Results tagged “GOP” from Marilyn Sewell

What if you had a friend with a number of serious problems, what would you say to him?  And when I say "serious problems," I'm referring to problems of character--spiritual problems, as it were--for the spiritual dimension is the ground that we come from, for all of our living, is it not?  Let's say that your friend behaves in the following way:

--He begins to use most any means at all, to justify the ends he was going for.

--He manipulates others by playing on their deepest fears and insecurities.

--He tells lies and encourages others to lie, in service of their goals.

--He discounts science and tries to discredit reputable scientists.

--He shows little compassion for the poor, the sick, the weak.

--He believes that "freedom" means that the strong should take all they can get.

--He says he is a Christian and he has serious doubts about those who are not.

I have a friend like this.  But I am saddened by what has become of him.  Although historically he has had values that differed from mine in significant ways, I could understand and respect his values--values like like preserving tradition, taking personal responsiblity, and loving one's country.  But I no longer respect him or his values.

You may have guessed his name by now: he is called Grand O. Party.  But the moniker of "grand" surely no longer applies, and the "party" lacks all integrity and therefore all cohesion and all power to influence our country in positive ways.

Can my friend be redeemed?  Of course.  We all go down the wrong path at times.  We are led astray by false leaders and promises of wealth and glory.  My friend needs to give up his ways of lying and manipulating, to get his way.  He needs to stop worshiping shallow and vain leaders, more given to ego than to genuine caring about the country.  He needs to learn to respect and co-operate with those who may differ from him, whether in race or class or religion or sexual orientation.  He needs to understand that we are a country, and we must face our demons together as a people, or we are lost.

Will my friend change?  Is he like most of us--that is, he has to fall hard, has to lose everything before he will change his ways?  I hope not.  In the not-too-distant past, my friend has added substantially to the national conversation.  I would hope that someday, some way, that might happen again.

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One of the most frightening events in contemporary political life is McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate.  Historically, I believe the number is nine Vice-Presidents who have had to step into the role of President when the President has died or been incapacitated.  That is a very, very high percentage and a particularly great risk to take with a potential President who is 72 years of age, with a history of serious health problems.

I heard Palin's speech last night, and she is rhetorically very powerful, very tough.  She is self-assured, humorous, pointed in her remarks.  She is presenting herself as "just a hockey mom"--but with plenty of executive experience to be President of the United States, should that role fall to her.  And the GOP is enthusiastically putting her forward as "one of the people": a pro-life mother of five, a gun enthusiast, PTA member, an outsider to the "Washington elite."  She is going to be an attack dog, and a very effective one, I fear.

Nevermind that she is being investigated for firing a state employee who was formerly married to her sister; nevermind that she was for the "bridge to nowhere" before she was against it; nevermind that she tried to fire a librarian for refusing to censor books; nevermind that she has stated that creationism should be taught in the public schools, alongside the "theory" of evolution.  Nevermind any of this, because of the anti-intellectual character of the American people, and because all too many voters either share Palin's values and/or will identify with her as "one of them."  

Initially, I considered McCain's decision a sure-fire path to GOP self-destruction--but now I'm not so sure.  It may very well work. Once again, they will fill the air waves with fear, and they will say that the warrior McCain will protect us from the enemy.  And the wealthy GOP base will protect their wealth by pulling in the "family values" folks with Sarah Palin, encouraging them to vote against their own economic self-interest. 

Surely this is a crucial time for liberals and progressive thinkers to become fully engaged in the political process.  There is too much at stake to be passive onlookers as this fascinating drama plays itself out.  

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John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin seems not only unlikely, but foolish.  I don't understand his reasoning.  Does he think that Hillary voters will support a woman who is pro-life?  And a life-long member of the NRA?  And does he believe that the social conservatives he's wooing will be comfortable with a female leader--any female leader? 

There are other problems with his choice. Although squeaky clean herself and a reformer to boot, Palin is from one of the most corrupt state governments in the nation.  Alaska is the embarrassed home of the "Bridge to Nowhere," and it seems that every other political figure there is under indictment.  It is not logical or fair that she should suffer from "guilt by association," but it is inevitable that she will, to some extent.

Then there is the fact that Alaska is more than a little removed in the minds of most Americans, and is home to only 670,000 people.  It is difficult to picture Alaska bringing much in the way of votes or national support for the GOP.

But the most significant difficulty with McCain's choice of Palin is that he is 72, with significant health issues.  She is a young and vigorous change-agent, but totally inexperienced in national politics and has no foreign policy experience.  One phrase that we're going to hear a lot in this campaign is "one heartbeat away from the Presidency"--as in, "Do we really want someone that inexperienced one heartbeat away from the Presidency--especially somebody who might actually become the President?"  For this reason alone, Sarah Palin should have been taken off McCain's short list early on.

Senator Charles Shumer described McCain's choice as "a hail Mary pass."  I would have to agree.  It has desperation written all over it. 

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