George Gerber: The Republican Abyss -- 10 Miles Down and Sinking Faster

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by George Gerber

After eight years of the administration that brought this country to a grinding halt, one would have hoped that the party of Lincoln still retained a vestige of decency and concern for the human condition. Despite an electorate that is clearly behind our new President and a country on the precipice of collapse, the pack mentality of the Republican Party has once again risen to unprecedented proportions even for the realm of politics.  

Despite every attempt to promote a bipartisan agenda, Barack Obama has been unable to break through what has now become the Republican Party's lapel pin mantra: a flag inscribed with the words "If it's good for the masses, its bad for us." And so, without one exception, every Republican House member voted to defeat the stimulus bill put forth by the Democrats.

Unquestionably some parts and provisions of the bill could and/or should be eliminated. However, at a time when the very fabric of our flag is being ripped apart as surely as the walls of the World Trade Center tumbled, it is both unbelievable and unforgiveable that the party who underwrote the criminal actions of George W. Bush is unwilling to help the new President put this nation into action and recovery mode.

This is the same party that blindly supported our previous President when he said let's go to war. This is the same party who stood by the former President when he wanted to pass a stimulus bill over a weekend; a stimulus bill that was controlled by one man without any safeguards at all for the taxpayers' money. Abraham Lincoln would be ashamed of his party if he were alive today. And the House Republicans should be ashamed in his stead.  

It is easy in today's society to be a mindless follower. It does not take courage. It does not take pride. It does not take compassion or consideration. It only requires blind obedience to a superior, conformity to the pack, and disengagement from the will of the people. While issuing kind platitudes about liking the President, it seems the members of the minority once again think Americans are idiots. But in the end, their behavior demeans no one but themselves.  

Like helpless sailors on a sinking submarine, the Republican House members are all singing the same song and it is not a pretty one. No matter how much the lyrics preach and the tune hypnotizes, the boat continues its descent into the cold dark abyss of greed, ignorance. Let us hope they do not take our country with them.  

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION