May 29 2008
Death of the Republican Party (and its eventual rebirth)
So I have been noticing something over the last few weeks and months. The party that we currently know, and some actually love, is dying a tortuous death. Now I want to clarify that I am not talking about conservatism, just the republican party. They, in my opinion, are two different entities loosely tied together. If we look at this country’s recent history (60s to the present) we can see the “Eben Flow” of things in the politico. The 60s were filled with excess and rebellion and the society reflected that, e.g. - Drug culture, Sex culture, Haight-Ashberry movement, Civil Rights movement, etc. Then the 70s came and the free wheeling culture slowed, due to the Vietnam War. The eighties came at a time when liberalism was finally coming down from its unapologetic high (no pun intended). Whether you agree with the policies of the Republicans and especially Reagan or not, he was the right man at the right time. He was the figure that the disenfranchised conservatives, more specifically Republican party, needed at the time. The country was seemingly very tired from running on some much excess for so long. Its like having access to unlimited amounts of candy as a kid that eventually you go overboard and get sick. So what happens…massive inflation, government spending out of control, so called leadership was lacking (this is not necessarily what was happening but this was the perception for a lot of Americans - perception is reality). So then the US goes through what I like to call its needed republican/conservative phase. Now we are seeing the end of it. All these phases whether liberal/conservative or republican/democrat last seemingly about 30 years max. So just like the death of the liberal movement that truly crested in the 60s, the conservative movement dies a hard death with this current administration. If you haven’t noticed it yet or disagree than take a look at the political climate and who is has appeared on either side, and you draw your comparisons. History is always due to repeat
- The constant push for societal changes are becoming more and more prevalent. Largest example is gay marriage. (Percentage of American’s supporting it is higher everyday)
- Inspiration leader of the opposite side gains massive appeal and is creating a new group of politically motivated and aware populous.
- The old fighting tools no longer working, i.e. - calls for un-Americanism, slams against patriotism, religious confrontations.
- Controlling side’s old warriors are leaving the fight and new warriors from the opposite side are coming up and outnumbering them.
- Social justice is becoming paramount.
- Unpopular war has gone on to long.
- Message from the news is changing, e.g. - Rupert Murdoch says a liberal might actually win the presidency.
- News begins to challenge the government again.
- The controlling side is losing in its on heartland, e.g. - Democrat wins special election in Mississippi for a House seat. Democrat is in statistical tie for Senate seat in Mississippi.
- Controlling side is riddled with scandals.
- Society is slowly but surely shifting closer to the middle again (true middle - not middle right or middle left). 75% of Americans support abortion in rape/incest situation.
So there are just a few reason that I can think of that I see the Republican party dying a much deserve death. I say deserved because they have gone out of control. They will be reborn with more centrist ideals in the years to come. Most likely nudged that way by people like Ron Paul, Chuck Hagel and the like. I mean if you need anymore evidence that the right has completely lost it, just got 2 words for you…Dunkin Donuts. They just pulled an ad because Rachel Ray was wearing a scarf that seemed be similar to a Palestinian scarf. This outrage was manufactured by blogger and commentators from the right wing. So I say with a very light heart that I am glad to see the Republican party die this way. They totally deserve it. In 30 years, I will be saying the same thing about the Democrats. Good Luck with the Phoenix thing Republicans.
You are glad to see a party die? …Everyone has a right to believe in what they want to. That’s why this is called America.
You believe everything you hear and as long as “Rupert Murdoch ” or a clone says so. The Dems have control of the house , and what have the accomplished? ummm? Make a list. You want one party to control, now what’s that called?
Also, (while I’m at it) the 60s may have been “excessive.” BUT, at least we got things done. We didn’t sit on our asses and whine. You probably were not there so..Shhhh.
Leah Ackerman
So let me just say you missed the entire point of my article. The point was that the Republican party as it stands right now is dying. Yes I think this is a good thing. Not that I want one party to rule, its that the party has lost its way and has become to extreme in its ideals. I guess you think I am a conservative, but you could not be any more wrong. I am actually very liberal…on a scale of 1-10 (10 being Ed Bagely Jr.) I am probably and 8.5. I think the Dems suffered from the same issue right before Reagan came in.
You are assuming that I prefer one of these parties to the other. I don’t. I am not lead by the nose. I have individuals that I support not parties. Currently, the Dems are more in line with my views than the Republicans so I have a higher tendency to support them. However, I don’t want one party to be supreme over the other. I want there to be actual reasonable disagreements in the middle (not center left or center right leaning). The Dems were reborn closer to the middle and now its time for the Republicans to die the same death and be reborn closer to the middle.
To also answer your question…the Dems have not accomplished much while controlling the House. However, once again you miss the entire point that this entry is about the movement not about what happened in the House since 2006. Its about what has been happening in politics for the last 30 years. I am looking at the bigger picture.
Thanks for reply…I enjoying the debate. Keep it coming.