Kyle Brady: Blog » Republicans

Political Change May Be Coming [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:34:46 +0000

Change, it seems, may be finally coming to American politics.

After almost a year and a half of political wrangling, fake debates, fingerpointing, namecalling, and almost no obvious or momentous progress, President Obama’s campaign slogan appears to have taken Washington D.C. by storm in just a few short days. With a final vote looming on healthcare reform, despite its status as actual reform now being questionable, some members of Congress have taken advantage of the Democratic momentum to propose, or put the finishing touches, on other legislation necessary for not only progress, but also stability, within America.

Depending on the individual, agency, or group counting, the Great Recession began somewhere around two years ago, and, until recently, regulation to address the very problems that caused the financial and economic crash has been sorely lacking. Senator Dodd had expressed interest in passing legislation through the Senate Banking Committee, but his dedication came into question when he announced not running for reelection – it is, therefore, surprising that Dodd announced an upcoming regulatory bill. Some of the details are still murky, but it has intentions to revitalize banking regulation, provide greater watchdog capabilities to both bank shareholders and government, create a “Consumer Financial Protection Agency”, and more. This bill has not yet been introduced, much less voted on, but if even half of it is passed into law, the battle will be well fought.

In addition to the political surprise by Senator Dodd, the FCC has revealed that they are highly interested in regulating the telecommunication industry, with a great focus on the Internet, as well as opening it up to true competition – Net Neutrality would inevitably be a part of such regulation. This action isn’t a surprise to those that have been paying attention to the political climate surrounding ISPs since President Obama entered Office, but it will no doubt surprise, frustrate, and anger Republicans that devoutly oppose what they perceive as unnecessary intervention in the private sector, such as John McCain, despite the multitude of failures by the market to regulate itself.

From Congress itself comes an interest in reforming tax regulation to simplify the tax code to close loopholes, remove deductions, and make understanding it easier – potentially reducing taxes for certain income brackets while increasing tax income from those that weasel out of paying what is simply due to the Federal Government. This move, while potentially politically painful, would satisfy both Republican interests in cutting taxes and the Democratic wish to have corporations play fairly with others, bringing about a rare moment for bipartisan legislation in an era of extreme partisanship. Ironically, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has just produced stern words for the selfsame Republicans that have been stalling any and all attempts at forward progress, a well-timed jab likely intended to scare up legislative support.

What does this signify as a whole? The underlying message of this may be that the Democratic majority have grown tired of the obstructionist tactics of the minority party full of bravado, not brains, and is preparing to move forward with or without them. An important part of this decision may include not only the abject legislative failure of 2009, but also the upcoming midterm elections in November: if Democrats can show that they passed significant and meaningful legislation almost entirely on their own, they have a greater political advantage than if they were to lay claim to thin bipartisanship. The central strategy of Republicans has been to “break” both President Obama and his Congress by preventing progress, in order to retake the majority come election time – a prospect that seems bleaker for them by the day.

Whether or not these specific instances of Democratic showmanship turn into actual legislation is an entirely different matter, but the words themselves have signified a change from even just a few weeks ago – a change that is more than welcome.

An Open Letter To President Obama [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:05:47 +0000

Dear President Obama,

I’m writing to you as a 22-yr. old Democrat that not only helped vote you into the Presidency, but as an individual politically changed by your campaign and ascendancy. I’m writing to you as a so-called young adult that’s heavily interested in politics, thanks in no small part to you, and is concerned about the current political climate. I’m writing to you because your State of the Union, in combination with your Address to the GOP, gave me hope – one of your overriding political principles.

I was impressed with your campaign because you seemed interested in returning intelligence, self-respect, and poise to American politics, all of which were sorely diminished after your predecessor’s disastrous Terms of Office. And, to be fair, you have done all you can to return these values to our way of life, most especially with respect to the foreign view of our nation. The actions you have taken to give science, math, and education their rightful places in American society are extremely respectable, as are many of the other changes you have wrought either via Executive Order or a forceful wrangling of Congress.

While I don’t support your decisions unilaterally, such as the various bailouts of corrupt and broken institutions, I do support your overall message of change. Healthcare reform, in its truest sense, is widely recognized by the American people, in an overwhelming majority, as necessary to both our continued healthy and profitable existence, just as are the reforms of financial institutions and legitimately addressing climate change. However, your supporters are beginning to lose faith because of your insistence on fair politics.

Your interest in bipartisan politics is highly respectable, especially given that you’ve chosen to tackle a historically disastrous issue in a political climate that is far less than favorable, and no-one will ever deny you this fact. But the attempts over the last year to have bipartisan involvement in federal-level politics have proven to be mostly fruitless, exempting the few special cases such as Defense spending – why should this offer of cooperation continue to be extended? The GOP’s response to the State of the Union, and the not-so-subtle hostility that you received when addressing them at their own invitation, should be evidence enough that not only do they not wish to cooperate, on any level, but that they will also take great steps to slight you in any manner possible.

What you likely already realize, but bears repeating regardless, is that the Congressional Republicans unequivocally do not represent the American people, just as the Teabagger movement does not represent the majority of the Republicans within the United States of America. Healthcare reform, even if a public option must be temporarily forgotten, is too important to relinquish due to a subset of the population that is either completely corrupt or do not fully understand what they are protesting. Even if the result is a Republican rancor like never before seen, this legislation must be pushed through.

The myriad other issues at hand must also be quickly addressed, possibly at the expense of your own political career, because I have no great faith that your successor will have the same strength of will or interest in carrying out necessary reforms that are not politically favorable. You have the chance to be the modern generation’s FDR, and I hope you take that chance – even if you only have a single Term of Office, instead of three. The nation’s infrastructure began crumbling long before the banks or the people did, and ensuring their survival is every bit as important as healthcare reform, alongside other longview policy decisions that will ultimately not produce a visible result for years into the future.

I believe that you realize the hostile political climate may very well mean you won’t be re-elected in 2012, but this does not seem to matter greatly to you, as some of your more recent comments have indicated. It is for this reason that I, on behalf of Democrats, Republicans, and thinking persons throughout the country, beg you to make good on your intentions to be a great one-term President instead of simply a mediocre two-term one: finish healthcare reform, and move on to the other issues – there is a long list, and it is only getting longer.

We are a year into your Presidency, and you have accomplished much – but you have three years and far to go. Don’t let a wish for bipartisanship, or a fear of misperception, tarnish your good intentions and strong ideals, as the nation will ultimately suffer for those actions. It’s important that you continue to make the well informed, careful decisions that you have been, but with a more apolitical eye towards popularity and likability in the future; history smiles on those who affect great change and produce significant contributions, not those who wish to be liked and popular.

The American people are behind you, even if the media often states otherwise, and we will likely continue to support you through the bitter end, barring some inconceivable political change of course. As a young, intelligent, and possibly idealistic citizen of the United States, I’m proud to say that you’re my President and that you have given me hope for the future of our political system, even as Congress appears to be more and more broken by the day.

Here’s hoping you choose the path of FDR over that of Coolidge.

Sincerely,

Kyle Brady

Destroying America With Corporate Funds [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:05:20 +0000

Last week, the United States Supreme Court made a decision, on a 5-4 vote, that corporations are entities with corporate personhood, and, as such, are allowed the rights of Free Speech. This essentially reverses decades, if not a century, of precedence that understood fictional creations do not have even a close resemblance to people, and do not deserve the same freedoms, rights, and considerations. However, the ideological, and tangentially financial, interests of a bitterly divided Court are apparently more important than the structure and sanity of the nation or its people. Corporations are now permitted to essentially spend their funds, in a political context, as they see fit – inevitably leading to even greater corruption than already exists within the American government.

It should come as no surprise that the current Court, a body of nine individuals, holds six members that were appointed by a Republican President, and all but one of them voted in favor of this decision. Republicans have, in the last three decades, lauded the ideals of Big Business, the free market, and deregulation, and this ruling is nothing less than a major victory for their party’s ideology and financial backers. As evidenced by the last year of political nonsense, the process of passing legislation within America is nothing less than selling out to the highest bidder, and, since Republicans consider Big Business to be their greatest supporter, they have sold out at an even greater cost than ever before: the ultimate vitality and stability of the nation.

Much has been said about how this is going to destroy American politics, especially by President Obama and the ever-bold Representative Alan Grayson, as nearly every thinking citizen realizes that allowing oil companies, Wall Street, the insurance cartel, and other corporate interests with large bank accounts the ability to influence politicians, or those voting politicians into office, will lead to nothing but utter disaster – there was a reason why corporate interests were divested from the political process in the first place. Even those Republicans/conservatives without a political career understand what a terrible moment for Democracy this decision is. Healthcare legislation has been difficult enough to pass without the direct intervention of the very industry that wants so desperately for it fail, but what will happen when they are allowed an even greater influence?

It is sad, disappointing, and, above all, embarrassing that the Republicans of the Supreme Court would place party interests over intelligent decisions on cases, essentially eschewing the very job they are paid to do. Even more worrisome, however, is that these Justices are of the very same party that shouted in self-righteous anger, during the Justice Sotomayor confirmation process, about using the Court to make policy and allowing personal politics to become embroiled in the judicial process – a deeply ironic moment for the Republican party. One of the prevailing rules of the American judicial system is that precedent counts heavily in case decisions, with the weight increasing relative to its age and strength, but this no longer seems to matter. The case that resulted in the outrageous decision to allow corporate personhood was not one that was brought to the Supreme Court for this purpose, but rather was reformed for this purpose to allow a bully pulpit for the conservative Justices to shape American politics through their substantial influence that is entirely independent of an election process or term limits. If ever there was an example of using the Court to make policy, placing personal politics before the judicial process, and abusing power, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is it.

If Congress has become so corrupt and politically divided as to become almost impotent, and the Supreme Court is willing to overturn laws, regulation, and precedent at ideological whims, who is left to defend the people of the United States of America? In a three-tiered government meant to produce the best possible outcome, not the worst, only the President is left to stand up for what is right, ethical, and noble. But while the Office of the President has gained power since the foundation of the nation, President Obama can only produce so much either by himself or through sheer political strength of will. He has many grand ideas based on what has historically produced the best results, such as industry regulation, and the successful policy decisions of other nations, such as a progressive overhaul of healthcare; however, none of this can be accomplished on his own, or by any lone President, because of the very structure of America’s government.

This dire political state will only further collapse if corporate interests and personal greed are continued to allow free reign within the political system of the United States. For a great nation that has accomplished so much and influenced the world in such a large and beneficial fashion, the devolution into a non-functioning Democratic Republic that does not represent its people has apparently arrived to the great sadness of thinking persons worldwide.

The Disappointing Behavior of Congress [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:23:16 +0000

Congress, it would seem, is hell bent on upsetting and ignoring the American people on a consistent basis, as evidenced by their recent actions within the realm of what is supposed to be healthcare reform.

Even with staunch Republican opposition to any legislation not borne as their own, the House of Representatives passed their version of a healthcare reform bill that stood as a decent start for the legislative process, public option included. While the bill had its flaws, such as a lack of support for abortions within the public option, victory appeared within grasp for the majority of Americans that have been clamoring for such legislation since President Obama proposed this action during his campaign. However promising the bill may have been, the Senatorial half of Congress has proven this so-called reform to be an exercise in futility.

The status of true healthcare reform, the public option, and regulation of insurance companies is quite simple: dead. For all intents and purposes, Democrats, Harry Reid especially, have shown a surprising lack of tactical brilliance by negotiating away any legitimate benefits to the American people almost before it started, all while insisting on a 60-vote passage of the bill, rather than the 51 votes needed for a reconciliation between the House and Senate versions. To many following the issue, the process of reconciliation seemed what the majority party was aiming for after the passage of the House bill, where the bills in each half of Congress could have flaws that would be fixed at a later date with a higher chance of success.

But recent behavior has shown otherwise, as the insistence on 60 votes continues: numerous Democrats have refused to vote for the bill for various reasons that range from the petty to the easily disproved, which has weakened the majority. Furthermore, those in power within the Democratic party have attempted to include Republicans on the making of the bill, despite the last eleven months proving they have no interest in cooperation, only obstruction – this has resulted in the stagnation of the bill and whittling away of any value it once had.

The public option is now considered to be dead, but insurance mandates still exist that would require the purchasing of private insurance by all citizens. There are little to no regulations left to place on the insurance companies. Medicare may be extended to those starting at the age of 55. Insurance companies will still have antitrust protection. How does any of this solve the problem that the legislation was created to address? As it stands, the only real outcome of the Senate’s version of what is decidedly not healthcare reform is a requirement to purchase insurance, and severe penalties for those that do not.

This is as much the Republicans’ fault as it is the Democrats’ – Republican obstructionism forced concessions almost immediately, and the Democrats have shown a considerable lack of spine. It is entirely unacceptable that passing legislation would take an entire year and yet have no tangible, let alone beneficial, results once passed, but this appears to be what Congress prefers. Special interest groups, lobbyists, and corporate pockets have all but prevented progress within the borders of America, and it didn't even require outside influence by nefarious forces.

When Congress’ finances are at stake, they seem to be willing to take quick and decisive action, no matter how much populist anger it may raise: TARP, the auto-industry, and various other situations have proven this since President Obama’s Inauguration. But when those financial interests do not wish to be disturbed, most Congressional politicians take it upon themselves to make sure nothing gets done within their supposedly venerable halls – Joe Lieberman is a prime example of such shamefully unabashed sellout behavior.

The House moved considerably quicker than the Senate, to much greater success, and for this they should be applauded, but one of the key reasons for this was that the methods by which the House operates allow certain voices to be ignored or limited if necessary. The Senate does not have these restrictions, and therefore the debate drags on endlessly to the great frustration of the American people, all while Senators pretend to be making great progress, participate in showboating, and taking extraordinarily necessary means to make a point that has been made many times over.

Unless there is a grand scheme, such as Senate Democrats secretly organizing a 51-vote reconciliation process that President Obama would be clandestinely involved with, true healthcare reform appears dead in the water and will exist as a shameful black mark on the American record for years to come. If there is no public option, no extension of Medicare to all citizens who wish it, and no regulation of insurance companies, then it is not healthcare reform – it's corporate expansion masquerading as social progress.

This is not the time to give up, however. The need is now greater than ever for Americans to attempt to make their voices heard by Congress, the Senate especially – the vocal and irrational minority that has hijacked such an important issue must be drowned out with the proclamation that citizens of the United States of America will not suffer being lied to, manipulated, and deceived. If healthcare reform cannot pass because of sabotage from within the Democratic Party by those that masquerade as liberals, progressives, or even moderates, for them there must be a reckoning.

Congress should be aware, Democrats and Republicans both, that many political careers currently hang in the balance due to their disappointing behavior surrounding the healthcare reform process, and that their party affiliation will not save them from being voted out of office in the next election – from this, President Obama is not excluded. In what was to be one of the defining moments of his Presidency, President Obama appears to be willing to accept any sort of legislation so it can be labeled as groundbreaking progress, and this is unacceptable to many of his greatest supporters that range from young to old, progressive to moderate.

Both 2010 and 2012 may end up being more of a race than incumbent Democrats had imagined.

Now Is The Time For True America [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:05:36 +0000

All of the healthcare reform bills have left Senatorial committees, and are not only being addressed-at-large by Senate but are available online for public review. While HR3200 has been flaunted as the probable basis for the compromise bill that turns into law, for better or for worse, this progress from within the Senate marks an important change: all of the proposals, which address insurance company regulations, public options, Medicare, Medicaid, and more, have written, visible, public language. The time for rhetoric, hearsay, and speculation on the nature of the Federal Government’s interest in the health of its people is over – now is the time for true debate, non-partisanship, discussion, and democracy.

The screaming townhall meetings where “concerned” citizens air their irrelevant fears no longer have a place in the equation, no matter how hard extremists on either side wish for more time to behave childishly. The use of public power to manipulate the malleable masses for political or corporate gain, as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sarah Palin have been wont to do, may still continue at their insistence, but it will no longer be timely. The nonsensical protests, where those participating cannot agree on what exactly they are railing so viciously against, can have their numbers inflated as large as FOX “News” needs them, but their nebulous and shifting “point” has long since been made.

After a brilliantly destructive, embarrassing, and ultimately fruitless campaign by the Republican Party over the summer months to derail healthcare reform and discredit their enemy, President Obama is back in control and no longer interested in attempting to make a partisan effort. The result will be a show of America’s greatest democratic strengths in the coming weeks, as opposed to the demonstration of the country’s absolute, divided, political worst that still lingers at this very moment. The process may not be fast, and the results will not please all citizens or Congressmen, but it is America’s political process at work – the country is not a true free-for-all democracy, and instead prefers a representative method. This method was chosen in the hopes that the few hundred individuals that comprise Congress are more interested in agreement and procedure than endless argument, with the majority of its members hopefully more educated, informed, and generally in a better position than an average citizen to make grand, sweeping policy decisions.

Whether Congress and President Obama can make an effectual change in the world of healthcare and health insurance remains to be seen, but the mere fact that language has been produced from both houses of Congress, and in multiple bills, indicates that progress is being made. Perhaps this publicly-verifiable progress will help calm the extremely vocal minority whose vocal chords must be so very raw after months of shouting, and convince illiterate Congressmen that “the truth is out there.”

Debate, rationality, and compromise are some of the very principles on which the United States was founded – with the hopeful return of these principles to both Washington D.C. and the nation itself, now is the time for True America.

It’s Time To End The GOP [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:05:57 +0000

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.

A Plea for Democracy [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:05:00 +0000

The so-called healthcare “debate” in America has crossed the border that marks the differences between sane, rational discussion and heated, emotional irrationalities, that has resulted in the opponents of a national healthcare plan – of any kind – drawing murky parallels to demonized characters and unethical activities with no basis in reality. Militia groups are seeing rapid growth in portions of the country, meetings designed to foster discussion between Congressmen and citizens are being hijacked by screaming and disingenuous mobs, and the life of President Obama could potentially be seriously jeopardized in the near future by one of the aforementioned crazed mob attendants – is this what the United States of America was founded for?

Does drowning out the voices of concerned citizens, asking legitimate questions, with shouts for violence and bloodshed bring to mind the principles of “Freedom of Speech”? Does a so-called “news network” claiming that the President isn’t a citizen, is a secretly a member of a domestically unpopular religion, or has philosophical ties to Adolf Hitler qualify as “Freedom of Press”? Does a major political party ignoring the problems their members are causing, and in some cases feeding them, qualify as a legitimate usage of “Freedom of Association”? The answer to all the above is a definitive “no”, and are the very basis on which American Democracy is currently being threatened.

The Republican Party, and more specifically the ultraconservative subset, has viciously opposed President Obama since he started campaigning, and their feelings have only grown stronger in the last few months. However, it’s interesting to note that when President Bush was recently in power for eight years, and the Democratic Party was largely dissatisfied with him, there were no violent gatherings calling for his death, no major news networks defaming him (in any manner) as part of their political agenda, nor was there a laundry list of patently false conspiracy theories that spurred membership growth for politically-driven militias. In fact, the last time there was such political violence and outrage, it was once again from the Republican Party during the Clinton Administration. Coincidence? Many neocons would use such information as a validation of their behaviors, claiming the Democratic Party is so demonstrably wrong that they create a reaction, but logical reasoning would indicate otherwise.

This repetitive and predictable ideological reaction to anything deemed liberal, which is used by the GOP as a demonizing term, would have resulted in Congressional gridlock if there wasn’t a Democratic majority – even if some of the Democrats are only so in name. The fact that such a majority exists, along with the epic crises seen in the recent past, puts the lie to many of the modern Republican ideals, but does not mean that Democrats vote along party lines for simple, self-beneficial reasons – they tend to analyze issues before deciding how to vote, rather than agreeing (or dismissing, in the case of Republicans) with the ideological policy. America must be thankful for this.

But having a Democratic Congress has nonetheless resulted in problems since President Obama wished to, until recently, include the ranting Republicans on policy. By doing so, the self-appointed “party of opposition” was given a pulpit from which to preach, and it was abused: spreading lies from the microphone of the Senate or House is an intolerable offense, especially when the end goal is merely to “break” the current President and his reputation. Furthermore, the confirmation of conspiracy theories and outright falsehoods, that originated on an insufferable “slandertainment” network, by Congressmen has only fanned the flames of the outraged GOP members, and given reason for the racist, unintelligent, and incoherent masses to rise up.

The current outrage seen at townhalls across the country, intended to discuss healthcare with average citizens, has been shown to be manufactured: groups of people are being told where to attend, what to say, and how to behave by both FOX News and Republican politicians. But it should come as no surprise that the very manufacturers are calling such an undemocratic and childish method of expression “Democracy in action”, even when it is neither Democratic in nature nor legitimate outrage. The Founding Fathers, who so often get referenced by the screaming mobs of gun-toting neocons, were able to sit together and have rational discussions of issues with each other, regardless of personal, political, or religious ideology, and come to a general consensus on the best course of action for the people – is this in any way similar to the current activities of the majority of the Republican Party?

As August 2009 progresses, the attention being given to the crazed mob is increasingly alarming, and will likely lead to an epic misstep for the Republican Party: an attempt on President Obama’s life, or a foiled plot with similar intentions, by one of the GOP’s own. Before the summer months began, most of the neocons were content with calling Obama a “socialist” and making veiled references to his supposed lack of citizenship or hidden religion. But June and July saw an increase in anti-Obama rhetoric, spurred on by the same puppetmasters behind town-hall-crashing, and the lies increased in proportion to the strength and probability of a healthcare reform bill: the forced euthanasia of the elderly / general “rationing” of healthcare, the destruction of Capitalism, medical symbols mutated to look like Nazi propaganda, and the list continues. If the current pace of extremist escalation is maintained, the month of August may very well be known as the deathknell of the modern Republican Party.

The saddest fact, among a litany of disheartening information, is that the majority of the American people don’t know any better than to believe the lies spread by both the politicians and members of the Republican Party. Between sourceless chain emails, misleading articles in biased mainstream publications, and the coverage of neocon nonsense without clarification or labels by mainstream news networks, the average citizen doesn’t know what to believe without doing independent research – which takes effort, something the American people are not known for freely expending. Instead, people are forced to listen to friends, family, and neighbors spew nonsense derived from Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, or Michael Steele, and decide whether it’s fact – good luck if they watch FOX News hoping for truth.

Politics in America has reached a point where people feel obligated, if not pressured outright, to accept the beliefs of others as legitimate – no matter their factual basis. To question the political beliefs of another is often a terrible offense, and results in claims of “I can believe what I want to” as a defense of their ignorance, much like the forced tolerance of religion, even as religion itself is intolerant of outside belief systems. This is not Democracy.

Intelligence, reason, and thoughtful discussion left American culture long ago, and a direct result is the current political climate of blind opposition and outrage. It is, time and time again, the same group of people that participate in such public defamation, no matter the topic: those who violently oppose healthcare reform tend to be extremely religious, white, Southern, Republican individuals that are also against Democratic politicians having power, gay marriage, and the intellectual process. The culture of tolerance that has been cultivated since the early 1900’s (or earlier) must end, as some things are intolerable – the swift destruction of Democracy is one.

If America is to return to its former position of reasoned and thoughtful political debate, things must change: either the Republican Party must be forced to reform its ways, or be abolished, based on the constant disruption of the political process; politicians and news networks alike must be held accountable for inciting violence and spreading lies to the American public; the crazed mobs of screaming neocons must be contained and shown the error of their ways, if only for their own personal betterment. Placing the Democratic Party in a sole position of unchecked power is not an appropriate solution, but the current system of de facto opposition by Republicans is not the intention of a multi-party political system. Neither is it the intention of “Freedom of Speech”, “Freedom of Assembly”, or “Freedom of Press” to incite violence, support militias, or disseminate falsehood propaganda in order to further private agendas.

Rational voices must be given precedence over the irrational, as they make a plea for Democracy’s continued existence as the basis of American government. Democracy, in its true form, must be restored in America.

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Note: apologies again on being a day late - things will be back on schedule next week.

The GOP May Write Itself Out of the Future [OpEd]

Kyle Brady — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:05:07 +0000

Republicans, in general, have been having a hard time relating to modern America and its citizens, as their ideas, policies, and politicians fall flat, one after another. The choice of John McCain as their Presidential Candidate in the 2008 election was their first misstep, after having such a hated President in Office, and the months since McCain’s loss to Barack Obama – in no small part thanks to the choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate – have been painful to watch, as their decline from relevancy continues at an accelerated rate.

The GOP’s insistence on fighting any and all policies of President Obama, or other Democrats, is embarrassing given their unilateral unconcern for the issue at hand – claiming said policy will be a reversal of what the party has worked for is not a sufficient argument in a disaster-ridden time that was largely sparked by Conservative rule. Additionally, the majority of Republican politicians continue to use defense arguments laughably based on policy cost, without considering their own expenditures for war and other party-line failures, and anti-American ideals, hoping to rally and inspire the American people to their side.

This is not happening, nor will it in the foreseeable future.

President Obama was elected because the country was largely interested in a change of political ideals, and the very vocal minority of disgruntled Americans screaming about socialism, fascism, or whatever the smear du jour may be are not changing the minds of those that voted. Obama is not perfect, nor is he a political savior, but he’s managing to do enough things properly to keep most people happy – whereas the Republican party continues to degrade itself.

Recent history has demonstrated this very party degradation, as Senators have converted to Democrats and the Democratic stronghold within Congress grows – which the Republican minority battles with filibusters, threats, and smokescreens. Even further loss of relevance and respect comes via the very figureheads and posterchildren of the party itself: the list starts with Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford, continues with the likes of Michael Steele, and adds to itself on what seems to be a daily basis.

These politicians are not just ruining their own careers, but are, in fact, taking down the party in piecemeal fashion. Sarah Palin was the Vice Presidential candidate just a year ago, Mark Sanford was a possible candidate for 2012 (along with Sarah Palin), and Dick Cheney, the former Vice President, is publicly defaming Obama via any method possible. These are the individuals the American people are supposed to trust and endorse? Many more examples can be found of sexual hypocrites, unintelligent ramblings, and incoherent policies – most non-FOX News outfits will provide easy access to this information.

However, the degradation comes not only from politicians, but from the pundits and talkshow hosts who consider themselves essential to their political party. Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn Beck are the easiest three to recognize, but the number of such public figures using media access to push “extreme right wing” Republican rhetoric is astonishing. These talking heads may have large, and growing audiences, but they will always cater to the American minority: the less educated, the unintelligent, and the racially biased population that is easily swayed by big words and scary propaganda. While the politicians are making fools of themselves via policy, the conservative media is largely doing the same, thanks to conspiracy theories, inaccurate “facts”, and manipulation of their guests – all of this can be countered with a dose of intelligence and a small amount of fact checking.

As the sex scandals continue, the political rhetoric becomes more heated and embattled, and the party continues to alienate entire swaths of demographic targets (young adults, non-whites, gays and lesbians, etc.), the question of whether their current irrelevance may turn into complete disappearance becomes pertinent. How can a party that has little-to-no support from the voting public continue to exist, let alone have any hope at regaining power (in any fashion) without changing their ways? Such actions are no better than political suicide – yet they continue.

American Democracy has relied on what amounts to a two party system for almost its entire history, but it does not require that the most modern incarnation of Democrats and Republicans has to continue. Parties have risen, grown, and died many times over the last two centuries, sometimes with the party continuing to exist while changing nearly every facet of their ideology. If the GOP’s current pace of self-destruction continues, the 2012 Presidential Election may prove to be the watershed event that allows another party into the spotlight while the old and tired Republicans fade not-so-quietly into the night.

When rooting for the Republicans to fail as a party, it is important to remember two crucial points. First, if the Republican Party can reinvent itself into a relatable, sensible, modern political party, they can then once again become relevant and acceptable. It remains to be seen, however, whether they are willing to do so. Second, it is absolutely crucial that the Democratic Party is not allowed to run unopposed in any level or form of government – a viable party, or candidate at a minimum, needs to be seated in direct opposition. Modern Democrats are fairly reasonable, sometimes progressive, and occasionally intelligent, but all such qualities can be quickly shed in order to protect themselves and their interests in what would amount to an American form of despotism.

It is high time the GOP recognize their defeat by their own hands, and take prepare for their future – this would require reigning in the loudmouthed pundits spewing nonsense across America, replacing the unfavorable and aging politicians with their younger counterparts, and reforming their party-line politics into a cooperative group of individuals that are interested in a core set of values truly for the betterment of the American people. If this cannot, or will not, be accomplished within the coming months and years, they will likely continue to fail in their political endeavors, until they have written themselves out of existence, and the deadline is both very tangible and very close…

Early November, 2012.

How Obama Can Change American Politics Forever [Old Content]

Kyle Brady — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:59:35 +0000

President Obama has already accomplished much in the infancy of his Presidency - inspiring some, placating most, and infuriating others. But let's pretend for a moment he continues on his current course for the rest of his term, in both style and policy. What, then, could happen come the next election cycle?

With an approval rating that continues to be the highest seen in our brief American history, Obama is what a large majority of the country seems to have desired - especially among the younger generations. Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and the rest of the GOP are not helping matters by continuing to drive young voters, intellectuals, and the rationally-minded away from the elephantine party. Not necessarily turning Republicans into Democrats, but nonetheless alienating growing numbers of Americans.

For all relevant and recent history, America has been a two party system: Democrats and Republicans. Technically, others exist (like Libertarians or Constitutionalists), but not a single person has come from a "Third Party" and risen to a point of true influence - let alone taking the Presidency.

With swelling voter confidence, what if Obama changed parties? No, not to Republican - but move to an existing Third Party or create his own. If non-Southern America has fallen more in love with him than we currently are, it wouldn't truly be a risk (the Democrats would have no viable candidate, and the Republicans well likely have written themselves out of relevancy by then), and he would have a chance to change the face of American politics forever.

Over the next four years, our current President will have changed America in any number of ways: the healthcare system, our international war efforts, banking regulations, and many more sure to come. He's even expressed interest in changing politics itself: lobbyists are already playing a smaller role than they have in recent years, and this promises to be only the beginning.

Our country could benefit from a large number of sweeping political changes, but who can honestly say that having an expanded political choice - a real choice, not just a facade of a Third Party - would not be beneficial? More candidates would mean more focus on issues, and this is one item of a long list that our current election process lacks.

Pending Obama being revealed as the arrival of the Anti-Christ or a "secret Muslim", I'd vote for the first candidate of the "American Moderates" party.

Obama Proves His Intelligence [Old Content]

Kyle Brady — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:04:05 +0000

Word comes down that Obama has intentions of committing 3% of our GDP to science, something along the lines of $15b into research and development. This follows one of the most anti-science Presidents America has ever had, which has helped to usher in the resurgence of idiocy and religion-knows-better-than-science "intelligent design" - albeit mostly in the Bible Belt.

I've spoken before on the horrible failure of the current incarnation GOP, as well as the main reasons I voted for Obama in the first place - his dedication to science, and intellectual pursuits in general. However, following his rise to the Presidency, "the auto bailout" had a bunch of money cut from science spending... this is a more direct attempt to return our country to a state of general intelligence, or at least competence.

As President Obama noted, our future lies in our continuing prowess in the realm of computers/computing and innovation... not in outsourcing these jobs to other countries. But this cannot be accomplished when the majority of people graduating high school, or even college to a lesser extent, don't understand the basic tenets of science, and have only a cursory grip on things like Algebra. And most of the country doesn't truly understand what "theory" means in the scientific world.

Obviously this is going to affect operations and organizations like NASA, the National Science Foundation, school systems, and public policies with a scientific tinge (abortion, stem cell research, global warming, deforestation, etc.). But there's something that isn't likely to be obvious to the already-ignorant: in the process of giving more money to school systems, they're going to set standards.

Numerous southern states have been battling evolution in recent history, to varying degrees of "success", and the evangelicals/Christian fanatics are feeling pretty good about themselves at the moment. We've finally defeated the "theory" of evolution! "Intelligent design" can be taught in schools! The Universe is only a few thousand years old! You can almost taste their elation. But it's not going to last.

Scientists all over are pushing back, and hard, against this, but the real power is about to step up... the Federal Government never hands out money to states without restrictions, qualifications, or kickbacks - they have a long history of "we'll give you money, as long as you do one thing for us...". This is how our highway system developed.

I, along with all of intelligent America, will applaud and support any movement by the Feds to lay down a more strict definition of what can and cannot be taught in the public school system as science. I'm not talking about Creationist pseudo-science, but the real kind that has evidence and no mentions of a superhero. I mean God.

President Obama, please keep this up. You're going to continue to outrage the GOP and their fanatical constituents, but America will be better off for all of this. Don't give in, don't cave to their whining or Rush Limbaugh's red-faced outrage.

They don't deserve even your consideration. And, thanks to both you and the GOP, I'm now a registered Democrat.