Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gave the official Republican Response to President Obama's address tonight. His talk was very cleverly written, very red-white-and-blue, and delivered in a smooth, folksy style. Lots of reassurance about Republicans wanting to work with Obama to make things better for the Great People of the US. But, then, at the end... He pledged that the Republicans in Congress are going to redouble their efforts to get back to the core values of their party. And -- despite what he had just said about cooperation -- he said that people, not the government, should solve our current economic problems. The overall impression I got is that he was serving notice that the Republican Party will be obstructionist about any spending plan Obama proposes. *sigh* Very discouraging.
Originally Posted By dshyates As I said on another thread. Watching the GOP implode is like watching Brittney shave her head. Very sad.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Um no - a basic principle of the GOP is smaller government... he was just stating exactly what he said he was going to - GOP going back to their core values - which sure would be nice as opposed to where they had ended up. Government control of private companies is not a core OP value is it ?
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Government control of private companies is not a core OP value is it ?*** I have no idea what GOP "values" are these days, except for "tax cuts", "war on's", and "faith based initiatives". That's the impression I get from the GOP leadership, and nothing more these days (they used to stand for some stuff a long time ago iirc).
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^ I don't disagree a lot with that statement- which is why I said it would be nice if they did return to core GOP values-- they're not ready yet and that is obvious and will not start until the religious right is purged. Unfortunately it may take another beating in 2 years before someone wakes up
Originally Posted By Mr X ***which is why I said it would be nice if they did return to core GOP values*** Yes, I did catch that on the other thread, and agreed with you. The Republicans desperately need an Obama of their own to turn things around (and no, I don't think Jindal is it lol...Palin would be "it" if they want to just cash in all the chips and become the white trash bible party entirely).
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I really wish I knew who it was to pick up the torch and run with it also -- the leadership position is there for the taking
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, Obama came out of nowhere. Are there any interesting freshmen legislators out there? Out of everyone I've heard from, frankly the most "normal" and less frightening one I've seen has been Pawlenty.
Originally Posted By dshyates "a basic principle of the GOP is smaller government... he was just stating exactly what he said he was going to - GOP going back to their core values" As best I remeber the GOP esposed smaller government as the presided over the largest expansion of the Government in our history. Espoused fiscal reponsibility as he created the largest deficit in the country's history. Screamed about Patriotically supporting our troops as he cut hazardous duty pay to soldiers in Iraq and cut veteran's benifits. Jindal said the same thing. Been there done that. I know he got in tax cuts several times, but I don't recall, did he get in baby murders and faggots?
Originally Posted By hopemax I think it's more than just the religious right though. I question the relationships between the GOP and big business. During the election, I remember reading that during Goldwater's Presidential campaign, one of the platforms was that Social Security was unnecessary because Americans were increasingly becoming covered under employer based pension programs. An example, of how the private sector could do better job of providing, than the government. Employers would offer the best programs to attract the best people. We can see what happened to that philosophy. Government can't provide the answers because that's socialism, business can't provide the answers (because it takes away from their profits), so where does that leave us? I was just thinking about the old tradition of barn raising parties. Today, I think the general attitude today would be, "Build your own ___ barn." I'm afraid that until we realize that helping our neighbors, helps ourselves, were going to just stumble around. The old, "If we don't hang together, we will most assuredly hang separately." Although not the literal version, this time.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<I know he got in tax cuts several times, but I don't recall, did he get in baby murders and faggots?>> No. Those references were obvious in their absence. He ridiculously demonized all government spending as "bigger government." He took cheap shots at Democratics in general. He actively misrepresented Obama's plan. But he did NOT throw in any religious references [except the "God bless Lousiana, God bless the US" signoff at the end], nor did he make any appeals to peoples' ignorance, bigotry, or fears around sexual orientation. Now THAT part was encouraging.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I think it's more than just the religious right though. I question the relationships between the GOP and big business as someone who has spent his whole life in large cCrp America- if you don't think the Dem party is just as much in bed on all major issues from off shoring to wage controls - you're being very naive. The lobbyists spend thei rmoney on both sides of the aisle - which is why we find ourselves in the job situation we do today. The Democratic party has it's hand out also - as Exhibit A- I give you the Democratic government of the state of Illinois.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 but I don't recall, did he get in baby murders and faggots?>> yep - we certainly don't generalize here do we ?
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<yep - we certainly don't generalize here do we?>> vbdad55, I'll give you that LP'ers have made unfair generalizations about Republicans in the past months. But I don't think dshyates' question was unfair. In the recent past years, Republican speeches have all been peppered with religious righteousness and bigotry delivered under the guise of "family values." As I wrote above, I found the absence of those elements to be noteable and surprising in Jindal's comments. I'm just not used to a Republican making a big pitch without resorting to some appeal to religion or prejudice.
Originally Posted By dshyates In the Ill. example absolute power corrupts absolutely. WV is in a similar situation in that we have been a Dem state until W. came in, but on the state level they are still very Dem oriented, and yet the state Goverment is in bed with the Coal Operators and have been trying to bust the union since before the UMWA was thought about. A don't bite the hand that feeds you kind of thing. On the state level I vote Republican because we need big business other than coal operators, and the Dems run them out as fast as possible. But on the Federal level I vote Dem. I know everyone here thinks I am a flaming liberal, but I really do look at the needs of the whole. And who will best fullfill te needs. But the national agenda of the GOP I find repugnant. And I am not talking about the religious right in that I don't believe the GOP on ANY of their "moral" agenda. THAT is simply pandering for votes. The GOP national agenda is to create the USA into a servant class society. I believe that for what W. was put there for, he was a spectacularly successful president.
Originally Posted By dshyates I will admit I am unapologetically crude and to the point. And some can't get past the tone. I often try to pull the tone down, sometimes I don't. Most people don't like the truth shoved in their face. But someones gotta do it
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'm just not used to a Republican making a big pitch without resorting to some appeal to religion or prejudice. okay , I'll give you that part -- let's hope it is a trend that continues
Originally Posted By dshyates I really hope the GOP drops the Neo before the Con. That I can get behind.
Originally Posted By Mr X The problem with that is, the country is just too darned big. Would a significant number of people switch from flying to maglev all the way from Boston to Florida? That would still be (assuming it's even practical) a journey many hours longer than a flight wouldn't it?
