The Republican Party

Welcome back? Well, I really haven't been gone, gone. Just not blogging. I 'discovered' Facebook - and am now a Mafia Wars addict. Wanna be in my Mafia? There's a time-sucker for you. But great fun none-the-less!

So my topic today: the Republican party. OK, from previous posts, you know I'm a rather hard-core Dem. And although I do not really agree with the 2 party system. It's what we've got. So I work with it. Frankly, when looking at France and Italy with multiple-party governments, I'm thankful. And considering the differences in their parties - the Dems & Reps are virtually the same. No joke. They laugh at our '2' party system. Because in their world, its only 1 party. Can you imagine the in-fighting then? But it certainly makes you stop and think a bit in the reality of the U.S., doesn't it?

My REAL issue is watching the decline and destruction of the Republican party. So it started a few years ago under the Bush regime. We can all agree to that. Little by little substance has been flitting away. When you hear pundits declare the Reps need saving - they are entirely correct. But the strange thing is that they seem to need saving from themselves. So you've got Gingrich, McCain & Cheney (& always Rush) all on the Sunday morning talk-show circuit you know the shit has hit the proverbial fan. And you know what? They didn't do the party any good by it. They're still bickering amoungst themselves today. I think one of the most respected Reps today is Colin Powell. Heck, if he ran as a Rep for President, even I would be hard-pressed not to cast my vote for the man. So what does Cheney do? Shred the man on national TV. Yep - that's great P.R. for the party man. Cheney should be kicked out of the party for being a key member involved in the party's demise. He shouldn't be allowed to publicly speak for them any longer. He helped wreck it. He's not the face to help fix it.

Let's go back 10 years. Gingrich drove me absolutely batty. But you know what? His rhetoric has mellowed and has become more... dare I call it....reasonable... in the last few years. Wow. A shock to my system. But you know what? The Reps need an infusion of young blood to keep the party vibrant. This will not come from a bunch of old, gray-haired, white men. It won't. Guaranteed. They're 'SSDD' (Same Shit Different Day).

What to do? Well, my absolute fav Ms. Palin, has certainly tried to keep her star in the limelight. And you know what? She's out there so much it makes me want to vomit. But that's no shocker to you. Do I think she's the one to 'save' the party? Nope. It's going to take someone a lot less polarizing. She's got the youth, spunk, and frankly the right x & y chromosomes. But to say there's a 'real' America and purposely try to split people over such mundane things? No. She's got a lot of prep work to do before she'll be the right one for this job. And for some reason, I don't think she'd listen to someone telling her to: quit the folksy hockey lipstick pitbull talk and have something intelligent flow from her red lips for a change.

So Bobby Jindal? You know - he's got the Michelle Bachman syndrome. He really shouldn't speak publicly...yet.

Tim Pawlenty? Yep. I can see him easily stepping onto the national stage. He knows his stuff. He shuts up when he should. Would he be successful at saving the party? I really don't know. But I do think he has a shot. Besides, then I wouldn't have to deal with him as my Governor anymore! Frankly I think he's done an OK job to date. But I don't agree with his cutting of spending regarding health & human services. I think how a society treats the less fortunate and those less able (elderly, mentally handicapped, disabled) is the true testiment of its character. To keep cutting programs putting these people at risk, in my opinion, is disgraceful. That's my 'beef' - and the reason I wouldn't want Mr. Pawlenty trekking around the national arena. He's already negatively effected 1 state in this manner, we do not need him kicking the other 49 down too.

So there you go - the Reps have a loooooong way to go. And you know - as long as they stay unorganized and bickering amoungst themselves - the Dems have another shot at 2012 too. It's all good! So keep it up Cheney, Rush, Gingrich & McCain.... oh, and I forgot Mr. Steele. He's a good one to keep talking for this point! Oh, and thanks from all the Dems you'll help in the 2010 election cycle too.