The GOP's empty chair problem
Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2012 at 09:56 AM
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The truth is neither Eastwood or the GOP gave any thought to the millions of people people who would see something else in that disembodied chair: themselves.
If you're Black, Hispanic, an Immigrant, a Woman or Gay you weren't welcome to sit in that chair or come to that party, even to be lectured to by a contemptuous octogenarian.
The GOP's big tent has contracted to the point where it has simply become a latter day Christian Brotherhood, but conservatives who dismiss this claim point to the participation of Governor Nikki Haley the daughter of Indian immigrants, Condoleezza Rice, the Former Secretary of State and Governor Susana Martinez, who the Reagan-era throwback Peggy Noonan likes to call Susan.
But every political party worth its salt can round up a few quislings; there are even apparently masochistic gay Republican groups like Go Proud, after all. That does not mean they represent their communities or are indicative of widespread support within their party, on the contrary.
I say to those people who talk about Republican diversity have your read your own party platform?
Only two percent of African-American voters polled currently support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Mitt Romney claims that this is a country of immigrants but he wants them all to self-deport and he would veto the DREAM Act. At the convention Ann Romney claimed it was Hispanic voters who had the real problem though, and she asked them to 'get past' their biases.
Romney does not support relationship recognition for LGBT people, making him even more conservative on LGBT issues than former President George W. Bush. Paul Ryan does not support LGBT families, he has voted against allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt, he voted against hate crime protections. He opposed repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and he does not support marriage equality.
Romney and Ryan want to turn Medicare into a boon for the Insurance industry and a bust for American seniors. The new party platform reflects a Republican Party more hostile to organized labor than ever before in its history.
And as we learned last week, Romney and Ryan were quick to write off Todd Akin and to separate themselves from his extremism, but in fact they share his anti-abortion position.
So they paint themselves into a corner and they look out at the godless nation and they reject it. That's what this week was all about. That explains all those empty chairs.
And what will happen to us, the uninvited people in that disembodied chair, has already become obvious.
It seems our conservative political classes will not rest until they have turned the United States economy and the American century into a South American nation like Brazil.
New York and other noteworthy US cities already feature growing contrasts between rich and poor, so why not use Rio de Janeiro as the model of our future, complete with gated mansions with armed guards to hold off armies of scary-looking pre-teen homeless kids carrying zipguns.
Each time you step out you'll have to worry if there'll be another Ak-47 attack at the supermarket or the movie theater. Hopefully you won't need medical attention because you won't be able to afford any.
But hey at least the rich guys pay low taxes!
50 comments
seanomelb | Sep 01, 2012, 07:54 PM EDT
I'm one of seven Briano and a lefty. There is no quota on how many children one may have(except in China),Don't be silly Briano,please make a more commonsense and practical retort.
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hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 07:54 PM EDT
Romney's speech was a eulogy for a white picket fence America that never existed. There's no question that life (and civil rights) for most Americans (including all the people not invited to the party) is unquestionably better now than it was 50 years ago. But giving record unnecessary and costly tax breaks to millionaires won't ensure our future anymore than it did under George W Bush.
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BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:32 PM EDT
slainte39, the recommended quota for children is two why did you continue to have children after that you know just abort them, that's what the left would have you do.
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EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:30 PM EDT
Before you vote on November 6th, think about all the bad that happened in the past from the policies that the GOP wishes on us again. Think about the fact that America was FOUNDED by enlightened scientific LIBERALS who would be appalled by the GOP's march toward PLUTOCRACY/THEOCRACY. Do you REALLY believe in personal freedom and government by and for the 99% (THE PEOPLE) or government for and by the 1%. Are you a REACTIONARY or are you really a LIBERAL (like the founders of our great country) and didn’t know it. Its alright, I’ll keep your secret.
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EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:23 PM EDT
I believe that, with Buckley's passing, the realization of their culpability for the Cheney/Bush crash and the fear of obsolescence, the GOP is now a party of and for REACTIONARIES and the proof is in their party platform. As with the Dole campaign of 1996, theirs is a "Bridge to the Past" with a "WISHLIST" that includes treatment of women out of the Middle Ages, voting rights out of the post reconstruction South and economic policies of the pre Great Depression 1920s not to mention religious beliefs reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition.
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EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT
According to the dictionary, CONSERVATIVE means tending to preserve established traditions or institutions. LIBERAL means favoring political reforms tending toward DEMOCRACY and personal FREEDOM for the individual. REACTIONARY means an advocate of REACTION which is further defined as a movement back to a former or LESS ADVANCED condition.
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EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 06:14 PM EDT
When Romney called himself a SEVERE conservative as governor of Mass., it belied his actual time there but it was what the RNC debate audience wanted to hear. William F. Buckley spent lots of time keeping the far right faction of his party from overshadowing the good work done by moderate Republicans.
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kflanigan | Sep 01, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT
Great piece.
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EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 02:20 PM EDT
@cillowen - Good Observation! I think that you are the first person I have heard (read) comment on that telling moment in the "chat."
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slainte39 | Sep 01, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT
Cahir, your rants are NOT getting tiring. Keep it up, and maybe we can overcome some of the lies the Repubs keep throwing out there. I, and my 7 children and 7 grandchildren, as well as most all of the people I know, will be voting for Obama. Don't worry folks, Obama is going to win. Common, moderate sense will prevail over these extremist right wing views and policies of R&R.
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cillowen | Sep 01, 2012, 01:18 PM EDT
worse than empty chair was his cut obama's throat gesture while romney and wife laugh their arse off. As for Ryan simply a LIAR.
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hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 12:54 PM EDT
Romeny will "Turn thing around" by outsourcing your job to China, pet. The way he did at Bain Capital. Go ahead and vote for him (and maybe start learning Cantonese eh?).
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myhomenj | Sep 01, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT
I'm sorry to say this is not the country I came to 50 years ago for a better life.
I and many others found that better life, but today so many can't find a job.
My vote goes to Mr Romney. I pray he will "Turn thing around"
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hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 12:13 PM EDT
Hey don't blame him if he isn't talking about Romney's speech - no one anywhere is. And what mess exactly has Obama made MegK311? I saw that he killed Osama Bin Laden, ended the War in Iraq, advanced women's rights in the work place, ended Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) in our military and expanded access to medical care and provided subsidies for people who can't afford it. That's not a mess luv.
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