Republicans used to stand for something: free enterprise, small government, lower taxes. These principles were responsible for the election of Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan (as to what principles were responsible for the election of George W. Bush, I have no earthly idea). Although not always true to the ideals (Reagan's defense spending put a serious hole in the budget) at least those men gave it to you straight. Their core beliefs were that the American people would see the wisdom of their ideas and vote accordingly.
Now we have 2009. The Republican ethos is in decline, not because people want higher taxes and more government but because the previous chief executive had sawdust for brains. Republicans have had the political rug pulled out from under them. Not only do the Democrats control both houses of Congress, they have a rock star in the White House. The GOP has no cogent plan, no remedy for Iraq, the recession or unemployment. Hell, they don't even have a leader/spokesperson/champion. When John Boehner, Mitch McConnell and Jim Demint are your frontmen you need to change your campaign color from red to gray.
Having decided that a recitation of your beliefs is putting America to sleep, the GOP has hit upon a new grand strategy; scare the bejeebers out of old people. If you can get someone on TV to repeat the stuff you make up (hello Fox News), seniors will gobble it up. Old people believe what their TV's tell them. They remember Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Morrow and Huntley & Brinkley. Older Americans still watch evening news shows. Even the more even-handed news people like Katie Couric or Brian Williams will repeat absurd stories if they appear to be news. Look at the "birther" story. From the people who brought you swift boating, this trash about President Obama not being a citizen is pure fiction. Why then do 45% of Republicans believe it? They saw it on TV.
1) Some delusional right wing dickweed said it publicly. 2) Conservatives at Fox News gave it airplay. 3) Old people heard it...every day. 4) The Republican party is made up almost entirely of old people who want to believe that Fox speaks the truth. 5) Thus is born the birther movement. Quod erat demonstrandum.
Convinced that they had something here, the Republican intelligentsia (an oxymoron if ever there was one) is staying up nights to dream up more stuff with which to terrify Americans over 60. First they got Sarah Palin, queen of style over substance, to spread the terror of "death panels". Ooooohhhh! Then Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced "your government wants to pull the plug on grandma". GOP representatives from Wyoming to Florida have been rattling the spectre of "rationing"...as if your current insurance provider isn't already doing that. Not to be outdone, Fox News discovered a Veterans Administration pamphlet produced fifteen years ago and proclaimed it a roadmap to encourage former servicemen to end their lives. (What that has to do with the current debate, you'll have to ask Glen Beck.)
Now we have a new gem from the cave of political make-believe; an RNC questionnaire has suggested that, armed with the right information, the government (presumably Democratic) might deny medical treatment to Republicans. Setting aside the relative merits of this concept (we should at least consider pulling the plug on Senator Grassley's microphone) does this make any sense to anyone? Apparently it makes sense to Micheal Steele, chairman of the RNC. He signed the letter that accompanies the questionnaire.
Healthcare is going to be expensive. That fact alone should play directly into the wheelhouse of the Republican Party. Is their faith in their own principles so weak that they can't stick to the truth? Or is it possible that the price tag alone won't be enough to discourage support for some form of healthcare reform? Like Billy Flynn sang in "Chicago", "Razzle-dazzle 'em and they'll never get wise". Stay tuned for the Republican sequel to Final Destination entitled "If You're Over 70, Don't Buy Any Green Bananas".
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