What a Difference One Hundred Fifty Years Makes

The Republican Party, born in the midst of talk of secession, sectional rivalries, slavery, and war, has turned one hundred eighty degrees from its founding fathers' outlook. Abraham Lincoln is probably turning in his grave today, with his party holding a death grip on his old rival, the South. One state of the old Confederacy has its governor talking secession, while the other southern state Republican parties cater to the racist, anti-United States base.
Lincoln strove to preserve the Union and fought a terrible war to achieve that end.

Today's party appears ready to strike the match of revolt in an effort to tear the Union apart once again. It is a party of intolerance and religious fundamentalism that would rival the Taliban should it ever achieve the totalitarian power that it appears to desire. Daily it seems less inclined to accept the American Constitutional government, appealing elections, filing lawsuits over voting, and increasing the negative rhetoric about voter fraud in many instances of Republican losses.

The Democratic Party of 1860 was the Republican Party of today. It was willing to sacrifice its young men, ultimately, to preserve a "peculiar institution" that threatened to destroy its very being. Yes, there were the states rights issues and the northern industrialist's desire to hold the south in servitude. At the root of it all was the south's determination to hold on to the slavery induced agricultural base that brought wealth and power to southern planters.

Southern Democrats of that day were like the modern day Republican Party, intolerant of African Americans with a belief system steeped in fundamentalist Christianity. As today's Republicans lift passages from the Bible to support their ant-Gay, anti-Abortion stances, the Democrats of 1860 found those that supported their desire to enslave their fellowman.

Today, the Democratic party is inclusive of African-Americans, gays, pro-choice, Christian and non-Christian. It caries on its books of membership, a wide range of beliefs from center-right to far left. It doesn't have all of the answers and it has taken some stances that are repulsive to many. Yet, for me at this time it more closely represents my views than anything else offered to me. Libertarianism comes close, but I can't accept all of it. Should the Democratic Party fail, as the Republican Party has, the Libertarian Party stands ready to fill the void. Many Democrats and Republicans could probably easily make the transition.

As a fellow blogger, Michael Westmoreland-White has said, there are other parties than stand ready to take on Republicans and Democrats. We may see a major change in this country's political structure in the next eight to ten years, as presidents form coalition governments that are more inclusive and less partisan in their make-up. For political junkies it will be interesting to watch. For those steeped in the partisan rhetoric of Democrat/Republican rivalries, frustration might be a better word.

They Lock You in For "God Bless America" in Yankee Stadium?

A NY Yankees fan has filed suit because he was, he claims, arrested for leaving his seat during the playing of "God Bless America." I will not debate whether that was why he was arrested, although I do not doubt it. However, I will take issue over the fact that this incident has revealed that the Yankees block the aisles while this song is being played. No one is allowed to leave their seat.

Excuse me, but this sounds more like the Taliban than the United States of America. Will the police in Yankee Stadium begin to arrest fans if they don't remove their hat during the national anthem? What about bowing their heads if there is a prayer in the stadium? In some fundamentalist Muslim countries such actions could bring quick execution. But...the United States?

I am simply astounded to find that the police block the exits during the playing of "God Bless America." Even worse, I have seen several forums where the "America, love it or leave it" thing is being thrown about over this, and the lawsuit is called "frivolous." It is amazing how little so many of us value our civil rights and our Constitution. The next thing you know the Governor of Texas will be talking about seceding from the Union, and people will be cheering for him.

GA Follows Texas and Secedes From the Union!!!

It's a great day in the neighborhood!!! We are no longer a part of Big Bad Obama's Socialist USA!!! I knew this would happen. No more IRS! No more federal taxes to pay. Just our little ole Georgia income and gas taxes. I can't wait until next April 15th. I can't wait for my next retirement check. No Federal taxes, no FICA. I'm rich, I'm rich, I'm rich!!!

What do you mean the mail didn't run? Where is my retirement check? If that lazy government employee is playing sick again....oh, I forgot that's a federal thing. No matter, Gov. Sonny will take care of that.

Goin' to Atlanta tomorrow. They are supposed to have paved the road across the mountain. It sure was getting rough. Huh? Where is the paving equipment. Federal highway funds? Oh, no matter Gov. Sonny will take care of that too.

Phone for me? Ok. Hey son, did you get that job at Ft. Stewart? We sure are lucky to have all of the military bases in our state that we have. How many are there now? Let's see. Ft Stewart, Ft. Benning, Moody AF Base, Hunter Army Air-Force Base, Ft. Gordon, that's where they make those prothethics, Ft. Mc... and there are others. I can't list them all. Those cushy federal jobs pay good money. I know you'll like working there. What? They've closed Ft. Stewart? All of them? They can't do that! Oh...I guess they moved them. What about all those poor people who lost jobs? No problem, Sonny will find jobs for them. We'll just have to enlarge the National Guard.

Has the Coast Guard found your missing friend? They haven't looked? Why not? Oh yeah, that secession thing again. No matter. We'll start our own. And that other friend that is going to work at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick. Has he....oops, that ugly "federal" word again. Well, we'll just enlarge the State Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Gov. Sonny can do that.

It is great that we have such a fine school system in our county. Sure brings a lot of good folks in. And our hospital. One of the best. Huh? Cutbacks? The federal funds dried up? Well, the state will just have to take care of that. We have to have health care and schools.

What's that I see across the street? That looks like a burglar. Quick, call 911! Why don't they answer? I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind. Answering machine? What's that message again? Due to lack of funding the 911 center has been closed? The very idea!

I heard on the news this morning that the Mexican drug lords have moved into Texas. Well where was the Border Patrol? They should move the US Army down there and clean up that mess. That wimp, Obama, can't do anything right. Come to think of it, the Mexicans have been pouring into Georgia lately. I'm going to give Sen Chambliss a piece of my mind. He needs to get in there and force those cowardly Washington Democrats into taking control of our borders. What do you mean they moved the border. It's Tennessee now? They've closed our border with Tennessee? That's the US border? What are we going to do with these Mexicans?

Great! My check is here. I can't wait to see my new money. Yep, no federal, no FICA. What? State taxes are $5,000? They can't do that! I only got $500 this month! What am I going to do? How will I feed my family? I guess I'd better take this little bit to the bank. Why is the bank locked? The stimulous money wasn't available anymore? No matter, the FDIC will cover my account. I want my Obama back! Please, somebody help me!!! I sure hope this is a dream. I am going to wake up...aren't I? Ruh, Ro! HEEEELLLLPPPP!