Divorce

Filed in National by on September 10, 2009

Have you ever had a fight or argument with a friend or loved one where that friend or loved one’s view of the circumstances and events involved in the argument was so diametrically skewed from your interpretation or understanding of those same circumstances and events that it was just impossible to resolve that argument? Where it almost appeared that you two were living in two separate realities? And because of that schism, and because of the impossibility of the resolution of that argument, you just let your relationship with that friend or loved one cease?

We are at that point with the New Republican Party. President Obama said today that we are all Americans, Democrats and Republicans alike, with the same goals and aims, dreams and hopes for the country. We are all Americans, but I have come to the conclusion that we all do not live in the same reality.

When you look at the beliefs and opinions of New Republicans today, like those of Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Joe Wilson, Michelle Bachmann et al, you marvel at how they can believe what they believe. And I am not talking about them being conservatives where we are liberals or moderates. I am talking about their “honest” belief that President Obama is somehow a fascist, a Nazi, a Communist, a Muslim, and a Socialist, all at the same time. I am talking about their belief that the President has some ulterior secret plan to subvert American democracy. I am talking about the belief that the President was not born in this country. I am talking about the belief that healthcare reform will lead to the creation of death panels that will kill the elderly and disabled, while at the same time cover illegal aliens. I am talking about the belief that the President is a cult leader seeking to indoctrinate their children.

And I am not just talking about their beliefs about President Obama. I am also talking about their beliefs about world events. Sarah Palin today criticized the President for somehow dishonoring the sacrifice of the victims of September 11, 2001 when he criticized last night the spending of over a trillion dollars on the Iraq War. Now, that criticism offers a precise example of what I am talking about. To believe that the President was dishonoring the victims of 9/11 in criticizing spending on the Iraq War you have to believe we went to war in Iraq to avenge 9/11, and you have to believe that Iraq was responsible for 9/11. Just like all the beliefs about the President and his policies described are demonstrably false (and easily so), it is a proven fact that Iraq was not involved, at all, in the 9/11 attacks. Just like it is a proven fact that we did not go to war in Iraq to avenge 9/11. Sure, President Bush used our want of vengeance and fear of terrorists after 9/11 to convince Americans and Congress to go to war in Iraq, but even President Bush himself had to admit that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Thus, it necessarily and logically follows that the Iraq War had and has nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks and the Americans who were lost that day eight years ago.

But facts do not matter to New Republicans. The truth does not matter. The only thing that matters to them is their own beliefs, and God help you if you challenge their beliefs with, you know, inconvenient truth and actual facts. When you do that, they get angry. We saw that anger at town halls this summer. We saw that anger at the Palin rallies during the last campaign. And we saw that anger last night in the disrespectful and dishonorable scream of Joe “Liar” Wilson. And Joe Wilson was not alone. As has been documented elsewhere, the minority party in Congress last night was, en masse, a tutorial in immaturity and disrespect, with the minority whip finding more important things on his blackberry, to another Congressman walking out on the President.

Joe Wilson is now said to be the poster “child” of the New Republican Party. In my mind, he is a perfect example of their anger resulting from being unable to reconcile their beliefs to the inconvenient truth. That anger led him to set aside 232 years of Congressional decorum and tradition and scream “You Lie!” Other New Republicans across this land have manifested their anger in other ways. They bring guns to the President’s public appearances. They shout down their Representatives. They send death threats to their Congressmen and women. They pray for the President’s death from brain cancer. They scream about birth certificates to Mike Castle. They scream, they holler.

And their screams and shouts usually make no sense to us. For example, how can these people complain about tyranny through taxes under Obama when they actually got a tax cut under the stimulus package, meanwhile they just loved the exact same tax rates under their Dear Leader, George W. Bush. They scream about deficits and spending now, under Obama, when they were applauding the same spending and deficits under their Dear Leader just 10 months ago. They scream about the government making personal end of life healthcare decisions now, but four years ago they demanded government intervention in the Terri Schiavo tragedy, and everyday they demand the government make a woman’s reproductive decisions for her, and everyday they demand the government force religious teaching in all matters of public education.

The reason why it makes no sense to us is because we just live in two entirely separate realities. We can’t even comprehend their beliefs. We cannot understand them, since they are so contrary to the known and verified truth and public record. Someone once wrote a book called “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus.” Well, liberals are from Earth and New Republicans are from Sirius (the planet those lizards were from in the 80’s sci-fi classic “V”).

We can’t find common ground. We can resolve the argument. We just talk over each other in an endless cycle.

This relationship is irreconcilable, certain to end in divorce.

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Comments (28)

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  1. Honestly, I read that first paragraph and thought you were inspired by Jason’s return via comment tonight. Then I started the second paragraph and realized…eh, not so much. 😛

    Now, to read the rest of it!

  2. I know exactly what you mean. I have members of my own family who are brainwashed by Beck and the other crazies. It hurts in your heart that someone you love can be so confused. It’s hard to reconcile in your head how someone so smart can be so dumb.

    I think it depends on your relationship. Basically you can agree to disagree and not talk about politics. Though sometimes it’s hard not to talk about politics, when you think about politics a lot.

    I don’t know what to say. Sometimes you just drift apart and sometimes you try accomodation.

    BTW, some guy tried to bring a gun in the Capitol last night.

  3. Fine — get out of our country and out of our lives. We will be better off without you.

  4. Miscreant says:

    You get full custody of Donviti.

  5. Rebecca says:

    People who consume a steady diet of Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, et. al. are brainwashed. Just purely brainwashed. They are no longer on speaking terms with reality or even their fellow citizens. The New Republicans have become a lunatic asylum where the inmates listen to “the voices” of fringe talk radio.

  6. Let me guess, Rebecca — your next suggestion is mandatory mental health treatment for conservatives under the new ObamaCare plan.

    You know, just like they had for dissenters in the Soviet Union.

  7. anonone says:

    When political prisoners are taken, tortured, and killed, it is usually done by conservatives. You know, just like Bush and Cheney.

    It is primarily conservatives like you, Rhymey, that advocate the torture and imprisonment without trial of the innocent simply by labeling them “terrorists.” In this country and the world, conservative have been responsible for far more injustice, death, mayhem, and destruction than liberals.

  8. pandora says:

    Joining the Republican Party is like joining a religion. It’s a theocracy, and anyone that disagrees with its social conservative platform is banished for their sins.

    We’ve seen this happen with abortion, gay marriage, etc. Unless, anyone believes that the GOP’s 2012 Presidential candidate will not meet the ridiculously rigid standards of Social Conservatives? Yeah right.

    To me, this is the problem, and it’s a big one. There’s simply no debating or seeking compromise with a person’s faith. That’s considered blasphemy. To them the choice is simple: Save you or pray for you to be saved.

  9. Delaware Dem says:

    No, Rhymey, we are Americans and this is our country. Since you hate this country so much, you leave. Go to Iraq. Or, you can all go to Texas and secede. Or, how about this, you can all grow the fuck up and deal with the fact that you lost an election. You will have another chance in four years to win the office of the Presidency back, but in those four years, suck it up, act like a man, and deal with it.

  10. Dave M. says:

    Actually, whenever I’m asked an opinion regarding a contentious matter, the questioner always, without exception, sees my wisdom and agrees with me completely on every point. If you don’t believe me, just ask my wife.

  11. wikwox says:

    Things have gotten to a “Sixties” sort of point have they not? Your on one side or the other with precious little in between.And truely, where we are today has been building since the sixties and the deep, vast and wide divisions of Americans at that time. You could also argue that the country has never really healed since the Civil War. My greatest fear is that we will enter an age of assasinations, not “just” presidents but Supreme Court Justices, Senators, Congressman and others. It will take but one shot.

  12. h. says:

    Much can change in four years. Why deal with it? I don’t think the right will just roll over and take it up the ass like you liberals usually do. I don’t think they will submit. But it’s nice to dream.

  13. Progressive Mom says:

    Oh, DelDem, be gentle with RWR. He’s doing what is acceptable now among Republicans: he’s using a (very old!) talking point.

    Beyond the vitriol, the other big element of this messy divorce is that Republicans have no solutions to offer. They have no health care solutions; no economic solutions; no unemployment solutions; no solution to illegal immigration; no solutions.

    But they have created a whole national furor, which the media keeps calling a “dialogue”!, out of simply saying no.

    They did learn something from Reagan, but it wasn’t Ronnie. It was Nancy.

  14. anonone says:

    LOL, Mom!

  15. Scott P says:

    Why deal with it? I don’t think the right will just roll over and take it up the ass like you liberals usually do. I don’t think they will submit.

    Here we have a great example of what is wrong with the Republican mindset right now. GWB instilled into the GOP his own black-or-white, you’re either wit’ us or agin us, no middle ground mentality. Well guess what, that’s not how politics works. Politics and the legislative process are based on the idea of give and take, and compromise. It’s very rare that one side gets everything they want. The idea is to negotiate for as many of the things you think are most important that you can get. It’s not a zero-sum game.

    The only two options are not to take it up the Beck or submit. The third option is to negotiate in good faith on real issues. That’s how our system is designed to work. Being determined to shut down any bill at all costs is not doing that. I don’t expect them to like a lot of what is being proposed, but they do claim to like some of it. So start bargaining with those points, and see if you can get a few things you like thrown in. You did it with the stimulus, but then you still didn’t vote for it.

    When the GOP is ready to start acting like legislators and adults again, they can come sit at the big-peoples table with the grown-ups.

  16. OMG, take it up the Beck! I love it!

  17. rhubard says:

    “I don’t think the right will just roll over and take it up the ass like you liberals usually do.”

    Why do Republicans say “take it up the ass” like it’s a bad thing? Do they have penetration issues? Do they insist their wimminfolk take it up the ass, or not take it up the ass?

  18. D.C. says:

    ZZZZZZZ

  19. rhubard says:

    What’s that, h.’s vibrator?

  20. Perry says:

    Del Dem: “We can’t find common ground. We can resolve the argument. We just talk over each other in an endless cycle.

    This relationship is irreconcilable, certain to end in divorce. “

    You are raising a critical point, DD, one in which I think Obama is well aware.

    As futile as it may appear currently, I think Obama is correct in continuing to reach out his hand to the other side.

    Of course there are political reasons as, you know, that 60th vote in the Senate, but there are ideological reasons as well. We Dems do not have, nor do we deserve to have a monopoly on policy.

    We need the debate; we need to have at least a two party system survive. Just think of Olympia Snow, and a few other Republicans who are willing to talk.

    Therefore, for the sake of our children, we need to avoid a divorce, and keep trying!

  21. Rebecca says:

    No RWR (I can’t believe I’m responding to a troll).

    I’m not suggesting that we lock up the New Republicans. But don’t expect us to give you guys the keys to the car as long as you act like a bunch of drunks.

  22. anonone says:

    Perry is another mouse cheering for the cat.

  23. Another Mike says:

    Get out of “our country” and “our lives.” Here we have it in a nutshell. We don’t agree, so therefore one side must pack up and leave. Because, as we all know, the USA was founded on the principle that there is only one way of thinking, and the rest of you can go to hell. Or Canada. (Hell – nicer weather. Canada – year-round hockey.)

    When did it come to this? I’m not sure, but the black and white presidency of GWB didn’t help.

    Dixie Chicks criticize president, they get blacklisted and threatened. Joe Wilson calls president a liar, he issues forced non-apology while being patted on the back by the base.

  24. shortstuff says:

    I have an argument every Thanksgiving with my parents. Die hard Republicans to the end. Funny thing is my step dad was out of work for roughly 10 months collecting unemployment but then stated that he didn’t want any part of this “Socialist” government, of course I had to remind him that he just did collect unemployment. Same guy who also hated absolutely HATED his health insurance, blasting Blue Cross and Blue shield and the company he works for for having crappy insurance. Just had his gall bladder removed, had to shell out over 10k out of pocket. Caught him saying ademently that Beck was right last year when he said that American health insurance needs to be changed and it sucks! About a month ago when all the hoopla started again about HR3200 now he says: “I have the best health insurance around, I don’t want any change to it”… I just laugh and smile, it’s funny how the weak minded are swayed so easily and how easily they forget.

  25. a. price says:

    it’s simple. they. hate. barack. obama. no matter what he proposes. if Obama himself invented a device that produced infinite energy, cured cancer, somehow created wealth for all and job.. and gave hand jobs… the people who are opposed to health care WOULD STILL be against it, because Obama is evil and his plan is to create a Democratic majority for all time…. they want to keep us voting for them by giving everyone health care… and educating the children, and closing the gap between the wealthy and the poor…. THOSE EVIL BASTARDS

  26. nooneimportant says:

    If we get DV (which I’m ok with) then you get Carper and Lieberman.

  27. mike w. says:

    “Joining the Republican Party is like joining a religion. It’s a theocracy, and anyone that disagrees with its social conservative platform is banished for their sins. “

    Riiight, because you liberals are SO civil and tolerant of opposing viewpoints…..

    Thanks for the laugh.

  28. anon says:

    The religious right thinks the earth is 6000 years old, Adam and Eve were placed here by God, teaching evolution is a sin, the parables in the bible really happened. So it is no wonder that when facts get in the way, they become rather difficult. You can’t reason with people whose entire fundamental principles are based on fantasy that have been shattered by science. Hence, their distrust of science and reality has become an obsession.