I need some national perspective (from the Arkansas front lines)

[Cannikin]

I've had my head in state politics for the last few months. Let me tell you, even as someone who's lived in Arkansas my whole life, I've never seen a political situation that is so radical and so popular with the people. Guns in church, moments of silence in school, abortion bans, reaffirmations of marriage "protection", severe politics of division, contraception control, banning certain piercings, gutting water regs, eminent domain law changes...etc etc, is what we're dealing with DAILY here. I mean, I'm well aware of our red state nature, but it has gotten radical even for us. It's the stuff Koch brother documentaries are made of.

Is this happening everywhere? They actually seem to be gaining support instead of losing it.

My wishful thinking has me hoping this is the radical arm of the GOP in it's death throes, but it looks like the future may be bleak for red state democrats for some time to come.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I've been watching the same thing and it's rather frightening.

It's really upsetting when you consider that Arkansas was pretty much blue until a few years ago.

I have noticed that religious groups that used to be considered as "fringe" organizations are now seen as mainstream. We're going backwards.

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. I grew up in Arkansas.

When I moved from there in 1983, I am certain that I had only known two admitted Republicans in my whole life. I remember my mom talking to me about someone, and she whispered "he's Republican", like it was a social disease, or something.

When did Arkansas turn into a Republican state?

[Cannikin]

3. I'm convinced its a work of the triad.

Tyson/Walton/Koch. They all have a LOT of money tied up here.

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

4. The Republicans are trying to get revenge

The Republicans are trying to get revenge against society for re-electing President Obama

[bemildred]

5. Yep, Daddy is mad, and he is trying to punish. nt

[JoePhilly]

6. At the end of Gulf War #1, Saddam set the oil fields on fire when it became clear

that we was going to lose.

That's what the GOP is doing. If they can't run the country, they are going to do everything they can to screw it up on their way out.

They are like the bad renter who, after not paying their rent for months, gets an eviction notice, and then destroys the place before leaving in the dark of night.