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It's actually quite simple. Due to the far right-turn that the GOP has taken to secure the house, they have conceded the White House in a normal election process. They have alienated so much of the voting population that it is impossible to win an honest election. The Tea Baggers have not lied about wanting "smaller" government. The smaller the size of government, the more influence they have. By opting for this 12-member Super Congress, they have assured passage for their future cuts to entitlements by taking the democratic Senate majority out of the equation. (I could be wrong on this point, but to my understanding, once the committee has decided on it's cuts, the senate will HAVE to have an up or down vote, no filibuster allowed.)
Again, they realized that the only way they can win the White House is by crippling government to the point where another depression is lying in wait. I wouldn't underestimate them. Look how they screwed up the economy during 8 years of Bush and then, after only 2 years, convinced the American public that they were the best to clean up "Obama's" mess. Everyone talks about tyranny of the majority, but I never took a political science course in college that EVER talked about the tyranny of the minority. By winning state assemblies they have been able to redraw the voting district lines, which cuts the impact democratic votes will have. Just look at Wisconsin-after passing the voter I.D. law, they have now started shutting down DMV offices in democratic districts, while concurrently expanding the DMV office hours of operation in the republican districts. America, you get what you pay/vote for.
Hah, I guess not. The only good alternative were if some great charismatic President with majorities in both the House and the Senate were gifted with the complete collapse of the banks and had a golden opportunity to slash their power, either by partly nationalizing them or by making tough new laws designed to help the American people as a prerequisite to bailout money... OOPS! I guess we missed that boat!
One thing I am optimistic about is that I think every society of necessity edges slowly towards the left as they gain experience and learn how the world works, i.e. acknowledges the reality of science, the non-reality of religion, and the need to balance social welfare with the welfare of (rich) individuals. Given enough time, the nut-bags on the right in this country will simply be outnumbered and will no longer be able to dictate the direction of the country. I think we have already begun to see this sea-change in the increasing radicalization/marginalization of Christianity. The right grows ever more desperate as their power wanes, so if we can get there fast enough where we are still a (powerful) country, we will only have to worry about them as our own brand of taliban/religious extremists.
I think you are right about the alliance of Christian Libertarians with the right wing of the GOP. Where are all the moderates hiding? Where is the balanced thinking we need from both sides? It is upsetting to think that our Nation just continues to be so polarized. The so-called Independents are the ones we should truly worry about...they are the true 'wild card' in this high stakes game.
I'm concerned about our status in the world, also, and how confidence in our government's ability to 'get things done' has eroded to stalemate after stalemate. And if I hear that phrase "kicking it down the road" one more time, I'm going to scream...but it's true. Temporary measures....half measures....new committees to review the old committees' recommendations....etc etc.
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