It's all our fault--no, really

Believe it or not, there are things that are more important than politics (roundabout explanation for the lack of posts of late). Still, after two weeks, I'm like a tea kettle itching to start whistling...

Like to start with this recent piece by another genius (not) from the Detroit Free Press, Ron Dzwonkowski (Wonk from here on out). Mr. Wonk is one of those wishy-washy people who consider themselves above the fray and and is considered an "independent." In fairness, I've never believed in "independent" voters. Most "independents" lean one way or the other--because you get fed up occasionally and vote for the other side doesn't change your core beliefs. If you agree with the Democrats 75% of the time, you're a Democrat. Frankly, "independent" to me is just a polite way of saying "wimp." People who don't have the guts to stand up for what they believe and adopt a "Jeez, can't we all just get along?" posture.

Apparently, Mr. Wonk has adopted the Beltway conventional wisdom that all the rancor in Washington is the fault of both parties. In a word: no. The ugliness in Washington stems from Republicans. Period. They are the party of "no." They are the party encouraging the Tea Partiers who are throwing around the "n" word like Johnny Appleseed tossed his magical beans, and blaming the Democrats for it. Frankly, if anything, the Democrats have been too nice--they have bent over backwards (Obama met with them on healthcare, met with both parties on healthcare, many of their concerns were addressed in the stimulus package), but still they vote no and try to claim they were "shut out of the process" as noted by Mr. Wonk. Were Mr. Wonk a true journalist, he would have used one succinct word to describe the Republican response: horseshit.

I think Digby absolutely nailed it here. The plain truth of the matter is that Republicans and their Tea Party cohorts do not believe in any shape or form in democracy. Well, unless you count when they win--then it's okay. No--one of the most amazing events in American history occurred in 1800 when Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams and took over as President of the United States. Believe it or not, this was the first time in recorded history that a peaceful transition of power took place, one party to the other. That's what makes America great--you win, you make the rules--without fear of being executed if you fail. You lose--you get to work your ass off to defeat the winners, again, without the fear of being executed for opposing the majority. It's that simple.

The trouble with Congress? It's not the Democrats, it's not the liberal bloggers who hold the mainstream media's feet to the fire for their not calling out Republican bullshit--it's Republicans who can't accept losing, can't accept that bills get enacted when you lose that don't meet your platform, and can't accept that their party is not entitled to lead, it has to earn it.

And good luck with that last one (recent Republican polling numbers here).

Peace,
emaycee