Jeez.
How did this happen? Why are there so many religious nutjobs in the US, of all places? Why there? In most of the developed world religion is, or is becoming, a political nonissue, but over there you guys are fighting over evolution. Heck, Spain allows gay marriage now. Why the US? Why anywhere?
Support The Moops!
There was no Thomas Jefferson. We were always at war with Eastasia.
And I say to my secular humanist pals and gals: Rejoice! As the Pretty Good Book says, can’t build a house upon sand, even less a bunker in quicksand.
Item the first: all of this embarasses the shit out or rational Republicans. There are conservatives who are not reactionaries, they favor progress at a deliberate and prudent pace. As the Godgoons rise in ascendancy, they will become increasingly silent. They will withdraw thier support. Not loudly, not with trumpets and fanfares, but quietly sitting at home on election day, quietly not writing checks. For a majority that hangs by a thread, even such a slender demographic as the non-psychotic Republican is crucial.
Item numero two-o: the Schism. GeeDubya has made an excruciatingly careful display of symbolism and gesture, implying utter solidarity with all of the Xtian right, and relying on that solidarity. That solidarity is a chimera, an illusion. There is a certain set of principles accepted by all, but they are few. Single sex marriage, abortion, evolution. Pretty much it.
Take, for instance, the distinction between Evangelicals and Fundamentalists. Yes, it exists. (Just for myself, I’m rather fond of Evangelicals, with their “Good News!” approach to The Boss, Fundys are a dour bunch of sourpusses, everything starts with “Thou shalt NOT…”).
The Rapture. A whole Stephen King meets Savanorola mythology based around wildly overblown interpretations of a scant few scraps of Scripture. It ain’t really in there. They aren’t fighting over it yet, but let GeeDubya slip just once and imply he favors one view or another…oh, my. The trajectory of the shit will intersect the locus of the fan.
Faith based initiatives. Say whatever happened to that? Fear happened to that. I say lets applaud, whistle and cheer for faith based initiatives. Appropriate about 20 billion dollars for it, and let the faith-based initiators divvy it up amongst themselves in a calm, orderly, Christian fashion. Yessiree, Bob!
How is Mr. Dobson going to react when the Moonies step forward for thier cut. You know, the guys who own the Washington Times, which has done such noble service for the Bushiviks. Think they don’t expect a payoff? And how is Mr. Robertson going to react when Louis-Louis Farrakhan points out that he is a religious institution as well, he has been doing prison based outreach programs for many, many a year.
And lets not even discuss Scientology, now formally acknowledged as a “religion”. The Devil isn’t in the details, the Devil is in the money. Where else?
You see, the Bushiviks have so far managed to convince everybody that he agrees with all of them, he’s on their side. A gesture here, a Biblical allusion there, its pretty simple. And as long as he can dodge the doctrinal bullet, he’s cool. But he’s already dancing as fast as he can. If so little as 10 percent of the Godgoon base bails out on him, he’s toast.
Encourage them, for they know not what they do.
That’s the way I used to define conservatism, before it was hijacked by the whacko lunatic fringe. What you describe - careful thought and cautious approach to change, as opposed to change for the sake of change - is why I used to identify with Conservatism. When it became Reactionism instead, I started on the slippery slope of Liberalism, as I do believe that government does have certain responsibilities to ALL the people. Now I don’t know where the hell I really fit.
I’m afraid you’re mostly wrong. Yeah, there are a few of these thoughtful political philosphers out there, but their numbers are trivial. Basically, you got your two (often overlapping) blocks: Social conservatives, and fiscal conservatives. The lunatic fringe of the former is what this thread’s about. The latter have one commandment above all others: Thou shalt not taxeth me. They’ve proven rather definitively they’ll put up with virtually anything, no matter how embarassing, so long as that commandment is not violated.
Just to be a real asshole here, how about this idea - as much as I dislike paying tax myself…
If the “don’t tax me” crowd really wants to run it that way, how about we start a “you gotta pay to play” system" Anyone who doesn’t want to pay their share has no say in how the whole thing is operated? Sort of like shareholders. Unless I miss my guess, that would take the bigshots out, and put the middle class (who pays and pays and can’t afford attorneys and accountants that tell ya how to avoid or shelter) in the driver’s seat.
Just a comment from someone who is anti-tax when it comes out of my own pocket.
It will never happen, but the “what if” is fascinating.
I don’t quite understand what you’re proposing. Are you suggesting that people who oppose heavy taxation should not be allowed to enter politics or even vote? Isn’t that a wee bit… dictatorship-esque?
Luc’, that was probably one of the neatest posts I’ve ever seen on the Dope.
Here’s your anti-W magnet.
Check out this page for more goodies. 
Warning: in some parts of the country, some of these stickers may get you shot on the highway…
It was not a serious proposal, I was playing a “what if” game. Sometimes it is interesting to take an idea to some outrageous extreme, just to get some more serious talk going. PLEASE don’t take it seriously, as I didn’t intend that.
[Visualize and insert 'Blushing Smilie" here]
When I first looked at the Bushfish site, I thought it must be satire. But no, there’s not a wink to be found, and in fact I suspect the Bushfish comes from a deep dark well of stupidity bereft of any sense of irony.
At the bottom of the world is a deep dark pit
and it’s full of people who are full of shit
and the vermin of the world inhabit it
-Sweeney Todd
Mister Sunshine.
Has Nehemiah Scudder started his ministry yet?
Archergal, I’ve bookmarked one of your links. I think I’m going to load up on buttons.
Why don’t we just carry the Bushfish spirit to its logical conclusion. Make up large magnets that say “Bush for God in 2008.” Have a campaign and everything. Maybe that will distract them from the Presidential campaign.
Not yet.
If this goes on…
Reminds me of one I saw in West Palm Beach just before the last election:
BUSH/CHENEY 2004
Because dictatorship is better
What a good idea!!! Really!! I’m sure there’ll be no shortage of volunteers to hammer the nails in.