The Brafia debate

As I believe what used to be the Republican party has forfeited any right to claim that designation I can only refer to them as the Brafia (Bush Republican Mafia). By their unfailing support for the war criminals that lead them and their robbery of U.S. taxpayers to give to their corporate cronies, they have devolved into little more than a criminal conspiracy. This is probably unfair to Dr. Paul as he doesn't seem to belong in the same category. Unfortunately I watched their debate this evening. The first thing that entered my mind was: when was the last time any of them actually had a new or interesting idea. It was mostly just the same old nonsense about the tax and spend Democrats. They are absolutely obsessed with the idea that taxes have to be lowered (it doesn't matter what the taxes are, they always have to be lowered). And of course they insist that Democrats will raise taxes no matter what (they regard any form of equitable or fair taxation as raising taxes, no matter how unfairly the current tax code aids billionaires and corporations). They make it clear they will continue the existing situation that can only be described as borrow and spend (our children can pay). With the exception of Ron Paul they all believe in empire and will continue to try to control the world no matter what the cost. Although increasingly reticent to mention Bush, when they do it's to claim how wonderful he has been about keeping us free of terrorism (they mean here in the U.S.), and how clever he was to instigate the surge that, in their strange view, is working. They continue to insist that we are winning and/or will be victorious. They do not define victory but apparently they mean establishing a puppet government and leaving troops in place to defend it (while at the same time getting effective control of their oil). True to the imperialism of old, they seem to think the Iraqis themselves will have no right to say or do anything about this. The question of torture and other war crimes never comes up during any of their so-called debates. Ron Paul, the only one who seems to still be in touch with reality when it comes to the "war" and empire, is either ignored or treated as the eccentric old uncle who doesn't know what he is talking about.

They say things that make me believe they don't understand what they are actually saying. For example, Huckabee, defending his faith, said he didn't want to impose it on others (apparently he thinks amending the Constitution to bring it in line with God somehow isn't imposing it on others). Giuliani, in spite of his showing in the polls, insists he is going to win (I guess he has to say that to save face). Romney says he doesn't believe the American public is going to consider religion as a factor in the election. That might (and I say might) be true of the electorate in general but there are many evangelicals who believe Mormonism is a cult and will never vote for him. I'm not certain how many Americans want a President who thinks his underwear is sacred. Has anyone asked Romney if he believes in evolution?

These strange people seem to believe that the threat, the very threat, that a Democrat may win the White House, is causing the recession. Historically, the Markets have performed better under Democratic administrations. The members of the Brafia have ideas about Democrats they cling to dogmatically no matter what is going on in the world, just as they have these formulaic ideas about taxes, small government, fiscal responsibility, Manifest Destiny, and the glory of (others) sacrifices. They are, in short, hopeless dead-enders who are, in my opinion at least, incapable of either learning or understanding even the rudiments of empathy or fair play. I want them held accountable for their imbecilic incompetence.

LKBIQ:
"As long as there are sovereign nations possessing great power, war is inevitable."
Albert Einstein