I think we should all take a deep breath, close our eyes, and think about the successes of this party for a moment. We should all give them a standing ovation. SERIOUSLY!! Over the last 30 years or so this party has done some things that I think are completely remarkable and that as a young girl thought would NEVER happen in the good old US of A. But, the Republican party has done it and done it so well. follow me if you would...
This is the party that says they are for individual and states rights...except for when they are not. This is the party who says they are for keeping America free....except for when they aren't. This is the party that says they are for smaller government....except for when they aren't. This is the party that says they will keep America safe...except for when they didn't. This is the party that says they stand with small business...except for when they haven't. This is the party that say they stand for free speech...except for when they don't like what they hear. So, why does the Republican Party deserve a standing ovation?? I say because they have been so successful at selling GREAT REPUBLICAN MYTHS.
Myth 1 - Support for Individual and States Rights
For example remember Terri SchiavoTerri Schiavo Law?? It was Republicans who called a special session in congress to intervene in what was a spouse making a medical decision regarding his wife. Whether you agree or disagree with the spouse's decision legislation was crafted specifically to intervene to stop the spouse's individual right to that decision. STATES RIGHTS, STATES RIGHTS, STATES RIGHTS!! Yell it from the mountain tops except for when it's inconvenient but they are republicans so alas the do it anyway an example is the Federal Interstate conceal and carry legislation Republicans wanted Federal Gun Legislation. This seems to me a bit hypocritcal but hey it's the republicans asking so therefore it's ok.
Myth 2 - They fight to keep America Free
Was it me or did Sept. 11 happen under a republican administration? Well the waters have been so successfully muddied who can tell what's right? So, what did the Keep America Free Party do? They passed the Patriot Act (nice name). What does this Patriotic Act really mean? What I never thought it would mean is that I could be lying in my bed reading a book when someone could come into my home, take me into custody, not tell me why I'm being taken into custody, not allow me to get proper legal representation, not have to tell anyone that I am being held, can be held for an indefinite period of time, can be totured, all because the President of the United States can utter one word without ANY evidence...and that word is....TERRORIST!! That's the republican version of being free in America.
Myth 3 - They want Smaller Government
Didn't the government grow the largest under Republican Presidents especially Reagan and Bush? Hmm...just asking. And how does small businesses compete on a global scale say like with China when China has a whole country behind it's industries?? Often wondered that. I think when republicans say smaller government they really mean we support whatever legislation that would give big business a bigger and better profit margin regardless of how it effects middle class Americans. What's that thing called...Outsourcing
Myth 4 - (thanks Judgement by Nurenberg) Trickle Down economics - tax cuts for rich (top 1%) what has happened to the other 99%? We are falling further and further behind in attaining the American Dream. Let's add deregulation to this as well? How has that helped the average Joe?? Bailouts anyone..Enron..Environment.
In my lifetime I cannot think of one piece of legislation in the last 35+ years that the republicans have put forth that has been good for me as a middle class citizen or as an American. I am not in the top 1% income bracket so therefore, my wages have not grownIncome and Wages,I can't afford health insurance and the healthcare facilities in my town are closing down, food has become more expensive, I had to send my kids to an independent facility because the schools are NOT preparing them for the 21st century (structural issues more so than individual teaching issues) and college is too expensive. All under Republican leadership. But time and time again republicans have been able to convince the electorate to vote against their own personal and economic interests. It really is AMAZING!!