Jim Stillman
Nevar
Vision of a Republican Administration
December 11th 2007 14:57
My fellow scribbler, Lester Caudill, has painted a horrid picture of what he anticipates to be the consequences of a Democrat president administration: tax increases, economic recession, soaring unemployment, inflation (in the face of recession), rampant sex in the high schools, an unprecedented increase in abortions, the raping of the military, and, presumably, a ten-fold increase in adolescent pimples.
It will come as no real surprise that I see no such future. But I can show, historically and factually, what has happened in the years where Republicans controlled the Executive and Legislative branches of the Federal government. It has not been pretty.
What follows could be misunderstood as anti-Christian; that would be a mistake. My issue is with an Administration which makes governmental policies based on a parochial religious point of view – to the exclusion of the moral and honest viewpoints of others. For example, think about some of the administration's policies that have emanated from Bush's radical religious views:
The suspension of most federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research (Bush to Parkinson's patients: Drop dead!).
The spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on demonstrably useless abstinence-only sex education (Why Johnny has herpes and why Sally gets pregnant).
The effort to prevent emergency contraception from being sold over-the-counter (How to guarantee increased abortions).
And the retraction of appropriated international family planning money (Same result).
Meanwhile, the present administration has countenanced torture, lied about it and destroyed evidence. Leaked, with malice, the identity of an undercover agent to discredit her husband then lied and covered up the affair.
I would expect a future Republican administration to insist on the teaching of Creationism in the science courses of the nation’s schools, denying the principles of evolution. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is gaining as a GOP presidential contender. He may be a friendly face, but the ordained Baptist minister is no friend to reason. In the Republican primary debate last May he was one of three in the field to raise his hand to proclaim that he does not believe in evolution.
In a later debate, Huckabee rejected for himself the belief that we are "descendants of a primate," magnanimously suggesting that it was okay if others chose to. That really doesn’t reassure me!
I am preparing an article on the teaching of Intelligent Design in public schools; in Florida it is again an issue!
Lester mentions the raising of taxes by a Democratic president. In fact, the G.O.P. controlled Congress increased government spending, lowered taxes on the wealthy and put the burden on the lower and middle class and their children.
So, Lester, while you suggest the horror of a Democrat administration, I see such a result as the best hope for our country’s future and well-being.
It will come as no real surprise that I see no such future. But I can show, historically and factually, what has happened in the years where Republicans controlled the Executive and Legislative branches of the Federal government. It has not been pretty.
What follows could be misunderstood as anti-Christian; that would be a mistake. My issue is with an Administration which makes governmental policies based on a parochial religious point of view – to the exclusion of the moral and honest viewpoints of others. For example, think about some of the administration's policies that have emanated from Bush's radical religious views:
The suspension of most federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research (Bush to Parkinson's patients: Drop dead!).
The spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on demonstrably useless abstinence-only sex education (Why Johnny has herpes and why Sally gets pregnant).
The effort to prevent emergency contraception from being sold over-the-counter (How to guarantee increased abortions).
And the retraction of appropriated international family planning money (Same result).
Meanwhile, the present administration has countenanced torture, lied about it and destroyed evidence. Leaked, with malice, the identity of an undercover agent to discredit her husband then lied and covered up the affair.
I would expect a future Republican administration to insist on the teaching of Creationism in the science courses of the nation’s schools, denying the principles of evolution. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is gaining as a GOP presidential contender. He may be a friendly face, but the ordained Baptist minister is no friend to reason. In the Republican primary debate last May he was one of three in the field to raise his hand to proclaim that he does not believe in evolution.
In a later debate, Huckabee rejected for himself the belief that we are "descendants of a primate," magnanimously suggesting that it was okay if others chose to. That really doesn’t reassure me!
I am preparing an article on the teaching of Intelligent Design in public schools; in Florida it is again an issue!
Lester mentions the raising of taxes by a Democratic president. In fact, the G.O.P. controlled Congress increased government spending, lowered taxes on the wealthy and put the burden on the lower and middle class and their children.
So, Lester, while you suggest the horror of a Democrat administration, I see such a result as the best hope for our country’s future and well-being.
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Comment by Ahmed
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If we're going to by idealstic views at least the democrats tax and spend rather than spend spend spend, borrow borrow borrow and expect the middle class to foot the interest.
The problem with the right wing is that it has become disillusioned, the work of the bush administration cannot be defended by reason, it cannot be defended by conservative principles (quite the opposite) and its existence cannot be blamed on the dastardly liberals.
It's more than obvious that the current American political climate is not about left vs right, the democrats have shown themselves to be just like the republicans in many ways, namely corrupt to the bone. US politics is now between those who advocate freedom above all else and those who think it should play second fiddle to 'safety'.
History shows that taking away rights does not bring about safety but rather oppressive regimes. Whether you're conservative or liberal has very little to do with issues such as torture or incompetance. George Bush is no more conservative, by his behaviour he is a facist, by his words he's a freedom fighter. Put those two together and you have the workings of a dictator.
Comment by Jeff Musall
And as you also point out, they are morally bankrupt. Every decent standard of how a government should treat people is violated. And yes, my position is "anti-Christian," at least in government. Fundamentalist Christianity excuses myriad evils as long as the main tenets of their agenda are pushed. It enables power grabs and fear mongering. And it needs driven from the forefront of political discourse and back to the churches.
Comment by Damo
I am sorry but I think that you also on the wrong track despite heading in the opposite direction to Lester.
My objection to Lester's post has more to do with sloppy reasoning than anything. I hate sloppy reasoning.
The whole premise was based upon the 'straw man' whose stuffing was to be knocked out. I am not going to explain how the straw man is an invalid and fraudulent line of argument because people should know that already.
Now I can see about three straw men in your post and twenty in Lester's. So how has this furthered any debate beyond the partisan bunkers?
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
When is it right to take a life to save a life?
When did the school system get parental rights over our children to pass out condoms, and birth control pills?
Why should the government pay for our kids to have sex? when we should be telling them to wait until they get married, oh but wait that's not the liberal way.
Jim if you are looking for some hope in a Democrat president just take a look at your lib/dem Congress can't seem to do any thing.
Wake up Jim and smell the coffee, President bush took over when the economy was going into recession, and then the worst terrorist attacks this country has ever faced.
You liberals should be thankful for the GOP being there to pull this country though, and lets not for get Ronald Reagan. How he pulled us out of the darkest and gloomiest days America has faced since wwll. The Jimmy Carter administration was a disaster, and almost destroyed America.
Yes lets not forget zipper Bill, that lied, cheated on Hillary, and on America as well.
Jim it all depends on which side of the parties you stand there is good, and bad in all.
As for Huckabee he is a great guy, and America would be very lucky to have him as president, and as far as evolution, if Jeff and the others want to believe that their forefathers was apes that's OK with me. But I believe in creation.
Comment by rickb_georgia
We are going to have to face the reality of taxes ... my great-great-grandchildren will be paying for the Bush regime.
At heart I am an "Intelligent Design" guy though I can accept the possibility that the evolution of that design could have come via some long gone primate. I just can't figure out why it is so important. We certainly have more pressing issues in the world than maybe having a monkey gene or two in our veins.
I am just getting really tired of the Republican vs. Democrat, Conservative vs Liberal hype. I am really tired of a Congress that votes along party lines. I am really tired of a Congress that lets an inept president run rough shod over it. I am really tired of earmarks and pet projects. I am really tired of what I see as a major lack of integrity in our leadership. It has become all about power, prestige and money ... honorably serving ones country as a politician in Washington is a thing of the past ... for now anyway.
I wish everyone would start writing their Senators and Representatives. It is easy to do nowadays with email and the web. Get them to send you their newsletters and read them. Look for the detail and question what they do. When they claim that the new trade agreement with Peru will create jobs ... ask them what jobs and here or Peru? When they tell you that a farm bill is going to the floor with an allowance for twenty amendments from each side ... ask them if the amendments are going to have to pertain to the content of the bill, or a monument to my fellow hippies? It doesn't make any difference that how you feel, conservative or liberal, just let them know you feel and that you are paying attention ... I really think that is the only way we will get their attention.
We can sit here and BS ourselves all we want but it ain't gonna count if we don't include our elected officials (and candidates) in the loop. Write Washington today. And thank you for my two minutes today.
Comment by Paul Angelo
Comment by Ahmed
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