Republican Death Knoll

What I find most frightening about the Republican Party is not the lies that they tell, but the insidious way they are destroying the party from within. They seem to be engaged in an incestuous relationship, and believe that this is the way to win back the Senate and the White House through alienating hard working Americans that do not fit their idea of what it is to be American.

The alleged mainstream wing of the Republican Party encourages, no begs for the most despicable fringe elements to be recognized, and will allow them to say the most outrageous things so that they can massage these outliers and bust their poll numbers in state and local elections. The majority of the country is disgusted by these hateful, local displays egged on by federally elected officials through their acts of indifference and insolence. Check You Tube and watch as Tennessee Republicans representatives agree with some of the most egregiously false and divisive statements made at public meetings.

This is the way that the fringe works. They make the most shameful comments and their shrill voices bring them attention and momentary adulation, but in the end it leaves their candidate sitting on the sideline looking for a new job. These strident voices leave the vast majority of Americans shaking their heads and thinking that these people need to be on the Maury Povich Show where their behavior can be viewed by a contemptuous audience ready for blood.

Therefore, one by one serious, thoughtful and reasonable Republicans are being forced out of their party such as Charlie Crist in Florida and being replace with the likes of the Ted Cruzes of the world. This is a destructive event for democracy. For democracy to work in America, we need to have two strong parties whose ideas may be different, but they are able to work together to reach comprise for the betterment of the country.

Demagoguery by our Republican brethren has taken on a life of its own in that these alleged leaders makes use of popular prejudices, false claims and promises in order to gain power for the sake of power and not the common good of Americans. Make an internet search and see how leaders from Mitch McConnell to Rand Paul make up facts to exploit fear in their constituents as a means of keeping or gaining leverage in their upcoming political fights.

The newest inner party fight is over inequality and in this case rhetoric and not action is at the forefront of the Republican stance, however, they cannot even get on the same page and are fighting each other as much as they are fighting the Democrats. This demonstrates the heart of the Republican problem: their inability to work together. If they are unable to work together, how can Americans expect them to work with the Democrats to solve our nation’s problems?

It is this Republican on Republican infighting that is tearing the party apart. This new extremism can be seen in Michigan. How can Democrats and Republicans work with anyone whose first words out of her mouth are to attack people for their sexual orientation, and say they should be thrown out of the Republican Party as a woman in Michigan did in her speech to be elected to the state RNC? This demonstrates callous, insensitivity and bigotry that are at the heart of the NEW Republican Party.

This behavior shows how narrow and restrictive the Republican Party has become, moreover, within their legislative districts, this conduct is seen as admirable. Whenever you find people that believe the way you do, you can say and do anything that matches their disposition. Conversely, if you want to expand your prospects, you must go beyond your comfort zone to seek consensus with others that may or may not believe the way you do.  This seems so obvious, but to nearsighted politicians like the Tea Party Republicans this idea is kryptonite.

This is the heart of the problem for the Republicans. They are at a crossroads that will determine their fate on the national level, but if they cave in to the demands of ignorance and hate, their destiny is sealed for decades to come. The death knoll for the Republican Party is beginning to ring. Will there be anyone that is willing stand up against this vile bigotry to set this once proud party back on track as a viable alternative to the Democrats? I think not; like the Whig Party, they too will fade into oblivion.