Just how low can the Republican party go?

[babylonsister]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/03/republican-party-demise-continues


Just how low can the Republican party go?

The GOP has become the heartless party of cutting food aid to the poor, abortion bans and denying people health coverage

Michael Cohen



What is the single most consequential political development of the past five years? Some might say the election (and re-election) of Barack Obama; others might point to the passage of the most important piece of social policy (Obamacare) since the 1960s; some might even say the drawing down of US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But in reality, it is the rapid descent of the Republican party into madness.

Never before in American history have we seen a political party so completely dominated and controlled by its extremist wing; and never before have we seen a political party that brings together the attributes of nihilism, heartlessness, radicalism and naked partisanship quite like the modern GOP. In a two-party system like America's, the result is unprecedented dysfunction.


snip//

Then again, none of this should be a surprise to even sentient observers of American politics. In the narrow pursuit of political gain, Republicans have adopted an agenda that is quite simply, inhumane and cruel. Even if one is charitable and defends it on the ground of adherence to an ideological agenda of smaller, less intrusive government (except in the case of lady parts) it can't be defended. If one's ideological predisposition means denying food assistance to people who are laid off from their job or forcing a woman to carry a dead fetus to term or preventing individuals from getting health care coverage, then you have a monstrous ideology.

This is not meant as an indictment of all Republicans because it's very likely that many rank and file Republicans don't share these predispositions (though clearly some do). Rather it's an indictment of a once proud political party that is plumbing the depths of radicalism and nihilism and doesn't yet appear to have hit rock bottom.

[Bonhomme Richard]

1. It's simple. As low as they need to go. n/t

[mikeysnot]

2. divide and conquer

[UtahLib]

3. It has become impossible to predict

how low they're willing to go in pursuit of their disgustingly destructive and vile agenda.