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First off, I'm talking about the extreme right-wing fanatics that seem to have taken over the GOP, not moderate Republicans.
In my opinion, I think that this past election was a very telling one in the way that our great country is going. I think it showed that the majority (even though the country is very much split) simply do not favor the extremist views that have been coming from the GOP for the past few years because even though the economy is not completely recovered yet and we have debt/spending issues that need addressing, among the plethora of other problems, President Obama still won. I think a lot of this had to do with the fact that the right is now so extreme that people who might have been in the middle of the road still voted for the President, favoring him (although he might not be their favorite) over the likes of Mitt Romney.
Thus, I think that it's evident that GOP needs to enact some fundamental changes to many of its stances if it wants to remain viable in politics. They need to move away from these extremist views and leave the social issues at the door. I thought after this past election that the GOP would try to get rid of the teabaggers from their mainstram and try to move more central in order for them to put up a better fight in 2016. However, I think so far, I couldn't be more wrong. Most of the stuff that I see coming from the far-right is just as extreme and toxic as ever before (if not more)! Just look at some of the posts on this board! Don't they realize that if they keep this up they will continue to lose elections??? They're just isolating more and more people all the time it seems. I just don't get it, I think it's very obvious. This is especially true with the changing demographics of our country.
So what do you all think? Do you think the GOP will ever learn? Do you think they'll moderate in the future? And what do you think are their chances at being elected in upcoming election cycles?
BTW, some background info. Even though probably all the hardcore right-wingers on here would consider me a diehard liberal from that liberal "hellhole" of California, I actually think that my views are very moderate. Some of the basic things I believe in are: real universal health care for all (single-payer system), reasonable (read: a hell of a lot lower) college tuition costs, a comprehensive social- safety net, a progressive tax system, pro-choice, pro same-sex marriage, pro legalization of soft drugs. Now, I'm not saying we have to be Norway, but I think that we could learn many things from nations such as Canada and Australia, for example. By the way, I also believe in fiscal responsibility and living within our means, and I believe that cuts in spending do need to be made at the appropriate times in the appropriate places. But, like I said, I think these views are considered to be pretty moderate and reasonable in the rest of the developed world. And, also, I'd just like to say that I'm currently a university student who works and interns throughout the year, my parents both have masters degrees and are very sound financially, we've lived in numerous European countries and Japan, and have traveled around the world, etc. So, please, spare me one of the favorite far-right arguments that we "liberals" are stupid, welfare-addicted bums who don't work and just want to live off the government, etc. etc. That one really gets me every time.
Anyways, just felt the need to share that.
Please share your views and let us know what you think regarding my actual questions above. Have a nice night all.
*Runs to get popcorn and waits to be entertained*
EDIT: After reading the first few "responses" and literally LOL'ing I just have to say......And they really wonder why they drive people away and why their message isn't resonating with the majority of Americans????? Oh brother.......
Oh well, it'll be so much fun to hand them another defeat in 2016!
Being a Libertarian I have my issues with the right, but there is no doubt whatsoever that it is the left that is the major driving force in turning a once great country into chaotic third world cesspool, and will be ultimately responsible for the breakdown of civilized society in America.
The policies of the left encourage and reward subservience to the State and moral degradation.
From deficit spending to enable the lazy to live without working, to putting criminals on the street, to the degradation of the American culture and economy by open borders, to the evisceration of the very foundations of belief the country was founded on, the liberals use their flawed logic and belief in fantasy to undermine the country in every way shape and form.
They attack the bill of rights and believe that the passage of laws can take away the rights that for 300 years have been understood to be inalienable.
There is a growing groundswell of not only disagreement with the left, but one of mistrust and hatred so visceral that it can only end in great violence.
It is disturbing to see someone gloat and taunt a people who have been victimized, and I cannot help but to compare the current situation to Germany in the early 30's when the Jews had control of Germanys economy and banks and the resentment which came from their apparent victory. It did not work out so well.
First off, I'm talking about the extreme right-wing fanatics that seem to have taken over the GOP, not moderate Republicans.
LMFAO. The Republicans are so "extreme" they nominated Mitt Romney for Presindetn. LOLs. He is sooooooooooooo right wing.
And before that it was John McCain. He's so far right he makes Barry Goldwater look moderate. LMAO.
The 2 elections before that they nominated George W. Bush. Another moderate. Hell, he could have called hinself a Democrat with all his spending and overseas interventions.
In 96 they nominated Bob Dole. The great compromiser. So extreme. lols.
In 88 and 92 Repubs nominated George HW Bush. Hardly a right winger.
Reagan campaigned as a far right guy and sometimes governed as one.
Basically, you have to go back to 1984 to find anyone that could even be remotely considered a right winger.
The problem with the Republican party is that they have turned into left-leaning Democrtas. Of course, the left is so full of rage and hate they can't even see it.
You all should have loved 8 years of George Bush. He satrted wars overseas. He created the largest government department in world history. He doubled foreign aid. He intervened in education and health care. He spent way more money than he took in He should have just put a D behind his name.
You are correct that a government and society can be destroyed when people figure out how to vote money for themselves. You are just, as expected, blaming the wrong people.
The upper class financiers, investors, militarists and agribusinesses figured out they could both milk the government directly and have the same government protect their monopolies a long time ago. They also figured out how to pass on the privilege to their near-do-well offspring. This mutated high end socialism has finally caught up with itself and can no longer support the excess if the rich by continuing to protect their bad judgments.
I have observed the Religion of Republicanism take over a once rational political party. Like all religions it becomes ever more fanatical when its basic premises are proved to be irrational. They refuse to believe or accept that this country is actually composed of many different people and groups and not just White Kristian Provincial Fanatics led by extremely cynical plutocrats sacrificing everyone, including their fanatical true believers, in the furnace of debt fueled by crooked loans.
You must be absolutely deluded to think this country will be able to carry on until 2024, lol....
We are heading for a societal collapse preceded by an explosion in our debt.... We have way to much debt and are absolutely unwilling to make any cuts all while promising more free benefits that makes liberals feel good.
There will be enough productive assets for the government to strip, but by 2016 we will see a collapse.
You are correct that a government and society can be destroyed when people figure out how to vote money for themselves. You are just, as expected, blaming the wrong people.
The upper class financiers, investors, militarists and agribusinesses figured out they could both milk the government directly and have the same government protect their monopolies a long time ago. They also figured out how to pass on the privilege to their near-do-well offspring. This mutated high end socialism has finally caught up with itself and can no longer support the excess if the rich by continuing to protect their bad judgments.
I have observed the Religion of Republicanism take over a once rational political party. Like all religions it becomes ever more fanatical when its basic premises are proved to be irrational. They refuse to believe or accept that this country is actually composed of many different people and groups and not just White Kristian Provincial Fanatics led by extremely cynical plutocrats sacrificing everyone, including their fanatical true believers, in the furnace of debt fueled by crooked loans.
You make very good points. Republicans love to claim small government, but only for the benefit of their rich cronies. The Democrats are no better. I do agree with what you're saying, but make no mistake the 2 party system is broken. Greed is destroying this country.
No, the teabaggers and wingnuts will NEVER learn. They can't. This is particualrly true in the deep South, which I mention since Southerners have firm control of the testicles of all the cowardly Washington Repugnican 'leaders.'.
Look at history.
The Country had to go to war with the South in order to end slavery, even though by 1860 every other civilized first world country had long since abolished slavery.
We needed the Scopes trial in 1925 to even be able to teach Science, in the deep South.
It took until 1965, and dozens of Supreme Court ruling, to finally get rid of the Jim Crow laws. The National Guard was necessary to insure the rights of Southern Blacks to even attend the same Colleges and schools, as whites.
Even today, Southern States routinely Gerrymander voting districts, pass voter suppression laws, and often refuse to expand voting windows, as is common in the rest of the Coutry.
To this day, there is a high school in Jacksonville Florida named Nathan Bedford Forrest High. (Forrest was the founder, and initial Grand Dragon of the KKK) Today, this school is 55% black. Although there have been several attempts to get this schools name changed, all efforts have failed, with the standard argument given by the predominately white school board, "he is part of our heritage, and should be honored." Can anyone image a predominately Jewish, Adolph Hitler high school?
The point is that, at no time in its entire history has the conservative South EVER done the right thing on its own. In every case, they had to be forced into doing what any reasonable person with an IQ over 80, understood as common sense. They simply can't change. They're too ignorant, too bigoted, too scared, and too self serving.
And so it remains today. They're so sure of themselves, that they've actually managed to talk themselves into thinking that all of their radical beliefs are a matter of principle, and that only they can personally save America from the Kenyan Devil.
So, today you get them arguing the following................
1. All American born children of illegal immagrants, should to be kicked out of the Country.
2. Gays are the work of the Devil, and must be discriminated against, at every opportunity.
3. Give the rich everything they want. In turn, they PROMISE to trickle some crumbs down to the masses.
4. Every American should have the right to own automatic weapons, as the founding fathers intended.
5. Anyone that isn't a Protestant Evangelical, must be a Communist Atheist, and should be feared.
6. Anyone that has lost their health insurance due to job downsizing, pre existing conditions, or increased insurance premium costs, deserves whatever sickness they get, and should be allowed to die.
7. Any war, is a good war.
8. Any attempt of any kind to change America in any way, from the way it was in 1859, is a direct afront to their God given American way of life.
9. Pro life before any birth, and could not care less, after the baby is born.
10. Everything on Earth was put here by God, specifically to satisfy their own greed, gluttony, and blood lust.
11. All science is the work of the Devil, and is just another excuse to attack their American way of life.
12. Education is just another example of the liberals attempt to brainwash all Americans.
You are correct, that America has reached a tipping point, and the majority of Americans will no longer allow themselves to be manipulated by the right wing politics of fear and ignorance. The Republicans are just too extreme. Fortunately for us, the Republican party's reaction to the resounding Democratic victory in November is further proof that they just don't get it, and they probably never will. They don't have, and never will have a plan B. They remind me of people that simply speak louder when talking to someone that doesn't speak English. It's as if they think maybe we just haven't heard them the first time, so this time they'll yell a little louder. It never occurs to them, that THEY are the problem. Arrogant fools. But, in this case that's a good thing, as it only ensures continued Democratic party rule.
There is nothing 'resounding' about an election in which the President received a whopping 51% of the popular vote.
Are you that desperate to claim that the GOP is on life support?
Good luck shoveling that nonsense.
Wingnut narrative
November, 2008- Obama got lucky. We will crush him next time. (if the World doesn't come to an end, first)
Summer 2010, Sarah Palin will crush Obama.
Fall 2010, Michele Bachmann will crush Obama
Winter 2011, Herman Cain will crush Obama
Spring 2011, Rick Perry will crush Obama
Summer 2011, Ron Paul will crush Obama
Fall 2011, Donald Trump will crush Obama
Winter 2012, Newt Gingrich will crush Obama
Spring 2012, Rick Santorum will crush Obama
Summer 2012, Mitt Romney will crush Obama
Fall 2012, Fox lied to us, and Romney sucks. We will win next time. (if the World doesn't come to an end, first)
Winter 2013, Hispanics suck, Blacks suck, gays suck, liberals suck, moderates suck, women suck, atheists and Agnostics suck, Hurricane Sandy victims suck, anyone that doesn't own an automatic weapon sucks. Only older evangelical white men deserve to rule. Vote Republican!
You idiots couldn't correctly predict whether the Sun will rise in the East or West, tomorrow morning. Wingnuts and Teabaggers truly are Gods gift to the Democratic party.
Wingnut narrative
November, 2008- Obama got lucky. We will crush him next time. (if the World doesn't come to an end, first)
Summer 2010, Sarah Palin will crush Obama.
Fall 2010, Michele Bachmann will crush Obama
Winter 2011, Herman Cain will crush Obama
Spring 2011, Rick Perry will crush Obama
Summer 2011, Ron Paul will crush Obama
Fall 2011, Donald Trump will crush Obama
Winter 2012, Newt Gingrich will crush Obama
Spring 2012, Rick Santorum will crush Obama
Summer 2012, Mitt Romney will crush Obama
Fall 2012, Fox lied to us, and Romney sucks. We will win next time. (if the World doesn't come to an end, first)
Winter 2013, Hispanics suck, Blacks suck, gays suck, liberals suck, moderates suck, women suck, atheists and Agnostics suck, Hurricane Sandy victims suck, anyone that doesn't own an automatic weapon sucks. Only older evangelical white men deserve to rule. Vote Republican!
You idiots couldn't correctly predict whether the Sun will rise in the East or West, tomorrow morning. Wingnuts and Teabaggers truly are Gods gift to the Democratic party.
Just more lies, exaggerations and uncivil discourse by the left right here while ignoring all the same traits of everything sucks on the right by the left. Your "suck" list if nothing but a pack of lies. Only the very extremists hold only some of those views.
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Response to post #2
