s actions continue?
In 2012, there will be another Presidential Election, and barring some major catastrophe or resounding political success, and President Obama will have likely have an opposition candidate that is at least partially viable. Assuming the bias of the present day continues in this not-too-distant future, the opposition candidate will likely be as different from Barack Obama as possible, resulting in a highly conservative, white, status quo-thumping individual who may even be female. The battle for the Office will be even more vicious than seen in 2008, but the outcome is of significantly greater importance: if Obama is reelected, the country will likely erupt in violence at the hands of those who imagine him to be somehow evil, but if the opposition candidate is elected, any progress made in the way of intelligent policy and planning for the future will likely be undone.
It is with this knowledge that the power of the Republican Party becomes worrisome – not because the “teabaggers” might actually produce a result, but because President Obama’s intellectual efforts may be erased within four years, or the country may once again erupt into civil war. An important fact to note is that not a single Democrat demonized President Bush during either of his two terms with falsehoods and lies, nor were public smear campaigns created in opposition to his every move, in spite of the countless displays of unintelligence and inadequacy. Yet a disturbing number of Texans find the idea of secession appealing simply because of a President they do not unanimously support, and believe FOX "News" to be the "true" media voice.
The Democrats must win the midterm elections in 2010, and hold on to or strengthen the majority throughout the nation – this is a fact known by any politically astute citizens that define themselves as intelligent. But the 2012 Election cannot be dependent on these citizens to not be swayed by smear and attack campaigns, so a new political party must rise from the ashes of the GOP beforehand. Whether it is the arrival of its Libertarian cousin as the new party for conservatives, or a different party altogether, is irrelevant - one must arise, no matter the difficulty. Ideally, politics in America would operate like its European counterparts: countless parties in a democratic government, all of which are viable options for voters. This, however, is unlikely to occur in anything close to near-term. Instead, Independents should temporarily side with the Democrats for a continued Union of States, and those Republicans that are embarrassed by their party's actions should stand up and define themselves as independent of irrational ideology.
The time of reconciliation or reform for the Republican Party is past, this much is clear. By their childish behaviors, willful ignorance, and continued knee-jerk opposition, the GOP has proven itself to be unworthy of not only its status as a major political party, but of also holding any relevant political office. Many outside the borders of America are shocked by the blatant misuse of power by those conservatives that have it, and the time has come for American citizens to stand up for what is truly, demonstrably the American Way of Life: a return to intelligence and rationality, basic national civility regardless of political ideology, and the actual consideration of the people's will.
It's time to end the GOP.
Kyle can be found on Twitter and MySpace, or reached via email.
