When it comes to fair elections, General Musharraf and Hugo Chavez have nothing on the Bush administration.
Posted by TIKI AL at November 22, 2007 09:35 AMExcellent post Steve. The southern strategy lives on in a new form. Between the 911 based fearmongering about middle eastern people and the immigration issue, brown is literally the new black in the revised Republican strategy.
Posted by herbal tee at November 22, 2007 11:30 AMIt isn't bungling, it's deliberate, systematic and, sadly, unopposed.
Posted by James E. Powell at November 22, 2007 12:13 PMHard to distinguish bungling from conspiracy as the Republicans seem to have mastered the art of conspiring to bungle.
I know I'm an asshole, a heretic and a common scold for saying so, but at the end of the day, I want real opposition to this insanity. I've clapped loud and long for sham.
However, after it became obvious (after elections in '02, '04 and '06) that the Dems were playing their support by cosying up to the RW whackjobbery and corpofascisti behind the scenes, and in "public" lamenting to their own constituency that there was nothing, NOTHING, they could do to oppose the Repug meanies, I just decided to save my stomach lining and blood pressure and not tote their shit any longer.
If they want to court the right wing vote by shunning their base, let'em. I'm for any Dem that meaningfully opposes the Rethuggernaut and their cheating, exploitation, mendacity and warmongering. I'm for any Dem that isn't ashamed to give Liberals (feminists, black and brown voters and unions) their props and representation.
I see two equally rotton outcomes on the horizon. One, Dem leadership is on a path for a disastrous four years of cleaning elephant shit from a pseudo-win in '08 (which is the only outcome of this two-faced BS). Two, we'll get another cheating Repug admin with asslicking DINO assistance from our shitty "leadership" continuing their lack of a real opposition to this crap.
So be it. Progressives will be ready to take over in one of the subsequent elections.
Sick of this shit, but sleeping better knowing that I'm not endorsing the game-playing. (If the only way the Dems will pay attention to my concerns is to be Independend, they know my potential support can be had if they find their spine and stand up to the Rethuggernaut.)
Posted by Ellie at November 22, 2007 03:07 PMThe immigration issue is being used by culture of corruption Republicans to another purpose.
As economic conditions get worse for the middle class and poor in the U.S., the immigrants (both legal and illegal) are being used as scapegoats.
Talking to an accountant the other day (who listens to Limbaugh's radio program), I learned that immigrants who use local public services were responsible for my friend's property taxes increasing.
I pointed out that the real culprit behind her property taxes going up was George W. Bush's huge tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent to 10 percent of U.S. citizens six years ago. This shifted hundreds of billions of tax dollars from the wealthiest to middle class people like her, as well as to the poorest in our country. And not only did this shift the tax burden from the wealthiest to those less wealthy, but also shifted the tax burden from the federal government to state and local governments. Ergo, her property tax increase was the result.
I asked her how she enjoyed her $300.00 tax rebate, that one-time bribe the culture of corruption Republicans gave to taxpayers, even as they pushed for permanent, huge tax cuts and tax breaks for the wealthiest? Her eyes glazed over. Remember, she listens to Limbaugh. So, she couldn't accept the fact that George W. Bush and his crony Republican pals, once one connects the dots, were directly responsible for local property taxes going up as local governments try to make up for the shortfall in federal dollars due to the huge tax cuts given to the wealthiest.
And Republican strategists, Rove and company, are rolling out immigrants to divert attention from the fact that the greed of the Republicans and corporate CEOs are the real ones doing damage to our country and the finances of our nation's citizens. I'm not fooled. But, then again, I don't listen to Limbaugh or watch Faux News. But those that do, like my friend, have been sufficiently brainwashed through repetitive Republican talking points that they don't realize that they are the victims of a huge Republican con job, even as their financial resources and buying power have decreased dramatically during the Bush years, even as they sell-out the financial future of their own children and grand-children.
From the culture of corruption Republican viewpoint, the "mission" has been "accomplished," sad to say. Weep for our nation's children.
Posted by The Oracle at November 22, 2007 04:40 PMEllie, many of us here feel your frustration and anger. I do feel like my vote is taken for granted. A feel like my only important is funneling money to the Party. The Party does not speak for me, nor fight for the issues high on my list. It is a very lost feeling. If the Democrats want to win the next election, they would be advised to go after their dissatisfied and unhappy base.
Posted by Judith at November 22, 2007 05:31 PMwith the 30% to 50% increase in Naturalization Fees where is the fee going?? Budget Reduction..why can't they process a Natz case in 6 months..d
Posted by a4L at November 22, 2007 06:49 PMWhat Ellie and Judith said, plus this.
I find it curious that not one of the Democratic candidates, not even the lesser lights, has even attempted to stake out a claim for the Disaffected Democrats who are not at all satisfied with the party's leadership and its policies of complicity and capitulation.
I mean, Edwards is in third place. Is he waiting for lightning to strike? What, exactly, are Richardson and Dodd worried about? That they will finish in fifth place instead of fourth?
Posted by James E. Powell at November 22, 2007 08:16 PMThe Oracle: "And Republican strategists, Rove and company, are rolling out immigrants to divert attention from the fact that the greed of the Republicans and corporate CEOs are the real ones doing damage to our country and the finances of our nation's citizens."
immigrants are the new Gays, the right-wing will do anything to distract the people from the Bush diaster
Posted by Gay Veteran at November 23, 2007 08:52 AM