I Cogitate
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Don't You Get It, We Are At War
This isn't going to be about what you're probably thinking.
This isn't an entry about the quagmire in Iraq.
It is about what is currently going down, has gone down and will continue to go down for the forseeable future between the Republican and Democratic Parties.
It's very simple but don't expect anyone in the mainstream media to ever shine a spotlight on such. Especially after working so hard to secure standing in the New York and D.C. media hierarchies.
It is that we are at war.
Domestic war.
There I wrote it.
For those of you who instantly respond that I knock off the melodrama and get real, well, here is what the ringleader, visionary and enforcer of the current Republican ruling politburo thinks of Democrats: "the enemy." His take on bipartisanship: "date rape." His stated goal being cutting the federal government to the degree that he could "drown it in the bathtub."
No, I am not making this up.
This is GOP uber-activist Grover Norquist, as profiled by John Cassidy in his article "The Ringleader" in the August 1, 2005, edition of The New Yorker.
Yes, the very same guy who pressures Republican lawmakers to sign a pledge to never submit or support legislation raising taxes of any way, shape or form. Or else face a well-funded opponent in the next primary election.
In Cassidy's article, Newt Gingrich is quoted describing Norquist as "the single most effective conservative activist in the country." It has John Fund of The Wall Street Journal christening Norquist as the Grand Central Station of conservatism.
Norquist is on the same wavelength as House Speaker Tom DeLay and (ex)superstar lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Karl Rove keeps Norquist at the very forefront of his rolodex. Need more be written?
This is a guy who makes Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" look like a Italian version of Mr. Rogers.
If you don't believe me that politics today is a non-ring version of Ultimate Fighting, look to Eric Alterman. He concludes his "The Liberal Media" column in July 18/25 edition of The Nation with: "...American politics has become a game with no rules and no referee. Play by the old rules--fairness, honesty, good faith--and face political extinction."
Gentility is scorned. Compromise is viewed as weakness. It's kill or be killed Torquemada time.
It wouldn't be surprising if this current brand of Republicanism requires an initiation ceremony like many of the street gangs: demonstrate that you'll take someone down and your in. Norquist and his ilk probably practice their stock in trade sticking shivs into the backs of inflatable Ted Kennedy or Hillary Clinton dolls.
My life philosophy has generally been to work towards a win-win situation whenever possible. But with these deviants on the loose and in power, anyone practicing such a creed will end up getting cozy with Jimmy Hoffa. Take-no-prisoners is the one and only commandment followed by those currently in charge.
My point is Democrats must realize and accept what is facing them on the playing field. This is not our father or grandfather's GOP adversaries where disagreement with Democrats was generally brooked by civility. This is a wing of the Republican Party that will spew obscenities about the wife and adopted daughter of another GOPer (John McCain) and for political gain will publicly question the patriotism of someone who lost three limbs in Vietnam (Max Cleland).
We must either face up to this challenge or enjoy permanent minority party status.
That is why it is imperative that congressional Democrats act as one. There is no reciprocation in cooperation. At least as long as Norquist, Rove, Bush, Chaney, Bolton and the rest of the bully boys remain on top. The paradigm has changed. Until or unless it swings back, the Democratic Party must remain unified.
Unfortunately, too many Democratic legislators fail to see, understand and accept this. Such was on display with the CAFTA, tax cut, bankruptcy, etc. congressional votes.
Re-gaining power in this country via winning elections is one way to turn this this dilemma around. But, to help that take place and in the meantime, the Democrats need their own particular enforcers. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have indicated a willingness to play this role but only to varying degrees. What is required is someone outside any legislative bodies with the power to step up and keep straying Demo politicians in line.
Keep in mind that I am not advocating embracing the vilest of tactics used by the GOP but in D.C. right now, it's a version of that old line about either sticking together or dying separately.
The problem is, just who is in position to play such a role? That is another Democratic dilemma.
Is there such an individual? Or is it that some of the prominent bloggers can fulfill this task?
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